Vicksburg’s newest restaurant, The Bistro of Vicksburg, officially opened its doors this week with a ribbon cutting held Thursday at its location at 4002 Highway 61 South.

In front of a large crowd gathered to commemorate the opening of the new business, Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce Programs Director Christine J. Rials and Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said the city is happy to welcome the new restaurant to town.

“How exciting is this, to welcome a new restaurant into Vicksburg? We are here with the owner, Natasha Washington,” Rials said. “Thank you for your investment in the future of Vicksburg.”

“We are happy to be able to be a part of opening this restaurant and I want to thank them,” Flaggs added. “And I want to thank all of you for coming out. This is a great crowd and we want to get inside and eat.”

Washington, a Vicksburg native who already owns local businesses ranging from home health care to limo services, said she is excited and blessed to add the Bistro to her list of offerings.

“First, I always want to give honor to my Lord and Savior, because without Him, I am nothing,” Washington told the crowd Thursday. “I basically was given a vision from the Lord to be a blessing to each and every one of God’s people.”

And Washington said she plans to manifest that blessing through offering a new kind of experience for her patrons at the Bistro.

“This business right here is going to be a different type of business,” she said. “It’s going to be an upscale type. What’s that? Well, you’ll see. Whatever your mind went to, that’s where we’re headed. I’m a person that, I believe in you lead by example, so when you come in, you’ll get a different type of vibe.”

That vibe, she said, will include not just food, but also entertainment.

“We’re going to have bands; we’re going to have different types of food here. So, something that you normally would have to travel, we’re here now. So, you shouldn’t have to go outside of home to be able to do that.”

Washington also thanked those on her team for making the Bistro of Vicksburg a reality, including her brother, Terry Washington, and son, Ladarian Dixon, both of whom designed the inside of the restaurant. Washington also thanked Head Chef, General Manager and Back of House Manager Asistan Stanbach.

“Everything that you’re going to be tasting, just know that this is the person with all of the ingredients,” Washington said of Stanbach, adding she and her team have been patiently waiting for Thursday’s official start to business.

“One thing that I’ve been pressing on is Proverbs 19:11, which explains a person’s wisdom is patience,” she said. “According to that, I tell a person to always be patient, because if you have patience, God will do exactly what he says he’s going to do.”

The Bistro of Vicksburg is open and now serving guests They can be reached by phone at 601-738-5098.