Rock Venue/Restaurant Venkman's Plans Mid-September Opening

What happens when a chef/pickle company owner and a couple of rock-and-rollers team up to open a restaurant? The answer is "Venkman's," which also serves as a music venue and is on track to open in Old Fourth Ward in mid-September. The project is a collaboration of chef Nick Melvin and Nicholas Niespodziani and Peter Olson, two of the men behind '70s cover band Yacht Rock Revue.

Melvin, the founder of Doux South Pickles, will design the menu, according to a release, turning his take on comfort foods such as trout beignets and chicken-fried tofu. The bar will feature classic cocktails, craft beers, rose on tap — 2015 does seem to be the year of rose, after all — and a variety of booze-infused slushies. As for the music, Venkman's plans to host live shows throughout the week, "ramping up in energy and volume as the week progresses."

The restaurant will take up residence in the former NuGrape Soda Factory at 740 Ralph McGill Boulevard. Opening hours will be 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 5 p.m. until late-night Thursday through Saturday.