Crestview Inn Cafe to reopen Feb. 15

BLOOMINGDALE -- The Crestview Inn Café is getting ready to relaunch for the Lenten season. The restaurant, located inside the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, prides itself for being able to provide the community with "delicious meals for the public."

The student-run eatery will officially reopen with weekly Fish Fry Fridays being available for take-out, officials noted.

Culinary Arts instructor Glen Zalenski explained dry runs will be held Thursday and Friday and the dining room will be fully operational from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15-16.

The restaurant will then be open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Lenten menu will feature tuna fish salad, fish filet sandwich, tuna melts, pasta marinara, a fish filet dinner and popcorn shrimp dinners.

Prices range from $6 to $11.

Among the sides are french fries, onion rings, cole slaw, side salads, hush puppies, the vegetable of the day and soup. Homemade desserts, including cream and crusted pies, will be served along with cheesecake.

Zalenski said dishes will change on the menu throughout a period of time.

"We may add meals," he stated. "As the students get more accustomed, the menu will expand and change."

Nine students will staff the restaurant and perform serving and cooking duties.

There will be a few special additions to the venue, as well.

"At the end of the month, we'll bring our espresso and cappuccino machine in and have fresh coffee by grinding our own beans," Zalenski commented.

"We upgraded our beverage section and can serve desserts in the dining room since we have a refrigerator. Plus, we redid the point of sales system."

The restaurant will showcase its newly-remodeled space following an upgrade of new carpeting, furniture, cabinets, equipment, windows and a door.

Approximately $30,000 in upgrades were made to the Crestview Inn Cafe, as the school worked with contractors which included Cattrell Cos. Inc. of Toronto and flooring from Smitty's Wholesale Carpet Warehouse of Steubenville.

Furnishings and equipment from National Equipment Co. of Wheeling were used and windows by Steubenville Plate and Window Glass Corp. began work during the summer.

Dine-in and take-out meals are available for regular menu items and for the annual Fish Fry Fridays, slated to begin Feb. 16.

The latter dinners cost $11 and includes fried fish or popcorn shrimp, french fries or onion rings, hush puppies, cole slaw or tossed salad, bread and tartar or cocktail sauce.

Zalenski said the fish frys have been consistently more successful and he hopes to see it grow even more this year.

Take-out orders can be picked up at the restaurant in the rear of the building.

Orders and reservations for small groups can be made by calling (740) 264-5545, Ext. 602.