For years, this corner at 200 South Ashley sat quietly waiting for a new chapter. Now, with warm earth tones, abundant light, carefully selected furnishings and an inviting and spacious patio, Aperitivo is poised to offer downtown Ann Arbor something great. Not another bustling bar for binging or late-night hours, but a place inspired by one of Italy’s most enduring traditions.
The restaurant adopts its name from aperitivo, the Italian custom of gathering before dinner to enjoy light drinks, small bites and meaningful conversation. In Italy, aperitivo is less about drinking and more about slowing down after the workday, connecting with friends and family, and easing into the evening. It is a ritual that celebrates community, hospitality and good people — while savoring snacks and drinks.
That philosophy became the guiding principle behind every decision General Manager Miranda Domenguez made while creating the space.
Although Aperitivo has three silent investors, Domenguez is the main creator, designer and brain behind the experience. She is entrusted with developing nearly every aspect of the business, from the overall concept to the menu, décor, staffing and daily operations.
“I have been in hospitality on and off for 22 years. I have farmed for the past 4 years; this is my first season not farming, which makes me sad. I have no time for farming because of this project. My role here at Aperitivo is everything. I created the concept, the menu, chose textiles, furniture, glassware et cetera,” Domenguez said.
For Domenguez, the project represents the culmination of more than two decades in hospitality, combined with a passion for fresh ingredients cultivated during her years of farming. While leaving agriculture behind was bittersweet, she found an opportunity to incorporate those values into every aspect of Aperitivo’s menu by partnering with local growers and producers.
Her personal journey also shaped the restaurant’s creation.
Domenguez moved to Ann Arbor three years ago with her daughter following a divorce, seeking what she describes as a fresh start, which has now evolved into creating a gathering place she hopes others will embrace as their own.
Building a concept around a name
Unlike many restaurateurs who spend years searching for the perfect location, Domenguez’s process began differently. Investors presented her with a downtown space and a single word—Aperitivo—and trusted her to build everything around it.
She embraced the challenge.
“There are three owners (silent investors) who came to me with the name Aperitivo and the space/location, and I took it from there and created everything around the name Aperitivo. Personally, I love charcuterie and aperitivo culture. We did a sneak peek weekend, and the best quote I heard was, ‘I have never seen Ann Arbor from this angle.’ So naturally I need to use that as a marketing angle,” Dominguez said.
That comment resonated with Domenguez because it reflected exactly what she hoped guests would experience—not simply another restaurant, but a fresh perspective on living itself.
The location, combined with the thoughtfully designed interior and enclosed patio, creates an environment that feels removed from the rush of downtown while, at the same time, remaining in its center.
More than a happy hour
Americans often compare aperitivo to happy hour, but the traditions differ in important ways.
Rather than emphasizing discounted drinks, the Italian custom focuses on balance and quality. Small savory bites accompany beverages designed to stimulate the appetite rather than overpower it. The emphasis is on conversation, lingering and preparing for dinner instead of making the evening’s drinks the main event.
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Domenguez wants guests to experience that authentic tradition.
“Aperitivo hour in Italy is their way to digress the workday and mosey into dinner, the light drinks and snacks are meant to open the palate and kickstart your metabolism,” Dominguez said. “Most classic Italian cocktails come with aperitif or digestif amaros that are low in alcohol and bitter on taste and pair well with salty snacks. I want to stay true to the Italian theme by bringing in wines, liquor, amaro and foods from Italy, while also highlighting local Michigan produce and products.”
That balance between authenticity and local flavor defines the restaurant’s philosophy.
While imported Italian wines, amari, and traditional foods will anchor the menu, Michigan producers remain equally important. Fresh produce comes from the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Panini bread is supplied by Carosello Pasta in Dexter, baguettes come from White Lotus Farms, fruit is sourced from Kapnick Orchards, herbs and vegetables arrive from Green Things Farm Collective, Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. supplies the chips, and a local baker prepares Italian cookies.
Rather than competing with Michigan agriculture, Domenguez hopes to showcase it alongside Italy’s culinary traditions.
Designing a place to stay awhile
Every design choice reflects the same philosophy.
Inside, guests enter a bright lounge filled with natural light, comfortable seating, cocktail tables, and carefully chosen finishes intended to encourage relaxation rather than hurried dining. The emphasis is clearly on the people and the community. Outside, a large patio offers an alternative to more constricted sidewalk seating common elsewhere downtown. Outside, shaded trees and a beautiful mural of native flowers are also nearby.
Future plans include additional flowers, plants, and shade sails to enhance the atmosphere even further.
“The atmosphere here is a welcoming environment of smiling faces, warm colors and modern finishes. The lounge is full of windows with natural light coming in, with comfy booth seating, small cocktail tables and saddle stools,” Domenguez said “We keep the music here low for guests to enjoy conversation and not have to yell over each other. I really wanted a space where you can gather with co-workers after work, come on a date, or hang with friends and converse over a delicious cocktail and snack.”
The intentional emphasis on conversation distinguishes Aperitivo from many nightlife destinations. Instead of televisions dominating the room or loud music competing with guests, the environment encourages people to reconnect with one another.
