Name Game: Vino Paradiso Becomes Coppia

Vino Paradiso (soon to be Coppia) courtesy of Charlie Johnson Photography.
By KELLY CLARKE

It seems like a bad idea for a restaurant to let its diners rename their business, but the ploy has worked out well for Timothy Nishimoto and the crew at Vino Paradiso. The longtime Pearl District wine bar, which has been working hard to retool its food program and up its profile with a remodel and the hiring of former Genoa man Aren Steinbrecher and sous chef Jason Bokros, revealed its new name today: Coppia. Local eater Melissa Louie came up with the winning name.

What does that mean you ask? Coppia is Italian for couple or duo. "[It] references our passion for pairing food and wine, and to the fact that the business is both a restaurant and a wine bar," explains Nishimoto. "The launch date for the new name and look, including, but not limited to, the interior, menu and wine list formats,  staff dress, and the roll-out of the Piedmontese dinner menu is set for September 1."

Read the details below:

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