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From the moment Dude Shroomington -- in the form of a sculpture made from a collection of pipes, sprockets and other assorted metal discards -- greets guests outside the door, you know you're in for another unique Mellow Mushroom experience.

The new Burlington location at 767 Huffman Mill Road (584-1104) has a decidedly industrial feel. That's because owner Joey Cathey wanted to reflect the mill town heritage of his native Burlington.

With the help of contractor Chad Porterfield, the two have created a look with lots of linear lines and polished steel. Gone are the tall brick partitions of the building's Rockola Cafe days. The space is much more open and airy, offering views clear across the dining room, past the spacious bar and right into the kitchen where Mel's signature pizza dough is tossed into an eclectic array of pies.

They include the Kosmic Karma, with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach; the Funky Q. Chicken with barbecued chicken; the Magical Mystery Tour with pesto and portobello mushrooms; and the new Hot Potato Pie, like a loaded baked potato with potato slices, bacon, sour cream, cheese and chives. Pies range in price from $8.50 to $23 depending on the size and ingredients. Slices are available for $2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Or build your own pie with a selection of bases, fruits and vegetables, proteins and cheeses.

Mellow Mushroom also offers fresh deli hoagies and grilled hoagies ranging in price from $4.25 for half of a turkey, to $8.25 for a full-size grilled rib-eye. Salads include Greek, Caesar and the Brutus with jerk or teriyaki chicken. Or build your own salad.

The heated patio is just the spot to enjoy one of more than 50 beers, with 30 on tap, and one of the more than a dozen appetizers.

The restaurant features six high-definition TVs and offers a private dining room that can accommodate 30.

Elon University students take note: The restaurant accepts the school's Phoenix card for purchases. And you can order and pay online for take-out ease at www.mellowmushroom.com.

Mellow Mushroom is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Downtown opening

A new restaurant is planned for the space recently vacated by Solaris at 125 Summit Ave. in downtown Greensboro.

Ron and Lisa Estes plan to open The Summit Station Eatery, a restaurant serving steaks, seafood, pastas, burgers and homemade soups for lunch and dinner. They plan to open the new restaurant sometime in December.

Another opening

Another new restaurant, Center City Bar and Grille, may soon be opening in downtown Greensboro.

If the name sounds familiar, it's because the restaurant is being opened by Darren Worley, the owner of Center City Cafe in the Piedmont Building at 114 N. Elm St. Worley plans to open the grill at 219-A S. Elm St., formerly Rim.

Worley says he'll offer some old favorites from the cafe, some "original ideas" and appetizers for a late-night crowd. A home-cooked meal of a meat and two sides will be offered for lunch. Worley says he's thinking about offering a wide selection of North Carolina microbrews. He hopes to open in December.

Restaurants offer bargains

Next week just might be the time to try a new place to eat when area restaurants participate in Triad Restaurant Week Nov. 13-22.

The idea, which originated in New York City, is to encourage diners to go out and try finer dining establishments at an affordable cost.

Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe (fixed-price) meals at prices ranging from $20 to $30.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.TriadRestaurantWeek.com.

Burger chain opens

Five Guys (www.fiveguys.com), a popular burger and french fry chain known for fresh, hand-pattied burgers, has opened in Greensboro.

The new location is 3124 Kathleen Ave. (856-2201) in the old Swenson's Ice Cream location at Friendly Center.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Breakfast offered

The Secret Tea Room (412 State St., Greensboro; 271-2998; www.thesecrettearoom.com) will begin offering breakfast on Monday.

The menu will consist of homemade biscuits and bacon and eggs along with Belgian waffles, French toast, eggs Benedict, breakfast casserole, blueberry scones and a selection of muffins.

Breakfast hours are 7 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Opening delayed

The opening of The Cutting Board in Reidsville has been delayed.

The Cutting Board, which has a sister location in Burlington, was scheduled to open this month in the former Bank of Reidsville building which is being redeveloped.

The developer, RANA, LLC of Raleigh, is seeking secured funding before proceeding with the work.

John Burton of Alamance Restaurant Partners, which owns The Cutting Board, says he is confident the restaurant will open.

Wine dinner

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (3342 W. Friendly Ave.) in Greensboro will hold a wine dinner, featuring a menu by Chef Todd Jones paired with wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Washington state. The dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Cost is $75. Call 294-7790 for reservations.

Holiday wine tasting

Get a jump on holiday wines during a Sunday Sippin' Series event from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Bistro Sofia, 616 Dolley Madison Road in Greensboro. Cost is $24 for eight wines and an hors d'oeuvres buffet. Call 855-1313 for reservations.

Bakery opens outposts

Dewey's Bakery of Winston-Salem, a perennial favorite with holiday goodies such as Moravian sugar cakes, cookies and lovefeast buns, will again open seasonal shops in the Triad.

In addition to a shop that has already opened at 600 Green Valley Road, Suite 330, at Friendly Center, Dewey's will open a store Monday at 4217 W. Wendover Ave., Suite E, at the Shoppes at Wendover Village in Greensboro. Additional shop openings include an opening today at 1030-G S. Main St. at Southside Square in Kernersville, a Monday opening at Alamance Square Crossing in Burlington and a Nov. 18 opening at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point.

All shops will remain open through December. For more information, visit Dewey's Bakery online at www.deweys.com.

Frequent flyer

Next time you're dining at O'Charley's (4505 Landover Road in Greensboro and 521 Huffman Mill Road in Burlington), be sure to pick up a Here's to You frequency guest card.

Each purchase of an entree, whether dine-in or take-out, earns the card a stamp. Collect three stamps and get a Southwestern Twisted Chips appetizer. Collect five stamps and get a free entree. E-Club members can get a virtual frequency card at www.ocharleys.com.

 

Have restaurant news for Short Orders? Contact Carl Wilson at 373-7145 or carl.wilson@news-record.com.

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