Artful Cuisine

Photo by: Heather Coit/The News-Gazette

The entrance of the new V Picasso, at 122 N. Neil St. in downtown Champaign.

CHAMPAIGN Construction workers are scurrying to finish Victor Fuentes' latest work of art: the V. Picasso wine bar and restaurant in downtown Champaign.

The new place at 122 N. Neil St., just south of Christopher's Fine Jewelry Design will feature all sorts of recycled decor: lots of barn wood on the bar and tables; tall, narrow stained-glass windows at the end of the entryway; and wrought-iron fencing from a home in Danville.

There's even a bowling alley lane, divided in half to form the back and seat of a long bench across one wall.

Look for wine bottles used in pendant lighting. You'll also find gas lanterns, tin ceilings and lots of local art on display.

Even the layout of V. Picasso is unique, incorporating areas that were once parts of a jewelry store, hair salon and coin shop.

"To merge them into something they were not meant to be it was a challenge," said Fuentes, 34, of Champaign.

But Fuentes is hopeful even confident that all the pieces will fall in place to allow an April opening.

Fuentes is no stranger to the restaurant business. He and his family operate the El Toro restaurant chain, and he also operates the Wedge Tequila Bar and Grill, with locations in downtown Champaign and Village at the Crossing in southwest Champaign.

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Artful Cuisine