A new neighborhood wine bar, Colibri, has opened its doors inside Commongrounds on Eighth Street, offering residents a curated international wine selection and small plates within a relaxed European atmosphere. The venture is the brainchild of certified sommeliers Bastien Le Guen and Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux, who aim to introduce a more unhurried, European approach to wine culture in Traverse City.
The genesis of Colibri traces back four years to a casual conversation between Le Guen and Hazaël-Massieux. Le Guen shared with a local news report that opening a wine bar had been his long-held dream, setting the stage for their collaboration. Hazaël-Massieux brings decades of culinary experience, having worked in professional kitchens from Lyon to New Orleans and Puerto Rico before settling in Michigan in 1996. Local diners are familiar with his work at Bistro Fou Fou and his continued operation of La Bécasse, the French country restaurant in Burdickville.
The name Colibri, meaning hummingbird in several European languages, holds a personal connection for Hazaël-Massieux. Fou Fou, his former restaurant, was named after the Antillean crested hummingbird in Créole. This motif is visually carried into the new space by a giant hummingbird mural from artist Darin Knupp, who also painted the mural at the former Bistro Fou Fou location on Cass Street.
Colibri's physical space, tucked behind a sweeping velvet curtain, overlooks the Boardman River. It features a central wraparound bar and a lounge area furnished with soft sofas and small tables, cultivating an ambiance designed for lingering. Le Guen described to a local news report that the establishment embraces a "French vibe," encouraging patrons to take their time, without any sense of being rushed or hurried to vacate their tables.
This philosophy extends to the culinary offerings. The menu is structured around small plates intended to accompany a glass or two of wine and facilitate sharing among guests. Before opening, the duo meticulously sampled charcuterie around town to refine their own distinctive selection. Menu highlights include rich lamb meatballs served with beef tallow fries and rabbit pâté accompanied by Caribbean-style apéro cucumbers.
Le Guen and Hazaël-Massieux's expertise as certified sommeliers is particularly evident in Colibri’s beverage program. During the development phase, the pair tasted approximately 200 wines in a single week. While their long-term goal is to pour 60 different wines by the glass, the current list features a curated selection of about 35 international options. This commitment to global diversity means patrons might discover a rosé from Slovenia or a textured cabernet sauvignon from South Africa, as Hazaël-Massieux noted to a local news report that wines from California "barely sell" at the bar, underscoring their focus on unique international selections.
Beyond wine, Colibri dedicates equal rigor to its zero-proof program. Inspired by friends who do not drink but still wish to socialize in a sophisticated setting, the founders tasted at least 50 non-alcoholic options. Their efforts culminated in a sparkling, zero-proof wine that is described as complex, dry, and celebratory. Le Guen characterized the overall mood at Colibri to a local news report as professional yet lighthearted, stating their aim is to provide "quality wine, good food, good ambiance" for the community.
