Bona Sera Cafe in Ypsilanti opens new outdoor cafe
Bona Sera Cafe in Ypsilanti has opened a new outdoor cafe that will be open for use during the spring and summer months.
Owner Annette Weathers said the cafe was put up Friday morning, ahead of The Color Run event on Saturday.
Bona Sera Cafe in Ypsilanti has opened a sidewalk cafe that will be open during the spring and summer months.
Courtesy Bona Sera Cafe
"We have a huge beautiful building and a large section of sidewalk," Weathers said. "On the Washington Street side the traffic isn’t so loud, it's really pleasant. What made us decide to do it was just the fact that we love eating outside in the spring and summer and it really brightens up the street."
Weathers said she put up three umbrellas with about six tables, but more may be added.
The 3,000-square-foot cafe, which seats 60 people, is in the previous J Neil's Mongolian Grill location at 200 W. Michigan Ave. at the intersection with Washington Street.
The restaurant opened in July 2012 and since then, Weathers said business has been steady and they're in the process of adding more menu items.
"We're doing pretty well," Weathers said. "I think we hit our stride. We're just about to do a menu change for the spring and summer time. We will be adding some new salads and flatbread."
In addition to that, Weathers is considering the possibility of pursuing a liquor license, but she hasn't officially decided yet.
"Everyone keeps asking us about liquor licenses, but we're still mulling that over," Weathers said. "We had a temporary one last Saturday and it went great, so we're not taking it off the table."
Weathers also has partnered with Go! Ice Cream owner Rob Hess, allowing him to rent out her kitchen to produce ice cream.
The outdoor cafe will be open during regular business hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and on Saturday from 10 a.m. from 9 p.m.
Katrease Stafford covers Ypsilanti for AnnArbor.com.Reach her at katreasestafford@annarbor.com or 734-623-2548 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Steve McKeen
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.
This is very exciting news. I just wish the patio was closer to Deja Vu.
mady
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.
Why?
vicki honeyman
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
looks great barb and annette! my next day off I'll visit for an outdoors meal.
bckramer
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 1:57 p.m.
Be it brunch, lunch or dinner, Bona Sera definitely makes it worth driving from Ann Arbor (followed by a little shopping spree across the street at Mix).
Ross
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 12:34 p.m.
Great news. Our selection of good eats in Ypsi is still a pretty short list, but it keeps getting better. Annette, I would love to pay you for a beer to go along with my sandwich, but no pressure, we'll keep coming anyway.
PattyinYpsi
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 12:25 p.m.
Great decision! That block of Washington is perfect for eating outdoors, and the food at Bona Sera? Unbeatable! Looking forward to this!
Gloriagirl
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 10:45 a.m.
I love this cafe! This is a quintessential part of downtown Ypsilanti and Annette and Barb have worked hard to bring a creative menu to my part of the world. Their Banh Mi sandwiches, salads and the daily specials are delicious and always fresh. Its a friendly cafe. With all the activities scheduled this summer their outdoor cafe will be a nice place to relax and enjoy the sights. I hope they consider grilling outside perhaps duck or fish.
Lenscap
Tue, May 14, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.
Are you sure "quintessential" is the word you're looking for? Maybe "essential" or "vital" fits the context better(?).
Moira Payne
Mon, May 13, 2013 : 10:28 a.m.
Fabulous! Bona Sera is my favorite restaurant and I'm delighted to hear they are offering an outside seating option. I can't wait to have my next Saturday brunch outside!