The Orpheum Lobby Restaurant has closed - but just for the winter season, says Orpheum event coordinator Jeff Ketterhagen. Ketterhagen recognizes that many people have ascribed the restaurant's closure to the ongoing feud between Orpheum owners Henry Doane and Eric Fleming. But he's reassuring that plans are for the space to relaunch in late February or March with a new look and sense of purpose.
"Right now, the focus is on the renovation. And with show dates and weddings and other events taking place, it's been inconsistent when the restaurant is open. We want to be more consistent for the general public."
Ketterhagen says the vision is for more of a cine-dine-style experience. That is, "people come in, have dinner, then see a movie, whether it be old or new," something the Orpheum has done from time to time in the past, Ketterhagen notes. The Orpheum is still booking weddings and other events in the lobby and theater space.
The storefront at 301 W. Johnson St. that formerly housed Fontana Sports (before it moved next door) is slated to become a sushi restaurant called T. Sushi. Owner Teddy Stevens wants to highlight its proximity to the Overture Center and is aiming for a "trendy, contemporary Asian decor." Sushi will be the focus, says Stevens, with traditional display cases, two sushi chefs and "all the standard rolls."
T. Sushi will come before the ALRC on Dec. 21, and Stevens is hopeful that his plans to make the alcohol component a "signature martini and wine bar" will come to pass. The restaurant will seat about 67 and is slated to open in January.
Our recent national tango through Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday has the populace on high alert for bargains of all kinds. Restaurant Muramoto has instituted all-you-can-eat sushi for $25 on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. There are a few caveats: Everyone at the table has to order all-you-can-eat sushi. Tables have to finish what they have before anyone can order more. Rolls and nigiri only; no sashimi. And beginning Dec. 13, the sushi special will take a holiday break until Jan. 8.
Holiday cupcakes with flavors inspired by carols are in the bakery case through December at Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery, 2827 Atwood Ave. Whatever the source, these are combos not oft seen in cupcakes: gingerbread cake with ginger-pear filling and pear-brandy buttercream frosting; flourless chocolate-chestnut cake topped with a cinnamon-meringue cookie and chestnut buttercream frosting; and chocolate-stout cake with chocolate-stout buttercream filling and Irish Cream buttercream frosting.
