What'll be on new Sir Edmond Halley menu?

Svend Deal confirms Sir Edmond Halley's will reopen, on the back side of Park Road Shopping Center, later this month if all goes according to plan. Deal, an original partner in the British-accented restaurant and freehouse (think pub), had left the business in 2002, he says, and has now put together a new ownership group. (That includes Lane Jefferies, a college friend of Deal's who used to work at McZ's and East Blvd. Bar and Grill "back in the day," as well as former -- and original -- Sir Ed's head bartender Jeff Roberts.)

The well-loved place closed in July after about 15 years in business; original chef-partner Tobin McAfee is not part of the new business.

Expect a menu that gets back to basics, says Deal -- among dishes the regulars have pleaded for, and will get, are Hong Kong eggrolls, ostrich meatloaf, Guinness stew, bangers and mash, and Irish potato cakes. There'll be fewer specials and the standard menu will now include a steak, a fish dish and a vegetarian entree. Kitchen staffing is not finalized. Former employee Helen Marie White will be general manager.

Other notes: The Stammtisch will be there; the new owners bought this "regulars' table" at auction and returned it to its original spot, complete with sign and bell to ring when someone wants to buy a round for the table. A new tap system is installed, adding four new taps for a total of 12, and Deal says they'll have most of the draft beers the place carried before.

Deal notes the powerful role social media has played in this story, saying he gets Facebook posts and e-mail every day about the place (the latest was a heartfelt plea for the Jamaican jerk chicken nachos...).