Mannino's Morphs to Northwest Cuisine

Mannino's owner Guy Giacalone has closed the once popular restaurant only to reopen in February with a fresh new cuisine and name. Spoon, Urban Bar & Supper Club, has taken the place of Manninos at 1007 Harris Ave in Historic Fairhaven, with chef Sam Crannell at the helm.

The new restaurant will feature the best of fresh, mainly northwest ingredients at reasonable prices in a comfortable, lively atmosphere. The eclectic menu offerings range from $5.00. Wine and cocktails are available.

"We offer tasting menus that change according to available fresh ingredients, offering 5 or more courses starting an incredible value of $30," said Giacalone.

Giacalone says the "Urban" part of their new restaurants relates to the village Fairhaven has become in recent years, while the "Supper Club", relates to special evenings the restaurants will offer on the third Sundays of the month when they open by reservation only with interactive nights of food, wine tastings, celebrations, themes and entertainment. The first night is scheduled for March 19th with a Washington state wine and food pairing for $30 per person.

"This is the evolution of our restaurant," said Giacalone of Manninos. "People had us pigeon-holed as a particular cuisine for years, and it was time for something new. We want freedom with what we can serve."

Chef Crannell, a Chicago native who has worked in the restaurant business since the age of 14, brings a passion for cooking. From his first job as a teen in a pizzaria, Crannell was encouraged by his family to train as a chef and graduated from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago at age 24. Now at 28, he's pleased to have found his niche.

"I chose the northwest because I found that the best ingredients we were serving in Chicago came from this area," said Crannell. "The fresh herbs, vegetables, fish and other ingredients are unbeatable and make for the most interesting and delicious cuisine. We create the best food from the best ingredients."

Currently open 4:00-10:00 Monday through Thursday, 4:00-11:00 Friday and Saturday, and closed Sundays, the Spoon may begin opening for lunch by Memorial Day weekend, in time for Ski to Sea. They plan extended hours beginning in the summer.

(2-17-2006)

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