Sassafras restaurant to open at B'Sghetti's location

B'Sghetti's owner Scott Doerr, who recently announced plans to close the restaurant, said he will open a new one in its place.

According to a press release issued Tuesday, the new venture, Sassafras, will be a "chalkboard restaurant," meaning it has the flexibility of an ever-changing menu.

"(It) will allow our kitchen staff to incorporate the influences of the many styles and cuisines that they have worked with over the years," Doerr said in the release. "It also will allow the restaurant to commit whole-heartedly to freshness with local vendors, whole foods, farms, breweries, wineries, bakeries, coffee roasters and organic products whenever possible."

Doerr said the restaurant is a collaboration with Chef Tony Fish, of Mo & Sluggo's, along with Carl Ceccarelli and Jayme Watts.

"We are thrilled to announce this partnership between two of the area's most experienced restaurant operators," Doerr said. "Fish's seared Ahi BLT most recently won the Best Taste award at the recent Taste of Downtown event."

Although B'Sghetti's will be ending its 14-year run at the end of this month, Doerr is excited for the new business.

"It is our desire to give our community a legitimate reason to eat and drink local and fresh," he said. "We believe that it is a vanishing art and now, more than ever, we have to emphasize and strengthen our neighborhood. We want to provide our guests with unique dining experience as Sassafras that doesn't resemble large scale corporate plates, or anything that you will prepare at home."

In cooperation with Morey Tresnit, owner of Mo & Sluggo's, the operators also will open Mayhem Pizza & Grinders within the existing kitchen space of Mo & Sluggo's Bar and Grill.s