The owners of Portabella's in Foley will soon be opening a new restaurant at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

Rich and Pam Lee will be opening Safari and Vine where Savanna was previously located. Savanna closed in May 2025.

The couple recently applied for an alcohol license, which was brought before Gulf Shores City Council at the Feb. 16 meeting, where the mayor and council members shared how they are looking forward to the new restaurant coming soon.

"It will keep some of my household money in Gulf Shores instead of Foley," Councilman Phillip Harris said.

Mayor Robert Craft said he is excited to welcome the restaurant to the city.

"If you've eaten at Portabella's in Foley, you enjoyed it I know, and you're going to be even more happier to know they're the ones who are going to be occupying this safari restaurant," he said.

After a public hearing for the ABC request on Feb. 23, the application was approved. City Clerk Tobi Waters said the Lees plan to open Safari and Vince in March.

A hiring fair was held Monday, according to the Portabella's  Facebook page, and they are also accepting applications via Messenger through that account.