CS Brazilian Steakhouse is slated to open Saturday near Christiana Mall.
The dining spot moved from a location in the Newark Shopping Center to the long-vacant former Don Pablo’s near the mall.
CS will open at 11 a.m. each day. It will be interesting to see if a lunch menu emerges.
Over the years, CS (the full name is Churrascaria Saudades) became a destination in a college town not known for special occasion dining Things have changed a bit with the opening of Hamilton’s on Main.
CS follows the tried and true formula of all-you-can-eat steak, lamb, pork and chicken cooked rotisserie style and served on skewers and is accompanied by an expansive salad bar. CS also made the Wine Spectator list of restaurants.
The restaurant is locally owned in a mall area populated with chains.
The Brazilian steakhouse segment has two major players, Texas de Brazil and Fogo de Chao. Combined, they have about 100 locations in larger metro areas.
Fogo is now offering a couple of cuts minus the skewers that one sees at traditional steakhouses. It will be interesting to see if CS expands its offerings in a far more visible location.
Rosenfeld’s closing Ocean City location
Rosenfeld’s is closing its Jewish deli location in Ocean City, MD. on Oct. 24 after ten seasons.
Owner Warren Rosenfeld wrote in a social media post that the twin factors of an 11-month lease extension and the need to upgrade plumbing, heating, and cooling at the deli’s original site led to the decision.
Contrary to any rumors, the location was doing well financially, and he did not rule out another location in the beach town.
Rosenfeld has focused on Delaware by partnering with Rehoboth-based Big Fish Restaurant Group.
Rosenfeld’s now has a location in the Bethany area and another on Coastal Highway in the Lewes-Rehoboth area. Rosenfeld’s shuttered a Wilmington location after opening an outpost in north Wilmington.
In praising the staff of the original location, Rosenfeld noted that Delaware restaurant legend the late Matt Haley was responsible for an introduction with Tammy Dubin, who went on to serve as general manager of the Ocean City location.
“In closing, thanks to each and every one of you for making this dream come true. A Jewish deli in Ocean City? Did that really happen? I hope to see you eating Rosenfeld’s food for many years to come at our various locations.”
Bonchon reopens
Bonchon has reopened in The Grove, the redeveloped site that formerly housed the College Square Shopping Center.
The Korean chicken franchise had been closed for weeks after the fryer caught fire in late August, with the fire supression system failing to work, according to Delaware Online (subscription).
Summer House ownership change
The Cape Gazette reports that the long-running Summer House restaurant in Rehoboth has been sold to owner of Nalu restaurants in Dewey and Rehoboth Beach.
Summer House had been under the Big Fish Group umbrella.
For now, the restaurant is listed online as permanently closed.
Grotto Grand Slam getting makeover
When Grotto Pizza’s Grand Slam opened in 1986, the location sat the edge of the Coastal Highway business area.
Things have changed around Grand Slam with waves of development in the area around Lewes’ Five Points. The restaurant, which pioneered Grotto’s sports bar area, remains a busy place.
This fall, the 10,500-square-foot building gets a facelift.
“We will remain operational throughout the renovation,” said Jeff Gosnear, vice president of Grotto Pizza.
Renovations will focus on the dining rooms and bar. The restaurant will also receive new bathrooms and an updated exterior façade with Grotto’s signature tower.
The establishment, which has about 60 full- and part-time employees, also gets a new patio, a fire pit, and an upgraded takeout area.
“Since the pandemic, customers have shown a preference for dining outside,” Gosnear noted. “Takeout has also increased.”
The architect on the project is Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Milford and the contractor is Brendan W. Warfel. The work is scheduled for completion this year.
Grotto Pizza has 23 locations in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit https://www.grottopizza.com. Grotto Pizza employs more than 1,700.
