Fulio’s expands with new bar

Published 9:45 am Monday, April 22, 2024

Fulio’s Italian & Mediterranean Cuisine, a familiar staple on Commercial Street downtown, has expanded its bar.

Owners Jamie Birdsong and Allan LaPlante had previously looked into expanding but were unable to due to the space being used as an art gallery. After the Oscar de’ Masi Art Gallery and Studio closed in December, the pair began working alongside Jasmine Craven Varner to get the space — dubbed Fu-Bar — ready.

“We have a lot of people who would come in and just want cocktails, or cocktails and appetizers. And with the limited seating, it was really hard to accommodate them. This now allows us to be able to do that,” Birdsong said.

She also hopes the expanded bar will serve customers who are looking to book celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries.

“We actually just booked a 85th birthday party. They are going to rent the entire bar space and that’s in May,” she said.

On top of the expansion, Fulio’s released a new bar menu. The menu, which was posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page, includes tried-and-true staples such as eggplant parmesan, cheese antipasto and spedini.

In addition, the menu introduces new dishes such as gyros, a tuna sammich, an Italian beef sandwich and a caprese sandwich. The menu also includes dishes such as the Fu-Ball, a dish consisting of meatballs, and the Fu-Dip, which is served with goat cheese, marinara and pita bread.

“This bar menu is brand new, and two of our chefs came up with the bar menu,” Birdsong said.

Cocktails from the bar’s drink menu include the oh la la and the smoked old fashioned.

“The oh la la, it really surprises people, because it has rum and grapefruit, so people think it’s going to be gross, but it’s refreshing,” Birdsong said.

Fu-Bar’s aesthetic features greenery, navy blue walls and brown leather chairs.

When Birdsong and Craven Varner worked together to design the new space, they pulled inspiration from their Las Vegas vacations, family and Astoria’s coastal vibe.

“I would say it’s something that we enjoy — decorating — that’s kind of where we really bonded with our friendship. And when we found out that we were going to get to have the space. I asked her if she wanted to be a part of this with me,” Birdsong said.