While Boltini Lounge’s Fancy Mac ’n Cheese has long been a favorite, the quesadilla is now its most popular dish and is part of an effort to revamp the menu.

The lounge, located at 211 N. Neil St. in downtown Champaign, is described as “the adult playground of downtown welcoming any and everybody from the downtown hipster to the professional enjoying a happy hour cocktail” on its website (www.boltinilounge.com/about/).

Chris Brehmer, who recently moved here from Denver, was appointed as the new general manager. Because of this recent management turnover, the menu will also take a different direction.

Justin Morrison, kitchen manager at Boltini, has a master’s degree in exercise physiology and hopes to integrate a nutrition aspect into the menu. He explained that they will remove anything short of healthy from the menu while also offering better-tasting food and health-conscious options.

The quesadilla is a new dish and is different from a lot of the choices available on the menu. Customers can choose from beef, chicken or tuna varieties. While quesadillas are often viewed as a pretty simple dish, Morrison explained what sets theirs apart from the rest.

“I have my own beef recipe that I specifically do here. I just came up with it on the spot right here,” Morrison said. He mixes in vegetables and makes sure the fat has been removed so it’s not greasy and heavy.

Both Brehmer and Morrison said the chicken quesadilla was one of their favorites. Brehmer said that, for the rest of the menu, all of their produce is local and high-quality.

As for the restaurant and bar itself, Brehmer explained where the inspiration for Boltini Lounge’s name came from.

“The name comes from an old circus family, an Italian circus family that moved to Holland,” he said.

Circus-inspired clown and elephant posters scatter the walls of the dimly lit lounge. There are tables and bar seating for customers seeking a casual night, as well as a number of booths for more intimate seating.

Open since 2000, Boltini is known for being “pro-everybody.”

They pride themselves on being very liberal and open to anyone, according to Brehmer.

“We just try to take care of everyone that comes through the door,” he said.

The eatery is considered a lounge, which is illustrated by an extensive back bar. While Brehmer was taking inventory, he stated that there were 197 different bottles of liquor, clearing up any doubt on lack of choice.

They offer small-batch bourbons, dry to sweet wines, at least 100 martinis and an obscure variety of beers. If that isn’t enough, the bartenders make sure they know how to make almost everything. In the odd case they do not, they make sure to look it up and serve it up right away.

Rohaina can be reached at [email protected].