State St.’s Melvin B’s Making Way for Hotel

IN THE NEWS: The Sun-Times‘ Janet Rausa Fuller reports that Melvin B’s, the beer-and-burger bar at 1114 N. State, will close in September to make way for a 200-room boutique hotel. … Denise O’Neal reviews Sura Thai Bistro (3124 N. Broadway), while Sandy Thorn Clark profiles Hot Diggity Dogs’ Joe Marsico and also writes about [...]

Steve’s Clam Bar Finds Home in Pockets

IN THE NEWS: BuffaloRising.com reports that Steve’s Clam Bar, a former Elmwood mainstay, has moved to a new home at M.T. Pockets at 15419 Hertel. … The Buffalo News‘ Janice Okun gives three and a half stars in her review of Old Winery (2228 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the Lake, Ont.), while Anne Neville visits Garden [...]

Vivace, South Top Metro Brava Awards

IN THE NEWS: Metro magazine’s annual Metro Brava awards are announced in the July 2007 edition. Raleigh’s Vivace has been named Best Restaurant, and Raleigh’s South is Best New Restaurant. … The mag also reviews Kinston’s Chef and the Farmer and reports that downtown Raleigh’s old Poole’s Diner will reopen its original McDowell Street location [...]

Philipp’s Bakery, Open Since 1919, Closes

IN THE NEWS: Philipp’s Bakery closed June 29, the Sacramento Business Journal reports. The bakery at 3300 Folsom Blvd. in East Sacramento has been at its location since 1925. The Philipp’s family operated a bakery from 1919 to 1982. The family then rented the location out to commercial tenants who also ran a bakery. In [...]

Wild Bill’s Grille Back By Popular Demand

IN THE NEWS: The Enquirer’s Jeff McKinney reports, “Ohio’s no-smoking policy and more competition smothered sales and forced them to close last winter. But Bill and Gayle Schroeder have now reopened their Wild Bill’s New American Grille at the request of customers. The husband-and-wife team closed the restaurant and bar at 20 E. Silver St. [...]

‘SI’ Features Randy Jones’ BBQ

Sports Illustrated’s sicom July 2 double issue spotlights former sports stars who now run restaurants, in particular barbecue joints. Featured athletes and their eateries include: Robert Porcher (Detroit Lions) Seldom Blues jazz and supper club, Detroit Breakfast House & Grill, and Grand City Grille, Detroit; Nate Thurmond (NBA Hall of Fame center), Big Nate’s Barbecue, [...]

More Turmoil at Gracie’s as Chef Ousted

IN THE NEWS: Willamette Week reports, “Just weeks after Gracie’s owner Greg Schillinger was evicted by hotel management, Gracie’s Executive Chef Scott Shampine has been let go , according to insider sources in the professional eating world. This comes just months after Shampine’s $22 Kobe beef and foie gras burger placed him among Portland’s sandwich [...]

BoneDaddy’s Sets August Opening

IN THE NEWS: Former Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar partner John Cowan and former Birmingham banking executive Jimmy Taylor Sr. are slated to open a new barbecue restaurant called BoneDaddy’s in August at The Village at Lee Branch, the Birmingham Business Journal reports. BoneDaddy’s will occupy the former site of Michael’s Steak/Seafood, which closed [...]

Langer’s Deli Founder Dead at 94

IN THE NEWS: The LA Times reports on the June 24 death of Al Langer, 94, founder of the 60-year-old Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant, whose succulent hand-cut pastrami on hot rye bread, topped with Gulden’s mustard, won praise as the finest hot pastrami sandwich in America — or the world, depending on the critic. Just days previously, [...]

Las Manitas Loan Irks Some Competitors

IN THE NEWS: The Austin Chronicle’s Virginia Wood writes, “What becomes an icon most? I’ve yet to talk to local restaurateurs lately without hearing their opinions on the city’s $750,000 forgivable loan to the Perez sisters of Las Manitas (211 Congress). Reactions range from anger and outrage to envy and frustration. A few people wanted [...]