French bistro and bar coming to downtown St. Pete from owners of Bacchus
COGNAC, a Parisian bistro and bar, is coming soon to the former Dirty Shirley restaurant space at 201 2nd Avenue North in downtown ST. Pete | Dirty Shirley
The plump red cherry perched atop the awning of the dormant Dirty Shirley Bar + Kitchen will soon be removed as two local restaurant veterans will bring a new French bistro to the downtown St. Pete space.
Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, owners and operators of the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro, will debut a new Parisian bistro and bar called COGNAC at 201 2nd Avenue North. Dirty Shirley closed their doors less than a year after opening in 2023.
"At Bacchus, we are limited on what we serve and need a bigger kitchen where we can offer more dishes and serve larger private parties," Guillot said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising, explaining they’ve been seeking an adequate and efficient space for months.
Executive Chef Louis DeBiase, who has worked at Bacchus since its opening, will be the "heart and soul" of COGNAC as he is spearheading the kitchen operations and menu.
Bacchus Wine Bistro, also owned by Guillot and Challeau, carries over 30 meats and cheeses, which can be bought by the pound or included in a charcuterie board | Bacchus Wine Bistro
"COGNAC will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections."
Guillot said they will also offer French pastries, croissants, and other delicious items.
Unlike the nearby Bacchus Wine Bistro, which opened in 2019 and serves wines from around the world and imported cheeses, COGNAC will have a full liquor bar and the capacity to seat parties of up to 50 people.
Guillot and Challeau were handed the keys Thursday to the corner space after signing off on a 15-year lease agreement.
Bacchus, located one block away from the planned COGNAC bistro and bar, has a menu of made-to-order dishes, such as the their popular Lobster Salad | Bacchus
Broker Chris DiNeno, founder and operating principal at Main Street & Main, announced the sale of the restaurant business on Facebook, also congratulating the sellers, serial restaurant owner Renaud Cowez, Kahwa Coffee Roasting Co. founder Raphael Perrier, and Jeremy Duclut, owner of The Wooden Rooster.
COGNAC will be less than two blocks from Bacchus and is next door to the Sundial shopping and dining complex.
When COGNAC opens this fall, it will serve brunch, lunch, and dinner every day. During the week, hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, on Saturdays and Sundays, the kitchen will stay open until 10 p.m., and the bar will operate until midnight.
As for the future of the glistening giant cherry atop the building, Guillot said they will find a new home for it.