St. Paul Eatery Fhima’s Shutters Doors

IN THE NEWS: David Fhima was to close his namesake restaurant in downtown St. Paul over the weekend, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reports. Fhima’s, which served French Mediterranean cuisine, was open for six years at 6 W. Sixth St. The city, which owns the building, expects to have a new restaurant tenant in place [...]

Earl of Sandwich Chain Eyes Cleveland

IN THE NEWS: A Florida-based restaurant chain is putting out feelers that it wants to greatly expand its reach, the Denver Business Journal reports. Earl of Sandwich, founded in 2004 and based in Orlando, says it’s looking for franchisees around the United States, including Cleveland. … The Plain Dealer’s John Campanelli reviews Nick’s Diner (4116 [...]

‘Soup Nazi’ Eatery Set for Downtown in Fall

IN THE NEWS: The Original SoupMan, featuring the well-known soups of Al Yeganeh, is preparing to land downtown, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports. A local franchisee will lease a 1,171-square-foot location in the Forbes Garage at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Smithfield Street in the fall. The inspiration for the “Soup Nazi” character [...]

Alpharetta’s Trattoria Monaco Closes

IN THE NEWS: Reports the AJC’s H.M. Cauley: “Taking home the “best of” award at the Taste of Alpharetta two years in a row wasn’t enough to keep the kitchen going at Trattoria Monaco. The 2 1/2-year-old eatery on Windward Parkway shut its doors last week. “We gave it our all, but, unfortunately, the dream [...]

Willie Mae’s Scotch House Reopens

IN THE NEWS: Iconic soul food joint Willie Mae’s Scotch House (2401 St Anne St, Mid-City), which reopened briefly this spring after undergoing months of post-Katrina renovations, is now open 11 am-4 pm Mon-Fri. … Lil’ Dizzy’s has opened in the Whitney Wyndham Hotel, Tom Fitzmorris’ nomenu.com reports: “It’s the second location of Li’l Dizzy’s, [...]

Earl of Sandwich Chain Eyes Phoenix

A Florida-based restaurant chain is putting out feelers that it wants to greatly expand its reach, the Denver Business Journal reports. Earl of Sandwich, founded in 2004 and based in Orlando, says it’s looking for franchisees around the United States, including Denver. Other cities on the company’s radar screen include Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Phoenix, [...]

‘Food & Wine’ Honors Salts’ Bremer

IN THE NEWS: In its July 2007 issue, Food & Wine magazine foodandwine.com features its prestigious Best New Chefs of 2007 list, including: Ian Schnoebelen of Iris in New Orleans, Sean O’ Brien of Myth in San Francisco, Paul Virant of Vie in Western Springs (Ill.), Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon in Portland (Ore.), Gabriel [...]

Danny Edwards Barbecue To Relocate

IN THE NEWS: The Star’s Lauren Chapin gives two and a half stars to Thai Place Northland (5225 N.W. 64th St., Kansas City, North) and stops by Zaki’s (1610 W. 39th St.). … The paper also reports that “Danny Edwards Kansas City Famous Barbecue, the former Lil Jakes, will move from its long-time home on [...]

‘Food & Wine’ Honors Komi’s Morris

IN THE NEWS: In its July 2007 issue, Food & Wine magazine foodandwine.com features its prestigious Best New Chefs of 2007 list, including: Ian Schnoebelen of Iris in New Orleans, Sean O’ Brien of Myth in San Francisco, Paul Virant of Vie in Western Springs (Ill.), Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon in Portland (Ore.), Gabriel [...]

Birksdale Adds Maddie’s Southern Bistro

IN THE NEWS: Birkdale Village has added a new restaurant — a companion to the eccentric Maddi’s Gallery, the Charlotte Business Journal reports. Maddi’s Southern Bistro, which opened recently at 16925 Birkdale Commons Parkway in Huntersville, bills itself as a casual yet upscale eatery. Husband-and-wife team Jon and Michaella Dalton, who have owned the [...]