Blase is not passe

What do Lou Gehrig, Al Capone and Franklin Delano Roosevelt have in common? The trio of men from wildly different backgrounds and careers all frequented the bar that sits in Blasé Café & Martini Bar, a 17-year-old Siesta Village landmark.

The bar was brought in from its original location, the lobby of the Don Cesar Hotel, in St. Petersburg, and was recently moved to make room for new tables as part of a renovation that began last fall. A new deck and air conditioning system are also part of the facelift, which was completed just in time to host the summer crowd.

To keep a steady cash flow to help finance the renovation, it was done in small intervals. That way, said co-owner Rami Nehme, the restaurant could stay open and employees could keep their hours. He said loyal customers continued to pour in despite the dust.

“When you work at the same place for nine years, you develop good relationships,” he said.