With the arrival of the Acadia Cafe, the West Bank corner where the New Riverside Cafe once thrived is vibrant once again. The new Acadia beckons at passersby with its cozy pub vibe -- warm red walls, iron candelabras and antique wood booths.

The Acadia's owners, spouses Juliana Bryarly and Ted Lowell, moved the cafe to Cedar-Riverside from its former location at Franklin and Nicollet avenues because they outgrew their kitchen and wanted to expand their already eclectic live-music booking. The New Riverside space "fit what we were looking for really well," said Bryarly. Live music will eventually be booked nightly.

Hot, home-cooked Americana comfort food is served until late. "We're shedding the coffeeshop image, although we're serving breakfast," Bryarly said. "We'll make our own soups, corned beef and roast turkeys. We'll make home-cooked meals reminiscent of our fond memories of New Riverside Cafe."

In an homage to the New Riv, they'll feature a cheap, vegetarian "bottomless red beans and rice," said Lowell. The long wooden bar also features 28 beers on tap plus 40 bottles.

Bryarly and Lowell began hosting live music at the former Acadia five years ago, when they bought it from the original owner. They developed a solid audience of music lovers and regular musicians. "People will follow the music -- it's a destination rather than a convenience," said Bryarly. "And the musicians will also follow Acadia."

The club is keeping the DEMO developing-artist showcase on Thursdays. But it's losing Tuesday-night improv jazz, because the new space has the restaurant and stage in the same room, and "that has a select audience," said Bryarly. Acoustic group Trio Tipo plays the first Friday of each month, and the monthly Graveyard Blues Project showcase will continue as well.

"People can expect to see more popular local bands," said Bryarly. "We'd like to get people such as Charlie Parr, Trampled by Turtles ... Americana, folk and more alt-rock." They'll also have louder music now, without the complaints from neighbors at the old Acadia.

"The openness of the space really appeals to me," said Lowell. "I never really got to enjoy the music before, as it was in the next room. I get to watch people dance and see the performances now.

"We're making it a place we enjoy being in," Lowell added. "That may help our longevity."