FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2010
NEWPORT GRILL TO OPEN IN BRADLEY FAIR
(WICHITA, KS) - Laham Development and PB & J Restaurants have announced that Newport Grill will open in Bradley Fair this fall. PB & J Restaurants also owns YiaYia's EuroBistro in Bradley Fair. Newport Grill will feature fresh seafood, steaks, chops and seasonal specialties. The restaurant will be located on the south side of Bradley Fair Plaza, in the former Cibola restaurant space, with a view overlooking Bradley Fair Lake. The announcement was made by Cathy Erickson of Laham Development and Paul Khoury of PB & J Restaurants.
Newport Grill will specialize in the expert preparation of outstanding fresh seafood dishes. Seafood will be flown directly to the restaurant in Wichita, 6 days each week. All seafood will be hand-cut and prepared in a manner to maintain the freshest flavor. Other standouts on the menu will include naturally fed and sustainably-raised beef, chicken and pork.
The restaurant will introduce farmer-driven cuisine, using area farmers for fresh, locally grown produce, whenever possible. The restaurant will employ "scratch-house" standards, making food by hand, including house-baked bread and desserts. Chef-Owner Aaron Whitcomb will create a seasonal menu to include foods that are available at different times throughout the year. Whitcomb attended the Culinary Institute of Art in Denver, Colorado and worked in many of the top restaurants in Denver.
Whitcomb has been featured in Esquire, Conde Nast, Food & Wine, Sunset and Wine Spectator magazines and has received the Food & Wine Rising Star award. As a certified Sommelier, Chef Whitcomb brings a strong training in wine and wine pairings. The restaurant will feature wines from American boutique vineyards. Suggested menu pairings will be a Newport Grill standard.
With their experience in developing menus for 27 restaurants, owners Paul Khoury and Bill Crooks are committed in their desire to source locally for Newport Grill menu items. "People are eating healthier and we know it is paramount to provide the highest quality ingredients. Farm-to-table dishes supply more nutrients and the taste is far superior," said Khoury. "Our goal is to develop farmer relationships that not only enhance the quality of our food, but benefit the community as well."
The unique design of Newport Grill, which will include a complete renovation, will create one of the most beautiful restaurant settings in Wichita. A modern design will implement authentic building materials such as aged wood, green sea glass, metals and shells. Simple lines of two-toned, inlayed wood planking will be reminiscent of woodworking craftsmanship found on custom boats. "Integrating the nostalgia of coastal elements into a warm, casual atmosphere will create a unique and comfortable dining experience," said Sue Ellen Langford, Director of Interior Design at Steven Langford Architects, Inc., interior design firm for the project.
Upon entering the restaurant through a redesigned tower entry, guests can be seated at a signature curved bar that will sweep from one room to another, unifying bar and restaurant spaces. Sea glass and shell tiles will be utilized in the bar area; glowing back bar lighting will reference the waterfall that can be seen from the window and patio views of Bradley Fair Lake. The restaurant color scheme will be calm and serene, with a few hot spots of accent colors including a featured "Red Booth". "Ambient lighting will accentuate all of the interior design features," said Langford. "Rustic metal, stone and brick materials juxtaposed with more refined elements will lend additional interest to the interior concept."
Another unique feature of Newport Grill will be its use of the Bradley Fair Plaza area for private events. For the first time, guests will be able to book events of all sizes on the Plaza; weddings, parties, corporate events, even small dinners can be arranged through the restaurant, in this one-of-a-kind setting.
A project of Laham Development, Bradley Fair lifestyle center opened in November 1990. The center features 50 stores and restaurants, including specialty boutiques and prominent national retailers. The focal point of the center is a scenic open-air Plaza that features a year-round fountain, an island waterfall, and a lake. Bradley Fair hosts a number of community events on the Plaza, including outdoor summer concerts, opera performances and holiday carriage rides. Bradley Fair celebrated its 11th year of providing free summer concerts to the community in 2010. A new event, Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair, will be held in September, 2010. Autumn & Art is a fine arts fair featuring more than 60 local, regional and national artists. Similar to successful shows like the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver and The Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City, Autumn & Art will be a unique event for Wichita.
Project architect is Spangenberg Phillips Tice Architects, Wichita. Restaurant Designer is Steven Langford Architects, Santa Ana, California. Project contractor is Key Construction.
Christi Royse of J.P. Weigand & Sons handled the transaction for Bradley Fair.
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