New Parisian bistro, Cognac, opening this February in St. Pete

Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, the owners of Bacchus on Beach Drive, will open a new Parisian bistro in downtown St. Petersburg this February. The new restaurant, Cognac, will be located at 201 2nd Ave N.

Guillot describes Cognac as a relaxed, Parisian-style bistro offering plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The kitchen at Cognac will be led by the highly skilled Executive Chef Louis DeBiase, a key member of the Bacchus team. His expertise will ensure an expanded menu featuring many dishes familiar to Bacchus fans and new, exciting options of the highest quality.

An all-star culinary team in the heart of St. Pete

“Chef Louis will have more room to create and bring fresh ideas to the table at Cognac,” Guillot said.

Once fully open, Cognac will serve happy hour brunch daily, along with consistent lunch, dinner, and bar hours. The bistro will feature a wide range of beverages, from Kahwa Coffee to mocktails and craft cocktails, plus bubbles and an expansive wine list.

One of Bacchus’s challenges has been the limited space for private groups. At Cognac, the team plans to build a private party room accommodating up to 50 guests.

Daily brunch happy hour specials coming soon

“We want to create something simple, traditional, and affordable here in St. Pete,” Guillot said. “We’re aiming for that easy-going bistro vibe with the kind of dishes you’d expect to find in Paris.”

Though the final food and drink menus are still being fine-tuned, diners can look forward to steak frites, rainbow trout, mussels, caviar, Croque Madame, and a prime beef Cognac burger.

With a mix of charming tables and lush planters, Cognac promises to bring a taste of Paris to downtown St. Petersburg, offering a cozy spot for locals and visitors. Their commitment to creating an authentic Parisian experience will transport guests to the streets of Paris, right here in St. Petersburg.

We’ll update this story with official opening information as details become available. Earlier this week the owners did announce they were hiring for multiple positions.