Bellacino’s goes different direction with franchise

Rumors of BELLACINO’S PIZZA & GRINDERS opening another Springfield location aren’t completely off the mark — just misdirected.

The much-missed Michigan-based chain opened a new franchise in Springfield, Mo., on Oct. 22.

Dan Warnaar, Bellacino’s corporate operations officer, said he gets a lot of inquiries about reopening a Springfield, Ill., site. Corporate would welcome a return to the capital city, he said, considering the previous franchise was among the chain’s top sellers when it closed.

But an interested franchisee has yet to materialize.

The local site at 2936 S. Sixth St. was shuttered in 2009 after serving up slices and subs for more than a decade.

Karen Elliott’s inspiration for AMERICA’S COOKIE JAR came while surveying her own kitchen after a cookie-baking party.

Family time spent with the kids’ hands in the dough was a lot of fun. Clean up afterward, not so much.

Her soon-to-open business — a cookie version of a frozen yogurt bar — offers all the fun without cleanup duty.

“I want to get back to having fun in the kitchen,” she said. “And I believe kids need to be a part of cooking and baking.”

Customers will be able to customize their own cookies by adding ingredients to a basic dough. Activities will be available for the kids while the cookies bake and cool. Pre-made cookies, muffins and cinnamon rolls also will be available for sale.

The business will be at 7036 Kingsmill Court in Piper Glen. A mid-December opening is planned.

Several special activities pairing cooking decorating and craft workshops also are on the agenda throughout the holiday season. These include: Milk and Cookies with Mrs. Santa, Dec. 7 and 21; and Milk and Cookies with Santa, Dec. 14 and 20.

For more details, call 801-2030.

Z BISTRO, 220 S. Sixth St., has pared back its weekday hours for the winter while expanding its dinner offerings.

Fondue has returned as a regular feature on the dinner menu, as well as newcomers such as pasta, chicken tilapia, prime rib and a selection of appetizers and desserts.

The café has eliminated evening hours Monday through Wednesday, scaling back to 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The regular 8 a.m.-to-8 p.m. schedule remains for Thursday through Saturday.

Last week’s column provided some local offers for supplementing your holiday meal. Below are some dining-out options for those interested in avoiding the kitchen entirely this Thanksgiving:

SGT. PEPPER’S CAFÉ, 3141 Baker Drive, is hosting its 15th free Thanksgiving meal.

The turkey dinner — complete with all the trimmings and pumpkin pie — will be served from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome with a special invitation extended to senior citizens, veterans and the area homeless.

“It’s my way of saying, ‘Thank you, people of Springfield,’” owner Ziyad Samara said.

THE ROSEWOOD at The Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, is serving a champagne brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The spread includes beef, ham and turkey carving stations, an array of side dishes, omelet and waffle stations and a dessert table. Cost is $31.95 for adults, $17.95 for children ages 7 to 12. Children 6 and younger eat free.

Call 529-7777 for reservations.

LINDSAY’S at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams St., has a Thanksgiving buffet with seatings available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The meal includes the traditional holiday fare along with a wide selection of alternative entrees, salad and breakfast stations and a dessert buffet. A glass of champagne or mimosa is included with the meal.

Cost is $28.95 for adults, $12 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger eat free at the children’s buffet. For reservations, call 321-2422.

The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.