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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North Adams Council Votes $55M Budget
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The $55 million fiscal 2027 budget approved by the City Council on Tuesday had been cut by $298,000, as of Monday.
The proposed fiscal 2027 spending plan is $54,964,135.99, up 5 percent over this year. The Finance Committee gave a final recommendation of the draft on Monday.
Of the amount approved, nearly $24 million comes from state aid (minus $4.5 million in charges), $9.5 million from local receipts, and $25 million through taxation.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the Finance Committee, as it was giving its final look at the plan, that she'd made cuts on previously recommended budget lines. The budget has been under review for several weeks.
"We were trending at $1.8 million that we were closing the gap on, and then it became evident that we couldn't push any more really on local receipts," she said. "The team really took a deep dive into what can we really survive without. ... I feel like we, as an administration, tightened up a lot, but we are trying to keep the budget in balance."
The reductions, use of $663,000 in reserves and accounts sitting outside the general fund, will be used to close the gap, along with an anticipated $1.1 million more in local receipts.
"We have the reserve, we should use it. It's hard to both on the city side and on the school side, you know, to say to a taxpayer, your taxes are going to go up, we have spread out this $2 million and we're sitting on a savings account for $2 million right?" the mayor said.
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition celebrated a community hero, its 40th anniversary and kicked off its $10 million campaign drive for a new home on Thursday.
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The college community bid farewell to President Jamie Birge last week as he ended his 10-year tenure at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. click for more
The School Building Committee was updated on the progress on Tuesday night by Todd Ashford, project manager with Collier's International, the city's owner's project manager.
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The Finance Committee in the last two weeks reviewed Public Safety, auditor, Zoning Board of Appeals, City Council, election and registration, Office of Community Development, city solicitor, License Commission, information technology, Planning Board, and vital statistics. click for more
