New, big "fresh casual" headed to Uptown

Vapiano, an international restaurant chain with just nine sites currently in the United States but more than 30 in other countries and many in the works, is slated to open uptown in 2011, according to Adam Williams of Legacy Real Estate Advisors. It's going into South Tryon Square, at 201 S. Tryon St., taking more than 10,000 square feet.

The Vapiano menu emphasizes "fresh casual" and the decor includes live olive trees and pots of herbs, as well as a view of its pasta being made and a distinctly European feel in seating; you can get a look at the idea here.

Begun in 2002 in Hamburg, Vapiano offers a spinoff of northern Italian cuisine, with made-to-order thin-crust pizza, pastas and salads, and customers order their meals using “chip card” technology, says the company.