By Caitlin Kupiec and James McDonald
Bengal News West Reporters
Once guests walk into Gypsy Parlor,
located at 376 Grant St., they are greeted by colorful tutus, bohemian belly
dancers and gypsies tending bar, none of which are likely found at the average
corner pub.
Gabrielle Mattina, owner of the
bar/restaurant, grew up on the West Side and always knew she wanted to open her
restaurant on Grant Street. She’s of Romanian lineage, so the name of the bar
is inspired partly by her culture, and partly from an ongoing joke with her friends.
“I get criticism for it every day,”
Mattina said. “But it was a way of life for us, with the dressing up, the henna
and the fortune telling.”
The bar holds special events each
week, including Tutu Tuesdays, – where guests get $2 drink specials if they
show up in a tutu – Belly Dancer Wednesdays and other various events.
The cocktails are all original
recipes created by Mattina. A popular drink is named “Gypsy Juice,” which can
be made non-alcoholic or mixed with liquor of choice.
Mattina never saw herself opening
the restaurant anywhere else, and said that the bar is doing about 40 percent
better than she ever imagined it would.
Residents of the neighborhood have
welcomed her with open arms since the place opened in late September, and she
said she could not ask for a better situation.
“People tell me, 'We’re so glad
something opened up here, we’re sick of driving to Elmwood and Allen',” Mattina
said. “It’s rewarding to know that people appreciate it.”
