A popular Bucksport restaurant with a robust tapas menu and wine list on Verona Island is for sale.
Owners Colleen and Mike Gross didn’t have commercial kitchen experience when they started the intimate, laid-back eatery in June 2016. But they had a shared love of wine and a desire to do something different. Years later, Verona Wine and Design has a small menu centered around tapas-style small plates, desserts and a carefully selected wine and beer menu, as well as wine and gifts for purchase.
Verona Wine and Design is expected to remain open through the summer and into the fall under their leadership, according to an announcement. But, they said, it’s time to move on.
“Mike and I have a new chapter in our story, however, that involves letting go of the restaurant and continuing the role of proud parents and grandparents,” the owners wrote in a letter posted to their Facebook page.
The owners said they envision the best fit for the new owner to be a couple that’s younger and energetic who are passionate about good food, wine and hospitality, a new chef who wants to own their own place or an experienced chef looking for a retirement business. They didn’t indicate how much they want for the business and couldn’t be reached for comment.
Eight years later, the popular eatery has a dedicated customer base and a devoted staff that Colleen and Mike Gross said would like to work at the next iteration of the restaurant.
Verona Wine and Design focuses on tapas with a menu that features a variety of shareable dishes like Shrimpcargot (baked shrimp with garlic butter, pesto, bacon and asiago cheese served with fresh bread points), Goat Cheese Pizza (a flatbread pizza with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Greek olives, oregano, garlic and Regato) and Edamame Salsa (edamame, black beans, roasted red peppers, corn, red onions and vinaigrette served with naan bread for dipping).
It also features a few sandwiches, soups and desserts as well as an extensive wine and drink menu.
