Coup Des Tartes, Phoenix’s longest-running and most well-known B.Y.O.B. restaurant, recently had the land pulled out from under it as the property at 4626 N. 16th St. was foreclosed on and the new owners made plans to demolish the 1932 farmhouse and ancillary buildings and put in a parking lot for a nearby car dealership.
Despite the seven years remaining on Coup Des Tartes owner Ron Pacioni’s lease, the quaint French-style eatery that called this location home for the last 17 years was given until the end of January 2014 to find a new home. But for Pacioni, it wasn’t simply a matter of finding an available building; it had to be the right kind of space.
“This is a unique concept and it needs to find just as unique of a home, which we did,” Pacioni said as he announced the new location on Aug. 14.
The 2,300-square-foot building and land located at 17th Street and Osborn Road was purchased in early August. The 1922 brick duplex, which in 1973 was remodeled into one building for the offices of Dr. Alan Abromovitz, features vaulted ceilings with wood beam accents. And just like Coup Des Tartes’ longtime digs, the new location sports hardwood floors throughout along with a large fireplace in what will be one of several intimate dining rooms.
Pacioni and his design team from Candelaria Design Associates have their work cut out for them, however. A full-service bar area will be added to the new restaurant space, and an entire new adjacent building will be constructed to house a much larger kitchen area, ADA-compliant bathrooms and offices for Rendezvous Catering & Events.
Also in the new building will be the Rendezvous Room, a private meeting venue with all the high-tech amenities needed for a business meeting, yet still inviting enough for special events such as a bridal or baby shower.
The buildings will sit on more than 3 acres of property, which Pacioni says will be turned into a private outdoor patio off the main restaurant and large event space for parties, receptions and more off the new building—designed to match the warm brick appearance of the remodeled original building.
“It is our No. 1 priority to maintain the romantic look and feel of our cozy little farmhouse when we eventually settle into our new home,” Pacioni emphasizes.
There is much to be excited about with this new, larger property and space. Pacioni says in the past he’s had to turn away large groups because the farmhouse simply couldn’t accommodate them. That won’t be an issue any longer. The addition of the full-service bar will provide a nice place for an after-work drink and bar menu nosh—something that comes courtesy of a much larger kitchen.
