“Welcome.” To be more accurate, “Welcome to the grill,” is what owner Nasser Anabtawi says when translating the name of his latest culinary endeavor – Hala Grill.

Offering cold drinks, good food and a view of the muddy river – their words, not mine – The Deck at Don Hall’s Gas House, 305 E. Superior St., is now open.

“Everybody loves the food guy,” local caterer Mike Bentz says. Even Rob Van Winkle, otherwise known as rapper Vanilla Ice.

When Mike Adams and his wife, Lorie, bought Billy’s in Monroeville a year and a half ago, it was not just as an investment but to help a friend.

Pita Village is a restaurant modeled after Leni Dodos’ childhood experience. “Ours was the kitchen that everyone walked into, and that’s how we wanted to present the restaurant,” the owner says.