Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen in West Hartford is closed as of Tuesday, Aug. 19, but according to Blue Back Square management, the restaurant will be reopening with a ‘fresh look and new ownership.’

By Ronni Newton

Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen, a cornerstone of the Blue Back Square dining scene for more than a dozen years, has closed its doors for good as of Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Ralph Santaniello and Michael Presnal opened Vinted at 63 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square in 2012, offering “an inventive small plates menu and an unparalleled wine selection. Its sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance became a go-to destination for wine lovers and foodies alike,” stated a news release announcing the closing.

The owners also posted news of the closing on social media on Tuesday morning, indicating that they decided not to renew their lease, and noting that gift cards can be redeemed at two other restaurants they own in Massachusetts.

Vinted Facebook post

According to a report by MassLive on Aug. 14, Santaniello and Presnal – who in addition to Vinted were owners of The Federal Restaurant and Bar in Agawam, Massachusetts for the past 23 years – sold that building last week “to a family of Pakistani restaurateurs who plan to reopen with their own concept later this year.” The restaurant will have a new name as well, the MassLive report quoted Santaniello and Presnal as saying.

Vinted earned accolades from the New York Times and consistently was among the winners in regional “best of” competitions, noted for offering more than 80 wines by the glass in various sizes, utilizing a cutting-edge preservation and auto-pour system that maintained freshness. They also offered a curated selection of cocktails, and bourbon and scotch to accompany the menu.

“This has been an incredibly special place for us,” Santaniello said in a statement. “We are so proud of the experience we created at Vinted and grateful to our loyal guests and the West Hartford community who supported us all these years. While it’s bittersweet to close this chapter, we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

Blue Back Square expressed their appreciation for Vinted’s impact on the community, stated in Tuesday’s announcement a “new concept under new ownership” will debut in the Memorial Road space.

“Vinted has been a true gem within Blue Back Square and has helped shape the property into the vibrant destination it is today,” Paul Brandes, principal of Brand Street Properties, owners of Blue Back Square, said in a statement. “We’re incredibly grateful to Ralph, Michael, and the entire Vinted team for their partnership, vision, and the exceptional dining experience they provided for more than a decade. We wish them nothing but continued success and look forward to the exciting new chapter ahead for the space.”

According to the announcement, “Vinted space and operation will undergo a full transformation before reopening with a fresh new look, a reimagined menu, and new ownership which will coincide with all the other improvements being made at Blue Back Square.”

Information about the new concept for the former Vinted space – and whether or not it will be related to the changes at The Federal – has not been provided.

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