Pot Roast & Pinot to close in January, become 86 Forks small plates restaurant full time

Pot Roast & Pinot on Palafox Street is saying goodbye to Pensacola this month before being absorbed by its new pop-up sister concept, 86 Forks. 

Aimée Wilson, who introduced 86 Forks in October after opening Pot Roast & Pinot eight years ago in downtown Pensacola, said she's making the switch because she believes her forward-thinking new concept has a better long-term outlook. 

In addition to its established design-your-own-noodle bowl option, Wilson said 86 Forks will add a myriad of Asian-inspired small plates born from the collaborative creativity between Wilson and European-trained chef Johnny Weeks.

"I feel like small plates are the new entree. They've been trending recently," Wilson said Tuesday. "It used to be you'd pick your entree and you'd be stuck with that one item that you're eating for the evening. People are kind of transitioning to more shareable portions." 

The owner also noted the added flexibility for customers to be able to sample more items on the menu, and the added culinary freedom for chef Weeks, as added reasons for the transition. 

Read about 86 Forks' debut:86 Forks design-your-own noodle bowl pop-up opens inside Pot Roast & Pinot downtown

Golden Spoon:Seven Pensacola restaurants take home Golden Spoon awards in 2020

"It's a more affordable way to experience a variety of tastes," Wilson added. 

The restaurants currently share the downtown breezeway space at 11B Palafox Place. Jan. 3, 2021 will be the last day of service at Pot Roast & Pinot, which earned its first Golden Spoon Award in November. Wilson said the outgoing restaurant will host a brunch service that final day, and she's hopeful that longtime guests of the restaurant will come order their favorite dishes, wines and cocktails one last time by Jan. 3. 

"We want our regulars to come in and have their last goodbye, that's why we let everyone know about (the transition) a month out," Wilson said. 

86 Forks also will be bar-forward, and focused on curating a cocktail menu with interesting garnishes, according to the owner. 

Once a little renovation is done, 86 Forks aims to open on Jan. 18, 2021. Its hours will be 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. 

For now, the simple design-your-own noodle lunch menu at the pop-up version of 86 Forks is open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. between Monday and Saturday.

Wilson said she 'll miss her original restaurant, but she's confident her new one will find success in short order. 

"I think we will be in the running for a Golden Spoon next year with the new transition," she said. 

To lock down your last few reservations at Pot Roast & Pinot, visit www.potroastpinot.com. 

Jake Newby can be reached at jnewby@pnj.com or 850-435-8538.