Pinot's Palette unleashes your inner Picasso

By Gary Nager

I’m definitely no artist — in fact, I think I definitely have less artistic talent than most of the dozens of people who came out to paint for the Oct. 23 Grand Opening (and Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, or WCCC, ribbon-cutting ceremony) at the new Pinot’s Palette, which is located in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza, just south of the intersection of S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs {BBD} Blvd.).

So, why do I feel this compulsive need to go back to the tenth Florida location of Pinot’s Palette, a new chain with fewer than 150 locations in the U.S. and Canada that was named the 18th best new franchise in the country by Enterpreneur magazine?

Maybe it’s the fact that Pinot’s Palette allows you to both drink and release your “inner Picasso” while taking a two-hour art lesson that allows you to walk away with your own acrylic-paint-covered canvas and a lot of great memories while surrounded by some great people (and good beer and wine on tap).

The owner of the Wesley Chapel location, James Serrano, is a friendly, outgoing guy who says he has no artistic ability himself, but he “knew a great idea when I saw it.”

Serrano and his equally gregarious crew of mostly college students who do have artistic capabilities will make you feel at home — if your home has a way-cool art studio built into it, that is.

Many of my friends and colleagues from the WCCC and Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club were on hand to enjoy our first taste of Pinot’s during Serrano’s VIP Painting Party following the ribbon-cutting — and there were rave reviews all around, even if my finished product looked almost nothing like the art we were supposed to copy.

Pinot’s Palette is located at 1718 BBD. For info, including a list of class times, visit PinotsPalette.com/Wesley Chapel or call 928-8131 and please tell Serrano and crew that the Neighborhood News sent you! — GN