The latest in restaurants: 13 openings and closings in the Wilmington area
The new year is off to an auspicious beginning with the opening of some interesting restaurants in the greater Wilmington area. They’re bringing Mediterranean, local seafood, and healthy vibes to the dining scene. Unfortunately, a few restaurants have also closed recently. Here’s a look at what's happening.
Openings and re-openings
Seaworthy Kitchen & Bar: As of Jan. 26, Carolina Beach officially has a new restaurant. Owner Joel Hartzler has reimagined the former Shagri-La and Surf House space at 604 N. Lake Park Drive. It’s a farm-to-fork, dock-to-dish concept with a menu that includes salads, fish tacos, gumbo, shrimp and grits, as well as a mac-and-cheese entree with cavatappi noodles and a three-cheese cream sauce and occasional specials such as a massive pork chop. There are just as many cocktails on the menu, too -- classics and martinis (like dirty, cucumber and espresso).
Ponysaurus Wilmington: The Durham-based Ponysaurus Brewing Co. has expanded to the Port City. Owner Nick Hawthorne-Johnson and his partners with the Cast Iron Group renovated the downtown property at 214 Market St. The pizzeria and beer garden has 24 taps with the brand's beers and a daily lunch and dinner menu. Head Chef Beth LittleJohn is accompanied by former Blockade Runner chef Jessica Cabo.
Paul’s OKI: A sports bar came first in 2022 at 5419 E. Oak Island Drive in Brunswick County. Now, a restaurant counterpart opened there on Jan. 11, serving dinner Thursday through Saturday. Although the menu will be expanding over time, you can find entrees like shrimp and grits, jumbo lump crabcakes, and a 16-ounce ribeye, as well as starters, salads, pastas and a customizable burger. (Meanwhile, the sports bar is still serving 11 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.)
Clean Eatz: Don and Evonne Varady have transformed the former Chuck E Cheese location at 4389 Oleander Drive into a new cafe and headquarters for their business that includes more than 100 franchise locations across the country. Their business is built on healthy eating with customizable meal plans, grab-and-go meals and cafes that cater to a variety of diets and needs. The new location includes a counter-service restaurant with bowls, smoothies, flatbreads and wraps -- with an extensive selection of take-and-heat options that include breakfast sandwiches, pizzas and meals.
Tequila's Waterfront: The Villaseñor brothers have added a new restaurant to their business. The new Tequila Comida & Cantina location is at 14 Harnett St. in downtown Wilmington at Pier 33. Look for authentic modern Mexican food, an upstairs tequila lounge and views of the Cape Fear River.
Meet the Greek: The shopping center at 5120 S. College Road in Monkey Junction continues to grow its unique restaurant options with the opening of this new Greek counter-service spot. It joins a nearby location of Indochine Express, The Smoke House, as well as Ming Yao Chinese. The menu features gyro, souvlaki and other meats available as wraps and platters as well as Mediterranean salads and sides.
Rico’s MexiTacos: Oaxaca native Rico Hernandez knows a thing or two about tacos and burritos. After working in local restaurants for a couple of decades, he started a food truck last year and now has his own storefront restaurant at 1722 N. Kerr Ave. in the North Kerr Mini Mart.
Los Primos Southport: A sister restaurant to the Mexican eatery in Hampstead is now open at 5021 Southport Crossing Way in Southport. The family-owned restaurant officially opened Jan. 26 offering traditional Mexican dishes. In addition to familiar fare from fajitas to burritos, look for offerings like camarones al mojo de ajo, enchiladas de mole, and mole de olla.
Santorini Greek & Italian Bistro: Earlier in January, the owners of the former Santino's Italian Trattoria reopened with a new name and concept at 205 S. Topsail Drive in Surf City. Look for Greek pastries, pizza, pastas, gyros and extensive bar and wine list that includes Mediterranean selections.
Kilwins at The Pointe: A light-and-bright location of this sweet franchise is now open at the Pointe at Barclay. Look for Waffle Cone Wednesday with a fresh, warm cone with your favorite ice cream and signature flavors like Port City Mud with vanilla, chocolate chips and caramel swirls. They’re open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Closings
Eric’s Grill: This breakfast and lunch restaurant at 5120 S. College Road in the Monkey Junction area opened in 2021 but is now closed. By the way, a similarly named restaurant, Eric’s Grille, is still open in Southport.
TopSea Wingz: Another restaurant that opened in 2021 is also closed, according to online listings. This wing restaurant was located in the former Charlie Graingers location at 201 Alston Blvd. behind the Lowe’s Home Improvement in Hampstead.
Healthy James: A healthy food cafe at 5424 Oleander Drive is also now closed in Wilmington. They offered ready-to-go meals and drinks.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Restaurant openings and closings in Wilmington, NC
