ANDERSONVILLE — Andersonville residents have been peeking through the big windows of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine and its wine bar, Appellation, for weeks trying to get a glimpse inside the business that's opening later this week.
Friday, the retail store, restaurant and bar at 5212 N. Clark St., offered media and business owners a sneak peek of the cheese shop. The 3,800-square-foot shop will be Pastoral's largest project to date and was designed by Moss Design as an "extension of the company's European-inspired neighborhood concept," according to a news release.
“We couldn’t be more excited or proud to unveil this unique retail location, complete with a wine bar and restaurant, to the vibrant Andersonville community,” co-owner Greg O’Neill said. “With two exciting concepts under one roof, we look forward to welcoming guests to this new neighborhood European-style breakfast, gourmet lunch, dinner, and wine destination that will make shopping for and enjoying artisan food and wine enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious.”
The new business uses an open format, including seating for 75 people in Appellation, the wine bar and restaurant. Pastoral features multiple interactive stations, including a specialty cheese bar, gourmet accompaniment, sandwich and salad stands, a charcuterie station and a French mustard tap.
As a nod to the neighborhood's Swedish heritage, the retail shop will offer Swedish delicacies, including offerings from the neighborhood's now shuttered Wikstrom's Gourmet. Pastoral will carry cheeses, summer sausages, pickled herring and lingonberry-cherry jam from Marie Wikstrom, the daughter of Wikstrom's founder.
Adam Thomas, the local artist responsible for the paintings surrounding the interior of the restaurant, said O'Neill contacted him after seeing one of the paintings online and told him he wanted his artwork in the new restaurant.
"He wanted the clouds to be sexy. He wanted it sexy in here. I said, 'Why don't we do the whole restaurant?' " O'Neill said.
From the soft live music, plates of cheese paired with chocolate and nuts to the oil paintings of clouds, the "sexy" vibe was apparent.
Here's a look at all the sexiness inside:
Interior:
Cheese pairings:
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