Insider: Tell me how things have been since opening up.

 Darya: I was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception from the community since the day we opened. People came in to see what we were all about, stayed for coffee, and even started playing chess. It was really comforting to see.\

Why did you decide to open Bishop’s Brew?

I’ve been working in the culinary industry for over 10 years and felt it was time to share the knowledge I’ve gained and do something for myself. I love working with my team to create an outstanding experience for our guests. It’s truly a rewarding experience for me.

Tell me about the name.

It took a long time to get the space up and running since it used to be an apothecary and wasn’t fitted out to be a restaurant. During that time, we had a lot of contact with the clergy because the building is shared with a Catholic church. Priests would often stop by in the morning to offer their support and have some coffee. The name “Bishop’s Brew” just came to me and felt like it made a lot of sense.

So it’s more than just a café, then.

Yes, we’re really a place for the community. People can come for cake—we bake it ourselves—or stay for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast in the morning. I highly recommend our red mullet with zucchini, or while the chanterelles are still in season, the chicken with orange barbecue sauce and mashed potatoes. A lot of guests love our orzo with shrimp and mussels; it’s a crowd-pleaser, and people often come back with friends to try it.

What positive experiences have you had since opening your first restaurant?

Since day one, without any advertising, we’ve had a lot of guests. I originally intended to have a soft opening to work out all the kinks, but we didn’t really get the chance. The guests have been amazing and have really surprised me. Even without an alcohol license, people were sitting, staying late, and enjoying themselves.