Lisa Wilkins chats with Victoria Golden-Thompson, both of Bowling Green, at Entourage Tapas Bar and Lounge in downtown Bowling Green. It was the women’s first time at the restaurant. BEN SEVERANCE/HERALD

“Happy New Year!”

As the ball dropped into 2009, Entourage Tapas Bar and Lounge at 935 College Street celebrated its grand opening. With the new year came a new style.

Owned by Bosnia native Boris Vignjevic, Entourage is bringing a new-age dining experience, called tapas, to the area.

Tapas is a Spanish tradition of serving food in smaller portions, he said. It’s bigger than an appetizer, yet smaller than a large entrée.

Vignjevic said Entourage is the only restaurant of its kind in town.

“It’s something new, something that is popular around the world — New York, Miami and now we’ve brought it to Bowling Green,” he said.

Dijana Muminovic, a regular customer and Western graduate, said she thinks Entourage is the next hot spot.

The tapas menu includes beef carpaccio, which is thinly-sliced filet mignon with parmesan cheese; crab cakes; and barbeque wings, which Entourage calls “pings.”

Cheese fondue and Entourage dates, which are dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese, blue cheese and scallions, have quickly become customer favorites, bartender Andrew Sturgill said.

Tapas are reasonably priced, but if you are living on a budget, come as a group and order, he said.

“You’ll be surprised how it fills everyone up,” Sturgill said.

Muminovic said she enjoys the dessert.

“I haven’t tried the tapas much because I’m usually there dancing, but the chocolate fondue is really good,” she said.

Cozy couches, hard wood floors and a bar covered in a mosaic of primary colors create an intimate dining experience.

“It’s a more social way of dining for sure,” Sturgill said.

College students, young professionals and even an older crowd gather on the Entourage patio near Fountain Square Park, he said.

“It’s fun to watch the diverse crowd and meet all kinds of new people,” Sturgill said.

Dim lights create the ambiance of an uptown feel during the day, while calming country music appeals to the southern crowd. That is, until 10 p.m., when the restaurant becomes a bar, Vignjevic said.

“I wanted to be able to transform between a bar and a restaurant,” he said. “We offer two different scenes.”

After the kids are put to bed, Entourage pumps up the volume for a techno vibe, and in-house DJ Constant gets the party started.

“Dine, drink and dance with us,” Vignjevic said.

Entourage is open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Wednesday through Saturday. Catch daily tapas and drink specials during Happy Hour until 8 p.m.

For more information on walk-in dining, reservations, and other events, visit entouragelounge.com.