Restaurant News for April 24, 2012

Kentucky Derby Day

The Peony Tea House, 503 W. Wayne St., is preparing for its fifth annual Kentucky Derby Day on May 5. Of course, guests are encouraged to wear fancy hats. On the menu: faux mint juleps, hot browns and a chocolate pecan tart. This is the tea house's biggest event of the year, so get your reservations in early. They will be serving 11 a.m.-2 p.m. that day. Reservations are required; call 426-4832.

On a sadder note, I have to let you know that the proprietors, Sue Shull and Karen Starn, will retire next month due to family health issues. They will serve up to and including May 25, but then will close for a week to get the artwork removed.

On June 1 a new proprietor, Debbie Woodroof, will take over and will keep it as a tea house, but with antiques on display instead of art. In a future column, we'll introduce you to the new proprietor.

Much happiness to Sue and Karen, who offered Fort Wayne a wonderful, unique dining experience, and best of luck to Debbie.

Free popcorn

Kernel Coladas Gourmet Popcorn, located in Columbia City, is considering opening a second store in downtown Fort Wayne. So the business is setting up a one-day-only “pop-up” store downtown on the next “Last Saturday” event this Saturday.

From 10 a.m.-8 p.m., the store at 916 S. Calhoun St. will offer free popcorn tastings at the top of each hour, which will last about 30 minutes. Guests will be able to try popcorn flavors including Buffalo Hot Wing, S'Mores, Cookies 'N Cream, Birthday Cake, PB&J and more.

For more information on Kernel Coladas, go to www.kernelcoladaspopcorn.com.

Barbecue joint changing locations

T8ste Tizzzzz (pronounced “Taste This”) Barbecue and Soul Food, currently at 2801 Lower Huntington Road, soon will be moving to a bigger location in Waynedale. Owner Curtis Gregory is actually just moving the restaurant a stone's throw away, across the side street to 6807 Elzey St., behind the clock shop. The new location will be able to seat 60 people.

Gregory also is expanding his menu of side dishes to include things such as macaroni and cheese and fried cabbage — “a full line of soul food.”

A sign indicates the current location will become an ice cream shop.

T8ste Tizzzzz will have a grand opening May 4.

To read the rest of Cindy's column, click here.