The city issued a permit on April 17 to convert Ida Clare in Town Center into a sister concept, Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar.
Ida Clare closed on March 10 after Dallas-based FB Association, the parent company of both restaurant concepts, announced on January 24 that Ida Clare would become Whiskey Cake.
And Ida Claire's signature Airstream trailer, used as an outdoor lounge space, remains for Whiskey Cake.
“We're renovating the Airstream to make it the ideal place to sip craft cocktails and create new stories,” Ray Phillips-Luther, FB Association's chief brand officer, said on April 16. Ta.
Plans are to renovate the Ida Claire space with new interior finishes and furniture. Redo the exterior finish. Construction of new parapet. Replace patio furniture. The existing Airstream trailer, which has been converted into lounge space, will remain.
Phillips Luther plans to open Whiskey Cake in midsummer and retain Ida Claire general manager Jabari Simpson and many of the 60 to 80 existing employees.
Accelerated Construction Services, which has offices in Orlando and Texas, is undertaking an $890,000 interior and exterior renovation of the more than 6,700-square-foot property at 10209 River Coast Drive.
There are 314 seats (62 of which are on the patio). Private dining seats 42 or standing for 84 seats.
The website whiskeycake.com states, “Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar is an everyday destination with flavorful wood-fired cuisine, innovative craft cocktails, an impressive library of spirits, and an extensive selection of premium barrel picks. It is a pub in the city.''
Ida Claire is described as a Southern-inspired spot with menus for lunch, dinner, brunch, “vinyl hour,” and drinks and cocktails. It opened in Jacksonville in November 2019.
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar will be the third restaurant in the building, which was developed in 2005 at 10209 Rivercoast Drive. It opened as Mimi's Cafe in a Phase 1 section of St. John's Town Center. Mimi's closed in April 2019. Ida Claire Jacksonville LLC He purchased this property in April 2019 and opened Ida Claire in November 2019.
Ida-Claire.com has 1 location listed in Addison, Texas.
Whiskey Cake has 10 stores: eight in Texas, one in Oklahoma, and one in Tampa.
“There's a gap in the market,” Phillips-Luther said in a February interview.
“We truly believe that our craft-focused American Tavern, and certainly our carefully selected selection of whiskey and bourbon spirits, will resonate deeply with Jacksonville residents. “It's going to be a really great opportunity for us and for the region,” she said.
Tampa's menu includes lunch and dinner, brunch, drinks, whiskey list, and social hours.
Ray Phillips-Luther, Chief Brand Officer, FB Association.
Lunch and dinner include light bites, including 11 pieces ranging from deep-fried Brussels sprouts for $9.50 to butcher's boards for $18. 10 main dishes ranging from $20 Harvest Shepherd's Pie to $41 Ribeye. Five sandwiches ranging from a $16 chicken burger to an $18.50 smoked tri-tip dip. Six types of salads ranging from $6 Farm Salad to $18 Lemongrass Shrimp & Noodles. Side menus, kids meals, and juices are also available. Sandwiches can be ordered with a vegan patty for $2.
The whiskey list includes American, Rye, Bourbon, Scotch, Single Malt Scotch, Canadian, Irish, Texas, and Worldly (three Japanese varieties). Prices for 2 ounces range from $8 (Jim Beam) to $300 (Macallan 25 Year Old).
Tampa hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday from 10am to 11pm. Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ida Claire's signature Airstream trailer will be used as Whiskey Cake's outdoor lounge space.
Phillips-Luther said Ida Clare was facing difficult timing.
“Ida Clare opened right before the pandemic started, but it's hard to build momentum after an entry like that,” she says.
FB Society rebranded from Front Burner Restaurants LLC in 2020.
Permit information lists the owner of Whiskey Cakes restaurant as Front Burner Restaurants of Dallas.
Plans show a bar and dining area, patio dining, and private dining.
Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar will replace Ida Claire\ at 10209 River Coast Drive in Town Center.
Plans are to renovate the space with new interior finishes and furniture. Redo the exterior finish. Construction of new parapet. Replace patio furniture. The existing Airstream trailer, which has been converted into lounge space, will remain.
Zebra Architecture PLLC, Scottsdale, Arizona, is the architect.
This will be the third restaurant in the building, which was developed in 2005 at 10209 River Coast Drive. It opened as Mimi's Cafe in a Phase 1 section of St. John's Town Center. Mimizu closed in April 2019.
Ida Claire Jacksonville LLC purchased the 1.23-acre property from Orlando-based FLLM LLC in April 2019 for $2.7 million.
The interior of Tampa Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar is shown in a photo shared by the restaurant on social media.
