WILMINGTON — Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill is one of the newest restaurants to sprout up along the ever expanding downtown river front. Although the name Anne Bonny was once feared throughout the Caribbean and southern United States, now, the name of the former pirate queen is being used to elicit a different feeling, that of hunger.
The restaurant is built on a barge owned by Cape Fear Riverboats and anchored to the bottom of the Cape Fear River.
Formerly a snack bar for the patrons of Cape Fear Riverboats, this past year it was leased out by Madison Vithalani, Michael Webber, Justin Smith, and Steve Gaconnier, four service industry veterans who saw potential in the floating location.
The restaurant has a distinct Caribbean vibe, with palm fronds hanging from the ceiling, and literally being on the water, meaning the scenery can’t be beat. From almost any seat in the house you can enjoy views of the U.S.S. North Carolina and Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
Something affordable on the river
Vithalani says the main goal behind the restaurant was to “make something affordable for people down here on the river.”
One of the the most expensive items on the menu is a half-pound hot dog smothered in chili, cheese, and jalapeños called, “The Wolf.” The Wolf costs $11, and according to Vithalani is “definitely shareable.”
“Originally we started off saying we’re sort of, ‘surf and turf pub fare’ if you will. We have everything from the steak Philly, to our burgers, which are awesome,” Vithalani said. “Then we have fish and chips, fried oysters, po-boys and grouper sandwiches.
“The other thing that we kind of do for nostalgic purposes, and people go crazy for it, is half-pound hot dog, and giant pretzel that’s like this big,” she said stretching her hands to the size of a dinner plate. “They’re obviously shareable, but we’ve honestly had a hard time keeping the pretzels in stock.”
Vithalani says that one of their signature items is the “Tropical Fusion.” It’s a sandwich that gives you the option of grilled chicken, an Angus burger, or a hot dog as the base. It then comes topped with sweet chili bacon, pineapple jalapeño relish, pepper jack cheese and and a homemade honey mustard sauce.
“People just can’t get enough of it,” she said.
Being a waterfront bar and grill, Anne Bonny’s naturally had to come up with its own signature cocktails.
“Wine slushies are our specialty,” Vithalani said. “We have a ‘Frozen Rosé,’ and a ‘Sangria Slushie’ too, customers love it.”
In addition to this, Vithalani says that they have classics like piña coladas and frozen daquiris.
Vithalani said the team of service industry veterans brings attention to detail to the restaurant.
“I’m down here working all the time. It was very important to me to be hands on involved, all the time,” Vithalani said. “To be in the service industry as long as I have, you end up being very particular about how you like things, and how people are trained. Webber is the same way. That was something we laid out going into this partnership, we all wanted to deal with people who want to be hands on involved.”
“It’s what I love, I’ve gotten out of the service industry before, I’ve taught, I’ve worked in the medical industry, and I just keep on coming back,” Vithalani said laughing.
Anne Bonny’s Bar & Grill is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday they’re open from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. They offer live music Saturday and Sunday starting at noon, and also Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.
Anne Bonny’s is located downtown at 101 S. Water St., on the Riverwalk. For more information and to keep up with the latest specials, follow them on Facebook.
Get in touch with Reporter Cory Mannion: follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or send an email at cory@localvoicemedia.com.
