Bonnie Gibson has reopened Bonnie Bell's Bistro in its same Jefferson Street spot.
Bonnie Gibson closed her Jefferson Street eatery Bonnie Bell's Bistro Dec. 31 because she had a buyer. But when the deal fell through, she decided to reopen shop and will begin serving customers Monday.
Gibson has scaled back the menu and the restaurant's hours. She's open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will open on Saturdays for dinner only during ArtWalk weeks.
The original Bonnie Bell's operated for 6.5 years on Brooke Avenue across from Old Tyme Grocery and moved downtown two years ago, taking over the location that previously housed T-Coon's. As part of the menu re-do, Gibson is bringing back the once-popular flavored tortillas she used in the original restaurant's wraps and quesadillas.
Much of the staff is returning, Gibson says. While her lease runs for three more years, Gibson is unsure whether she'll seek another potential buyer. "At this point, we're not totally sure," she says.
Gibson and her husband have two additional restaurants, locations of The Mess Hall. The original Mess Hall opened in late 2010 on Kaliste Saloom Road and expanded with a second location on Eraste Landry less than a month ago.