The Paragon comes to Newport News at City Center.

NEWPORT NEWS

The 12-screen Paragon movie theater under construction in City Center is set to open in late May with two connected restaurants. An Italian restaurant featuring outdoor bar seating and fire pits will join the complex in October.

Florida-based Paragon Theaters began advertising that it's "coming soon" online and with signs around the building, where passers-by may notice the geometric windows of the entrance at the corner of Fountain Way and Mariners Row facing the fountain. The theater will feature two "extreme" 60-foot screens, recliner seating and dining trays to hold food items.

Paragon City Center 12 will be the company's third theater to incorporate its My Pi custom pizza and craft beer restaurant and will be the first one to debut its Neo Kitchen + Bar concept, said Paragon spokeswoman Niki Wilson. She described Neo as a "refined gastropub featuring wine and craft beer." Neo's menu is still being finalized but customers will be able to view it online at NeoKitchenandBar.com once the website is finished.

Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar plans to open its 13th location at the theater site with a separate 6,500-square-foot venue on Oct. 1, said Ralph Ruocco, the company's vice president of operations. The restaurant seats about 275 people both inside and on the patio, which will have fire pits and lounge furniture. Staff can also open exterior doors by the bar to allow customers to sit outside, he said. The restaurant plans to host live entertainment.

The menu features 75 items for lunch and dinner including contemporary Italian and American fare with popular entrees like beef tenderloin, salmon encrusted in pine nuts, spinach and goat cheese salad, crab cakes and tiramisu. The average entree costs about $15, he said. The restaurant will employ about 100 full- and part-time workers with hiring to begin as early as August, Ruocco said. Travinia, a 12-year-old chain based in Greenville, S.C., is opening another restaurant in Richmond in August.

Why does it call itself a "wine bar?" Travinia serves about 60 wines by the glass, including imports and Virginia wine. The general manager can adapt selections based on customer sampling and feedback, Ruocco said.

"From a site selection standpoint, that site has a lot to offer," Ruocco said, adding the company looks for both the residential and business density like that in Oyster Point and a draw for foot traffic like the movie theater.

Paragon also operates a 12-screen theater in the mixed-use Spotsylvania Town Centre in Fredericksburg. Pricing for the theater hasn't been finalized yet although it will compare to what's in the market, Wilson said. Customers can reserve seats online and sign up for a rewards program to get discounts, Wilson said. A theater can also be rented out for private events, business meetings or video game parties where customers bring their gaming console to play on the large screen with their wireless controllers. For more information, visit http://www.paragontheaters.com.

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Three restaurants to join Newport News City Center movie theater complex

Work on Premier Inn and leisure development in Yeovil starts

4:56pm Tuesday 1st April 2014 in News

A LEISURE development in the centre of Yeovil will boost the town and create more than 100 jobs, the construction firm Peveril Securities says.

Work on the new Premier Inn-anchored development on Middle Street started this month.

In addition to a new 80-bedroom Premier Inn and linked Beefeater Restaurant, the project will provide space for three more restaurant units.

Collectively, this represents a total of 17,000 sq ft of new restaurant space across the four restaurants and is expected to deliver a significant boost to the towns economy.

The Premier Inn and Beefeater Grill will create approximately 50 new jobs with the potential for a further 60 new jobs across the three additional restaurants.

The three restaurant units (10,000 sq ft) will be going onto the market in April looking to attract top name brands and quality occupiers.

The restaurant space available is flexible and the units can be adjusted to accommodate interest from occupiers from around 2,750 sq ft and upwards.

The site is the former Somerfield and YMCA building on Middle Street and located directly opposite Cineworld, MFA Bowling and Nuffield Health Club on the Yeo Leisure Park. It is also close to existing restaurants Pizza Hut and Frankie & Bennys so will create an even more vibrant restaurant and leisure scene in this part of town.

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Work on Premier Inn and leisure development in Yeovil starts

Restaurant nears three years of business, boasts menu that ranges from lo mein to lamb stew

Naatani Nez Restaurant Owner Simon Cai works with waitress Courtney Yazzie at the restaurant in Shiprock. (Jon Austria The Daily Times)

SHIPROCK Naatani Nez Restaurant is approaching its third year of serving customers a wide variety of foods.

When Jethro Begay was hired two and half years ago as the restaurant's kitchen manager, he says he thought one thing: keep Shiprock customers in Shiprock.

"I wanted to make people not go to Farmington," said Begay, who is originally from Shiprock. "They can have the same quality food and hospitality here as in Farmington."

When Begay assumed the role of the eatery's primary manager, he first scrutinized the menu, which, at the time, included many items common at other Navajo Nation restaurants. Naatani Nez, which is located at 101 Ayanni Neez Bay, opened in August 2011 with a menu that listed an assortment of Navajo foods like lamb stew, Navajo burgers and Navajo tacos.

Begay said he wanted to add variety to the menu but also keep the foods simple.

"I strived for meat and potatoes. That's what they like around here," he said.

Begay has since revamped the menu to include Mexican, American and Chinese food, as well as the Navajo staples.

