Photo by Frank Couch.
Revolve Kitchen & Brew
Doug Hovanec, left, and executive chef Sean Butler will open Revolve Kitchen and Brew this spring.
Doug Hovanec is on a mission to bring great food to the 280 corridor. The Bellini’s owner is opening his second restaurant, an American style tavern and beer garden in the former Bella Cucina space at Lee Branch.
Revolve Kitchen & Brew started in the mind of Executive Chef Sean Butler several years ago. He envisioned a community gathering place with a great atmosphere and exceptional food.
“Doug and I kept talking about things we were missing in this area,” Butler said. “The idea of the restaurant progressed. We chose the name because things will always be changing at Revolve. As we go, we will track the menu items that people enjoy. There will always be a chef's feature for one to two weeks at a time.”
Butler, a Chelsea resident, moved to the area from Colorado in 2002. He started Food Studio B, an all-organic natural café. He and Hovanec became friends, and Bellini’s acquired the assets from Food Studio B and Butler stayed on to run it.
“We talked about doing something together,” Butler said. “We were both tired of being by ourselves. He's the numbers guy and I’m the food guy.”
Since opening Bellini’s, Hovanec always knew he wanted to expand, but wasn’t looking to open another fine dining restaurant.
“We decided on the concept of a social beer hall,” Hovanec said. “We both love beer and great food so it was a good mix. We also wanted to open something cool and fashionable on this side of town.”
Butler said that Revolve will have the same service, quality and passion of Bellini’s translated into a more casual environment. The restaurant will have an industrial feel, featuring brass, subway tile, reclaimed stained wood, locally made tables and an open polished concrete tiled floor.
The space will seat 80 inside, including space at the bar and high-top community tables. An outdoor covered patio will also be used for three of the four seasons.
As for the menu, Butler said the goal is to “bring a basic Southern approach, blend flavors we all enjoy, but put it on paper in a way that people can understand.”
The menu will boast the same quality as Bellini’s, but less expensive, with entrees under $20. Featured items will include whole birds, porterhouse, Gulf Coast fish, brisket, short ribs, fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches. Appetizers available will be brats, fresh oysters and deviled eggs, among others. Soups will also be available, along with four desserts.
The kid’s menu will be designed with the same approach, offering items kids like to eat, but prepared in a healthy way.
“The collective menu is things from our spouses and families that people love and enjoy,” Butler said. “People can come in three to five days a week and have something different every time.”
Butler said the goal is to add excitement. Some events include brewery takeover nights, beer dinners and live music.
The Lee Branch location of Revolve Kitchen & Brew will be the test location, and the duo plans to open more in the future.
“We are trying to find a balance of where we are in the 3,000 square foot space,” Butler said. “We won’t be a franchise, but solely a company-owned restaurant. We know within Alabama there needs to be more of these out there.”
Revolve plans to debut in late April or early May, and will be open six days a week for lunch and dinner. The outcome of the March 1 Sunday alcohol vote will determine if they will be open on Sundays.
Hovanec plans to continue opening restaurants along the 280 corridor, and is currently working on two more concepts. Everything can be made out of the catering side, which has grown substantially, and produced in the restaurants.
“My goal is to expand Revolve and evaluate after six to nine months and determine where we want to go,” Hovanec said. “As for future growth, I expect it every six months to a year assuming things permit. It goes back to the concept of great service and high quality food for the best price. Every niche we go into it’s the same premise.”
Revolve Kitchen & Brew
- WHERE: The Village at Lee Branch, 611 Doug Baker Blvd.
- CALL: 545-8523
- WEB: revolvekb.com
