Just weeks after the closure of Milano’s Italian Restaurant, a new venture is taking shape at 1210 11th St.: Sugar and Co., an upscale American-style bistro.
The restaurant is the newest project from Brie Mueller, a local real estate agent, singer and performer with “Sugar: A Cabaret,” and her husband Evan Mueller. The opening date is yet to be announced, though the team hopes to welcome patrons as early as mid-October.
“It’s going to be casual fine dining,” Brie said of Sugar and Co.’s concept. “The bar is going to be amazing. There’s going to be a great outdoor space as well. The inside is going to be very elegant and classy, but fun — and the food is just going to be phenomenal.”
Brie has almost three decades of hospitality experience and even ran restaurants for celebrity chef Marc Murphy. Owning her own place seemed like a far-off dream — but when the former owner of Milano’s approached her for help selling the restaurant, Brie realized that dream could become a reality.
Sugar and Co.’s menu is helmed by Executive Chef Julea Ivancovich and will feature a mix of entrees and small plates. Brie said diners can expect dishes such as mussels and clams in tarragon broth, filet with taleggio sauce and the “best lamb burger that you’ve ever had in your entire life.”
Entertainment will also feature heavily at the bistro, as both Brie and Evan have entertainment backgrounds. Brie originated “Sugar: A Cabaret” in New York and has been reviving the show in Bellingham for nearly a decade. Evan is an actor and theater professor at Western Washington University.
“Our goal is to have something going on at all times, whether it’s somebody who turns around at the bar and starts singing, or maybe there’s even somebody in the air on silks,” Brie said. “You just never know what’s going to happen.”
Brie sees Sugar and Co. as a way to unite her three biggest loves: hospitality, food and entertainment. Looking ahead, she’s excited to add new flair to historic Fairhaven: “I want people to walk into my restaurant and be like, ‘Oh, you really want me to be here,'” she said.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
