In an epic year of Buffalo restaurant openings, the announcement that James Roberts is opening a restaurant is the cherry on the sundae.

Toutant will be on Ellicott Street, next to SeaBar, in the former Golden Swan building, 437 Ellicott St. Roberts will be chef-owner, with Rocco Termini of Signature Development as his landlord. With construction underway, expect it in early 2015.

Im shooting for January, but my heart tells me itll probably be February, Roberts said. The 120-seat restaurant is expected to use three floors of the building.

Roberts, executive chef at Park Country Club since 2007, is from bayou country, St. Bernard Parish, La. His place is named after his great-grandfathers hunting and trapping camp. There, Roberts will aim to serve meals that recall early childhood family dinners, demonstrating the heart, preparation and comfort experienced at those gatherings.

Hes excited, he said. I think Ive got a piece of what Buffalo wants everyday food done extremely well, at a reasonable price, in an atmosphere where everyone can sit together, no worries about being underdressed or overdressed.

Hell aim to offer dinner and a drink for $30 to $35, casual comfort food done incredibly consistently, incredibly well, he said. I dont want seven things they cant pronounce on a plate. I want them to look at it and go, This is great, and while theyre eating it go Holy (expletive) why is it this great? Thats my goal.

The menu will be broader than Cajun, though, with vast amounts of fresh Gulf seafood and shellfish, buttermilk fried chicken, and accurate renditions of numerous Southern favorites like jambalaya, house-smoked sausages, cast iron skillet cornbread, and authentic barbecue offerings.

Unless you are a Park Country Club member, Roberts is probably the best Buffalo chef you never heard of, but his influence has been felt in the restaurant world, across Western New York and beyond. Roberts training and mentoring program has shaped young cooks who have moved on up to run high-end kitchens from California to the British West Indies.

Former Roberts assistant Corey Siegel represented the U.S. at Bocuse dOr, the international culinary competition, and was chosen for the American Culinary Federations Olympic-caliber competition team. Closer to home, Brad Rowell has helped make East Auroras Elm Street Bakery a dining destination with a fine touch. Dustin Murphy is now head chef at Tabree, in Snyder.

After steering numerous restaurants and food programs, Roberts finally has a ship of his own. Im hoping, humbly, that I can manage both good cooking and sound business, and do something good here, he said. To put everything you have on the line, step out into the left lane and just go for it, is incredibly nerve-wracking.

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Anchor Bar location opens on Transit Road

BurgerFuel Worldwide (BFW) has opened a 12th restaurant in the United Arab Emirates this week, in prosperous Abu Dhabi, kicking off a busy festive season for the company that has several additional sites currently under construction in New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East.

BFW now have 23 restaurants in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt. The new restaurant, which will be operated by BFWs UAE Master Franchisee, AKI Group, is located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, a man-made island operating as the Middle Easts largest tourist and business playground.

Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE and is known for its high Gross Domestic Product and Per Capita Income. The affluent nature of the citizens and their global outlook mean it is the perfect location for BurgerFuel to grow and develop the brand footprint.

One of the regions most luxurious leisure and entertainment destinations, Yas Island is popular with visitors from all over the Middle East as well as with tourists from around the world. The island plays host to key attractions such as a Formula 1 track, Ferrari World, Yas Water World, large indoor and outdoor concert arenas, one of the worlds top golf courses, and the iconic Viceroy Hotel and marina.

Tyrone Foley, Chief Operating Officer, BurgerFuel Worldwide, comments: "Yas Mall is now the largest mall in Abu Dhabi and were thrilled to be serving New Zealands original gourmet burger in such a dynamic tourist location that will allow the brand such great exposure".

BFW, who now have 64 stores globally, released their Preliminary Half Year Results earlier this month, reporting a solid six months of growth with a profit increase of 122%. As of the 30th of September 2014, the company holds cash reserves of $8.2 million, with no debt.

BurgerFuel Worldwide (BFW) is a New Zealand gourmet burger concept and is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZAX). BurgerFuel shares are currently trading at $3.45.

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BurgerFuel opens on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Tom Fedor/The Gazette

The Society Restaurant & Lounge in Silver Spring.

The Society Restaurant & Lounge is known for its upscale and modern atmosphere, but on Thanksgiving Day, the restaurant will close and re-open for another crowd.

Anyone in the local community who wants a warm meal or good company particularly people who are homeless in Silver Spring is welcome.

