A long-time Gainesville establishment is set to reopen after over a year of remodeling.
Scott’s Downtown on the square will be open for dinner starting Wednesday by reservation only after shutting down in December 2022 due to flooding in the restaurant’s kitchen from a pipe burst. Owner Scott Dixon highlighted to AccessWDUN that the remodeled restaurant will maintain the fine-dining experience patrons love, while also adding a few new touches.
“The main dining room wasn't affected by the flood; it was from the kitchen back through the lounge. But we took the opportunity to do some upgrading and some additions,” Dixon said.
Some of the changes to the main dining room include a new bar, with space to enjoy drinks without being seated at a dining table.
“We've got about eight seats at the bar here in the dining room, as well as kind of an expanded cocktail area here right around the bar, right in the main dining room” Dixon highlighted. “So, kind of adding to the ambiance. You can hear your martini being shaken right there and see it at the same time.”
The aesthetic of Scott's has also been elevated through the restaurant’s return to the white-table-cloth look the establishment adorned when it first opened in 2007.
“I wanted to kind of bring back a little bit of the ‘ if you want to get dressed up for dinner,’ which many of my guests do,” Dixon said. “So, we've kind of polished up the atmosphere for them. We've changed the uniforms for the staff and made them a little bit less casual. And same thing with the back to the white tablecloths and the in the table settings with the fine glassware.”
Dixon noted Scott’s menu will also include a few new items for patrons to enjoy. While the menu will include the restaurant’s signature dishes such as the prime filet, bourbon salmon, sea bass, and rack of lamb, some additions include items such as oysters and crab cocktails, lobster, and a prime rib.
Dixon expressed his enthusiasm for patrons to return.
“We're just so excited to welcome everyone back...we're just so ready to get back to doing what we do and welcome everybody back that we haven't seen for a year.”
Following its reopening on March 6, Scott’s will return to its hours of Tuesday through Saturday for dinner reservations beginning at 5 p.m.