The Chinese food is made by the restaurant's owner, Simon Cai. Cai deferred all comments to Begay because he said he doesn't speak English well.

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Nataani Nez Restaurant in Shiprock uses variety to keep patrons coming back

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Shelby Farms seeks to minimize disruption to visitors during major construction project

SIOUX CITY | John Mechem heard a few customers grumbling already on Monday.

The Chili's Grill & Bar general manager expects to hear a lot more as construction starts up on Gordon Drive just outside the restaurant and makes it harder for customers to reach businesses along one of downtown Sioux City's busiest streets.

"We understand that (business) will be slower than usual this summer," Mechem said.

Monday's closure of the street's inside lanes was just the beginning of the Iowa Department of Transportation's reconstruction of Gordon Drive from west of Pearl Street east to the viaduct at Court Street. The project is expected to be finished in late November.

As early as this week, traffic will be limited to two lanes of westbound traffic on Gordon Drive for the duration of construction. Eastbound traffic will be detoured onto Third Street. Eastbound motorists will able to get back onto Gordon Drive at Court Street to drive over the viaduct.

"I'm hoping with our setup that traffic operates fairly smoothly," IDOT District 3 traffic planner Dakin Schultz said.

So do many others who regularly use Gordon Drive.

"The biggest thing that we are trying to make known is how people can get to us," said Mechem, who's working with the IDOT to set up temporary signage giving motorists directions through the construction zone to the restaurant at 110 Nebraska St.

The Gordon Drive work is part of the IDOT's 10-year, $400 million project to widen Interstate 29 to three lanes in each direction from Sergeant Bluff to the South Dakota border. The total project is currently scheduled to be finished in 2018.

Gordon Drive is being widened and repaved, and its intersection with Virginia Street expanded to accommodate traffic pattern shifts that will result from the I-29 widening and reconstruction through downtown that will take place in coming years.

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Downtown readies for Gordon Drive reconstruction

ELYRIA The downtown McDonalds restaurant will be razed and replaced with new building in a construction project that will also include demolishing several old buildings on Broad Street.

The fast food giant will go before Elyrias Planning Commission on Tuesday with a proposed plan to build on the corner of Broad Street and West Avenue. According to documents related to the upcoming meeting, the current McDonalds will be demolished.

The plans call for demolishing every building between the old McDonalds and West Avenue starting with the building that now houses Wigland. The project will result in five fewer on-street parking spaces on Broad Street.

All the typical McDonalds features will be included in the project, like a wraparound drive-through, some outdoor seating, ample parking and a new sign to include the trademark golden arches.

The citys Planning Commission will make a recommendation on whether to approve the overall construction project as well as the new sign the company will erect. While the matter could go through the Design Review process as there are no zoning changes needed, it was decided to let the Planning Commission take the lead because of the sheer scope of the project, said Colleen Rosado, the secretary for both Design Review and Planning Commission.

This project has been in the works for several months. Mayor Holly Brinda hinted at it in February during her State of the City address. At that time she was happy to announce a national restaurant chain was finalizing plans for a new restaurant.

In late spring or early summer of 2014, it is expected that the properties from West Avenue to Wigland will be demolished and building will take place in 2015, she said.

Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.

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New McDonalds would reshape west portion of Broad Street

The Bahama Breeze Island Grille and an Olive Garden, seen here during final construction in June prior to a new IHOP next door, are at the corner of Bill France and International Speedway boulevards in Daytona Beach. ISB has seen an influx of restaurants cropping up in the past two years and more are planned.

DAYTONA BEACH When restaurateurs Tim Curtis and L. Gale Lemerand looked at potential restaurant sites along International Speedway Boulevard near Daytona International Speedway a year ago, they saw too many restaurants fighting over the same dollar, Curtis said.

Today, they see the nearly three-mile stretch between Interstate 95 and Clyde Morris Boulevard in a different light.

The business partners recently submitted an offer to enter into a 30-year lease for the Volusia County-owned former Olive Garden property next to Daytona Beach International Airport where they intend to build a state-of-the-art Houligans family sports grill restaurant.

Lemerand, who also owns or is a major investor in several other restaurant chains, also plans to open a Pie Five pizzeria in the Kmart-anchored shopping center on the corner of International Speedway and Clyde Morris boulevards.

So what changed?

Several things, according to Curtis: International Speedway Corp.s $400 million Daytona Rising project to renovate the Speedway, which began in July, and the planned One Daytona entertainment/retail complex across the street from the race track.

Also increasing the areas appeal, he said, are ISCs plans to build a motorsports hall of fame at the Speedway, and CBL & Associates recently announced multimillion dollar renovation of Volusia Mall.

Those projects, combined with the several restaurants that have either recently opened or are planned along Daytonas ISB corridor, are poised to transform the area into a true dinner destination, Curtis said.

Restaurants that have opened or moved into new facilities along the corridor in the past three years include Applebees, Bahama Breeze, BJs Restaurant & Brewhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, IHOP, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, Olive Garden and Outback Steakhouse.

