ROCHESTER — Amid its overall multi-million dollar renovation of its Rochester hotels, the
Kahler Hospitality Group
is creating a new downtown restaurant experience on the Peace Plaza in its Marriott hotel.
Construction of the new North Stone Kitchen is underway in
the former Salute restaurant space
on the ground level of the hotel at 101 First Ave SW. The restaurant opens onto the Peace Plaza side of the hotel.
The hope is to open the North Stone Kitchen by late July or early August.
This is the latest milestone in the series of upgrading projects at the Kahler Grand Hotel, the Kahler Inn & Suites, the Residence Inn By Marriott as well as Marriott. KHG, led by Javon D. Bea, owns and operates 1,100 hotel rooms in Rochester. Javon D. Bea is the son of
Javon R. Bea,
who led the $230 million purchase of the four Rochester Kahler hotels in 2013.
KHG Area Managing Director Michael Vance explained that the vision for North Stone is that it will be a freestanding restaurant that just happens to be located within a hotel.
Michael Vance.
Contributed
“This is absolutely a community restaurant that our guests, of course, can take advantage of. The location couldn’t be better,” said KHG Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing Barb Ward. “On the weekends, during Thursdays Downtown or just after work, this will be a great place for a cocktail or for a nice meal.”
The bar area will still be just off the lobby as it was under the Salute brand, though it will be a lighter environment with white tiles and copper. There will be lounge seating along the bar that leads toward the large dining room with a total of more than 130 seats.
“We want it to remain open and feel like a more modern but approachable destination,” said Vance.
While North Stone Kitchen’s menu is still being finalized, he described it as “all American.”
“It will be straightforward and approachable. We do have a northern influence in some of the dishes, like your walleye and salmon plus pork chops, burgers and salads. It will be a classic, but very curated for health restrictions,” said Vance.
KHG expects to be hiring and training the staff for the new restaurant in July.
In addition to the bar and formal dining space, North Stone Kitchen will also feature a “grab and go” shop with self-checkout for people who want something quick and easy.
“We’ll be preparing fresh salads and sandwiches with drinks. People have direct access through the public areas. It will be open in the mornings and through the lunch hours. People can just grab a fresh bite, check out on their own and then head right out,” explained Ward.
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Jeff Kiger writes a daily column, “Heard Around Rochester,” in addition to writing articles about local businesses, Mayo Clinic, IBM, Hormel Foods, Crenlo and others. The opinions of my employer do not necessarily reflect my opinions. He has worked in Rochester for the Post Bulletin since 1999. Send tips to jkiger@postbulletin.com or via Twitter to @whereskiger . You can call him at 507-285-7798.