The value of giving back is owner Jason Miskiris motto in the third year of his Thanksgiving Day community dinner for the homeless.

Were going to set the restaurant up for them to come in, be able to have a meal. They can relax. They can watch the game. Theres a lot of games. They could watch the parade and just enjoy themselves for a few hours and not have to worry about their normal life, said Miskiri, a Guyanese-American and former NBA player. I dont want them to feel like theyre homeless.

Volunteers and staff will greet guests and direct them to the buffet area, where they can choose from collard greens, jerk turkey, ham, curry chicken, macaroni and cheese, fruit salad, fried fish and bread pudding, among other items.

Miskiri, who grew up in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, said the dinner which runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. is part of giving back to the community. The staff is required to work at least two hours that day. Volunteers manage the rest of the service.

Its also the first year volunteers will hand out clothes on the restaurants rooftop area.

In the past, close to 200 people came in for the Thanksgiving meal, he said. Cooks start preparing meals the night before, after closing, but food is cooked fresh the morning of Thanksgiving. Later in the afternoon, around 1 or 2 p.m., its served.

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Society Lounge and Restaurant invites homeless for a Thanksgiving Day meal -- Gazette.Net

Rendering of restaurant space high atop rental car complex shows the panoramic skyline and runway views the new venue will have.

Wanted: Operator for third-story restaurant space with panoramic views of downtown skyline, bay and airport runway. Plenty of rental cars just steps away.

Local broker Location Matters is calling all restaurateurs interested in leasing an unique space atop a planned $316 million rental car complex currently under construction near the San Diego International Airport.

The 7,900-square-foot space, complete with 180 linear feet of floor-to-ceiling windows, will be the only use occupying the entire third level of the new rental car complex that is replacing the existing operation on Harbor Drive.

"I'm trying to find a restaurateur who is somewhat proven but who will bring something in terms of what San Diegans today want, a destination where people will travel not just for the views but also for the food," explained Michael Spilky, president of Location Matters. "This is not a location for someones first restaurant, thats for sure. But if they have one restaurant and its been a smashing success well take a look at that."

Location Matters was selected by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to exclusively market the restaurant space, which is expected to open in early 2016. Spilky said the Airport Authority is spending $7.5 million to develop the shell of the venue, which may also include an outdoor patio.

The space would most likely be ready for a restaurateur to take over by next spring at which time tenant improvements could get underway, Spilky said.

His brokerage is looking for a restaurateur that would be able to serve lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch, he added. Whatever lease deal is struck, it would likely include a base rent, above which the operator would pay a certain percentage of its sales revenue to the Airport Authority, Spilky said.

Located at Pacific Highway and Sassafras Street, the 2-million-square-foot rental car complex, designed by Demattei Wong Architecture of Burlingame, will serve up to 16 rental car brands and will contain 5,300 parking stalls.

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Want dinner with that rental car?

Zaxbys, a quick-casual restaurant, is under construction at 6895 Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross. (Special photo)

Early next month, chicken finger and wings fans in the Norcross area will have another dining option.

Zaxbys, a quick-casual restaurant, is under construction at 6895 Jimmy Carter Blvd. The store is the second for licensees Dan McClure and Jon Dove. The pair also operate a Zaxbys in Snellville.

We opened our first Zaxbys eight years ago because we were drawn to the brands culture, reputation and potential for tremendous growth, McClure said in a released statement. Zaxbys has had great success opening in thriving markets within close-knit communities. We believe this second Norcross location will be an ideal fit and will offer a more convenient option to many residents.

The restaurant is expected to open on Dec. 8. McClure and Dove plan to celebrate the grand opening by giving the first 100 guests a Fanatic Pack of 52 free dealz which will provide recipients with a free item at Zaxbys each week for a year.

The 3,400 square-foot location will have seating for 60 and will result in several new jobs.

We are putting together a team of 50 residents from the local community with a track record of providing encore experiences to guests, Dove said. Were a different kind of restaurant with a different kind of attitude from the food and service we provide to our customers to the respect we have for each other.

The new Zaxbys is the 16th in Gwinnett County and the second in Norcross. The Athens-based chain currently operates more than 655 locations in 15 states. Prospective employees may apply in person at the new location.

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New restaurant opening in Norcross

A restaurant new to the Suncoast is boasting more than 100 linear feet of TVs for sports viewing. The former TGI Fridays at the resort has transformed into the Game, which is designed to combine the sports-frenzied atmosphere of a sports book with the intimacy and comfort of an upscale sports bar and grill.

