Low lights, a crackling fire and the smooth steady rhythm of a jazz band transport the customers of Auburn's newest late-night drinking lounge back to the days of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
The Hotel and Conference Center at Auburn University's restaurant Piccolo officially opened its doors last Saturday to an excited and eager Auburn community.
The name Piccolo stems from a number of definitions which are the inspiration for the restaurant.
A group of interior design students at the University chose the name Piccolo because it means "little cousin" in Italian; it is the smallest wind instrument and also the smallest bottle of champagne.
Each interpretation offers a glimpse into the heart of the intimate jazz lounge.
"We thought this was an amazing opportunity for students in one of the top-ranked programs in the country to get some real world experience," said Hans Van Der Reijden, managing director, Hotel Operations and Educational Initiatives at the Hotel and Conference Center at Auburn University.
In the spring semester, five groups of interior design students were given free rein to come up with a concept, a design and a name for a fresh new take on Ariccia's lounge.
At the end of the semester, the students presented their ideas to the hotel, a construction management company, contractors, interior design firms and a marketing company.
"We were blown away," Van Der Reijden said. "What you see is 90 percent of what the students came up with."
The concept of a jazz bar with an exceptional atmosphere, a creative small plate menu and reasonable prices is completely unique to the city of Auburn.
There is not a dish on the small plate menu over $4.
"This is nothing like Auburn has ever seen before," said Jennifer Sharp, a Piccolo customer. "It has a big city feel."
Piccolo's stylish and cozy atmosphere has been compared to restaurants in New York City, N.Y., Chicago, Ill., Dallas, Texas, and South Beach, Fla.
"This restaurant fills a void in Auburn and there has never been a lounge where you can sit down in a very comfortable, cozy, intimate environment," Van Der Reijden said.
The menu consists of 15 small bite items and every ingredient is made from scratch. Piccolo is also the only restaurant in town selling small bottles of champagne patrons can sip on through custom-made straws.
They also carry the new high- gravity beer. It is available in both the bottle and on tap.
"We have a few more small bite recipes in our back pocket," Van Der Reijden said. "We are planning on adding them to the menu once we are up and running."
A jazz band trio will accompany the delicious small bites menus every Friday and Saturday night.
The fun and sophisticated atmosphere presents a perfect place for the gathering of friends or a one-of-a-kind date.
"Piccolo is a very classy and elegant lounge," said Ryan Whitehead, a guest at Piccolo. "It's a place for intelligent conversations."
Piccolo will be open seven days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday and Monday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"We want to provide something different where once in a while students can dress up, drink a cool cocktail and be served food that is affordable," Van Der Reijden said.
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