July 3, 2008Catching up with Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy
I spoke with Cathy briefly about several topics, including Chick-fil-A's business principals, the economy and the speed of drive-through. Check out my interview with him below. Q: Many fast food restaurants have added $1 menus. Does Chick-fil-A plan to create this kind of menu? Q: How have rising food costs impacted Chick-fil-A? Q: What is the largest meal in sales volume a day at most Chick-fil-A’s? Continue reading "Catching up with Chick-fil-A's Dan Cathy" » Roanoke scoring Shula's 347 GrillHas you ever eaten at Shula’s 347 Grill? This restaurant chain was founded by Don Shula, a legendary NFL coach. And apparently, it is headed for Roanoke next year. I don't yet have details from the Florida-based company about this new location. Shula’s has several different restaurant concepts, including Shula’s Steak House, Shula’s 2 Steak & Sports, Shula’s on the Beach and Shula’s 347 Grill. Shula’s 347 Grill is named for Don Shula's 347 NFL wins, according to the company's Web site. These restaurants serve steaks, hamburgers, fish entrees and other menu fare. The closest Shula’s 347 Grill to the Roanoke Valley is in Norfolk. I’ll update you when I find out more details about this restaurant. July 2, 2008Starbucks closings to target stores opened since 2006
At this point, we don’t know if the closings will include Starbucks locations in the Roanoke and New River valleys. Starbucks has expanded rapidly here in the last few years. There are seven Roanoke Valley locations, including the mini stores inside a local Kroger and Ukrop’s Super Market. There are two in Blacksburg and one in Christiansburg. But in a statement released to me today by a public relations firm representing Starbucks, the coffee retailer said many of the closings will involve stores that opened since 2006. Here’s the statement: Details for specific locations are still being finalized. The stores identified for closure are spread across all major U.S. markets with approximately 70 percent of them opened since fiscal 2006. Out of respect and dignity for our partners, and our desire to share this information with impacted partners first, we are not publishing a full list of the stores. Starbucks will continue to evaluate all aspects of our business as we work to accomplish our multi-faceted plan to transform the company. We cannot offer any more specifics at this time. June 30, 2008Fork in the Alley will spin-off to downtown
The restaurant doesn’t yet have a name, but Trinkle said he expects it to be a take-off on Fork in the Alley. The menu largely will be similar, with brick oven pizza and some new additions. The manager of Fork in the Alley is handling most of the details, Trinkle said. This new restaurant will be open for business by late this year or early next year. This part of downtown, with vacant and run down buildings, isn’t the city’s retail hub. But Trinkle said some renovation work set to transform this area attracted him to the site. Ed Walker, a local developer, owns much of this block, including the Gary’s location and a building across the street that is planned for art studios. Also, Walker owns the former Virginia Mills Cotton Products plant on 6th Street. He wants to renovate it for 108 condominiums or apartments. June 19, 2008Too many coffee shops?Update: I heard back from Mike Sebolt, who said that he and Kathy Johnson sold High Point Coffee because it was too difficult to make ends meet financially soley on his income, since Johnson was managing the coffee shop. He also said the economy was a challenge. About the number of competiting coffee shops, Sebolt said in an email that "There are quite a few but we always felt we had something really unique and special."
