Champe Speidel, a five-time James Beard regional Best Chef nominee, is bringing his contemporary American cuisine to Providence.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Champe Speidel, a five-time James Beard regional Best Chef nominee, is bringing his contemporary American cuisine to Providence.

Speidel and wife Lisa are the new owners of the former Rue de L'Espoir in Fox Point. They purchased the building from Rue owner Deborah Norman on Monday. The couple will bring their Bristol restaurant, Persimmon, to Providence in a larger space with an expanded menu, double the seats, an open kitchen and a full 13-to-15 seat bar. Their entire staff will move with them, including bar manager Kevin O'Connor, who will expand the craft cocktail menu, and longtime sous chef Kyle Kerstetter.

"I'm thrilled for the neighborhood that there will be a place as renowned and high quality as Persimmon taking the place of the Rue," Norman told The Providence Journal in a phone interview Monday. And, she added, "I could not imagine selling the restaurant to a nicer couple."

The Speidels said they are currently negotiating the sale of the Bristol restaurant, but it's not yet final. The Bristol Persimmon will continue to serve dinner until the end of March. They hope to open the new Persimmon in April, after renovations are made to the space at 99 Hope St.

The couple has been seeking a move to Providence to have a bigger marketplace and to be more centrally located in the state, said Speidel. He wanted a return to Providence, where he began his career at Gracie's on Federal Hill after graduating from Johnson & Wales University.

The Speidels opened the Bristol restaurant 10 years ago with 37 seats. Over that decade, Persimmon has also earned two James Beard nominations for excellence in service, a national category.

"We are ready for a new chapter," said Champe Speidel, "and excited for the creative outlet it affords us."

The new location brings them potential diners from the nearby colleges, WaterFire and theater patrons, business travelers and tourists to the city, the couple said. And, Lisa Speidel said, the Rue space offers the infrastructure on which to expand, but still offer their signature service and hospitality.

"We love the bones of the restaurant," she said. "But we will make the space our own."

Providence designer Libby Slader will create a new, freshened design. But the Speidels will keep the bar side and restaurant side separate, giving them space for larger parties and special functions. An open kitchen is also planned, with a four-seat food bar as part of the design. That will be available for intimate dining and classes.

"I am really excited to open up the kitchen so we can be part of the dining room," said the chef, adding it brings an energy to those cooking. "It's like being part of an event."

As for the food, among the best in the state, Speidel is excited about the chance to expand his menu, which currently offers a handful of choices. He plans to offer 20 to 25 dishes daily in a half a dozen categories, including vegetables, pasta and grains, meats and game, fish and seafood and dessert. Bar snacks are also planned.

The new Persimmon will also be open for Sunday brunch, with special dishes as well as the regular menu. Dinner will be served five nights a week and in the fall, the restaurant will open for lunch.

The expanded offerings will give patrons many ways to dine beyond the signature tasting menus for which Persimmon has been known, featuring ingredients such as local herbs, Columbia River salmon and foie gras.

"If you are familiar with Persimmon in Bristol, you'll recognize Persimmon in Providence," said Champe Speidel.

The Rue's Norman was not looking back, as she still owns Rue Bis. She said she is enjoying her life since she closed the Rue last summer. On a day that began with a snow squall, she was appreciating all the business worries she won't have to negotiate.