Welcome to week #3, featuring local celebrities as they share their favorite “hidden gems.” It is no secret that Springfield has a plethora of restaurants, both chain and locally-owned.  It can actually be very easy for area restaurants – new, and those that are tried & true – to get lost in the shuffle. Even restaurants with great food are not immune. Over the years, I have discovered that some of the BEST eateries are those “best-kept secrets” that I have found, quite simply, by word of mouth. What hidden gems have you unearthed? It could be a specific restaurant, or perhaps it is a particular menu item or local food product.

This week’s list includes local media celebs from KOLR10, KSPR33, and Power 96.5.  Perhaps, you will learn of another restaurant to check out, or a new dish to try.

A few months ago, I discovered that KOLR10 news anchor, Joy Robertson, is also quite the foodie, when she invited me to meet for lunch at Tea Bar & Bites. Last week, after I asked Joy to share a favorite hidden gem, she not only answered the question, but also sent a photo, captured with her iphone. One of Joy’s favorite hidden gems is the “Ozarks smoked trout appetizer with field greens, caper berries and Lavash crackers at Big Cedar’s Buzzard Bar. Mmmmmmm”

When radio DJ Simon Nytes is not doing the Afternoon Drive on Power 96.5, you just MIGHT find him downtown at one of his two favorite dining spots, Gallery Bistro or Flame. Each place has a couple of dishes that Simon especially enjoys. He says “the Mushroom Sage Cream Soup at the Gallery Bistro is to die for…Also I love the Lobster Mac n Cheese at Flame…Mmmm.”

Scott on Power 96.5 follows Simon Nytes on weeknights from 7pm to midnight.  When he is not bringing on the music, chances are he MAY be in Grad School. Of course, most readers will know, that by Grad School, I am not necessarily talking about academic studies. I am actually referring to the tiny, but popular downtown eatery with a decidedly “collegiate” name.

Last week KSPR’s Michelle Sherwood shared one of her favorite hidden gems, Mijuri. This week she shares another favorite:  “Latin Vibe!!! If you can get past the nightclub vibe, the LV is THE BEST place for Mexican food. The queso is to die for… the corn tortilla tacos… OMG. I have turned our whole newsroom into LV fans. I emceed an event there, and that’s how I got introduced to the food. They also have great deals– some nights they have two-for-one entrees!”

Check out even more Favorite Hidden Gems from Local Celebrities!

Downtown Springfield promises to be a magnet for area foodies this weekend, especially on Friday.  Most readers already know that locally-based Price Cutter has been preparing to open their first “urban-focused” market in the former Wheeler’s Furniture on South and Walnut.

You will not have to wait much longer! Word has come that Price Cutter’s Bistro Market will officially open for business, bright and early, Friday, August 20th. The store is set for a 6am opening!  For more information visit the Price Cutter website, and read The Springfield Foodie’s article about the new market.  And yes, there will be a Starbucks and a gelato bar, in addition to a slew of other features.

Just a couple blocks away, Gelato Mio will be celebrating the grand opening at their new storefront on Park Central East. Andy and Chantal Drennen have been hard at work over the past few months, getting the store ready to open. They have given themselves a bit of a head start this summer, spending Friday evenings handing out free gelato on the Square.

Gelato Mio’s Grand Opening begins at 6pm this Friday, August 20th, and runs until 10pm. For more information check out Gelato Mio on Facebook, and read The Springfield Foodie’s article.

Until recently, gelato has been nearly impossible to find in Springfield.  Now, there will be TWO places to get gelato, within just a few blocks of each other. Try both, and let me know what you think.

Over the past couple of months,there has been a near-onslaught of restaurant news in Springfield. Several juicy tidbits have already been shared on The Springfield Foodie, while others have been reported by popular media outlets in the 417 area.  Are you looking for a recap and summary? Your wish is my command!  Here is a rundown of Springfield’s most recent “foodie” news:

• The Tan brothers are working on a new venture, which will join their already popular Ocean Zen, 5 Spice China Grill, and Yum Yum Bowl. Back in June, 417 Magazine wrote about the Tan’s future Flo Restaurant and Wine Bar. At the time of publication, Flo was tentatively scheduled to open in mid-July. As of mid-August, the restaurant, which will be in the former Emack & Bolio digs on East Battlefield Road, has yet to open its doors for business.

