This SLO native is opening his first restaurant in a historic farmhouse
.JPG "New restaurant Kitchen & Vine restaurant will be located in a historic farmhouse at San Luis Obispo Public Market at Bonetti Ranch.")
A San Luis Obispo native and his wife are launching their first restaurant — in a historic farmhouse.
Kitchen & Vine is the newest business to join San Luis Obispo Public Market at Bonetti Ranch, located at 3845 South Higuera St. The restaurant will be located in a renovated home once occupied by the Bonetti family, which owned an 80-acre ranch in San Luis Obispo starting in the 1920s.
Kitchen & Vine will offer classic American-style food such as burgers, salads, sandwiches, waffles and omelets.
Restaurant co-owner James Borland, former general manager of Novo Restaurant & Lounge in San Luis Obispo, said he’s fulfilling his vision of owing and operating a business in his hometown.
He’ll run the business with his wife of two years, Rachel Borland of Bakersfield, who has lived in San Luis Obispo for five years.
“We’re really excited to open in this quaint, cool venue,” said James Borland, who grew up in San Luis Obispo. “It’s a very unique property. I’ve learned about the history of the (Bonetti) family and the old farmhouse. I remember this place as a kid and how it started deteriorating and the paint faded and weeds started growing around it.”
The Borlands submitted plans to the city for tenant improvements, which they’ll undertake before moving in to operate the restaurant this summer.
Once open, Kitchen & Vine will offer counter service with space for customers to sit inside. Patrons may use outside communal tables around the marketplace grounds as well.
SLO Public Market farmhouse has long history
The history of the Long-Bonetti property dates back to the 1800s, when lumber businessman John Harford bought about 80 acres for his home and ranch, according to the SLO Public Market website.
While living on the ranch, Harford built the former Harford Pier in Avila Beach — now known as Port San Luis Pier — and a narrow-gauge railroad to carry passengers and cargo into town, the site says.
The property at the corner of South Higuera Street and Tank Farm Road, changed hands multiple times.
Then, in 1923, the Long family “sold the ranch to Florino Bonetti who put good use to the fields by raising sugar beets, barley, wheat, flowers for seeds, sugar peas, cherry tomatoes, and grapes,” the website states.
James Borland said the farmhouse dining experience appealed to him and his wife after they visited Georgia, where they encountered streets of old homes turned into restaurants.
“We went to places there where it was like Buchon and Pismo streets in downtown SLO, and they had been transformed into homes where you dine and have a great atmosphere,” he said. “It feels very authentic.”
Borland said he hopes Kitchen & Vine can open by mid-July or August after the interior is upgraded.
“We’re going to work our tails off,” he said.
Marketplace nears completion after delays
SLO Public Market plans to open this summer after several delays pushed project plans back. The multi-building marketplace currently has 15 merchants signed on to occupy tenant spaces, including businesses offering coffee, ice cream and beer.
Construction at the site is still ongoing.
According to the SLO Public Market website, the following merchants are slated to open at the market:
- Central Coast Creamery
- Bottlecraft
- Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.
- Kitchen & Vine
- Kraken Coffee Company
- Mixed Co.
- Negranti Creamery
- The Neighborhood Acai and Juice Bar
- Orangetheory Fitness
- Parker Clay
- SLO General Store
- Stafford’s Chocolates
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