Spanish Restaurant to Open in The Promissory, New Downtown Boutique Hotel 

The Promissory, a new boutique hotel, music hall and restaurant, will open in the historic First National Exchange Bank in downtown Roanoke (201 S. Jefferson St). The hotel and music venue will open first (with an inaugural concert with singer-songwriter Grace Potter scheduled for New Year’s Eve), and ¡Suerte!, a Spanish restaurant and wine bar, will follow in the first quarter of 2026.

“It is Spanish cuisine in the same way that Fortunato is Italian. Tapas will be part of the menu, but we’re going to try to do the tapas more like the Europeans do — the idea of tapas is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. I think that’s an issue that a lot of people have with small plates restaurants, is that they don’t get filled up,” says JP Powell, co-owner of Fortunato and Lucky and a partner in the ¡Suerte! venture with Lucas Thornton of Hist:Re Partners. “It’s to go along while you’re drinking wine or beer, little snacks. So, the tapas menu we’re going to attempt to make more affordable, and then there will be larger plates — grilled fish, grilled meats, paella, of course — and a Spanish wine list.”

Fortunato’s front of house manager, Brett Shoemaker, will curate ¡Suerte!’s wine list. There are also plans to incorporate a grab-and-go concept with offerings such as snacks, sandwiches, wines and specialty sodas. Additional parts of the food and beverage concept are being finalized, so tune back in next month for the scoop.

Papa’s Box Brings Burgers & Brunch to Northwest Roanoke

Food truck Papa’s Box opened its brick-and-mortar location at 3501 Shenandoah Ave. NW in Roanoke on Sept. 27 with an expanded menu that includes fan-favorites and breakfast and brunch dishes such as omelets ($7.99 to $12.99), a waffle slamich (waffles stacked with bacon, eggs and cheese plus a side; $14.98) and biscuits and sausage gravy ($15.99 with two sides). 

Owner Andre Hairston, a Roanoke native who grew up in northwest, parlayed his hospitality studies and food industry experience — including stints at Hotel Roanoke, La Maison du Gourmet and Western Sizzlin — into launching Papa’s Box as a food truck in 2021. He gained a following for his comfort food classics with a twist, including burgers like the cheesy Western, a riff on Texas Tavern’s signature burger, topped here with caramelized onions ($17.99), and shrimp and grits, which can now be ordered with a piece of fish, such as catfish, whiting or flounder ($19.99). Hairston also plans to introduce new items, including seafood egg rolls, deep-fried and stuffed with crab meat, shrimp, a medley of bell peppers, onions, Parmesan and mozzarella.

In order to fulfill existing obligations, Hairston will keep the food truck operational until early next year; he’ll then focus on expanding the restaurant’s hours (Papa’s Box is currently open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Sunday). 

Pour-Overs and Paints at Canvas & Coffee Art Cafe, Charcuterie Boards Coming Soon

At Canvas & Coffee Art Cafe, which opened its doors at 1731 Grandin Rd. SW in Grandin Village on Sept. 21, you can spend an hour sipping a handcrafted latte while creating your own art masterpiece. Owner Sarah Duran-Ballen, an artist with a background in education, was inspired to create a community space that makes art accessible, using coffee as an anchor to make it feel approachable. Watercolor packages start at $10, clay kits are $12 and boards and canvases start at $14 and $16, respectively. (If you feel intimidated by a blank canvas, you can opt to have a house artist put a drawing on it for $5 extra.)

Duran-Ballen brings that same intention to coffee with a line-up of pour-overs and French press featuring single origin coffee sourced from Roadmap CoffeeWorks, in Lexington. Bookmark Nov. 15 to attend a guided tasting of single origin coffee from Ethiopia, Guatemala and Mexico. You’ll also find espresso beverages such as macchiato ($3.75), mocha ($5.75 to $6.75), made with a house made mix, and lattes ($5 to $6) crafted with standard flavors like vanilla, caramel or pistachio, and house made seasonal syrups and whipped honey. Hot chocolate ($4 to $6) and chai ($5.75 to $6.75), as well as teas ($5) and mushroom coffee ($5; a blend of coffee and four different mushrooms and a flavor profile that Duran-Ballen describes as having turmeric and cinnamon notes), both from local outfit Asher’s Coffee, round out the beverage list.

