An iconic restaurant and wine bistro located in the Ocotillo community in Chandler, Arizona, is undergoing a refresh and rebrand spearheaded by a trio of Valley professionals who are bringing their vision to the project. 

D-Vine Bistro & Wine Bar, 12 years ago one of the first restaurant-wine bistro “hot spots” at 3990 S. Alma School Rd., will be transformed into St. Amand Kitchen & Cocktails with a scheduled opening date of October. St. Amand is the patron saint of winemaking, beer brewing, and bartending.

The project team comprises restaurateur and owner Robert E. Coulson; Ken Morrow, One Way General Contractors; and Beth Katz, KatzDesignGroup.

“There have been a lot of dining and cocktail establishments that have come and gone over the past 12 years,” Morrow said. “D-Vine has been an area landmark and still stands. It remains strong, stays busy, but over time it is need of a complete refresh.”

The restaurant interior will have a clean, modern cathedral style vibe, Katz said of the 4,100-SF remodel project. The KatzDesignGroup team is opening up the space to allow for a relocated larger bar, allowing more light into the space, providing a closed off private dining space for parties, and extending the patio with more shaded area.

“D-Vine has a wonderful reputation for food and atmosphere; we are just going to take it up a few aesthetic notches and create a unique vibe for every day lunch and dinner dining, and a fun date night.”  Katz said. “We are rebranding St. Amand with new indoor and outdoor seating, custom tables and high-tops, and a saintly artisan mural of the man himself.” 

Said Coulson, who bought the restaurant in 2010: “The community is very much aware, excited, and anticipating the new look. The transformation from D-Vine to the new and exciting St. Amand has created a buzz.

“We intend to keep the atmosphere of casual chic with a neighborhood feel. Good people and good food have been our hallmark. Our neighborhood is our home,” Coulson said.

Ramon Rice, who has been executive chef for both D-Vine Bistros in Chandler and Mesa, is driving the new menu for St. Amand.

“I brought my concept of St. Amand to Ken and Robert,” Rice said. “We knew we had what we were looking for. St. Amand is the concept that we can all rally behind and get the neighborhood excited. With some brainstorming and the great designs of Beth Katz, we are converting our old space into lively, new restaurant.”