Wonderful mocktails and snacks
We recently visited and thoroughly enjoyed marinated olives, meat panini with chips, Marcona Almonds, crostini and two amazing mocktails. Their olives are bright, lemony, and not too salty. The panini was warm, with old-school bread and juicy. The almonds were also not too salty, fresh, and effervescent. The crostini were almost like an amuse-bouche with crème fraiche, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. Less is really more here, with everything high-quality and well-paced rather than too fast and mediocre.
We shared the “Tutto Va Bene” (All is well) and the “Self Control” mocktails. Both were perfectly balanced and textured, leaving you wanting more, but knowing that you’ve enjoyed a perfect blessing.
An authentic beverage program
Although Aperitivo hosted a successful sneak peek weekend in June featuring mocktails and snacks, the restaurant continues to await approval of its liquor license before unveiling its full beverage program.
When that happens, guests can expect classic Italian cocktails, rotating craft cocktails, Italian wines, dessert wines, beers and an extensive selection of amari.
“We are still awaiting our liquor license, so for the sneak peek weekend, we did a mocktail and snack menu. When we get our license, our menu will include classic Italian cocktails, rotating signature craft cocktails, natural Italian wines, two Italian beers, snacks, a list of amaros and dessert wines. I want to be as traditional as possible to Italy, but also with local Michigan flair.”
One menu section, titled “Beyond the Boot,” will feature wines from Michigan and other regions, including France and Germany, complementing the restaurant’s primarily Italian selections.
Domenguez also plans to avoid some of the brightly colored Italian aperitifs commonly found in American bars, opting instead for traditional recipes produced in Italy without artificial dyes or ingredients.
Creating a different kind of gathering place
Downtown Ann Arbor offers no shortage of restaurants and bars, but Domenguez believes Aperitivo fills a niche that has largely been overlooked.
“What distinguishes us from other businesses in the area is having a patio that is contained instead of being on the sidewalk. The drinks and snacks we offer are exclusive to Italian culture, and giving guests a quieter space to enjoy each other’s company. The college kids kind of take over most of the bars around here, and I wanted to have a space where the over-35 crowd could go, and it’s not a nightclub.”
While college students remain welcome, the overall atmosphere emphasizes relaxed hospitality and comfort over late-night partying.
It is a place where coworkers can unwind after work, couples can enjoy an evening together and friends can gather without competing against booming speakers or crowded dance floors.
The challenges behind the scenes
Like many new restaurants, Aperitivo faced its greatest obstacles long before the first guest walked through the door.
Construction delays, contractor scheduling, inspections and approvals all tested Domenguez’s patience during the build-out.
“The biggest challenge was getting the trades to show up and finish work that they started and getting inspections and approval for the building from the city. Now the biggest challenge is waiting for our liquor license from the MLCC.”
Those challenges have become increasingly common across the hospitality industry as restaurants navigate supply chain issues, contractor shortages and regulatory processes while preparing to open.
Despite those hurdles, community enthusiasm has remained strong.
A warm welcome from Ann Arbor
Even before serving alcoholic beverages, Aperitivo has received enthusiastic feedback from visitors attending its preview events.
“Ann Arbor has given us a great response! A couple of different people have said, ‘There is nothing like this in Ann Arbor.’ ‘We so needed this.’ ‘This corner has sat empty for so long, it’s amazing to see something finally here, it really brightens up what used to be a dark corner.’ They loved the mocktails and snacks we put out thus far.”
Guests have also complimented the thoughtful décor, furnishings, colors, and overall transformation of the once-vacant space.
That response suggests Domenguez’s vision is already resonating before the restaurant’s full concept has officially debuted.
Looking toward the future
For Domenguez, success will not simply be measured by packed tables or popular cocktails.
Instead, she hopes Aperitivo becomes a lasting destination that transports guests, if only for an hour, from the middle of downtown Ann Arbor to a quiet Italian piazza.
“As far as our future goes, we hope to be around for many years and really transform the property into a space full of plants and color and give a feel of vacation or as if you’re in Italy, even though in reality you are in downtown Ann Arbor.”
That vision captures the essence of Aperitivo.
Rather than patrons rushing through another meal, Domenguez hopes they’ll linger over a glass of wine, share some carefully selected bites, reconnect with friends, and experience a slower pace that has defined Italian hospitality for generations.
If early reactions are any indication, thanks to Miranda Domenguez and her supporters, downtown Ann Arbor may have found not only a new restaurant, but a new way of life.
“We are closed until we receive our liquor license. We have to attend a city council meeting this month. We should be open by the end of this month or the beginning of August.”
Donna Marie Iadipaolo is a writer, journalist, and State of Michigan certified teacher, since 1990. She has written for national publications like The Village Voice, Ear Magazine of New Music, Insurance & Technology, and TheStreet.
She is now writing locally for many publications, including Current Magazine, Ann Arbor Family, and the Ann Arbor Independent. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she graduated with an honors bachelor’s degree and three teacher certificate majors: mathematics, social sciences, English. She also earned three graduate degrees in Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Education Specialist Degree.
