Tuesday, November 9, 2010

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...).

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jabari wings please.
Best news of 2010.

Bobby Flay said...

Stoked!

Karen said...

awesome!!!

discourser said...

Great news! I hope they are keeping their appetizer menu. Tapas and wine on the patio when the weather is warm is a wonderful way to pass the evening.

Anonymous said...

Good news! Love the patio - just hope they'll consider making it non-smoking.

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to be there opening night. Best place in CLT to hang out

murph said...

Yeah right, now that smoking is outlawed indoors bars know a smoking patio is huge for business. Come on cream puff...

linza said...

Yippee!!!!

Mark said...

Completely awesome, great pub and casual dinner place to go, with ambience to boot. Hope they will continue the tradition of having special Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve, menus. Glad to have Sven back.

Anonymous said...

Good news, and hopefully the place is aired out enough post-smoking ban to really enjoy the atmosphere without the stale stench. Yay Sir Eds!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to it...way to go Svend

CRFC

704Champ said...

Great news

They better have chicken-fried chicken!

Anonymous said...

Here's hoping for Stilton burger, chicken fried chicken, fish/chips and the old bartenders.

Unknown said...

They've gotta have the fish and chips. They were the best in Charlotte.

Anonymous said...

Original.

Anonymous said...

WHERE EXACTLY IS THE "BACKSIDE OF PARK RD. SHOPPING CENTER" ?

Helen Schwab said...

4151 Park Road is the street address.

Anonymous said...

Love it!! Menu sounds great and agree Silton Burger is a must. No "Cream Puffs" please. Looking forward to the Holidays!

Anonymous said...

if you saw the kitchen at halley's and observed the cook's contempt and irreverent for food, you wouldn't eat at sir edmund halley's.