According to recent reporting, local restaurateur John Washburn will be opening a new project; That project is a restaurant in Winter Park that Washburn will open with Chef Drew Weisner, who will be a full partner.
“We have known each other a long time — we worked together at the old Dexter’s restaurants and have maintained a friendship through the years,” Washburn said.
The OBJ reports that the new eatery is scheduled to open in late January or early February 2025 at 136 S. Park Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Park View Wine Bar.
“Much like Washburn’s Imperial Wine Bar near Lake Ivanhoe, the new restaurant will feature live music as a central element, with artists spanning various genres taking the stage,” the OBJ reports.
“The outpouring of emotion from customers when we closed has been very touching,” Washburn said. “People have been sending me photos and sharing stories — ‘I got engaged here,’ ‘I met the love of my life here,’ or ‘we held my father’s wake here.’ It’s been moving and made me feel like we made a little bit of a difference in people’s lives.”
That project is a restaurant in Winter Park that Washburn will open with Chef Drew Weisner, who will be a full partner.
“We have known each other a long time — we worked together at the old Dexter’s restaurants and have maintained a friendship through the years,” Washburn said.
