What's new on the local restaurant circuit?

Restaurant critic

Next Sunday give dear dad the day off from the grill by treating him to the Brunch Feast at the Swan Terrace at the Founders Inn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be the traditional brunch items such as made to order omelets, but also burgers, hot dogs, Italian sausage smothered in onions, rib-eye steak and barbecue pistachio-crusted pork loin. My dad always enjoyed Swan Terrace's salads, and I'll never forget the way he would pile them high. Choices will include tortellini and roasted tomato, pesto chicken and the traditional Caesar. Brunch will be on the house for active military dads with a valid military ID. Reservations required. Call (757) 366-5700.

What's new?

A reliable source, Larry Epplein, professor and department chair for Norfolk State University's Tourism and Hospitality Management Department, told me about a restaurant where "the menu is inventive and the space is very attractive." It turned out that the professor was speaking of Passion The Restaurant. I had heard that it had opened in Chesapeake but knew little about it. Passion owners, Michael and Diane Gomori, teamed up with chef-partner, Frank Copestick, to bring a new, independently owned dining spot to the Greenbrier area. Located on Volvo Parkway, it promises upscale fare and boasts an eclectic wine list with 24 by the glass. Copestick, previously with Red Square in Miami and a finalist in TBS Dinner and a Movie Cook-Off, locally worked with Rodney Einhorn at Terrapin in Virginia Beach. Check www.passiontherestaurant.com.

- Timbuktu has a new home in the newly renovated Hampton Inn Oceanfront. Timbuktu didn't move. A new hotel opened at 3107 Atlantic Ave., formerly occupied by a Days Inn, so you still go to the same spot to find Timbuktu's live jazz, R&B, pop, reggae and calypso Thursday through Sunday. On the patio you'll dine to the sounds from nearby Neptune Park. The eatery is still known for its savory seafood, prime rib and lamb tagine among other specialties.

-  The Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel has a new executive chef at the helm. Bob Brennan brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to the property. Brennan has worked with Norfolk Waterside Marriott, SpringHill Suites and Radisson Norfolk but is likely most known for his chef-ownership stint of Brennan's Bistro in Virginia Beach.

- Club Soda has fizzed out making room for the Big Easy. Downtown Norfolk is ready to get a taste of New Orleans at the hands of restaurateurs Dr. Sture Sigfred Jr., his wife, Barbara Zoby, and her brother, Ron Zoby, who also own 456-Fish, Bodega and Byrd & Baldwin Bros. Steakhouse. As the good doctor said, "It can't be any harder than three." Sigfr ed sang the praises of his management team, Bill Rice and Willie Moats, the restaurants' executive chef. I look forward to trying the oyster-shucking station in the basement. It's expected to open in July.

-  On your next visit, expect a new and much larger open air deck at Chick's Oyster Bar off Shore Drive. As well, owners Mike Atkinson and Cory Beisel have created a new "retro-glam" look at their Atlas Grill and Bar on Great Neck Road. Both restaurants are in Virginia Beach.

Fast food

Keagan's Restaurant has recently introduced a 20-minute express lunch menu at both of its locations: Virginia Beach at Town Center and Newport News at Jefferson Commons. Get your meal in 20 minutes or less between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or it's free.

Tammy Jaxtheimer, flavor@pilotonline.com