Benvenuto D’Marcos

A new Italian restaurant and wine bar will fill the vacancy of the former Rojo Mexican Bistro, 401 N. Main, in Rochester, which closed around October 1. The location is now undergoing a compete overhaul and renovation, said Michael Thomas, who expects to open D’Marcos by late December or early January with his business partner Mark Mendola. Interior work is being done by Birmingham-based Ron & Roman designers, and will feature a 75-seat dining room, a 55-seat wine bar and lounge, and a 50-seat private dining room with a service/event bar. Thomas said the bar area will feature lively entertainment Thursdays through Sundays, and the lounge will offer cozy sofas and chairs for a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Two dozen wines will be available by the glass, with 40 to 50 available by the bottle. The menu will feature Italian classics with a modern twist, using high quality seafood and meats, fresh and dried pastas and other fresh ingredients. A large menu of small plates and appetizers will be available through midnight. D’Marcos will be the second Rochester-area location for Thomas, who has been in the food industry since 1980, and operated Rustica Europa in Rochester Hills for about seven years. Mendola’s most recent restaurant, Huerto Restaurant and Tequila Bar, opened in 2013 in West Bloomfield.

Business Matters for the Rochester area are reported by Kevin Elliott. Send items for consideration to KevinElliott@downtownpublications.com. Items should be received three weeks prior to publication.