Coming soon...

My blog folder is full of little tidbits of information that might not be enough for one big blog entry. But just like cooking, I figured I could toss in a dash of this and a dab of that and create a four-course meal.

First course: Shula’s 347 Grill
Many have been eagerly anticipating the opening of this new restaurant at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel & Conference Center near Valley View Mall. According to a press release from their publicists this week, the restaurant will open in mid-December (no date specified) and will have a grand opening in 2011 (no date specified). This grill is, of course, named after NFL Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. But maybe you don’t know what the 347 stands for — that’s the number of Shula’s career victories.

According to the release, “Shula’s 347 Grill follows a long line of successful restaurants founded on the tradition of Shula’s Steak Houses. Shula’s 347 Grill features gourmet salads, fresh specialty fish, burgers, sandwiches as well as the best beef money can buy The SHULA CUT steaks. The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual, hip, and full of energy, characterized by a high-impact bar, and multiple high-end flat panel screened televisions.   Prices are mid-range, allowing for an affordable lunch and dinner experience for anyone.”

Stay tuned to this blog or to Jenny Kincaid Boone’s blog, The Storefront, for more information as it becomes available.

Second course: Grand Eats
Grand Eats is the name of a new restaurant at 135 Campbell Ave. SW, which is across from where Zak’s Cafe used to be in downtown Roanoke. If you are familiar with this spot, you know a lot of restaurants have tried and failed here. But I have always believed that SOMEONE will SOMEDAY make something work here. Look at all the potential lunch customers at the municipal building, the Poff Building, the courthouse, police station, sheriff’s department and newspaper offices, for starters. It is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Judging by the menu, Grand Eats is not trying to break new culinary ground in Roanoke, just provide basic, affordable lunches. These include three salads (house, chef, Caesar), three burgers (basic, Down South with chili and slaw, and bacon cheddar), hot dogs, sandwiches (tuna and chicken salad, turkey reuben, turkey croissant, Philly cheese steak and grilled chicken) and three pasta dishes (chicken with artichokes, shrimp with spinach and chicken piccata).  The restaurant also offers banana pudding and coconut creme pie and will have lunch specials. Prices range from $3.50 to $6.25 for everything except the pasta dishes, which are $7.25 to $7.50.

Third course: Former White House chef at Palisades
Walter Scheib, who cooked for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, is coming to The Palisades Restaurant in Eggleston for the second year in a row to cook a guest dinner. Actually, this year he will cook two five-course dinners – one on March 25 and the other on March 26, 2011.
According to Palisades owner Shaena Muldoon, tickets went on sale Monday and cost $140 per person which includes all food, drinks, taxes and gratuity.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (540) 626-2828. For more information, e-mail smuldoon@egglestonsprings.com.

Fourth course: Loose Caboose
I figure we can call beer a course. It’s like liquid bread. The Roanoke Railhouse Brewery has unveiled a new beer called Loose Caboose. I like their Track 1 and I’m looking forward to trying this one. Right now, it is available at 202 Market, Pomegranate, Hotel Roanoke and the Hunting Hills Country Club. If I hear of other places, I will let you know.

After dinner drink: Foggy Ridge Hard Cider
Foggy Ridge Hard Cider in Dugspur just keeps grabbing those headlines. This time, the tasty beverage (and its maker, Diane Flynt) are in Garden & Gun magazine. You can read the story here.