Meraki Food Group announced Friday that it has sold its International Drive restaurant Tapa Toro to Atelier Dining, which operates restaurants in Winter Garden and Las Vegas.
Tapa Toro was one of three restaurants operated by Meraki, which is owned by Vassilis and Katerina Coumbaros, but the only one at Icon Park. Meraki’s other restaurants, Taverna Opa and the recently opened Kavas Tacos + Tequila, are at Pointe Orlando and will continue under the Meraki banner.
Jonathan Pluvinet is the principal owner of Atelier Dining and operated Magoni Italian Market Pizza in Winter Garden and Rosalie Le French Cafe in Winter Garden and Las Vegas.
According to a spokeswoman for Meraki Food Group, Tapa Toro will keep its small plate and paella concept, at least for now. She said that Pluvinet may change it later “once he gets his bearings with the concept.” The Coumbaroses will stay on for one month to ease the transition between owners.
In a statement, Katerina Coumbaros said: “It was a serendipitous moment as we were planning to diversify our business portfolio and allocate more time to our family when Jonathan Pluvinet and his team approached us. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Tapa Toro opened in 2015 with Wendy Lopez, now at Reyes Mezcalaria, as its chef. It featured an upscale Spanish atmosphere with a 12-seat “paella pit” dining section overlooking the paella stations.