• The Springfield Business Journal reported on the Swisshelm Group’s recent “shopping spree.”  The group, owned by restaurateur, Bruce Swisshelm recently closed Rival’s Casual Grille on South Glenstone, but went out on a limb to purchase TWO area restaurants: Ebbets Field near MSU, and San Francisco Oven on East Sunshine.  According to the SBJ article, Swisshelm would like to take the locally popular, Ebbets Field brand to other college towns.

• A popular Ozarks “home cookin” restaurant, with a long family history, has made its way to Springfield. Smith’s Restaurant recently opened in the former Ziggie’s spot at 935 N. Glenstone, between Chestnut and Division. Check them out on Facebook!

• KY3 recently reported on HyVee’s expansion to Springfield. The grocery chain, based in Iowa, announced plans to build on the corner of Kansas Expressway & Battlefield Road, placing them directly across the street from major competitor, Dillons.  According to KY3’s post, “It is unlikely that anyone living in Springfield is a far drive from a grocery store. Some argue the city is over saturated. Still, a new grocer has picked a spot in city limits to move in.” You can also read the official press release on the HyVee website. What are your thoughts?

• 417 Magazine also shared news of Nicola Gilardi’s recent purchase of the Tuscan Grill from the Parrino Brothers. In addition to the Tuscan Grill, the Parrinos have closed their Galleria location, J. Parrino’s. The Tuscan Grill will be renamed to “Nicola’s” taking on the first name of its new owner. At this time, the popular Gilardi’s Ristorante, located in downtown Springfield, will not be effected.

• Right around the corner from Nicola’s, a new sushi joint is set to open in the near future. Kazoku will be in the same building as Parlor 88 and Cravin’ Pizza.

• An old name, very familiar to long-time Springfieldians is taking over a vacant Movie Gallery. Brown Derby will be adding a new location at Fremont and Republic Road, inside the former video store. I have yet to uncover more information about Kazoku, and plans regarding the newest Brown Derby, but I’m working on it.

• Another old favorite is making a comeback via the Battlefield Mall. I have memories, long-forgotten, of a sipping a cold, refreshing Orange Julius on frequent shopping excursions to the mall. Word has come that the tasty frozen treat will once again be available. Orange Julius is pairing with Dairy Queen- which over recent years, has pretty much been rebranded as DQ.

Of course, several other key pieces of recent Springfield restaurant news have already been divulged on The Springfield Foodie: a new Leong’s Asian Grill, Bandana’s expansion into Nixa, Las Margaritas, which will take over the former Taco Bueno space on West Republic Road.

Downtown Springfield is almost on “restaurant news overload,” with a plethora of promising “hot spots” in-the-making.

• The Blue Bull has taken over the old Riad’s on Park Central Square, while Gelato Mio will be celebrating their official grand-opening, just a few doors down. The event is set for this Friday evening, August 20th.

• There appears to be yet another “frozen treat” vendor making its way onto the Park Central Square canvas. Fria Frozen Yogurt will soon be opening on Park Central West, but they may have their work cut out for them!  Many locals have quickly caught onto the Orange Leaf craze, and to them, it may be hard to top.

• You have likely heard the news that popular, local supermarket chain, Price Cutter will soon open its new Urban Bistro Market in downtown Springfield. Taking over the former Wheeler’s Furniture on South and Walnut, Price Cutter will offer a variety of services and features, including a Starbucks and a gelato bar. Will there be room for TWO new gelato vendors just a few blocks apart?

**The Flipside: Restaurant Casualties**

The excitement of a hearing about all of the new restaurants coming to Springfield is tempered by reports of the restaurant “casualties.”  Last week, the family behind Lili’s Diner made the difficult decision to close the doors on the downtown diner for good.  As mentioned earlier, other recent closings include, long-standing mainstay, J. Parrino’s, Tuscan Grill, Rival’s Casual Grille, and Brad Pitt’s personal favorite – Bijan’s. While the Swisshelms bought the San Francisco Oven’s Sunshine location, the one on Republic Road apparently, did not “make the cut.”

Last month, 417 Magazine broke news of the sudden closing of Bijan’s Sea and Grille, which was apparently shared with employees via text message.  About one month later, the Springfield Business Journal reported that the Jalili family had decided to sell the building, listing it on the market. The Jalilis first opened Bijan’s 14 years ago. They sold the business to Jeremy Reed and Barry Kackley in 2008, but still own the property.

For even more restaurant news and recent openings, visit the “restaurant news” category on The Springfield Foodie. Be sure to check back often for more up-to-date restaurant news and juicy gossip.