Wine Country Inn in Palisade has reopened its newly constructed Caroline’s Restaurant.

With the new space, the restaurant can seat almost 60 diners and is located adjacent to a new, state-of-the-art kitchen. Although the new design features a high ceiling and windows with views of the vineyards and Little Bookcliffs, the decor has replicated the Victorian look of the original restaurant. The new entry into the restaurant just east of the main entrance into the hotel offers more convenient access for diners.

“We have needed more capacity for some time,” said Katie Casetta, restaurant manager at the Wine Country Inn. “By consolidating our food service into one dining room, we can offer more efficient service to more people and reduce the waiting time to be seated.”

The Tapestry Lounge serves cocktails, beer and wine along with small bites and bar snacks, but dining will be handled by Caroline’s. Tapestry also doubles as the service area for the hotel’s complimentary breakfast and afternoon wine reception.

Caroline’s Restaurant offers an informal lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a more formal menu for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 5 to 10 p.m. weekends. Hours could be adjusted for the winter season.

Chef Dave Kassera’s new menus include vegetarian offerings and dishes with more affordable price points.

Ian Kelley, general manager of the Wine Country Inn, said the recent restaurant and ballroom expansions should alleviate some service pressures that evolved as business grew over the past 10 years. “It’s all about improving the guest experience and providing the best possible customer service,” Kelley said. “The owners hope to get back on track with plans to build a winery and tasting room to the west of our hotel once the dust settles from the recent project.”

In April, the Wine Country Inn completed work on a renovated and expanded Vineyard Ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner.

“We expect the ballroom renovation to yield sales dividends that we previously had to turn away because of our limited capacity,” Kelley said. “We already are seeing increased inquiries for events although we haven’t promoted the new space extensively yet.”

Saunders Stewart, sales manager at the Wine Country Inn, said the ballroom decor is compatible with most even color schemes.

“And opening out onto our beautifully landscaped courtyard is an added bonus,” Stewart added.