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In the Chef ’ s Corner
The Vault Downtown
MAGGIE HATFIELD THE VAULT DOWNTOWN
Located in an old , historic bank lobby built in 1922 , The Vault Downtown in Bluefield strives to give each of its patrons an unforgettable fine dining experience . Sitting in the center of the Bluefield Downtown Commercial Historic District , The Vault Downtown is rich in history and elegance . The space has a classic feel with black and white detailing and touches of gold throughout the restaurant , helping guests take a trip back in time to create a memorable evening out .
When Bill Cole purchased the establishment in 2019 , he had a vision of combining the past with the present . Renovations to the restaurant only took about one year and kept most of the original architecture .
“ The details such as the ornate trim , gold leafing and original bank vault door truly make this space feel like a work of art ,” says Cole .
The back side of the bank vault door is glass , so guests can see the internal working . Additionally , a local artist painted a mural inside the vault depicting a timeline of events from the 1920s-1960s .
Not only does the restaurant offer a unique atmosphere , it also has an impressive variety of appetizers , entrees and desserts . Executive Chef Peter Zimmer believes food is a celebration of life , and he strives to make every occasion memorable .
“ One should gather often with loved ones and break bread ,” he says . “ We just want to do our part to always make it special .”
Since his start at The Vault Downtown in January 2020 , Zimmer has made a menu that highlights fresh ingredients and puts a twist on classic dishes . Originally from Burbank , CA , Zimmer ’ s passion for cooking was inspired by his Italian grandmother , Nani Lacava , and he gets in touch with his Italian heritage with his homemade Vault Special Pasta of the Day .
“ To me , everything has to taste amazing and look amazing ,” he says . “ The quality of ingredients is key for us . All our pastas are either from Italy or made in house .”
Guests can begin their night out with starters such as the Grilled Butternut Bruschetta , Italian Seafood Dip and Bacon Confit Chicken Wings . For the main course , customers can select entrees such as the Pan Seared Rack of Lamb , Pluck
a Duck Funky Chicken and Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon . To end the evening on a sweet note , the dessert menu offers delectable treats like the Kahlua Ice Cream Pie , Mixed Fruit Parfait and Chocolate Opera Torte . Guests can even select the Vault Made Ice Cream , which Zimmer calls a labor of love . He uses local farm eggs , local honey , scraped vanilla beans , homemade extracts , chocolates and farm-fresh heavy cream and churns it by hand .
The Vault Downtown also has a cigar bar called The Vault Downstairs , which was the old records vault for the bank . With 38 different cigars to choose from , anyone can select a cigar that suits their liking .
“ Patrons enter through a brass door immediately to the right of the main restaurant entrance , and as they progress down the hallway , they get the feeling of a prohibition-era speakeasy ,” says Cole . “ We have some people that come in just to enjoy a cigar and a cocktail on the way home from work .”
The restaurant also has an impressive drink menu , which includes signature cocktails , wine , beer , bourbon , whiskey , martinis and sangrias . The syrups are prepared daily in the kitchen , and Savannah Arrington , the mixologist and fronthouse manager , can prepare a cocktail for any occasion . To Cole , the standout cocktail is the Vault Bloody Mary .
“ We start by fire roasting red tomatoes on the grill and creating our own signature mix ,” he says . “ We then finish each Bloody Mary with a house-made bacon straw .”
The combination of Zimmer ’ s culinary talents and a group of servers who genuinely love their jobs and their guests makes The Vault Downtown a recipe for world-class service .
“ I think the Vault delivers on all fronts — it is comfortable yet classy , has a great vibe and atmosphere , is a great gathering place and has top-quality food at reasonable prices and a staff that wants every customer experience to be a special one ,” says Cole .
The Vault Downtown is located at 401 Federal Street in Bluefield . The establishment is open for dinner on Wednesday- Saturday from 4-10 p . m . To make a reservation , visit www . thevaultdowntown . com / reservations or call 304-308-6601 . •
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE