The future Butter & Basil is coming along in the former Black Bear Diner space at 255 Second St. in Davis.
On Thursday, between interviews of prospective employees, owner Jerry Umnartyutithum showed me the interior work, which is nearly complete. It looks much different than Black Bear or even its predecessor, Bakers Square.
The restaurant is light and bright, with white paint and shiny epoxy floors. To get to the concrete slab, workers removed two carpets and a layer of tile. That new epoxy flooring has a glossy white base with rivers of gold and teal – butter and basil – running through it.
He said it’s unusual to put so much money into a space that he’s just renting, but he wanted it to be nice.
His business partner Amy Teerapairojn said, “We want to impart an ambiance, and try to provide a new experience for the food as well.”
They also removed two layers of false ceilings, creating an exposed ceiling, and replaced the ducts with new silver ones.
Umnartyutithum, who owned Cindy’s diner in South Davis for many years, said former Black Bear and Cindy’s customers will love it. Like Cindy’s, he plans to serve high-quality American diner food and Thai cuisine.
How soon will it open?
