Atwater Village’s Bon Vivant Market soft opening tomorrow

We’ve been eying and anxiously awaiting the opening of yet another new place to stuff our faces (and, why not, get a little tipsy) in Atwater Village – Bon Vivant Market. At first we kind of envisioned it like a mini Whole Foods – a salad and sandwich bar, other freshly prepared foods, maybe an occasional wine tasting, that sort of thing. But it’s actually a little bit more than that, which everyone will get a first-hand look at tomorrow for the market’s soft opening starting at 11:00 am.

Before we go into the details, open up your iTunes and put on a little Francoise Hardy to set the mood. The important thing to think about is it’s not exactly like a grocery store market (but don’t nix the Whole Foods/Mother’s Market comparison completely). It’s more like an indoor market, slash cafe, slash bar, slash restaurant.

There are no signs of the Jubilee Adult Daycare Center, which shut down last year.All the storefront doors are open to the Glendale Boulevard sidewalk, through which you can walk in and have your choice of (starting from the right side of the building) charcuterie and sandwiches in the savory section, desserts and pastries in the sweets section, coffee and tea, and/or anything from the full bar (including 16 wine taps). The ideas is that you order from any station, get your number, and have a seat at the large communal tables or cafe tables at the front.

In the kitchen is Chef “Bloody” Bill Annesely, but don’t let the name scare you off – there will be plenty of vegan and vegetarian options available. Lunch will be more along the lines of the small bites, meats, sausages, and so forth. Dinner will be a little more upscale and may include a cocktail server or two to help get those drink orders of yours in.

Owner Tricia LaBelle emailed some more details about what to expect:

We will be featuring fresh veggie salads, cous cous dishes,Ggreek yogurt and home made granolas, incredible waffles and crepes for both sweet and savor palates.  Fresh made soups and sandwiches as well as a featured carving station for our meat lovers.  Extensive line of fromage and charcuterie and luxury Chocolates.  Alain Milliat and Valerie Kelly Jams and Nectars, Oliana Oils and Balsamics, A L’Olivier dressings…. just to name a few of our favorites!  Our Wine menu is designed by TIXA and our bar will feature delicious fruity and savory martinis, champagnes and fine cognacs.  Ice Teas from Calistoga as well as fresh made lemonades, sodas and juices.

Now that all the permits and parking issues have been sorted out with the city, the soft opening starts tomorrow (Friday, June 29) at 11:00 am. A grand opening is expected in September.

We will be featuring fresh veggie salads, cous cous dishes, greek yogurt and home made granolas, incredible waffles and crepes for both sweet and savor palates.  Fresh made soups and sandwiches as well as a featured carving station for our meat lovers.  Extensive line of fromage and charcuterie and luxury Chocolates.  Alain Milliat and Valerie Kelly Jams and Nectars, Oliana Oils and Balsamics, A L’Olivier dressings…. just to name a few of our favorites!  Our Wine menu is designed by TIXA  (http://www.tixawinecellars.com/) and our bar will feature delicious fruity and savory martinis, champagnes and fine cognacs.  Ice Teas from Calistoga as well as fresh made lemonades, sodas and juices.