Image: ChefRichAchaia.com

Asian Gastro Lounge, Union, is having their soft opening on December 30 in Delray Beach. Owner and restaurateur Scott Kennedy and his partner Stephen Chin took over the former Caliente Kitchen space just seven weeks ago.

After doing some patio renovations in record time, Kennedy and Chin only needed seven weeks to revitalize the former Caliente Kitchen space into Asian Gastro Lounge called Union. The duo was originally looking for two spots for two different dining concepts, but when Caliente Kitchen opened up, they jumped on it to open their first restaurant in Florida.

“The space fell into our lap,” said Kennedy. “Caliente Kitchen had been having trouble. Someone called us about the space and we bought it that afternoon.” Their second South Florida venture is still in the works though and they are keeping details about it quiet until later in the year.

Canadian Kennedy and New Yorker Chin both have been extensively influenced by Asian cultures because they have both lived and traveled in the region. Chin said, “We wanted to create a restaurant with dishes we both love with items that aren’t so Americanized, yet are accessible.”

In Union’s kitchen will be former chef and owner at Dolce Amore Café, Rich Achaia (pictured). Menu items will include Asian sliders, Korean barbecue selections and much more. Dishes are priced between $5 and $15.

The restaurant will soft open on December 30 and on New Years Eve they will be serving cocktails. Regular business at Union begins on January 3 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Union is located at 8 East Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach.

Source: Broward/Palm Beach Blog