By KARL ZIOMEK
City of Taylor
TAYLOR — The old White Rhino Bar on the corner of Goddard Road and Pardee is going to be totally remodeled and will reopen under new ownership as Salute Bar & Trattoria.
Work on the building, which has already started, may be finished as soon as the end of the year. The old bar, an eyesore for years, had be vacant for some time.
“This has the potential to be very, very nice,” Mayor Ricks Sollars said. “This is a good fit in that location, and compliments the corner very well.”
A “trattoria” is an Italian-style eating establishment, less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than an osteria (which provides just wine and simple foods).
Often there are no printed menus, the service is casual, wine is sold by the decanter rather than the bottle, prices are low, and the emphasis is on a steady clientele rather than huge crowds. The food is modest but plentiful (mostly following regional and local recipes) and in some instances is even served family-style (i.e. at common tables).
It is uncertain exactly how Salute Bar & Trattoria will operate at this juncture.
The existing building, which is approximately 3,300 square feet, will take on a totally new look.
The main entrance along Goddard will be moved to the middle of the building, flanked by two canopied windows, with stone added and the brick repainted. Outdoor patio seating will added along with lighting, landscaping and signage.
A brick paver area including benches will be created at the corner, and decorative fencing will be added, fitting in with the décor of the Downtown Development Authority guidelines.
A restaurant on that corner fits the original vision of the Downtown Development Authority, which looked at the Goddard corridor as a Midtown “downtown” for Taylor, with businesses and residential dwellings interlocked. In addition, this type of family style restaurant can be very popular in the community, as has been proved by Flamingo’s, Pia’s and many others (including Malek’s Al Kabob, which is located directly across the street from this location).