Latest news with #RestaurantsoftheYear
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South Knoxville losing one of its most popular restaurants amid Sevier Avenue construction
As streetscape construction ramps up, a popular restaurant at the east end of Sevier Avenue is closing after almost a decade in South Knoxville. Landing House owner Zach Land took to Instagram on May 19 to announce the restaurant's closure. June 8 will be the last day open for Landing House, which is uniquely located in a house rather than a typical restaurant space. It's part of the allure for the Chinese and Cambodian-style restaurant near the Sevier Avenue intersection of Island Home Avenue and Foggy Bottom Street, where a roundabout is being built for the streetscape project. Landing House was one of the first spots along the South Knoxville corridor that transformed the street from a desolate, seemingly uninviting stretch into a hotpot for those looking to grab a drink, enjoy a meal and spend the day outside. "Ten years ago, my wife Hao and I saw a 'For Sale' sign on a neat, creepy old house in the neighborhood we lived. Sevier Ave was a desolate place that was honestly … a little sketchy," Land wrote in the Instagram post. "Now that shabby little neighborhood we once knew is completely unrecognizable." Landing House changed that perception, with popular menu items like chicken and shrimp pho, beef filet fried rice and chili crisp noodles making the restaurant stand out as a culinary anchor on Sevier Avenue. The street is now home to a variety of restaurants, bars and breweries, from Redbud Kitchen and Angry Dumplings Tea to Alliance Brewing Company and Hi-Wire Brewing. Balter Beerworks executive chef Hux Jones said in 2023 that Landing House chef Derek Martin was his favorite in Knoxville. "I am so impressed with all the progression he has had with his culinary career," Jones wrote about Martin at the time. "He has really embraced the Asian cuisine with full force." Knox News has also recognized Landing House as one of the best restaurants around town. After A Dopo earned a spot on USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year list in 2025, Knox News recognized Landing House as one of the restaurants we wish made the list. "We thought it would be great for people to have a place to grab some food to go along with their local craft beers and plowed head first into the insanely scary and hectic world of restaurant ownership," the Instagram post read. Land said in the post it's best to close Landing House "on our own terms than be forced to close in the future." Five months into the 18-month construction period for the $19.2 million city streetscape, Landing House is in a complicated position, with parking made more difficult by the under-construction roundabout and other street work. Streetscape construction is expected to last until summer 2026. "Our business has grown substantially every year we have been open and that is due to your loyal patronage and word of mouth and that means the world to us," Land wrote. "Once again, thank you Knoxville and especially South Knoxville for all your support." Joanna Hayes is the restaurant and retail reporter. Email: Support strong local journalism by subscribing at This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Landing House closing amid Sevier Ave. construction in Knoxville
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What's next for Matunuck Oyster Bar after fire? What we know
A devastating fire at Rhode Island's popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown on May 20 left the restaurant closed and likely a total loss. Matunuck Oyster Bar had recently been named one of the top 44 places to eat in America, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list. After the fire, Boon Street Market in Narragansett, home to four casual restaurants, closed its doors to the general public for several hours to provide free food and drinks to Matunuck Oyster Bar staffers and first responders. Many of those first responders started battling the fire before 4 a.m. Tuesday. Restaurant employees had finished their shifts only a few hours earlier. Here's what we know about the fire: Members of the state Fire Marshals Office are investigating, and investigators were seen combing through the remains of the building on May 20 to find the cause of the fire. The South Kingstown Police Department and the Union Fire District Fire Marshals Office are working with the state on the investigation. Union Fire Chief Steve Pinch said the fire seriously damaged the 2½-story building. "I would think they'd probably have to take the building down and start over," he said on May 20. Firefighters found "a large amount of fire" coming from the rear and second floor of the 2½-story Matunuck Oyster Bar when they responded before 4 a.m., Pinch said. Firefighters got the call at about 3:44 a.m. and were there within 8 minutes, he said. The fire was initially fueled by a strong wind "as firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze," the Union Fire District said in a press release. The fire reached the building's void spaces, making the firefighting more challenging, the Fire Department said. Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso released a statement through a spokesman, first thanking the firefighters who responded to the early morning blaze. 'While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured," he said. Raso said he is working closely with the Department of Labor & Training, the Governor's Office, and other public officials to assist Matunuck Oyster Bar's more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees. He also thanked all the neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond who reached out with offers to help. "We are humbled by this outpouring of kindness from our community, and we are working to explore the most efficient and most impactful avenues available, in order to ensure that our staff receives assistance during this difficult time," Raso said. "We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people," he said. "While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.' "Our hearts go out to Perry Raso and his staff," James Petrella, owner of Jimmy's Port Side Restaurant in Narragansett, wrote on Facebook. "Please reach out to me if you guys need anything," Petrella wrote, adding his phone number. Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce wrote on Facebook, "Our thoughts are with Perry and the entire team at Matunuck Oyster Bar after a devastating fire overnight. Just as the summer season was about to begin, this beloved local business has been deeply impacted. We know how strong and resilient our community is, and we're wishing them a speedy recovery." Matunuck Oyster Bar is one of Rhode Island's most popular restaurants and, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list, one of the top 44 places to eat in America. Perry Raso started the restaurant as an extension of his oyster farming business in 2009. He founded Matunuck Oyster Farm in 2002 on a 7-acre commercial aquaculture lease, on Potter Pond in East Matunuck, a village in South Kingstown. Because he needed the dock in 2009, Raso purchased a small, seasonal restaurant on the inlet and it's grown from there. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Matunuck Oyster Bar: Rhode Island community rallies, owner to rebuild
