Ronin chef working on new concept, Conneaut places reopening
Bar Ronin and beyond
Chef Dan Kern is cooking up something new in the West Erie plaza — again.
His current project, contemporary Japanese-themed Ronin, 948 West Erie Plaza Drive, opened in 2021. On Saturday, Kern posted to Facebook that, with the closure of neighboring Icing on the Lake at 940 West Erie Plaza Drive, he and his father are building a new concept restaurant in its place. Details about the new concept were few, but included a mention that the former Icing on the Lake owners Heidi and John Fette are partners in the project.
More:Dan Kern's new restaurant concept defined; BBQ places coming on strong in Erie
"We have always tried to live out our mantra, 'keep changing to remain unchanged,'" Kern wrote. "When the Icing on the Lake's Sweet Vault space opened up next door we were again hit with an opportunity to be able to create a new concept with room for our amazing team to grow!"
The post, which also lists partners Adam Williams and Emily Reed, set the opening in Fall of 2023. To watch the build-out project in photographs, follow ttps://www.instagram.com/940_next_door/.
Smoke 'n' Fire
Smoke 'n' Fire food truck, started by one of Creek's Bar and Grille cooks Brad Gore, had its grand opening March 12 at Creek's. They also will be part of an April 2 pop-up business downtown sponsored by Erie’s Juneteenth Celebration, in an effort to showcase black-owned businesses in Erie. The pop-up event will take place at 1225 State St. Sunday from 3-7 p.m.
Pizzi's
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A beloved pizzeria in Conneaut, Ohio, regrettably closed a few years ago after a death in the family. It was my family's favorite Conneaut restaurant and we've missed it dearly. According to the Ashtabula Star Beacon, someone from the family is planning to reopen as Grandpa Pizzi's Place at 709 Harbor St., in Conneaut and have been approved by the city council to buy a liquor license.
“Typically, that process ... is about eight months in length,” Hockaday told the Star Beacon. “This is the first step in that process that they would have to do, which is to get the consent of council in order to import a license.”
Tarsitano Winery
Also in Conneaut, Tarsitano Winery, 4871 Hatches Corners Road, reopened March 2 and are serving full dinners and tastings. They're open Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. Dinner guests are asked to call ahead and order their meals 24 hours before arriving. Choices include chicken, Flintstone Club, or beef short rib. Sounds like a hassle, I know, but give them a break. They're just getting their sea legs after being closed for a year. Find menu descriptions and reservation information at tarsitanowinery.com.
Dunkin'
The new Harborcreek Dunkin' at 4007 Buffalo Road will celebrate its grand opening April 25, from 7 a.m. to noon. Celebrations will go on all week, including $2 medium coffees, hot or iced; donut decorating (April 29) and samples.
More:Dunkin' to be built in Girard after former Heartland Inn and Cafe burned to make way
WRTS-103.7 FM will be live on site April 25 and April 29 and guests can enter to win a Dunkin’ branded mountain bike. The location is also accepting donations for the Sprinkling Wishes Campaign to benefit Make-A-Wish Greater PA and WV. Dunkin' will match guests' donations up to $2,500.
The first 200 guests inside the restaurant will receive a Dunkin’ discount travel mug that entitles the bearer to $1.79 hot or iced coffee at the Harborcreek location through July 31. Drive-thru customers will get scratch-off tickets with their purchase with prizes such as a free donut or free coffee for a year.
The new store features a new tap system designed to provide consistently cold iced coffee, iced tea, Cold Brew, and Nitro-Infused Cold Brew. Also, the location will provide a contactless drive-thru and free WiFi.
This is the 10th Dunkin’ owned and operated by franchisee DALRT Inc., which owns and operates nine other Dunkin’ locations in western Pennsylvania.
If you have regional restaurant news or questions, please send an email to jgeisler@timesnews.com, or call 814-870-1885.Find Jennie’s weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Ronin chef promises more, Conneaut places reopening
