Ciao Italian Kitchen to open in former Press space at the Waterfront

Sept. 7, 20113:15 p.m.

WICHITA — After almost 30 years of working in the restaurant business for others, Guillermo Perez-Munoz is opening his own place in the former Press space at the Waterfront.

“Why not?” he says, not allowing the previous failures of Piztros, Sabor and Press to deter him.

“We can analyze them — all of them,” Perez-Munoz says of why those businesses didn’t work.

The key, he says, is keeping his focus on food.

“In this area, it’s about families.”

So he’s opening Ciao Italian Kitchen, a 130-seat restaurant that will feature what Perez-Munoz calls the ultimate comfort food.

“We are an Italian kitchen first and foremost,” he says. “Every home is designed around the kitchen, so that’s what we’re doing.”

An extensive menu will include Italian favorites such as pizza, calzone and lasagna along with items such as surf-and-turf dishes.

Perez-Munoz isn’t planning any dishes from his native Puerto Rico, but he says as the business progresses he’ll probably “put some flare into it and bring some crazy pastas.”

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Filed under East side, Leases, New business, Real estate, Restaurants, Waterfront | Comments Off

Old Town’s Uptown Bistro to close April 2

March 23, 20113:44 p.m.

WICHITA — After months of speculation — and some denials — Melad Stephan says he’s closing Uptown Bistro in Old Town Square on April 2.

“That store hasn’t lived up to my standards in food and service and sales,” he says. “I’ll take the blame for some of it. Or most of it.”

Stephan signed a new 5-year-lease last month.

“I’m not going to leave that spot. I’m going to do something with it some day.”

He’s working on a new concept, but he won’t share details yet.

Stephan grew fed up with Uptown Bistro.

“I told them the other day, if I hear one more complaint, I’m shutting the doors down,” he says. “I’m done with everybody.”

Stephan says he couldn’t be there enough to oversee and correct operations.

He also owns Sabor Latin Bar & Grille, Egg Cetera, Oeno and Press.

So has he considered perhaps limiting himself to only one or two restaurants?

“I have in the past,” Stephan says. “You know what? You do one thing     . . . you get bored with it.”

He says he could don his chef’s coat and revive Uptown Bistro on his own, but he doesn’t want to.

“Do I have the passion and the time and the effort to do it at this stage in my life? I don’t.”

He’s been in the restaurant business 25 years.

“You know, just the routine kills you. You want to advance your life.”

Look for an update on the space as soon as Stephan makes a final decision.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Closings, Leases, Old Town, Restaurants | Comments Off

Press wine bar to open Tuesday

Nov. 24, 201011:56 a.m.

WICHITA — At long last, Melad Stephan’s new Press wine bar is going to open in his former Sabor space at the Waterfront.

There were the usual construction and equipment delays that prevented the business from opening a couple of months ago as planned. Mostly, though, Stephan blames himself.

“You know, I change my mind so many times,” he says. “So I drove them crazy from colors to light to everything.”

Most of the changes are now complete.

“I might change my mind about some of the bar stools, but I think I’m set to open on Tuesday.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Bars, East side, Restaurants, Waterfront | Comments Off

You don’t say

Sept. 22, 20104:11 p.m.

“That’s exactly right. I want you to be there every day.”

— Melad Stephan’s response when he asked if he’s renamed his forthcoming Waterfront bar Press instead of D’Vine in order to attract the media (though actually he’s referring to a wine press)

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , Filed under Bars, You don't say | Comments Off