Blue Plate Cafe out, several others in
Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2008
BENTON COUNTY - Anyone attempting to pop in for a home-style meal at the Blue Plate Cafe found the lights out, doors locked and a notice posted on the front door.
The notice reads," Blue Plate Cafe closed until further notice. "Inside, the silverware is still wrapped in white napkins, the plates are neatly stacked, and everything is ready to go. But, according to owner Mike Robinson, Blue Plate - at Crossroads Plaza at 1401 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville - has seen its last day.
"We've sold the business," Robinson said. "It'll open again as another restaurant, but it will be a different kind. "Robinson has no plans to open another Blue Plate in the area but did not completely rule out the option and would not go into detail about why he decided to sell the restaurant. Rumors are circulating among those who work in Crossroads Plaza about what restaurant will be taking the space. The leasing agent for Crossroads Plaza would not confirm the name of the new restaurant. In the works • A new Bentonville restaurant that has been announced and plans to have its doors open as soon as Sunday is Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza, which moved into the old Moe's Southwest Burrito's space at 700 S. E. Walton Blvd. Nathan and Diana Almond, Benton County residents for the past 20 years, decided to bring a Johnny Brusco's to town because of the menu. In addition to a long list of traditional and specialty pizzas, the Atlanta-based chain boasts a healthy dose of other popular Italian dishes, ranging from calzone and stromboli to baked ravioli and ziti.
"We're excited to bring this menu to the area," Nathan Almond said. "I can talk about it all day, but you just need to come in and try it. You'll know why I like talking about this menu."
Johnny Brusco's was started by a New York native who relocated to Atlanta several years ago. There are currently more than 60 Johnny Brusco's in and around the Atlanta metropolitan area, and the focus has recently shifted to spreading to other parts of the country.
• A couple of months ago, there was talk of Oseguera's, a familyowned and operated Mexican restaurant with locations in Springdale and Fayetteville, coming to the 1900 block of Southeast 14 th Street, but those plans have shifted. Earlier this week, Oseguera's ownership erected a temporary sign at Rainbow Curve, above the space formerly occupied by Nicolai's. The Oseguera family was unavailable for comment, and the Bentonville Advertising and Promotion Commission was not aware of a tentative opening date for the restaurant.
• The Bentonville A & P continues to confirm that an investor plans to turn the old Brioso Brazil restaurant, at 3607 Metro Parkway, just west of Interstate 540 and south of Southeast Walton Boulevard, into Boomer's Time Out restaurant. The Bentonville A & P said the last information it received suggested the transition is expected to take place this summer.
• Beef O'Brady's, a chain with an Irish restaurant theme specializing in wings, burgers, wraps and sandwiches that's expanding across the southeast region of the country, is scheduled to open at 2500 S. W. 14 th St. later this year. Rogers While Bentonville has its own mystery "sign-in-the-window"restaurant in the Blue Plate Cafe, those who frequent Gaters in Rogers have run into a sign of their own. The sign at the entrance of Gaters, at 1207 W. Walnut St., states the restaurant is closed because of failure to pay taxes. It is unknown when the restaurant will reopen.
• There are several new buildings coming out of the ground along the I-540 corridor that will house restaurants. Framing work continues on the Red Lobster restaurant, behind Olive Garden at the New Hope Road exit.
• Two exits south on I-540, a Golden Corral, a buffet-style restaurant chain, is being constructed between the Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Tuscany Square commercial plaza. The Golden Corral buffet offers everything from hot-meat options, pasta, pizza and fresh vegetables to a salad bar and selection of carved meats at dinner and on Sundays.
• A new McDonald's recently broke ground just east of the Golden Corral project on Pleasant Grove Road. While almost anyone who plans to visit the new McDonald's is plenty familiar with the chain, there will be a new twist to this particular location. The Pleasant Grove McDonald's will feature a McCafe, a coffee specialty area.
• Crabby's, a seafood bar and grill, recently opened for business on the lower level of the Crossland Building, at 1800 S. 52 nd St. (formerly Horsebarn Road ). The restaurant offers a full menu, take-out, a patio area and Sunday brunch. Accommodations can be made for special occasions, and reservations are taken.
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