As always, there are plenty of changes afoot on the local restaurant scene. Judd Grisanti is opening Spindini at 383 South Main. The Blue Monkey is reopening in the former Alice's Urban Market at 513 South Front. Jarrett's veteran David Johnson replaced Penny McGraw as chef at McEwen's on Monroe. Rising Roll Gourmet opened at 7730 Wolf River Boulevard in Germantown, featuring sandwiches on homemade breads and other items.
The restaurant Wally Joe has closed, but the chef Wally Joe is now executive chef at the Memphis Brooks Museum's Brushmark restaurant. 61 On Teur, the Madison Avenue restaurant where the late Harry Nicholas first brought his brand of quirky cuisine, has closed. The location is expected to open as Umai, a Japanese-style restaurant owned by Ken Lumpkin, formerly of Do, Sekisui Pacific Rim, and Bluefin.
Other closings include Pancho's downtown, Sgt. Jalapeno's Tortilla Factory at the downtown Comfort Inn, and Garcia Wells Southwestern Grill (in the former TGI Friday's space at Overton Square).