Mike Sebolt and Kathy Johnson delved into the coffee retail business in 2007 with high hopes. Their coffee shop, High Point Coffee, may not have turned out as they expected. High Point on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke County has closed, and Doreen's Gourmet is taking over. Check out the details on the SWCo blog. Sebolt told me that Johnson has taken a new job as a guidance counselor at the Governor’s School. When they opened High Point, she quit her job as a guidance counselor at William Byrd High School to manage the shop. Sebolt’s still a teacher at Salem High School. It’s unclear why they decided to sell High Point. Sebolt didn’t respond to questions about their decision. Perhaps it was a way for Johnson to go back into an education-related career. But it's also no secret that the local coffee retail business is extremely saturated. There are five Starbucks in the Roanoke Valley and locally-owned coffee shops galore. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea has four shops, and Mojo Café and Brambleton Blend aren't too far from High Point’s former location on Brambleton Avenue. There also are two Daily Grinds, one on Electric Road and another in Salem. And don't forget several Java the Hutt drive-through kiosks. High Point's closing raises questions about its ability to withstand so much coffee competition. June 18, 2008Tomatoes are backTomatoes have reappeared on some fast food menus after certain raw types of this fruit caused a salmonella outbreak nationwide. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Yum Brands, the parent company for Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut, this week added tomatoes cleared of the salmonella risk back onto sandwiches, salads and other menu items. Also, Kroger and Ukrop’s Super Market stores locally have rolled tomatoes back onto shelves, according to spokesmen for these grocers. Ukrop’s tomatoes are grown in Florida, but once certain varieties were proven safe, the chain began selling them again, said Wade Carmichael, who is Ukrop’s senior category manager of produce. June 17, 2008Dickey's plans to reopenFor all of you who have been wondering if Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Salem will reopen, don't lose hope yet. A Dickey’s spokesman, Jeffrey Gruber, told me Monday that the company still plans to reopen the restaurant on West Main Street, though a timetable is not set. The restaurant, which was a franchise, closed because it is changing owners, Gruber said. June 16, 2008Domino's in downtownI’m back from a sunny trip to Florida, where the sandy beach was as white as flour and the turquoise water refreshing. The shopping also was marvelous. I hit a mall with Ann Taylor, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and many other stores, including cute boutiques near the beach. I can’t go on vacation without fitting in a little time for shopping. How about you? Anyway, it sounds like many of you had a lot to say last week, from discussing the high prices of ordering pizza and to weighing in on retail downtown. I’m still shifting through emails and messages from last week, but I ran into some information about a new Domino’s Pizza location in downtown Roanoke. I know several of you said you don’t like to order pizza from chain establishments, but in case anyone likes Domino’s Pizza, this restaurant opened recently on Williamson Road, inside the former Yellow Cab building. Its interior design reflects the chain’s new Vision 20/20 design. Inside there’s an open area view into the kitchen where you can watch the pizza as it’s being made. 
This structure was built in 1928, so it’s an example of a historic building taking on a very new use. June 11, 2008Hot news about local coffee business
And by early next year, they’ll open a full shop inside Virginia Western’s commons area. There, they plan to serve the typical coffee and related beverages, along with bagels, muffins and possibly desserts. Also, this local chain is headed for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. On Aug. 25, Java the Hutt will take the place of Jazzman’s, a cafe on the hospital’s ground floor, Bob Buckley said. He called the move “an answered prayer.” And while making all of these plans, the Buckleys' business is adjusting to its third local drive-through location on Orange Avenue. Java the Hutt recently replaced Joltz, a former coffee drive-through, at Market Square East Shopping Center. The Buckleys opened their first Java the Hutt at Towers Shopping Center in 1994. Earlier this year, they closed Coda, a coffee and food shop on Grandin Road, to focus more on their drive-through business. Photo by Kyle Green, Roanoke Times photographer, of Bob Buckley at the Towers Shopping Center Java the Hutt. June 4, 2008Thai food replaces Indian cuisineAn Indian restaurant in downtown Roanoke has closed, and a Thai food eatery is moving in. Thai Orchid is taking over the former space of Swagat Indian Cuisine on First Street. The motor lodge since has been demolished, and there are plans to build a structure to house Social Security Administration offices in its place. The owner of Thai Orchid, Richard Sarayudej, told me that he considered opening an eatery in Norfolk, where some of his friends