With one oven mitt in the past and one in the future, the Rittenhouse Restaurant in Bluffton has revamped its menu and image.
Gone are the lace tablecloths, replaced with burgundy versions and placemats.
Owner Brock Rittenhouse has added some new menu items, including pasta, breaded shrimp and chicken parmesan, while keeping old favorites like prime rib and raspberry chicken.
The restaurant still has a “time gone by” atmosphere, he says, but now it’s more casual and less expensive.
Rittenhouse and new executive chef Hector Minon want to lure a new generation of diners with cooking classes and wine-tastings.
The next cooking class will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, focusing on Greek cuisine.
After Minon demonstrates the preparation of a course, you get to eat it.
The class is $19.95, which doesn’t include beverages, tax or gratuity.
Reservations are required; call 260-824-8112. On Sept. 28, sample French cooking.
Meanwhile, the first wine-tasting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 with a dozen wines and Italian, French, Greek and Spanish appetizers. It is $15; reservations are required.
The Rittenhouse is at 218 S. Main St. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Hear Captain Phil, enjoy some crab
Is the Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” really as grueling as it looks?
Find out from Captain Phil when he shares some behind-the-scenes tales as part of Crabfest ’09, a fundraiser for Lutheran Life Villages, on Sept. 14.
Besides Alaskan king crab, the meal will include appetizers such as cocktail shooters, beef and chicken kabobs, smashed potatoes, corn on the cob – and a non-seafood entrée for those who prefer it.
The event at the historic Baker Street Station also will have a beer-tasting, soft drinks, cash bar and a raffle to win an autographed shirt from the cast and breakfast with Captain Phil on Sept. 15 at the Fort Wayne Hilton.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Dress is casual.
Tickets are $60 for general admission, or $120 for the VIP reception, which begins at 4:30 p.m. To order by Tuesday, call 447-0800, ext. 2120, e-mail crabfest@lutheranlifevillages.org or go to www.lutheranlifevillages.org.
Lutheran Life Villages is the new name for Lutheran Homes and Concord Village.
Mondays at Hartley’s, discover taste of Italy
Starting Monday from 5 to 9 p.m., you can eat your way through Italy every Monday at Hartley’s.
That’s when chef-owner Pamela Downs and chef Lisa Williams will prepare home-style dinners, featuring a different region each week. A three-course meal is $15.95, which doesn’t include tax and gratuity.
Reservations are required; call 744-3141. Hartley’s is at 4301 Fairfield Ave.
Tidbits
•The Ethiopian Restaurant, 2805 E. State Blvd., has closed.
•Zianos Italian Eatery will open at 5907 Covington Road, next to Fazoli’s.
•Despite rumors, Chop’s Steak & Seafood is still open at 6421 W. Jefferson Blvd. Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Dinner is available 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are suggested for both; call 436-9115.
