Ten Tuscaloosa restaurants that opened or moved during 2021

The Tuscaloosa area saw several new places of business open during 2021. In particular, several restaurants opened their doors for the first time, opened new locations in different places or retooled their cuisines.

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Here's a look at some of the 2021 dining scene changes:

Urban Bar and Kitchen

Urban Bar and Kitchen opened at 2321 University Blvd. downtown, offering offers seafood, steak, salads and more on its menu, along with wine, cocktails and draft beers on tap. The restaurant is owned by Gary McGee, who formerly owned the now-closed Levee Bar and Grill in Northport. The Urban Bar and Kitchen occupies the site that most recently held Fuzzy's Taco Shop. For more information, go to www.urbanbarandkitchen.com.

Decades Pub and Grub

Owners Cliff and Anne Clark opened Decades Pub and Grub at 2314 Fourth St. in Temerson Square. The site was formerly occupied by Roxy's, a cocktail lounge. Music lovers themselves, the Clarks built the new eatery around a rock 'n' roll theme. Diners are met by photos of artists of the 1970s as they enter the door and, as they progress through, the musicians and references date on up through the 2000s. For more information, go to www.decadespubandgrub.org.

Rolf's Deli and Sausages

A former Mercedes-Benz U.S.-International employee opened Rolf's Deli and Sausages at at 4550 Station Circle, off U.S. Highway 43 in Northport. Rolf Meyer, originally from Hoya, Germany, sold everything he'd earned over his career, cashed in his 401k and invested it all into the deli. Rolf's offers smoked or brat chicken and curry sausages, salami, bratwurst, gyro meat, hams, German meatloaf, schnitzel, sauerkraut, raisin bread, sourdough bread, butter pretzels, garlic and French bread rolls, black forest cake and more. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/rolfsdeli.

Thai Basil Sushi II

After Surin of Thailand closed, the owner of Thai Basil Sushi in Trussville opened Thai Basil Sushi II in the 1402 University Blvd. spot. Owner Srintra Saisarai said the menu features such standards as spring rolls, pot stickers, tofu, soups, Thai curry and basil, shrimp, chicken and beef dishes. For more information, go to thaibasilandsushi.com.

PJ's Coffee and Rita's Ice

Former University of Alabama football player Bill Getchell opened PJ's Coffee and Rita's Ice on the Strip, 1201 University Blvd., near the UA campus. The Rita's Ice part of the restaurant specializes in Italian ice, gelati and custard, and while the PJ's Coffee part specializes brewed beverages and Big Easy-style powdery beignets.

The Grocery Brewpub

The Grocery Brewpub opened at 2230 University Blvd., serving pub food, home-brewed beers, specialty cocktails and high-end whiskies. The brewpub is named after a similar establishment owner Rayford Cook created in Homewood on the site of an old A&P Grocery store. Cook described the menu as Southern, with a Cajun seafood flair. The brewpub is in the old location of the Mellow Mushroom, which moved to 557 20th Ave. For more information, go to www.thegrocerybrewpub.com.

Red Bowl Asian Bistro

Red Bowl Asian Bistro opened in the old Ruby Tuesday location on McFarland Boulevard, north of the river at 311 Merchant's Walk in Tuscaloosa. Its menu includes items such as bourbon shrimp, fried or steamed dumplings, bo bo platter, lo-mein, General Tso's chicken, crab Rangoon, and standards such as fried rice dishes and spring rolls. For more information, go to www.redbowltuscaloosa.com.

Bobo Mania

Boba Mania opened next door to Ajian's, at 1914 University Blvd., with two dozen offerings of highly customizable variations on the Taiwanese-born taste of bubble tea. Also called boba or pearl milk tea, bubble tea begins with varying flavors of brewed teas, flavored with milk or fruits, served over ice, and flavored with chewy tapioca pearls. The idea grew out of Taipei, Taiwan, in the 1990s, said BobaMania co-owner Lingyan Kong. For more information, go to bobamaniatea on Instagram.

Sitar of India

Sitar Indian Cuisine moved to a new location and re-opened with a slightly altered name, Sitar of India. Originally at 50015th St., next to the old AMF Bama Lanes bowling alley, Sitar of India found a new home just down the street at 220 15th St. E. The spot was formerly operated as Pokerrito68, and before that Lenny's Sub Shop. . For more information, go to hwww.sitartuscaloosa.com.

Ichiban Japanese Grill

Ichiban Japanese Grill, which was at 502 15th St. in the same shopping center as Sitar Indian Cuisine, also moved to a new site. Ichiban made the move downtown, re-opening at 2128 University Blvd. Ichiban's new home was previously occupied by Which Wich Superior Sandwiches and Real and Rosemary. For more information, go to www.ichibanjapanesegrill.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Ten restaurants that opened or moved in Tuscaloosa in 2021