reside. But he couldn’t find a location there. And the Swagat space in downtown Roanoke opened up. This restaurant apparently closed several months ago, but the reason is unclear. Sarayudej said Thai Orchid should open by July. Currently, he’s cleaning up and adding new tables inside this space, which he is renting. Tong's Thai is another downtown thai restaurant on Salem Avenue. June 3, 2008August will bring new El RodeoThis August look for new Mexican flavor on Orange Avenue in Roanoke. That’s when El Rodeo will open at the former spot of the Steakhouse restaurant, according to co-owner Agustin Arrellano. The specific opening date is unknown, though owners have been making plans to locate there since last October. Arrellano’s ownership group has several other El Rodeos in the Roanoke Valley. This new Orange Avenue spot will be the fifth local El Rodeo. May 30, 2008Mill Mountain makes its move
The new space at 117 Campbell Ave. is neat and larger. Seating stretches all the way to the back, in addition to tables near the front door and short bars at each of the two front windows. Some of the walls are exposed brick, while the rest of the shop is painted in a dark red shade. Star figures decorate the walls. There are not yet tables set up at a brick patio outside the back door. The menu is largely the same, though according to a sign posted inside, not everything will be served this week while employees are settling in. I did notice that prices have increased for some coffee and milk-based beverages. For example, a chai latte, which normally is $2.88 with tax, was more than $3 today. Other locations followed after Johnson opened the first Mill Mountain at 112 Campbell Ave. There are three other Mill Mountains in the Roanoke Valley, and one in Richmond. May 29, 2008The rise of take outHere's one way to gauge people's habits lately when it comes to paying higher food prices. It’s the rise of take out, according to a survey about eating patterns in America. Take-out dining is cheaper than dining inside a restaurant, because you’re likely not ordering a beverage. And you’re probably not tipping a server. Check out this Q&A with Harry Balzer, a vice president at market research firm NDP Group, and author of its annual report on Eating Patterns in America, about this subject and other food spending issues. So, have you been ordering food to-go more often lately, rather than dining out? May 28, 2008Brew pub at TowersA local restaurant chain appears to be making a significant investment at its location at Towers Shopping Center in Roanoke. Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co. wants to spend at least $50,000 to renovate a portion of its Colonial Avenue space for a brew pub. That’s according to a building permit filed with the city last week. With a brew pub, Awful Arthur’s would be able to make its own beer. I don’t have many details about this development yet, but check back here for updates. May 23, 2008Free Friday BBQThere still are a few hours left for a free food offer that's good for today. Three Li'l Pigs in Daleville is celebrating its 5th year in Botetourt County. So, today it's giving away free barbecue! Check out the Botetourt View blog for details. May 19, 2008Two eateries are closed, for nowIt'll be August until you can dine at a popular Japanese steakhouse in Roanoke. And if you’re craving barbecue from a new Salem eatery, keep checking back. These two area restaurants have shut down temporarily. Significant work already has begun at this restaurant. But from today until late August, the eatery will close to finish up interior renovations, said general manager Atsuhiko Makajima. Kabuki has a location in Christiansburg, if you're up for a drive to the New River Valley. On West Main Street in Salem, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, has closed. But Jeffrey Gruber, a company spokesman, said the restaurant, which is a franchise, has changed ownership. It’s supposed to reopen within the week. The reason for the ownership change is unclear. Dickey's, a Dallas chain, opened late last year. May 15, 2008Fondue eatery has Roanoke on its radarA well-known fondue restaurant says it’s seeking franchisees to open a Roanoke area location. I’m sure some of you have eaten at a Melting Pot restaurant. It serves all kinds of fondue as appetizers, meals and dessert. Dan Stone, who is director of franchise sales for this Florida-company, told me that the Roanoke area is one of the chain’s open markets for a new location. There already are Melting Pots in other parts of Virginia, such as Charlottesville, Richmond and Virginia Beach. So, the chain currently is on the look-out for people interested in opening a Melting Pot in the Roanoke Valley. Be prepared to spend if you dine at the Melting Pot. I've eaten there, and though tasty, the fondue meals are not inexpensive. Stone said the typical Melting Pot customer comes for special occasions about twice a year. May 7, 2008Makeover at Vinton Burger KingUPDATE: Look for Burger King to reopen by the end of July, according to franchise owner Mike Sloan. Sloan owns three other Burger Kings in the Roanoke Valley. The Vinton restaurant, which was built in 1972, needed a makeover, he said. It's been closed since mid-March. 
