The deeply ingrained wine scene in Livermore is about to get even more alluring with the arrival of The Black Cat, a natural wine and craft cocktails bistro with small plates and conservas — tinned fish and other delicacies from the sea.
The Black Cat is scheduled to open downtown in May at 2241 First St. in the former Miel de Agave Azul space. The co-owners and real-life partners are Dina Parks — the daughter of the winemaker at Plowboy Wine in the Sierra foothills — and local restaurateur Gianni Schell, who owns Livermore’s Rebel Kitchen & Libations. Parks also works at Cured: Fish Bar, a buzzy nearby spot that recently opened with niche sake and Bay Area-sourced seafood.
“This is going to be more my baby and definitely catering to a little bit of a higher-price point and classy (crowd),” says Parks. “If you’re familiar with Livermore, you know it’s wine country, with lots of classically made wine. I feel a lot of the time here, people are afraid to branch out, and I’m hoping to bring a new vibe, and let people explore some different wines – natural wines. And I’m really trying to focus on creating a welcoming community here.”
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The bistro will pour her dad’s Plowboy, of course, but will focus more on natural and low-intervention wines sourced from California and beyond. It has a full bar and is planning a unique craft cocktail menu. On the food side, it’s small plates and those conservas, which are a highlight in Portuguese cuisine.
“The theme of the menu is there is no theme,” Parks says. “It’s just all the food that me and my partner Gianni love but done in our own way. Like, there will be a Japanese sweet potato that’s baked with a glaze, and then bone marrow and fresh crudo.”
The Black Cat, a new natural wine and tinned fish bar in Livermore, will be opening this spring. Pictured are co-owners Dina Parks (left) and Gianni Schell. (Photo courtesy of Dina Parks)
The space itself is cozy with only 20 seats, but has a sunny back patio and garden that previous owners hadn’t utilized. “I’m going to try to make that a highlight of the space, make it really inviting back there,” she says.
As for the design for the rest of the bistro, The Black Cat website says it’s meant to channel “immaculate vibes.”
“The style will be really approachable, a little vintage and mid-century modern,” Parks says. “And also a little colorful and eclectic, because I like stuff.”
Details: The Black Cat plans to open in early to mid-May 2024 at 2241 First St., Livermore; website under development at blackcatlivermore.com.
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