Also, retailers flock to Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, a WSS shoe store celebrates its grand opening and an online gaming operation closes.

The Firm PR

The Game, a restaurant which replaced T.G.I. Friday's at Suncoast, has more than 100 TVs, according to a news release.

The Game opened in late October, taking the place of the TGI Fridays next to the movie theater at the Suncoast.

The restaurant includes 15 75-inch screens, according to a news release.

TGI Fridays outlets at other Boyd Gaming casinos in the Las Vegas Valley Sams Town, Orleans and Gold Coast will continue to operate.

The Game is open from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Suncoast is at 9090 Alta Drive in Las Vegas.

Courtesy Photo

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Restaurant undergoes transformation at Suncoast; retailers flock to Miracle Mile

Roughly 60 employees are temporarily out of work as pipeline protests have forced a Burnaby Mountain restaurant to close.

Horizons Restaurant has been closed since last Thursday when Burnaby RCMP blocked Centennial Way to traffic for the duration of protests.

The road closure left restaurant staff without access to the building, said manager Diane Summers, who has been putting out fires all over the place dealing with reservations and lost business.

She expects the business to reopen as soon as traffic to the road is restored.

A Trans Mountain spokeswoman said company officials have been in touch with restaurant owners and compensation is typical for disruption caused by construction.

There have been no specific numbers because the situation is still ongoing, but we certainly will continue speaking with them, said spokeswoman Ali Hounsell.

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Burnaby restaurant victim of pipeline protests

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Local councillor Tom Fortune said nobody would argue against the jobs element but the location of the schools and McDonalds should not be together. Photograph: Bryan OBrien

Greystones residents are set for another clash with fast food outlet McDonalds over the location of a proposed drive-through for the town.

Last year a planning application from McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland for a 368sq m restaurant and drive-through with a 59sq m enclosed yard in Blacklion, to be located beside three local schools, was approved by Wicklow County Council.

The development was turned down by An Bord Pleanla, which cited design issues and the proper planning and development of Blacklion.

Now McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland has come back with a revised proposal incorporating a cafe, fitness studio and an expanded drive-through restaurant that, taken together, amount to some three times the size of the rejected proposal.

The development, located beside the Blacklion shopping centre, is served by a road running from a junction on the Greystones to Bray Road.

Also opening from this road and located opposite the proposed McDonalds are three schools. Two of these, a Gaelscoil and an Educate Together school, are primary schools, while the third, a second-level school, is currently under construction.

Competing views on the suitability of the site for a McDonalds given the proximity of the schools have been expressed on Facebook, with some suggesting there could be as many as 80 jobs involved in the development.

However, a number of politicians and parents of children attending the schools are opposed to the development. Local councillor Tom Fortune said nobody would argue against the jobs element but the location of the schools and McDonalds should not be together.

Attempts to contact McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland were not successful.

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McDonalds next to Greystones schools opposed

Local councillor Tom Fortune said nobody would argue against the jobs element but the location of the schools and McDonalds should not be together. Photograph: Bryan OBrien

Greystones residents are set for another clash with fast food outlet McDonalds over the location of a proposed drive-through for the town.

Last year a planning application from McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland for a 368sq m restaurant and drive-through with a 59sq m enclosed yard in Blacklion, to be located beside three local schools, was approved by Wicklow County Council.

The development was turned down by An Bord Pleanla, which cited design issues and the proper planning and development of Blacklion.

Now McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland has come back with a revised proposal incorporating a cafe, fitness studio and an expanded drive-through restaurant that, taken together, amount to some three times the size of the rejected proposal.

The development, located beside the Blacklion shopping centre, is served by a road running from a junction on the Greystones to Bray Road.

Also opening from this road and located opposite the proposed McDonalds are three schools. Two of these, a Gaelscoil and an Educate Together school, are primary schools, while the third, a second-level school, is currently under construction.

Competing views on the suitability of the site for a McDonalds given the proximity of the schools have been expressed on Facebook, with some suggesting there could be as many as 80 jobs involved in the development.

However, a number of politicians and parents of children attending the schools are opposed to the development. Local councillor Tom Fortune said nobody would argue against the jobs element but the location of the schools and McDonalds should not be together.

Attempts to contact McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland were not successful.

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Opposition to planned McDonalds outlet next to Greystones schools