Usually, when fast food restaurants are rebuilt, they emerge with a more contemporary design. Some local McDonalds changed their look several years ago by adding electric fireplaces and flat screen televisions. May 5, 2008Restaurant reopens in time for Cinco de MayoJust in time for the Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo, a Roanoke Mexican restaurant has reopened after a fire in March. On Sunday, El Rodeo on Plantation Road opened its doors after closing for about two months to repair damage from fire and smoke. On March 6, a fire burned through its roof. The early morning blaze was caused by an electrical line from a neon light. Since then, the restaurant has repainted walls, replaced decorations and made other repairs, said general manager, Nelson Flores. Already, customers appear to be flocking to the reopened eatery. To celebrate Cindo de Mayo, El Rodeo is serving its lunch buffet all day. It also has a variety of drink specials. You’ll find discounts on food and drinks at Mexican restaurants locally and nationally in honor of this holiday that celebrates Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. May 1, 2008It's official: Krystal has shut downKrystal Co. confirmed today that its fast food eatery in Salem is closed. I'm trying to find out more details about why Krystal, which is known for its square hamburgers, has shut its doors after a little more than a year in business. The Radford franchisee, Rich Pappas, has not returned calls for comment. Here's a statement from Krystal, via spokesman, Brian Cooley: “The Krystal Company and our franchise partner in the Roanoke Valley have decided to close our Salem location on Wildwood Road at this time. Ever since we opened our doors in Salem, our guests have shown great passion for our iconic food with the big taste. The Krystal Company is committed to further developing its presence in Virginia, and it is our hope to open more locations in the state in the near future. During our absence, we invite our guests to continue to satisfy their cravings for Krystal at any of our nearby locations including our restaurant in Bristol or any of our nearly 400 restaurants across the Southeast." April 30, 2008Early morning crowd forms at Chick-fil-A
Here are some pictures from the scene so far this morning at Chick-fil-A. About 40 people already were camped out in the parking lot of the new fast food eatery on Southern Hills Drive by 8 a.m. this morning. Chick-fil-A's new standalone restaurant opens in Roanoke on Thursday, but people were invited to wait in line as early as 6 a.m. this morning to be the first 100 in line by opening time. The first 100 there by the time the restaurant opens its doors will receive 52 free coupons for combo meals. There also will be food giveaways throughout the day and evening. 
At 8:20 a.m., a group of eight James Madison University students piled out of a mini van, carrying tents and sleeping bags. They drove from Harrisonburg this morning. "We all had an opening in our schedules, and it's exam week," said Lilam Smith, a JMU student from Philadelphia. April 29, 2008Krystal appears to have shut its doors in Salem
The reason for its abrupt closing is unknown, and hopefully, more details will emerge. Rich Pappas of Radford owns this Krystal franchise. It took him several years to bring the concept to this area after he announced its opening in 2005. He told me then that he had run into some financial roadblocks with securing the property on which to build the restaurant. Krystal Co. is known for its square hamburgers, and it is based in Chattanooga, Tenn. April 28, 2008Steve's slides out, AJ's moves in
Cari and Joe Roragen bought the business, and this Thursday, they’ll open its doors with a similar menu. Just don’t expect to order Steve’s well-known chili. The Roragens purchased the business, but they don’t have the rights to everything, including the Steve’s name and its chili recipe. Cari Roragen told me today that they’ll serve Steve’s menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and fish sandwiches and other lunch and dinner fare. By this summer, they hope to incorporate some new tastes with a to-go breakfast menu, appealing largely to customers who use the drive-through. They’ll also add some lighter foods for lunch and dinner, such as wraps and salads. Joe Roragen, who will be in the charge of the daily operation, brings some restaurant management experience to AJ’s, which the couple named after their two children, Annaliese and Jacob. He’s most recently been a manager at Texas Roadhouse in Christiansburg, and he also has worked at Outback Steakhouse. Cari Roragen said it was time to put her husband’s skills “ into something that was ours.” April 24, 2008Steve's Famous Hot Dogs is closingHot dog lovers won’t like this news. Steve’s Famous Hot Dogs will close at the end of this month. Owner Andrew Eunice, 84, is retiring from this well-known hot dog business on Brandon Avenue in Roanoke. Recently he sold it, according to his nephew and founder of the hot dog chain, Steve Mullins. Steve’s has been a local fixture since 1973, when Mullins opened the first location in Salem with his father, Harold Mullins. At one time, it had 17 locations. Eunice bought the eatery in 1987. “We have sold 10 million hot dogs over the years,” Steve Mullins said. “That’s the least we’ve sold.” A local couple has purchased the business but not its name and other signatures, such as its chili recipe. They’ll take over on May 1, Steve Mullins said. Once I catch up with the new owners, I'll let you know about their plans. April 21, 2008Chick-fil-A's rolling in next weekHappy Monday. I hope your week is getting off to a good start.
