AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
The classics are cool forever, and a new downtown Cary restaurant is breathing new life into timeless American dishes.
Read more What to Know About Dolly Parton’s Last Song to Be Released in 2046
Lloyd’s Full Service opens its doors for the first time Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 107 E. Chatham St., in Cary, reviving one of the town’s most recognizable buildings — a former service station dating back more than 70 years.
Lloyd’s is the latest project from Early Bird Night Owl, the hospitality wizards behind boutique hotels like The Durham and Cary’s Mayton Inn.
Steering the Lloyd’s kitchen is Dennis Bernard, who spent years in some of the top restaurants in Chicago, including Blackbird and The Publican, where he was regarded as one of the city’s best chef de cuisines.
“We’re thrilled to have found a chef of Dennis’s pedigree and talent. His dynamic, seasonally-inspired menus offer guests a reason to come back often,” said Craig Spitzer, founder and chief executive officer of Early Bird Night Owl, in a news release. “Chef Dennis’s bright, vibrant approach to cooking perfectly reflects our intention to carry on Lloyd’s legacy as the cheerful place on the corner.”
The Lloyd’s menu touches on many of the classic dishes from the American restaurant canon, with creative twists. The opening menu includes an updated Seafood Cocktail, with a bit of habanero heat, tomato and burrata with mint and pistachios and airy Milk Bread with salted sweet butter. There are larger dishes like linguine with clams, a crispy pork schnitzel with fennel and mustard greens and a restaurant-level Breakfast for Dinner, with glazed pork belly, a poached egg and potato pave.
In the food-you-eat-with-your-hands category, look for the Triangle’s latest burger, draped with American cheese and pickles and a thick smear of aioli and a shrimp po’ boy.
Read more Gov. Stein pushes to block new NC rules targeting mail-in ballots, voter ID
There’s also a “Meat n two” section on the menu, with options like grilled steak, fish and chicken thighs, with the option of two sides. The late summer sides on the opening menu include grilled corn, watermelon, braised green beans and beets with citrus and pistachios.
Lloyd’s will also be open for lunch, serving casual classics like a chicken club, chopped summer salad and the “Corner Dog,” a tribute on a bun to the hot dogs of the former Ashworth Drugs across the street.
Downtown Cary has become a dining destination in the last several years, building on favorites like Faulisi Caffe, Hank’s Downtown Dive and Big Dom’s Bagels, as well as drinking spots like Bond Brothers and Sidebar. More recently, Lawrence Barbecue and Saap opened, with Lloyd’s looking to build on that momentum in the town’s most prominent intersection.
Lloyd’s dining room will seat around 75 people, with room outside for another 100 diners on the expansive patio.
The restaurant will be open at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with lunch and dinner service on Saturdays and Sundays. A weekday lunch will be added in the coming weeks.
Read more Cary WCPSS teacher from India granted bail, set for release from ICE detention center
For more information, visit Lloyd’s online at lloydsfullservice.com.