Downtown Diner

A Greenville culinary school graduate who has worked at a number of local eateries has returned home after a stint in Seattle to open his own restaurant with a unique menu featuring a variety of sliders and pancakes.

Christian Brown, a graduate of the culinary arts program at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C., and long-time friend and business partner Lisa Daniels have opened Downtown Diner at 431 S. Evans St., at the busy downtown intersection of Fifth and Evans streets. It's across the street from Cubbie's and Starlight Cafe.

Brown is in charge of the food and Daniels is in charge of the dining room.

The menu features fun fare that's perfect for cash-strapped students and the late-night bar crowd in particular — although it also should appeal to families and foodies, as well. Brown and Daniels have tapped into the popularity of “dollar menus” while also providing variety, an opportunity to personalize your plate and a hint of the gourmet at a greasy spoon.

Diners may select from a dozen “sliders,” two- or three-bite sandwiches served on a bun (think White Castle or Krystal, with a twist). Varieties of the mini sandwiches include cheese burger, chicken, crab cake, meat loaf, meat balls, roast beef, barbecue, tuna melt, pizza burger, corned beef, steak and cheese, turkey club and mushroom and Swiss. Each slider is $1.

Likewise, diners may mix and match a variety of pancakes, each costing $1. Flavors include plain, sweet potato, blueberry, chocolate chip, peanut butter, S'more, cream cheese-stuffed and pecan. Brown said he's considering adding other flavors requested by patrons, and possibly even making a “choose your own mix-in” bar so diners may customize their pancakes.

Other breakfast items offered all day include a variety of omelets for $2.99 each — including such fillings as potato, mushrooms, jalapeno, peppers, onions, bacon, sausage and shrimp; two scrambled, poached or fried eggs for $1.99; a variety of biscuits for $1.99, including cheese, sausage and cheese, ham, chicken or steak; and $1.99 for breakfast meats such as link sausage, patty sausage, Canadian bacon, pork bacon and ham.

Diners interested in lunch or dinner entrees can choose from sandwiches such as grilled cheese, pimento cheese, grilled ham and cheese, grilled PB&J, beef or turkey patty melt, club, roast chicken and Gryuere, meat loaf and meat ball. Sandwiches are $1.99-$4.99. Side dishes, for 99 cents, include mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, pan fries, slaw or string beans. House salads, chef salads, Caesar salads and fruit salads are offered.

The eclectic starter menu features something for all taste buds, including mozzarella sticks ($3.99), chicken or beef satee ($3.99), chicken wings ($3.99), loaded potato skins ($3.99), crab rangoon ($3.99), crab dip ($4.99) and chili cheese fries ($3.99). Two of the more unusual appetizer offerings are onion fondue, a cheesy mixture baked in a hollowed-out onion for $3.99, and truffle fries, french fried potatoes tossed in white truffle oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley and garlic for $4.99.

Pepsi products, iced tea and coffee are served. Daily specials and game-day specials will be available.

“We wanted to carve our own niche,” Brown said. “We're not in direct competition with anyone else downtown.”

Brown worked at many of those restaurants, including Cubbie's, Andy's, Marathon, Mesh and Christinne's. In 2006, he moved to Seattle, where he was the executive chef at the well-regarded Union Square Grill. Among the patrons he fed were billionaire Bill Gates, movie stars and professional athletes.

But after four years in the Pacific Northwest, he became home sick. “I wanted to come back to North Carolina,” he said. “I missed home.”

He and Daniels, also a native of eastern North Carolina, kicked around several ideas for restaurants including opening a barbecue joint. But after finding the space that formerly housed The Flying Salsa and Rio Grande available at Fifth and Evans streets, they decided a diner was what downtown needed — especially a diner that was open all night.

Downtown Diner seats 60 in the dining room at tables and a bar, with planned outdoor seating for a dozen patrons. The restaurant is open 24 hours, from 6 a.m. Tuesdays until 4 p.m. Sundays.

