THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9512290071
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
THE CONCEPT of dinner and a show takes a beating on New Year's Day for folks going to ``Phantom of the Opera.''
The curtain will go up, but many menus are closed. Some of the top dining spots - and many in the middle and below as well - plan to remain shuttered on the holiday even though the Norfolk show is a near-sellout.
It's a double-whammy of sorts. New Year's Day falls on a Monday, traditionally a day that many restaurants are closed. Plus, many that would usually be open will be closed because they are hosts to big New Year's Eve events the night before.
``I'll be sleeping,'' said Bobby Huber, whose popular Bobbywood at Wards Corner in Norfolk will be among the restaurants taking the night off. New Year's Eve ``is the busiest night of the year for a restaurant. I'll probably spend two days just getting ready for it,'' Huber said. ``Everyone will be just so tired Monday, and I believe in giving the staff a break and not abusing them.''
A couple of restaurants have changed course, initially planning to be closed on the holiday but now planning to open.
In downtown Norfolk, where several restaurants have been prime beneficiaries of ``The Phantom,'' only a few will be open Monday.
``We are `The Phantom' restaurant,'' said a hostess at La Galleria
Ristorante, which has taken on a Phantom motif during the play's long run at Chrysler Hall. ``We'll be open.''
Manager Marc Sauter said making it happen on a holiday is ``just part of the nature of the business - you have to be open when your business is good. As a manager, I work 110 hours a week during the busy periods.'' He isn't heartless, however, when it comes to the concerns of his staff.
``We have a big group of professional waiters,'' Sauter said. ``They are accustomed to working the holidays. But we try to accommodate them for special requests. Just about everyone who is married was off for Christmas Eve, for instance.''
At Uncle Louie's at Wards Corner, the trick is having a large staff.
``We're always open on New Year's Day,'' said manager Tony Dean. ``We manage to do it every year'' despite having a big, long-running party the night before. ``We have a rather large staff here, so it's not that difficult. We don't like to work staff on double shifts unless necessary, so we'll have a fresh crew for New Year's Day and a fresher one in for New Year's Night.''
In Virginia Beach, the Lynnhaven Fish House will open. ``Absolutely,'' said manager Christopher Kyros. ``They come here. Everybody wants to work, and we'll be ready to serve.''
In Norfolk, Elliot's, Antiquities at the Airport Hilton and River Walk at the Omni International Hotel plan to be open Monday.
Among the Norfolk restaurants that plan to be closed Monday are Cafe 21, Cafe Rosso, The Marriott, Ships Cabin Seafood Restaurant, Freemason Abbey and Bistro!
In Portsmouth, The Max will be closed.
In Virginia Beach, among those that will be open Monday will be the Five-01 City Grill and the Duck-In & Gazebo, which is offering a dinner buffet.
Henry's Seafood Restaurant will be open for brunch until 5 p.m. but not for dinner.
Among the Beach restaurants that said they plan to close Monday were Suddenly Last Summer, Gus' Mariner Restaurant in the Ramada Plaza Resort, the Coastal Grill, Three Ships Inn, Lucky Star, Le Chambord and The Bistro at Le Chambord, Pasta e Pani, Aldo's Ristorante and Cafe Society.
If you plan to dining out Monday night, check to see whether your favorite restaurant is open - and make reservations. by CNB