More than a decade after welcoming patrons to the center of Blue Back Square, Vinted Wine Bar and Kitchen in West Hartford has closed permanently.
The original 2012 restaurant was a beloved fixture in the neighborhood for its innovative menu, upscale decor, and proprietary wine preservation system. The owners, Ralph Santaniello and Michael Presnal, posted on social media this week that they had decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease, ending its 12-year existence.
In their farewell post, the owners thanked regular customers and their hardworking employees who made Vinted a popular restaurant. “We give our sincere appreciation to our beloved guests and most importantly our amazing staff for their unshakeable loyalty over the years,” the post stated. For many West Hartford residents, Vinted was not just a restaurant; it was where people met to celebrate, go on dates, and have gatherings over great food and wine.
Vinted’s menu was notable for its mix of comfort cuisine and upscale small plates. Salad, tacos, burgers, ribs, and truffle mac and cheese were all there, alongside entrees such as grilled octopus and charcuterie boards. But what really put the restaurant over the top was its excellent wine program. With more than 60 varieties of wine to choose from and a cutting-edge wine preservation system with an auto-pour option, Vinted provided patrons with a clean, high-end tasting experience that brought them back for more.
Although Vinted is shutting its doors, Santaniello and Presnal aren’t leaving the restaurant business. They will instead be spending more time with their two Massachusetts locations, Posto Italian and Lola’s Longmeadow. Both have gained significant followings, and the two are eager to keep expanding those institutions. Santaniello also mentioned that his recent health issues had an impact on the decision. Having been diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, he has since been receiving treatment and is recovering well. The diagnosis did, however, provide him with a chance to reassess his commitments and prioritize more what is most important to him professionally and personally.
“We’re not abandoning the restaurant industry by any stretch of the imagination; we’re going to be in Longmeadow for years to come,” Santaniello said. “I reside in East Longmeadow, and it’s much more convenient. Commuting down here is slightly more challenging.” The reduced commute will provide him with better balance without giving up his love for food and hospitality.
The closure also paves the way for a new start in Blue Back Square. Paul Brandes, principal of Brand Street Properties, the shopping and dining center’s owner, affirmed that a new restaurant will occupy Vinted’s old space. Information on the concept or opening date has not yet been released, but the revelation guarantees that the premises will continue to add to the lively dining in West Hartford.
For customers who still have unused gift cards at Vinted, there is no reason to fret. They can be redeemed at Posto Italian and Lola’s Longmeadow, enabling loyal customers to continue patronizing Santaniello and Presnal while still enjoying their other eateries.
The shutdown of Vinted Wine Bar and Kitchen is poignant for West Hartford residents who saw it flourish during the past 12 years. It was a venue that united wine drinkers and foodies alike, providing an atmosphere that was chic yet inviting. Although the chapter of the restaurant in Blue Back Square is closed, its memory will be kept alive with the memories made and the ongoing success of Posto Italian and Lola’s Longmeadow.
For Santaniello and Presnal, the decision is one of closing a chapter and opening another, a chapter defined by health, family, and a fresh interest in what the future holds. And for West Hartford’s dining community, though bidding farewell to Vinted might be hard, the potential for a new restaurant to take its place gives pause for excitement as the state of dining continues to shift.
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