The walls are lime green with a black ceiling and accents. A revolving display of artwork from students in the Pitt County Schools is featured.

Call 215-3099.

Copper and Vine

Downtown Greenville has a new hot spot for food and wine lovers: Copper & Vine Kitchen and Wine Bar. It's in the Jefferson Blount Harvey Building, 330 Evans St., in the two-story space formerly occupied by Fourth Street Wine Shop and Wine Bar.

Owners are Autumn and Steve Mills, who also own and will continue to operate Greenville's Dolce Vita Wine and Beer at 3110 Evans St.

“I have been so inspired by my research and travel with wine to bring to Greenville an experience with high service standards with this wine bar concept,” Autumn Mills said.

“We are serving a small-plate lunch menu of fresh sandwiches, salads and soups, using the freshest ingredients and when possible, local produce,” Autumn Mills said. Ready-made salads and sandwiches also will be available to go.

The menu changes frequently. Sandwiches may include chicken salad, pimento cheese, club and sun-dried tomato wrap with roasted red pepper hummus. Sandwiches range in price from $6-$9. Soups also change frequently and may include Tomato Bisque and Tomato and Strawberry Gazpacho. Bowls are $6; a bowl with a half-salad is $10.

Desserts, made locally by The Cakery, also vary but may include Signature Turtle Cake, Lemon Cake, pecan pie cupcakes or almond cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Locally roasted gourmet coffee is served.

“Our evening menu is small plates,” Autumn Mills said. Selections may include Thai Lettuce Wraps, roasted pepper hummus, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, cheese plates, antipasto platter and seasonal salads. Evening prices range from $7-$20.

The extensive wine list features more than 100 selections, as well as craft beers with an emphasis on local breweries.

“We will also feature a classic cocktail list with signature wine-based drinks,” Autumn Mills said. “The beer and wine list includes half-glasses of wine perfect for a midday sip.”

Autumn Mills recently became certified as a Level I Sommelier by The Court of Master Sommeliers, an association that offers training in wine service and knowledge. The Copper & Vine team includes Chef Eric Sanderson, who worked for four years under Inez and Stephen Ribustello of On the Square, and previously, Fourth Street Wine Bar; and Brandon Monroe, who most recently worked with Chef David Bouley at the renowned restaurant Bouley in New York; both are certified Level II Sommeliers.

“I think between the three of us, we have such an astounding level of energy and expertise that we are going to pour into our wine bar, and I really think Greenville is going to truly appreciate the fact that we are all so educated and serious about this business.

“When I envisioned and dreamed of Copper & Vine, I never thought I would be able to recruit such an amazing team, but everything just fell into place. We are so excited and hope to truly become a mainstay in our community.”

Lunch hours at Copper & Vine are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Evening hours begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. Call 758-6900.

Marabella

The Marabella group of restaurants in eastern North Carolina continues to grow, with plans for a second Greenville Marabella in Lynncroft shopping center at the corner of Evans Street and Greenville Boulevard.

Owner Salvatore Passalacqua said a third Marabella eatery will open soon in the former location of Ledo Pizza, and, most recently Manhattan Pizza — beside DragonFly Chinese Restaurant. Renovations are underway, he said, and he hopes to open the restaurant by November.

Passalacqua and his family, including brother-in-law Massimo Mannino, operate Marabella Pizza & Grill at 610 Carolina Avenue in Washington, N.C., and Marabella Old Word Pizza at 1989-A Greenville Blvd.

The new restaurant will feature Italian fare, including pizzas, pastas and calzones.

Call 754-2700.

Wine tasting

Dolce Vita Wine & Beer, 3110-F South Evans St., will hold its weekly wine tasting from 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Four new wines will be offered at the complimentary sampling. Call 329-8500.

Hot Dish is a weekly column of restaurant and food news in The Daily Reflector. To submit items for consideration, call Jane Hudson at (252) 329-9577, fax (252) 754-8140 or e-mail jhudson@coxnc.com. Deadline for the paper is Mondays at noon.