If you’ve never been to an opening for this fast food chicken chain’s stand alone restaurants, you may be in for a surprise. The chain allows customers to camp outside of its restaurants a day before they open. For us, that period will begin at 6 a.m. on April 30. Throughout the day and night, campers can get oodles of free Chick-fil-A foods, from chicken nuggets to sweet tea. If you stay put, without leaving the camp-out spot, the reward is 52 of Chick-fil-A’s “be our guest” cards, which will be handed out the morning of May 1. It sounds like quite an event if people show up. Check out this story about a Chick-fil-A opening and frenzy in Chesapeake earlier this month. April 18, 2008Botetourt restaurant newsThe Fried Pickle in Daleville has reopened under new ownership, and Teaberry's, a restaurant on U.S. 220 alternate, is moving to a new location on Roanoke Road, near Botetourt Commons. Roanoke Times Community reporter, Cathy Benson, reports on changes at these two Botetourt County restaurants on her blog, The Botetourt View. Check out the Teaberry's news here, and the Fried Pickle news here. April 11, 2008More news about a Salem Zaxby'sUPDATE: The Salem Zaxby's should open around the middle of May, potentially on May 12 or May 19. Franchisee Tom Noelke said he's awaiting a certificate of occupancy for the new eatery. Also, it takes about a week to train new employees, though Noelke is using the Roanoke Zaxby's as a training location. 
Here are a few more details about this fast food chicken chain’s new location. The Salem restaurant will measure about 2,375 square feet, and it will seat 56 patrons, according to a news release about the eatery. Tom Noelke, the franchisee, last said the restaurant would open in May. I've asked about a specific opening date, and I'll update you when I find out. The Salem Zaxby’s will employ 40 to 50 people, primarily cooks and cashiers, and Jeff Loving will be the general manager. This will be the second location for Zaxby’s in the Roanoke Valley and in all of Virginia. Noelke, who lives in Charlottesville, opened the first area Zaxby’s on Ordway Drive in Roanoke in 2006. Noelke apparently is no stranger to the restaurant business. A native of Texas, he used to manage a string of eateries that his parents owned. Noelke has a degree in restaurant management from Texas Tech University, and he studied finance at the University of Georgia. That’s where he learned about Zaxby’s, which is based in Athens, Ga. There are more than 420 Zaxby’s in 11 states. April 9, 2008A strategy for free samplesMcDonald’s appears to be timing an upcoming freebie with the mailing of federal economic stimulus checks in May. Check out this article about the fast food chain’s plans to match free samples of its Southern style chicken sandwiches with the release of the checks ranging from $600 to $1,200. This may be another way to stimulate the economy, since McDonald’s likely figures that people who come to its restaurants for free food will be tempted to buy, too. I wonder if we will see other free offers roll out in May, tied to the release of the federal checks. Also, notice that the article mentions other restaurant freebies, including Dunkin Donuts’ plan to give free doughnuts to customers who buy coffee on April 15, the federal tax return filing deadline. April 3, 2008Breakfast habits revealedI came across a survey about consumers' breakfast habits, conducted by Braun Research, for Panera Bread. We’ve talked about the rising importance of the breakfast business for restaurants, and Panera Bread clearly has used this survey data to justify its recent launch of a series of breakfast sandwiches that are already in its Roanoke area locations. Here are a few results from the survey. I think the most interesting is the response that Mondays are the most popular days for breakfast cravings. 2) Nearly half of Americans classify themselves as “early birds” (46%) rather than night 3) When Americans know their day will be tough, they look to a hot breakfast to help them 4) Americans also fess up that Mondays are when they crave a hot breakfast the most – April 1, 2008Fishing for franchiseesIt looks like a fast food seafood restaurant chain wants to expand in the Roanoke Valley. I noticed an advertisement recently that sought local franchisees for Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen locations. A representative with this chain hasn’t yet returned a call for comment about its plans. More than half of Captain D’s restaurants are company-owned. Potential franchisees should expect to invest up to $1.1 million per restaurant, according to the company’s Web site. Also, franchisees pay royalty fees to Captain D’s that equal 4.5 percent of net sales Captain D's joins Dunkin Donuts, which several weeks ago announced its plans to find franchisees to open more stores across Virginia, including in the Roanoke Valley. March 28, 2008To tip or not to tipTipping has been in the news lately related to a situation where a California judge ordered Starbucks to pay its baristas $100 million in tips and interest because it allowed shift supervisors to share tips with baristas. Apparently, supervisors are considered managers and aren’t supposed to get a share of the tip pool. Starbucks has said it will appeal the ruling. I’m not planning to debate what this case means, though it has created a windstorm at Starbucks’ company owned locations across the country. Baristas in some other states also have filed suits against the coffee retail giant. But I bring this up to discuss tipping. Probably like many of you, I’ve debated how much I should tip baristas for coffee-shop related orders. There’s a tip jar sitting on the counters of many local coffee shops, such as Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. I know there isn’t a hard and fast rule about this, but I wondered your thoughts on how much you tip at a place that is not your typical sit-down restaurant. Also, what do you think of the idea of pooling tips? At times, I’d like to only tip the person who personally makes my drink. At some local places, a barista might recognize me and make the drink that I often request before I actually order it. That's service!
