Ron Ruggless - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 5

1 min

Hai Hospitality to expand Uchi concept to Washington, D.C.

🍴 Hai Hospitality announced the opening of their eighth Uchi restaurant in Washington, D.C. late this year. Located at 17th and M Streets in the central business district, the Japanese restaurant by chef Tyson Cole will feature a design inspired by the National Geographic Museum and the film “In the Mood for Love.” Uchi will boast 185 seats, with 18 at the bar and 14 at the sushi counter, and offer two private dining rooms. The original Uchi opened in 2003 in South Austin, serving nontraditional Japanese cuisine.

2 min

Fritz’s Adventure plans a location in The Colony, Texas

🎭 Fritz’s Adventure is set to open its new location in The Colony, Texas, on April 2, replicating its Branson, Mo. site, which has been operational for nine years. The indoor and outdoor entertainment venue spans over 100,000 square feet, featuring a zipline course, ropes course, climbing walls, treehouses, slides, and tunnels. Park entry varies between $19-$25, with food items like pizza and sandwiches priced up to $20.99. The original Fritz’s Adventure opened in 2016 and the new site continues the spirit of adventure and family fun.

4 min

James Beard Foundation names 2025 America’s Classics Awards

🍴 Six locally owned restaurants were awarded the James Beard Foundation's 2025 America's Classics Award: Lem’s Bar-B-Q in Chicago, The Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum, Idaho, Sullivan’s Castle Island in Boston, Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage, Alaska, Dooky Chase in New Orleans, and Gaido’s in Galveston, Texas. Since 1998, over 100 U.S. restaurants have been honored. The awards ceremony will take place on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Restaurants are nominated by the public and awards voters from October through November.

3 min

Union Square Hospitality reopens revolving restaurant The View in NYC

🔄 Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) reopened The View, a revolving restaurant located on the 47th and 48th floors of the New York City Marriott Marquis, on a Wednesday. The restaurant, which originally opened in 1985 and closed five years ago, offers live music, skyline views, and has been renovated by Rockwell Group. Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley and Beverage Director Ricky Dolinsky updated the culinary and beverage programs. The bar completes a 360-degree rotation every 45 minutes, while the dining room spins once per hour. Located at 1535 Broadway, The View features a menu with classics like tuna carpaccio and seared duck breast, as well as exclusive cocktails in collaboration with Katz’s Delicatessen and Magnolia Bakery.

2 min

Milk of the Poppy to open in Santa Fe’s Railyard District

🍺 Milk of the Poppy, a new apothecary-themed cocktail bar and restaurant, will open in Santa Fe, N.M., this spring at 418 Montezuma Ave., near Jean Cocteau Cinema and Beastly Books. Designed to accommodate 100 guests and provide an experience akin to a modern traveler's tavern, it features a 1,200-square-foot lounge with seating for 55 and an outdoor garden with 30 additional seats overlooking the Sky Railway train. The menu draws inspiration from historical beverages and offers a selection of seasonal dishes, with the venue located within a 1910 adobe building.

2 min

Café Momentum breaks ground on new Dallas flagship

🍳 Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant, started a $10 million campaign for a new Dallas flagship location, expected to open in 2026. The organization, founded in 2015, offers internships to justice-involved youth, increasing capacity from 80-100 to 120 interns annually. Expansions include Atlanta in March 2025, Denver by early 2026, following Nashville's rebranding to Pathways Kitchen in August 2024. The new 12,000-square-foot space will offer mental health services, educational support, and workforce training.

2 min

Western Addition to open Il Bracco in Scottsdale, Ariz.

📍 Western Addition Restaurant Group is expanding its Il Bracco Italian concept to Scottsdale, Arizona, marking its first venture outside Texas. The new location at Scottsdale Road and Rose Lane will feature a 5,000-square-foot indoor space and a 950-square-foot patio. With seating for 161 guests, including 10 patio tables and a 25-seat bar, the restaurant is set to open later this year. Construction begins this week, led by a design team that includes Kelly Wallace and Mary Lucille Quick. Il Bracco first opened in Dallas in 2019 and is led by Hillstone Restaurant Group alumni Robert Quick and Matt Gottlieb. The concept is known for housemade pastas, prime steaks, seafood, and a curated wine list.

2 min

Restaurant spending reaches new high compared to grocery shopping

📈 In October, the U.S. restaurant market share hit a record 56.4%, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. Year-over-year gains were approximately 40 basis points. Retail sales rose 0.4% month-over-month and 2.8% year-over-year, signaling strong consumer spending. Experts suggest a positive impact from return-to-office mandates on the restaurant industry, potentially boosting weekday sales. Restaurants with catering services anticipate opportunities during the upcoming holiday season. Overall food and beverage spending growth in January-October 2024 was slower compared to the past three years.

2 min

Artistry Restaurants plans 6th concept, The Chapman

🍴 Artistry Restaurants to launch The Chapman in Winter Park, Fla., as their sixth brand and first original concept. Marshall Hamilton appointed as COO for The Artistry Collection, which includes Boca and Atlantic Beer & Oyster. The Chapman, honoring settler Oliver Chapman, will bring Artistry Restaurants to a total of 30 locations. The Chapman's menu will feature prime steaks, fresh fish, and local produce. A third Boca to open in Lake Mary, Fla., in 2025. A 32-seat private dining room recently added in Winter Park. Two new Oak & Stone locations to open in the next six months in Cape Coral, Fla., and McKinney, Texas – Artistry's first venture into Texas.

1 min

Fox Restaurant Concepts opens Doughbird in Dallas

📖 Ron Ruggless is the senior editor for Informa Connect's Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1992. Previously, he worked at Dallas Times Herald as restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor, and lifestyle editor from 1982-1991, editing Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and has contributed to Food & Wine, Food Network, and Self magazines. He frequently participates as a moderator and panelist at foodservice industry events. Contact him via email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter (@RonRuggless), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless), Instagram (@RonRuggless), and TikTok (@RonRuggless).

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