Theater-goers and SLU students will have more dining options to choose from next month, when Kota Wood Fire Grill debuts in Grand Center. Currently under construction, the new eatery will occupy the former Reggie’s Backstage space at 522 N. Grand Blvd., according to Chris LaRocca, co-owner of the restaurant-development company Culinary Architects. Cheffing there will be Jason Tilford, who formerly worked with LaRocca at Crazy Fish. Mary Beth Clark, from Triumph Grill, will serve as general manager.

Kota will serve lunch, dinner and late-night fare with what LaRocca called a “south coast slant.” More specifically, he cited “some influences or some flavors that you may find in the southern Florida region on the coast, maybe things you would imagine when you’re in South America. There’ll be just a bit of a Caribbean flair kinda woven through – it’s going to be a lighter style of cooking, a little bit more healthful.” Specific ingredients he mentioned: tuna, habañeros, sweet potato.

Regarding the theater district, LaRocca added, “We’re believers that that area has been undersupported by quality restaurants. … We all think that area is emerging and, with the infusion of some quality, interesting restaurants, could be a wonderful destination area.”

By Bryan A. Hollerbach

Tags: Chris LaRocca, Grand Center, Jason Tilford, Kota, Mary Beth Clark

This entry was posted on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 5:33 pm and is filed under The Scoop. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.