Cantina South opens tomorrow in the former Bogart's space. Go HERE to read my earlier post.

Cantina South, a modern Mexican restaurant, will hopefully open by the end of June in the space formerly occupied by Bogart's in Raleigh's Glenwood South area.

Kevin Summers, a former co-founder of Rocky Top Hospitality and restaurant consultant, explained that he had been looking for the right restaurant ownership opportunity. When he heard that Rocky Top Hospitality owner Dean Ogan was giving up his lease at the 510 Glenwood Ave space that Bogart's occupied, Summers thought he had a good concept and had found his opportunity to return to being a restaurant owner. 

Cantina South will serve modern Mexican cuisine with entrees between $13 and $20, specialty margaritas and more than 50 tequilas. It will be a high-energy fun restaurant offering late-night music with a focus on country and rock music.

The chef is David Peraza, who was a consultant chef for the opening of Mez in Durham and Jibarra when it moved to downtown Raleigh. The menu features freshly-made guacamole prepared tableside, a selection of ceviches and most intriguing to me, duck confit in flautas and carnitas.

Summers' business partners include Bill Holt, who the Melting Pot restaurant in Raleigh, and Dave Medvetz, president of Blue Sky Services, a real estate and contracting firm in Raleigh.

Summers said Cantina South should open by the end of June but could get pushed until early July.

Sue Stock has a note on the .biz blog about Rocky Top Hospitality closing Bogart's American Grill at the end of the month. Go HERE to read it.

After 10 years as a downtown Raleigh staple, Bogart's American Grill will close its doors at the end of this month.

The closure is part  of an ongoing effort to renew and refresh this year from Bogart's parent company, Raleigh-based Rocky Top Hospitality. Already, Rocky Top renovated its Twisted Fork restaurant in North Raleigh and shuttered its first-ever restaurant, Michael Deans. That location is currently being renovated to become the chain's second Tribeca Tavern restaurant.

Rocky Top owner Dean Ogan said the Bogart's closure had a lot to do with timing.

"I've got a 10-year lease, and my 10-year lease is up," he said. "It had a good run, but this is a very trendy business, and I've either got to invest significant capital in that location and refresh the concept or close."

Bogart's final day of business will be Feb. 27. The restaurant's 40 employees were offered positions at other Rocky Top restaurants.

On Thursday, Bogart's American Grill in Raleigh will host a Mad Men Martini Mixer for Mentoring to support local freelance artist Jeff Bowman and his bid to win a walk-on role on the hit TV series "Mad Men."

Bowman is trying to win the grand prize in the Banana Republic and AMC Mad Men Casting Call contest. People are invited to vote online through Friday. Those of you on Twitter can also follow him @JeffBowman.

During the event, from 5 to 8 p.m., Bogart's will offer $5 martinis and also ask for a $5 suggested donation that will go to the Boys to Men Mentoring Network. There will be door prizes awarded for the best "Mad Men" attire.