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Eateries spice up ISB

Houston, TX /PRNewswire-iReach/ - Level Construction, a full-service general contracting and construction management firm specializing in hotel construction, recently broke ground on a 5-story, 94,091-square-foot Holiday Inn located at 18616 Kenswick Drive, near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Construction is anticipated to last 12 months and will provide the area with one of its largest hotel.

Level Construction has already successfully completed a Quality Inn & Suites, Best Western Plus, and a Baymont Inn & Suites in this region, and is currently working on a Holiday Inn Express, Baymont Inn & Suites, and a Marriot Springhill in the same area.

The 144-room hotel will feature amenities such as a conference room, restaurant, fitness room, and a bar. This Holiday Inn is representative of the continued commercial boon seen in the greater Houston region, with developments sprouting up throughout the area due to emphasis on North American oil production and investment.

"Our ability to break into such an exciting and competitive market here in Houston is a testament to our professional approach and the consistency of our work," said Alex Johnson, Level Construction Managing Partner. "Texas as a whole is teeming with opportunities, and I'm happy we have a presence in its largest city."

Level's success within the hotel industry is due to its full-service capabilities, including procuring property, cost-effective budgeting, working collectively with architects and engineers, as well as project implementation. "Our goal is to ultimately build prominent, high-profile hotels," said Johnson. "The process we've created for these projects has been successful and I hope we can continue influencing the construction landscape in the Houston area."

About Level Construction Level Construction is a full-service general contracting and construction management firm with offices in Houston, TX and Chicago, IL. Level specializes in various commercial construction disciplines, including franchise construction, health care, hotels, office and retail build-outs, and education facilities. Level Construction provides consistent, detail-oriented construction services while maintaining open lines of communication with their clients. Level's all-inclusive approach has led to over 1000% growth since 2005, and they've continued to expand into new markets. For more information on Level Construction please contact their Chicago office at 773-930-4695 or Houston office at 832-242-3456, or visit http://www.levelconstruction.net.

SOURCE: Level Construction. Inc.

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Level Construction Continues Increased Presence In Houston Market With Construction Of Holiday Inn Hotel In Houston, TX

Pardon our dust: Construction goes on apace into the new year

Highland Community News photos by Charles Roberts - Taking shape. The In-N-Out restaurant on Greenspot Road is taking shape, expected to open in March.

Civic Center Plaza, across the street from City Hall, is getting a new face. Most businesses are open during construction.

Final grading is being constructed at the Chevron station next door to In-N-Out.

Posted: Thursday, January 5, 2012 12:00 am

Pardon our dust: Construction goes on apace into the new year By Charles Roberts, Editor Highland Community News HighlandNews.net |

Big plans and big hope are ushering Highland into the new year with several projects under construction and more waiting in the wings.

The long-awaited In-N-Out restaurant is expected to be serving burgers and fries at its new Highland location in March, with the next-door Chevron station expected to open by then.

A new small office complex is under construction at the corner of Greenspot Road and Church Street.

The new Dairy Queen is now training its 22 employees and is expected to open in about a week.

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Pardon our dust: Construction goes on apace into the new year

Ken Grassi looks over rsums for a new wait staff at the new Grassis Ristorante and boutique Monday in the space formerly occupied by Affairs Cafe & Bakery on Bridgeport Way in University Place. Grassi moved his longtime restaurant and boutique near UWT to University Place, where he already has deep community connections. PHOTOSBYDEANJ.KOEPFLER/STAFFPHOTOGRAPHER

After closing his restaurant and boutique near the University of Washington Tacoma, Ken Grassi figured it would take another six months to open a new edition in University Place.

It took almost double, he said last week.

He cited negotiations, permits, indoor construction and exterior improvements planned during winter weather.

Where his downtown ladies boutique occupied 1,000 square feet, the new Grassis fills 1,500, and it is in a space next door but separated from the restaurant if only so the Italian aromas of garlic and onions do not cling to the cottons and silks.

The restaurant occupies the space that formerly housed Affairs cafe and truffle emporium at 2811 Bridgeport Way. So well-remembered is Affairs that Grassi said of owner Gay Landry, She had a great reputation. We love her. She left such a heritage. Were grateful for what she did here. Well have a blessing ceremony, and I am going to ask her to that.

Gone is the case where the truffles were, and in their place sits a counter where the specialty will be wine. The dining room remains, upgraded to embrace an air of the Italian countryside.

A portrait of Grassis father, Julio, graces one wall so intensely that the son said, I feel like hes watching me.

Uncle John looks across the room from a sepia-tinted photo, and theres another that records the wedding of Grassis sister, Bonnie. Wife Kim and daughter Melanie look across from a hutch.

The wine counter is supported by a brace of ancient radiators, and an Italian accordion stands beside a lamp made to resemble a vertical bouquet of hydrangeas. Nearby, cherubs watch over a burbling fountain. Windows circa 1850 hang from the ceiling near an elderly Hotpoint electric range.

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New Grassis sets sights on April opening dates