Tonic Bar and Grille is the new name Wilmington restaurateur Dan Butler is bestowing on his former Deep Blue Bar and Grill eatery.
Deep Blue was the seafood restaurant at 111 W. 11th St. in downtown Wilmington Butler opened more than 16 years ago. Last month, he announced the restaurant, near the Hotel du Pont, would close for remodeling.
Butler said he also would change the name and concept and concentrate more on steaks rather than seafood. While he initially hoped to reopen on Dec. 1, Butler said he now plans to begin serving patrons on Dec. 7.
"The name was a process," said Butler who eliminated about 20 other possibilities before deciding on Tonic Bar and Grille. "We wanted to stay away from anything too specific about the cuisine. Deep Blue was so specific to seafood it excluded that segment of the population that just doesn't eat seafood."