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As fire investigation continues, DLT expedites outreach for Matunuck Oyster Bar employees
Investigators from the Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal take photos after the fire at the Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of Tuesday's early morning fire that engulfed the popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown and left more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees out of work. No injuries were reported from the blaze that seriously damaged the waterfront restaurant on Succotash Road ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the restaurant at the time firefighters arrived at approximately 3:45 a.m., according to Associated Press reports. Restaurant employees surrounded Perry Raso, the restaurant's owner, in a group hug outside the burned out building late Tuesday morning as firefighters continued to work at the scene. 'While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured,' Raso said in a statement Tuesday night. 'I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond, who have reached out over the last several hours with selfless offers to help. We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people. While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.' Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Chief Public Affairs Officer Edwine 'Drine' Paul said a department official connected with the restaurant's owner Tuesday afternoon. 'The department is coordinating efforts with the restaurant to expedite our rapid response services to support all of the impacted workers,' Paul said. 'We want to make sure that we support them at this difficult time.' Raso said his team is assessing its next steps. 'Our first priority is in finding ways to assist our more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees, whose service and dedication have made Matunuck Oyster Bar what it is today, and who rely on this business to support themselves and their families,' he said. 'We are currently working closely (with the) Department of Labor & Training, the Governor's Office, and other public officials to identify available resources, and we are committed to staying in direct contact with our team members as our long-term plan for Matunuck Oyster Bar is developed.' Raso opened Matunuck Oyster Bar in 2009, selling the fresh oysters harvested at the Matunuck Oyster Farm, the wading depth aquaculture farm he founded on Potter Pond in East Matunuck. The restaurant had commercial docks that facilitated access for work boats. Matunuck Oyster Bar has received numerous accolades, including making USA Today's Restaurants of the Year list. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the state fire marshal's office is actively investigating, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said. Updated at 7:08 p.m. with statement from Perry Raso. Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar damand is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar damand is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) A chain link fence surrounds the fire damaged Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Firefighters are shown after the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) A couple who are friends of the Matunuck Oyster Bar owner console each other after witnessing the damage. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso is not visible as staff and friends embrace him outside the waterfront South Kingstown restaurant hours after a fire broke out there on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Employees at the Matunuck Oyster Bar hug. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oregon Coast restaurant named among most charming by Food Network
The start of 2025 has already proven to be a big year for restaurants in Oregon. With spots like Hayward in McMinnville and Akadi in Portland appearing on USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year list, it's no wonder other establishments in Oregon's food scene are being recognized. Food Network, a channel and digital platform known for food-based programming, recipes and restaurant recommendations, recently recognized the Tillamook Creamery on the Oregon Coast on their list of most charming small-town restaurants in every state. "While many people believe that you have to travel to other countries or big cities to experience the best parts of life, sometimes it's those small towns that truly bring the charm and the must-have dishes that you'll be raving about for years to come," wrote Ni'Kesia Pannell for Food Network. The Tillamook Creamery is located in Tillamook along the north Oregon Coast and has been in operation since 1909. It is known for its cheese, ice cream, yogurt and butter that are distributed nationwide. It's also known locally for offering visitors a restaurant and ice cream shop. The Food Network article highlighted menu items like the Triple Cheese Mac and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup, along with "rotating handles of local beer and cider." Other menu items include the Tillamook Double Cheddar grilled cheese, fried cheese curds, burgers as well as ice cream. The Tillamook Creamery also offers tours and tastings where visitors can learn about the creamery while sampling cheese and ice cream. The creamery, located at 4165 N U.S. Highway 101 in Tillamook, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@ or on X at @GinnieSandoval. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Food Network highlights Tillamook Creamery restaurant on Oregon Coast
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taco Bell is coming to this closed Alabama restaurant location
PRATTVILLE − A closed restaurant building in Prattville is getting a new life. Taco Bell is coming to the former Steak 'n Shake building, in the 2300 block of Cobbs Ford Road, City Hall confirms via social media. It will be the city's second Taco Bell location, with the first being located in the 400 block of South Memorial Drive. "New investment is always important," Amy Coats Hilliard posted on social media while sharing the city's announcement. She serves as Prattville's economic development coordinator. "Filling an empty building is even better." The former Steak 'n Shake location is next to the closed Milo's location, which is next to a former O'Charleys. The three restaurants have been closed for about two years. More: Bojangles cooks up new wave of Alabama expansion as Prattville location opens The buildings sit in the middle of some of the city's hottest real estate, in a part of east Prattville that has long been a retail hotspot. Things looking up for the area. Bojangles opened in the old Milos building in December, and First Watch is currently renovating the O'Charleys location. Opening dates for the Taco Bell and First Watch locations have not been released. More: 9 best Alabama restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year list Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Taco Bell is coming to this closed Alabama restaurant location