March 14, 2008Sweet news for Dunkin Donuts fans
Check out tomorrow’s Business section for more details. Photo courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. March 13, 2008Bojangles' updatesSome of you have inquired about updates on the progress of two Roanoke area Bojangles’ restaurants, after I blogged about a new Bojangles’ opening at Smith Mountain Lake. I caught up with with the franchise owner of two planned local Bojangles', who said that these restaurants still are in the works. 
Also, Seymour expects another Bojangles’ in Southwest Roanoke County, slated for an area at Colonial and Brambleton avenues, to open by August. He has been busy finalizing structural plans at the site with VDOT. This restaurant will be about 3,900 square feet. But Bojangles’ won’t take up this entire two acre property. Seymour said he plans to have room at this site for another business, such as a bank. Right now, though, he's focusing on getting Bojangles’ up and running.
March 6, 2008New breakfast sandwiches at Panera BreadIt looks like another chain wants to expand its presence in the breakfast market. Panera Bread is rolling out a line-up of breakfast sandwiches at its restaurants, and its Roanoke Valley locations already are selling them. The nationwide launch is scheduled for April, according to the company. This bakery and food company is joining an increasing number of fast food eateries, such as Wendy’s and McDonalds, and other restaurants that have added gourmet coffee and morning-related food choices to draw on a growing business for breakfast. At Panera Bread, there are three different kinds of grilled breakfast sandwiches, including egg and cheese, sausage egg and cheese, and bacon, egg and cheese. Prices range from $3 to $4, depending on the location, said Andrew Carlson, a spokesman for the St. Louis-based chain. Panera Bread already sells bagels, pastries and egg soufflés, along with coffee and other hot beverages. But it’s perhaps best known for its wide selection of sandwiches and soups for lunch and dinner. Carlson said breakfast isn’t a new business for the chain, but there has been more demand for increased morning offerings. “Hot breakfasts are something our guests have been interested in,” he said. “It’s a good natural extension of our brand.” Read on to learn about some upcoming baking demonstrations at the Panera Bread in Roanoke County. Continue reading "New breakfast sandwiches at Panera Bread" » March 5, 2008Find out which restaurants are smoke-free
It was compiled by a non profit group called the Greater Roanoke Valley Asthma and Air Quality Coalition. Each year, the group invites restaurants in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Vinton and Salem to contact them if they have decided to eliminate smoking. Mary Kane, who chairs the group, said the list isn’t comprehensive because it's hard to keep up with the ever changing number of restaurants that are becoming smoke-free. If you don’t see one here, there’s a spot on the page where you can add the restaurant's name. Some local businesses distribute brochures with this listing, including the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. March 3, 2008March opening slated for downtown eatery
Scott Lockhart and Debbie Spangler, who also own a catering company, plan to serve lunch and dinner entrees with a Southwestern twist. Expect their dinner menu to including various game meats, such as buffalo and venison. Prices will range from $22 to $28 for dinner entrees and $7 to $9 for lunch. They've also obtained an ABC license to serve alcohol. They'll mostly take reservations for dinner, though there will be some space for walk-in patrons.This new eatery also will be smoke-free, which is a growing trend among restaurants in the Roanoke Valley, and particularly in downtown Roanoke. 
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