The Grand Bistro has been re-opened by Howards Lane Vineyard owners Justine and Damien Monley.

The couple previously owned Flat White Cafe  in Woollahra and Madam Char Char in Surry Hills before making the move to the Southern Highlands.

Mr Monley said they bought the Mittagong vineyard in November, 2014, and found they wanted more of a challenge.

"We had the vineyard, but we outgrew it," he said.

"The site came up with a hotel license and with its history, when we walked in, we wondered how no one could have not wanted it.

"There are so many stories of this place, and it's been really special bringing it back to life."

An "empty shell" when they first saw the space, the restaurant now has a 120-seating capacity in a "country fresh white and green interior" designed by Mr Monley.

While Mr Monley, 41, works in the kitchen as a chef, Mrs Monley, 38, runs the floor.

Mr Monley said they designed the space to "have a presence, not be diluted".

"I think people our age and younger are looking for an experience outside of sitting in a pub," he said.

The restaurant is locally-focused, with Southern Highlands Brewing Company beer on tap and Howards Lane wines on the shelf.

Mrs Monley said they had involved the community with the flavour of the restaurant from the planning stages.

"The people here love to be proud of local produce," she said.

"We put up samples of our menu on [the Facebook page] 'Just Ask Southern Highlands' and people voted on what they wanted to see on the menu.

"We showed images on Instagram and Facebook from the shell to the opening, so people felt part of the journey."

But don't think you'll always know what's on the menu - the specials change almost daily.

Apart from providing good food and service, the couple are also interested in offering hospitality opportunities for Highlanders.

"We want to offer training programs for people interested in hospitality," Mr Monley said.

"It would be great to sit back in a few years time and see how [the people we trained] grow through the business and the industry."

The restaurant is currently open Tuesday to Saturday from 7am to 4pm and Sunday 8am to 4pm.

The couple plan to open at night once they employ a sous chef.

The Monley's said they planned to hold a live screening of the Bledisloe Cup at the Grand Bistro on August 27.

For $90, attendees receive a four-hour food and beverage package, including burgers, hotdogs, fries, slow-cooked meats, Southern Highlands Brewing Company beer and wine.

Two 100-inch plasma screens will be set up inside and outside the venue to watch the game.

Tickets can be purchased through Moshtiks: shtix.com.au/v2/event/the-bledisloe-cup/88329

The Grand Bistro is located in the Grand Arcade at 295-297 Bong Bong Street, Bowral.