Vaal London-Kane is manager at EGL, formerly known as Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery.
North Adams - Her name is Vaal London-Kane and she's planning a "hip, contemporary vibe" for an Eagle Street eatery, beginning with a name change.
EGL
Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery at 23 Eagle St. is now known as "EGL," London-Kane said during a recent interview. The name comes from the text message version of the word "eagle" and was chosen to highlight the restaurant's location along one of the city's most historic districts.
"I've always been in love with this street," London-Kane said. "It's so historic and it can be a beautiful element of the downtown."
New signs reflecting the name change will be erected once city Planning Board members approve sign design, she said.
Restaurant owner William "Bill" Gideon recently named London-Kane as the restaurant's house manager and program director. London-Kane came to the Northern Berkshires about six years ago from New York City and is an artist.
The restaurant had been managed by Rob Ross.
Gideon also owns "Gideon's" restaurant on Holden Street.
Structural changes are not part of anticipated changes but an evolution of ambiance is expected, London-Kane said.
The goal is creation of an establishment that is appealing to area natives, newcomers, and visitors, she said.
"There is so much potential here and in this city," London-Kane said. "I really want this to work. The area really feels like home to me and I think the best thing that I can do is participate."
Variety And Comfort
"I think my motto is 'casual, not careless,'" she said. "It's about comfortable food, comfortable atmosphere, good service. I'm going to up the ante at the bar with a lot of handmade drinks."
Additional plans include an emphasis on a variety of beers. London-Kane said she hopes to restore the bar beer taps and introduce new beers to restaurant patrons. The menu will focus on "simple, good food with a lot of house-made condiments," she added.
Angus beef burgers and varieties of hot dog will become anchor items. For instance, an all-beef kosher hot dog, "kraut-dogs" and other specialty hot dogs are being considered for menu inclusion, she said. At least two of the existing menu panini sandwiches will be be part of a new menu. Dining specials, such as a "Two-Bit Tuesday" offer of two spiced hot dogs for the price of one, are under consideration as well, she said.
The restaurant will remain open through menu and other changes.
Halloween Party Grand Opening Event
A Halloween Party Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 28. People are asked to wear black and red to the event.
"This is more like a cocktail party," London-Kane said. "I'm hoping to reinvent Halloween for adults."
Long-range plans include winter on-site bartender classes. A Sunday brunch is being planned for the start of 2007. Brunches may be themed; a "bingo brunch" is a possibility, London-Kane said.
How 'Bout Dinner And A Movie?
A second-floor entertainment venue will undergo a makeover, with large sofas brought in to replace wrought iron furniture, London-Kane said.
"I'd like to arrange sofas and small tables into quadrants, and bring a nice atmosphere to that space," she said. "I want people to feel that they have their space but are a part of things. I'd like to have movie nights. Just turn the sofas around and you have a theater."
Special events, private parties, and concerts will continue at the premises, she said.
Additional information about EGL may be acquired by contacting London-Kane at 413-664-0404.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or 802-823-9367.
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McCann OKs FY27 Budget, Assistant Principal Post
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The McCann School Committee on Thursday approved a level-service "vanilla" budget for fiscal 2027.
The total spending plan for the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational District is $13,218,090, up $564,753 or 3.69 percent over this year. The budget includes a second assistant principal, a special education teacher and interest on the building repair project.
"We frequently refer to our budget as a vanilla budget, and it sort of is this year, with some exceptions," said Finance Committee Chair Daniel Maloney. "The capital part of it is something different than the operating budget, but there will be an impact from that as well. But again, trying to be sensitive to what our communities can afford."
Maloney and Superintendent of Schools James Brosnan stressed the need for an assistant principal, noting how lean the administrative staff was but how much the work has increased.
"I've only got three people from my left that are responsible for this entire school," Brosnan told the School Committee. "There is no school in Massachusetts that only has a principal, assistant principal, director of students. Nothing, zero."
Maloney said it was a matter of "right-sizing" the organization that is running two schools. He pointed to the update from Prinicipal Justin Kratz that covered sports, enrollment, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System testing, teacher retention and recruitment, student services, reporting to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the state's ongoing debate over graduation requirements.
"You just see by the presentation tonight, by Justin, how much work goes into these things," Maloney said. "And even with our teaching staff, I often wonder how they have time to do their jobs when they've got all this data and all these things put together to feed the state, keep them happy. ...
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