Downtown Owensboro will soon be home to a new fine dining establishment featuring elevated cuisine in an elegant environment. Named Callas Tavern & Restaurant after the iconic sweet shop that graced the location for most of the 20th century, owner Travis Tong has gone above and beyond to maintain the building’s historical integrity.
From a front bar he custom-built out of vintage wood from buildings across town to a back bar comprising multiple pieces from the late 1800s and early 1900s, the venue transports diners to a different time. It’s very much a speakeasy-inspired vibe from the prohibition era.
The venue sits at 420 Frederica Street, connected to TWO’s Empress Theatre. It still has “CALLAS” carved into terracotta panels directly above the storefront, the only of its kind in Owensboro. Like the original store, Tong has several enlarged postcards on the walls showcasing downtown Owensboro in the early 1900s.
“It’s like stepping back in time to old New York or old Hollywood,” Tong said. “I’ve always been intrigued by both of those, so to have the opportunity to do this in a historic location like this is exciting. We just want to bring something different to Owensboro.”
Tong hopes to open the restaurant in 4-6 weeks and unveil the menu in the coming days. While he didn’t mention any specific items, he promised a steak-inspired menu with scratch-made sides and more, with many local ingredients.
As the owner of City Walk, Tong looks forward to bringing another dining experience to downtown. He recalled going to Colby’s Fine Food and Spirits growing up and remembering what a treat it was.
“I believe downtown needs more restaurants, venues, and shops. It’s the hub of the city, and the city has done a great job making it nice,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated with going downtown in larger cities. Even when I was in my early 20s, going to Colby’s for the first time, I was like, ‘This is so cool.’”
Tong said his ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere unlike anything else in town, one that rivals that of the “big city.” He leaned on close friends to help him construct the booths and sourced several hand-carved fixtures from the 1800s to add to the ambiance.
“We want people to view this as something they can dress up for and go out for a night on the town,” he said.
Tong said they also want to create a comfortable setting where patrons are welcome to stop by for a drink or dinner after work. While walk-ins will always be welcome, he recommends making reservations due to the small and intimate setting of the dining room.
He added that the Callas bar will feature scratch-made cocktails from fresh ingredients. The top of the bar, where drinks are crafted, features a special glass marble from the original sweet shop.
“We’re going to have some classic options like an old fashioned, but we’re also going to put our own twist on some things,” Tong said. “We will also have an extensive bourbon selection, highlighted by ones that are difficult to find.”
Tong opened City Walk in 2017, initially as a lunch location before they obtained their liquor license and began serving dinner. His first adventure in the industry was with Brick House Pizza, but he eventually closed it to pour all of his energy into City Walk.
“It took a lot to get City Walk to where it is,” he said. “From employees to friends and family and everyone involved to create what it is now. We’ve been focused on that for the last 7 years, and it’s given us the opportunity to step out and create another experience for Owensboro.”
He considers Callas a sister restaurant to City Walk, with the same ownership and shared employees, but he said it’s definitely a “step up.” Nicholas Payne has been with Tong since he opened City Walk and looks forward to becoming the executive chef at Callas.
“I’m really excited – I know this can be something magnificent,” Payne said. “I’m ready for people to come here and try the food; I know they’ll love it and tell their friends.”
Payne added that his time at City Walk has offered ample opportunities for growth as a chef and a person.
“I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve seen the ins and outs of the industry,” he said. “It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m eager to see what we can build here.”
Tong intends to open Callas for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Saturday, with nearly identical hours to City Walk. Follow Callas Tavern & Restaurant on Facebook here for more information and to stay updated on its grand opening date.
