Baricelli Inn Gives Way to Washington Place Bistro

When Paul Minnillo decided to shutter his Baricelli Inn after 25 years to open Flour (see 8-25 Bites), he cleared the way for a different approach at the historic Little Italy castle. After speaking with Scott Kuhn, the new operator of the inn, it's clear that a departure is precisely what's in store. Slated to open in mid-November, Washington Place Bistro will be a modern American bistro serving value-driven fare. "The biggest change will be the concept," explains Kuhn, who also runs 87 West at Crocker Park and Welshfield Inn in Burton. "The goal at all my restaurants is to make guests feel comfortable and welcome." The high-end but affordable cuisine, he adds, will attract everybody from penny-pinching grad students to flush professionals. A major renovation of the space is underway, which will add a bar and lounge area, remodeled dining rooms, and a doubling of the outdoor patio. "This is a head-on collision between modern and classical," he says. The eclectic menu is still in the works.