Opening date set for new Marbles restaurant

Crews have knocked out some of the interior walls to expand the dining area and replaced the brick exterior on one side with a glass storefront. The interior, I'm told, has been repainted in fresh, bright colors. And there will be some new outdoor furniture and tree lights to improve on the dining experience on the patio.

Tom Meyer, president of Farmer's Table Restaurant Group and the guy behind The Q-Shack in Raleigh's North Hill's, Sprout Cafe at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and Green's restaurant at UNC Hospital, will operate the new restaurant.

The restaurant will serve up lunch and dinner items, along with a sampling of North Carolina craft beer and seasonally themed wines, according to a sample menu. Marbles hopes to build on the late night audience that comes out to watch blockbuster movies on its IMAX screen.

The kids' menu shows flatbread pizza; beef or veggie hot dogs; beef, turkey or black bean burgers; sandwiches; or grilled skewers. Prices range between $2.25 to $3.95 for a kids entree. You can add a drink, side and cookie for $2.

The main menu offers items such as an onion burger with grass-fed N.C. beef, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, hoop cheese on brioche; shrimp and grits; grilled skewers called pogo stix of chicken, beef, shrimp, vegetables or a daily special; and a veggie tower with grilled vegetables layered with hummus, greens and tomato on grilled bread. They all are priced $7.50.

Yep ... I'm hungry now.