Restaurateur finds business opportunity on the Connective Corridor: Dolce Vita, a world bistro, to open Monday, June 8, for lunch and dinner

Restaurateur finds business opportunity on the Connective Corridor: Dolce Vita, a world bistro, to open Monday, June 8, for lunch and dinnerJune 05, 2009Jemeli Tanuijetanui@syr.edu

Syracuse restaurateur Frank Vigliotti is opening a new bistro along the Connective Corridor that will feature a global-inspired menu, public art space, open mic nights and free wireless Internet.

The new bistro, named Dolce Vita after the 1960 film “La Dolce Vita,” is located at 907 E. Genesee St., near Syracuse Stage. Vigliotti also owns Francos Pizzeria at 901 E. Genesee St., next door to the new restaurant.

Dolce Vita joins two established businesses in the region-O’Brien and Gere and King and King Architects-that recently relocated to the Connective Corridor.

“We’re very excited to see a new business open up along the Connective Corridor, especially a business that has great potential to become a stopping place for great food, good music and art as people sample the great cultural gems Syracuse has to offer,” says Marilyn Higgins, Syracuse University’s vice president for community engagement and economic development, whose office leads, in collaboration with many local partners, the Connective Corridor effort.

Dolce Vita’s decor exudes warmth, yet is still urban and energizing, with mauve-colored walls, black tin ceilings with loft-style exposed ventilation pipes, wood paneling and exposed brickwork. The walls are decorated with art work from local painters and photographers, and will be rotated to feature new artists every few weeks. The cozy space is divided into a mirrored bar area and a dining area, separated by a black wrought iron and brick half wall. A small raised platform with silvery drapes makes up the performance stage.

The bistro’s interactive atmosphere includes a magnetized wall where diners can leave bits of poetry or notes. And for dinner musical accompaniment, diners are encouraged to bring their personal music to share, via mp3, iPods, CDs or tapes. Local bands will provide after-dinner entertainment while amateur artists can polish their skills on open mic nights.

“Frank decided to open Dolce Vita out of a desire to participate in the Chancellor’s vision of a great, connected community,” says Anthony Corcoran, Dolce Vita’s manager. “We hope that Dolce Vita’s presence will be a good addition to the Connective Corridor’s existing businesses-the hotels, the Stage, Phoebe’s and the pizzeria-adding a little more foot traffic along the Corridor, and bringing touches of ‘dolce vita,’ Italian for ‘the sweet life,’ to the area.”

Dolce Vita will serve a “Five Minute Lunch” between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. featuring a pasta bar in which a staffed buffet allows diners to select their pasta, toppings and sauces and have a savory dish tossed together within minutes. The lunch menu will also include salads and a limited a la carte selection.

The dinner menu is “world-infused,” i.e., classic American staples such as homemade pasta served with entrees inspired by cuisine from several cultures around the world. Some of the featured menu items include Bombay Chicken, fried homemade ravioli, tempura vegetables, Mexican stir fry, Hunan infused scallops and cut-to-order American-made beef. There’s even a “Corridor Chicken”-grilled chicken topped with artichokes, mushrooms and jack cheese served on a fresh roll. Dinner hours are 5-9 p.m., but the bar will be open later to accommodate theater-goers.

For more information on Dolce Vita, visit http://www.dolcevitabar.com/. For more information about the Connective Corridor, the emerging signature strip of cutting-edge cultural development connecting the University Hill with downtown Syracuse, visit http://www.connectivecorridor.com/.