Volunteers prepare for Ypsi PRIDE Day
May. 13, 2010 · 7:09 a.m.
Each year, residents in and around the city of Ypsilanti carry on a tradition started by a group of community members enrolled in a city leadership program, a sort...read more
Bicycles zoom as flowers bloom
Apr. 30, 2010 · 2:11 p.m.
The weather has turned, the trees are budding and the flowers are popping out of the ground; time for a cruise through town. But don’t be so quick to hop in the...read more
Sheriff Clayton visits Ypsilanti Township
Apr. 29, 2010 · 12:59 p.m.
About 50 Ypsilanti Township residents gave the Washtenaw County Sheriff Office their input about law enforcement in the community Tuesday evening.
The information...read more
Local photographer raising funds for Ypsi Project exhibit
Apr. 20, 2010 · 2:20 a.m.
Ypsilanti has many faces, and Erica Hampton wants to share a few of them with you.
Over the past year, Hampton created the The Ypsi Project, a series of portraits...read more
Savoy taking shape as live music venue
Apr. 17, 2010 · 2:38 p.m.
Ypsilanti's newest concert venue is preparing for its grand opening weekend April 23, more than a month after its soft opening March 13.
Formerly Club Divine,...read more
Photo by Dan DuChene
David Curtis poses at the Mongolian-style grill in Ypsilanti's soon-to-be newest restaurant. J. Neil's Mongolian Grill is expected to open within the next month.
Nov. 15, 2008 · 8:12 a.m.
After a long wait, Ypsilanti might soon see the new restaurant downtown open its doors.
David Curtis, who owns Pub 13, Club Divine and Best Sports Bar downtown, says he is confident his newest installment, J. Neil's Mongolian Grill, will be open within a month.
He said he closed on the restaurant's liquor license Thursday.
"I'm very excited," Curtis said.
After the inspection required for the liquor license is complete next week, he said he will set up the county health inspection.
The once barren first floor of Ypsilanti's Kresge Building is now beginning to resemble a restaurant inside. Curtis was opening boxes of dish-room and bar equipment delivered yesterday inside the restaurant, which now has a complete paint job, flooring and ceiling.
In addition, the building now has a walk-in refrigerator, bar and Mongolian-style grill installed.
The circular cast-iron grill will be seasoned next week.
Curtis said he expected the furniture would be delivered yesterday, but it hadn't arrived yet.
The two-story restaurant, featuring a wine bar downstairs, is expected to seat 100 - 150 people on both floors.
Curtis said he hopes the new restaurant will offer patrons "the best dining experience possible." He said a couple might pay a total of $35 - $40 for dinner, depending on drinks and the food ordered. Lunch might hover somewhere around $20.
Expecting the restaurant will employ approximately 70 new people, Curtis said staff training began this week. He said the training focuses on the unique style of Mongolian-style cooking and service.
"Servers are trained to know what makes a special dish," Curtis said. "Cooks are trained to offer an enjoyable cooking experience."
At Mongolian restaurants, cooks often sing and joke around the grill, while customers’ food is prepared in front of them.
Even though training has already started for the restaurant's management staff, Curtis said he is still looking to fill vacant positions for the new restaurant.
Anyone seeking employment is asked to call 734-485-4120.
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