Virgil cocktails and cooking: Raleigh restaurant rises from the ashes after 7 months of closure due to pandemic

RALEIGH (WTVD) – Like an ash phoenix, the Virgil and Cocina Cocktails return and reopen after being closed for seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several heaters were transported on a sidewalk in downtown Raleigh, as well as on a new outdoor patio, complete with blankets at every table, where people can eat in the fresh air. The grill goes back to the kitchen, and mixed drinks are served at the bar after a seven-month break.

Owner Jon Seel says the closure was painful last spring, the pandemic set in over the Triangle and many restaurants were struggling to stay afloat.

“It was a hard pill to swallow, but at the same time you have to make some kind of quick, instinctive survival decisions,” Seel said.

It took the summer to regroup and came up with a plan to reopen the site on Salisbury Street.

“It was challenging and rewarding in a way,” Seel said.

He serves Mexican cuisine and brought a chef from Umstead Hotel to cook hearty meals.

A DJ is now on the turntables spinning music in an effort to keep the restaurant optimistic.

“We have something pretty special going on down here right now,” he said. – I’m excited about that.

Seel knows there is a potential for restitution of restrictions, but for now he is celebrating an achievement.

“I think it’s something to be a little proud of, but the challenges have been worth it from now on, so we’ll move on,” Seel said.

The restaurant is reduced to hours trying to keep up with the times. Lunch is no longer offered.

Seel hopes that once the sun sets, people will offer their support for dinner.

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