New eateries draw attention in Evans
Jeff Freehof, the owner of Cutie Pies Gourmet Cafe in Evans, prepares appetizers for a private party. The restaurant, which replaced Gorin's Cafe in Evans Towne Centre, is scheduled to open in March.
Photo by Quandra Collins
Out with the old and in with the new: That seems to be the phrase for two new restaurants in Evans.
On Feb. 11, Castaways, which used to be Hibachi Bar and Grill in the Evans Towne Centre shopping complex on Washington Road, opened its doors to the public under the same ownership. Patrons were invited to enjoy a new menu and newly designed beach decor.
"We wanted something different,'' said Shawn Stringfellow, the restaurant's owner. "It has changed up from what it used to be."
Stringfellow said a wide variety of delicacies have been added to the menu.
He stressed that Japanese food will remain on the menu in addition to more desserts and child-friendly foods.
"This is a place where you can sit in and eat instead of eat and go," he said.
"This is a place where the family can go, eat and spend time together."
With the smoking ban in effect, Stringfellow said, his bar business has taken a hit, but he said maintaining a good dining atmosphere is his primary goal.
"Some people say they come in because of the smoking ban," he said.
"Once (we get these) retail shops coming in, this area will pick up."
Stringfellow said the restaurant's hours aren't yet set.
Cutie Pies Gourmet Cafe, which replaced Gorin's Cafe in Evans Towne Centre, is already drawing attention, says owner Jeff Freehof.
"The food here is hearty, homemade, and the flavors will appease your palate," Freehof said about the Canadian meat pies he mastered after his mother-in-law taught him how to cook them years ago. "My goal was to create something that doesn't exist.''
At the restaurant, wraps, panini sandwiches, 10-inch gourmet pizzas and more selections grace the menu.
Freehof, a former pizza restaurant owner and a gourmet chef with a culinary arts degree, said he hopes being close to the movie theater will help his business.
"Folks can come here before and after a movie,'' he said.
"They can come in for a cappuccino and dessert, or they can eat a nice lunch or dinner for half the price compared to other restaurants."
Freehof said he plans to open in three weeks. Business hours, he said, will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sunday.