On the food front, you’ll find sweet and savory Breadcraft pastries such as croissants and scones ($5 each; though you’ll have to go early for the best selection). More substantial morning fare will be added soon, including seasonal overnight oats ($7). By late November or early December, Duran-Ballen plans to roll out evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays, offering savory and sweet-leaning charcuterie boards ($14 each; $15 for gluten-free). Periodic guided paint and sip events will be offered on Friday nights. 

First Impressions: Brunch at Brood

I was inspired by our reader dining question this week to check out Saturday brunch at Brood in downtown Salem (210 E Main St). I’d been to Brood for dinner before, and once for a cocktails and desserts nightcap, and enjoyed the modern bistro menu with Southern stylings and dashes of European flair. The brunch menu follows a similar tact, with elevated main dishes such as a crab cake and grit bowl, featuring a crab cake of briny-sweet jumbo lump crab (no filler), plated atop creamy heirloom grits augmented with pimento cheese and a refreshing duo of grape tomatoes and arugula to cut the richness, and short rib hash ($21), which eschews the traditional chopped presentation for a more plated format, with tender pieces of braised beef short rib paired with shatteringly crisp potatoes, a fried egg, a silky garlic aioli and bravas sauce. These mains sit alongside breakfast staples with cheffy touches, such as the fan-favorite Main Street Plate with fried eggs, dill spiced potatoes, garlic aioli and choice of bacon, fruit or arugula salad ($15), and a take on chicken and waffles that incorporates the popular chicken schnitzel from the dinner menu.

If none of the composed entrees strike your fancy, you can put together your own brunch sampler by making selections from the small plates — say, a waffle with Nutella and blackberry ($9), frittata ($8), or potatoes bravas ($6) in which the fried potatoes are tossed with pickle spice and topped with pork rind crumb — and sides, like Neuskes bacon ($6) or a fried egg ($3). There are plenty of gluten-free options too (denoted on the menu); chef-owner Ted Polfelt’s oldest daughter has celiac disease, so there’s a dedicated gluten-free frier for items like the schnitzel. I didn’t sample any of the cocktails, but for a festive brunch with friends, I’d opt for the mimosa kit ($39), which comes with a bottle of champagne and three carafes of juices (orange, pineapple, grapefruit, cranberry or guava). I’m looking forward to adding Brood to my regular rotation of brunch spots.

Ask Layla: Where to Eat

“Where are the best brunch places in Roanoke?” – Amanda F., Roanoke

When I lived and worked in New York City, going out for weekend brunch was practically a competitive sport. These days, my weekend brunch outings are a little tamer, especially when my daughter is with me, but happily there are plenty of delicious options in the Star City. Here are three of my favorite places for brunch in different neighborhoods, depending on the vibe and menu you’re after. If you’re looking for something more specific or want additional recommendations, leave me a comment below!

For a Bougie Brunch: bloom (1109 Main St SW, Roanoke)

For a sit-down brunch that feels a little fancy, bloom’s Saturday brunch is tops. The service at this Wasena restaurant is consistently attentive and friendly without being overbearing, the cocktails always shine and the menu gives brunch classics a gourmet glow-up. Think: a croque madame crafted with local ham, Brie, Gruyere and a sunny egg on Breadcraft challah ($18); a quiche tart with sweet, potato, kale and whipped chevre ($14); or breakfast bowls with rosemary potatoes, local roasted veggies and a fried egg ($16). Bookend your meal with shareable plates, like a fruit and yogurt bowl ($8) or bloom’s popular potatoes aioli, served with a seasonal aioli and harissa ($9), and a sweet main, like a fall-ready apple-cider cinnamon roll with brown sugar filling, chai-chantilly, pecans and fried apples ($14). Reserving a table ahead is always a good idea, especially if you’ve got a larger group, though solo diners and smaller parties might have luck walking in and sitting at the bar too.  

(Note: bloom's owner, Nate Sloan, shared that once his new restaurant, Dorothy's, is up and running in the new year, he will discontinue brunch service at bloom.)

For a Low-Key Morning Meal: Scratch Biscuit Company (1820 Memorial Ave SW, Roanoke)

When my brother Anthony, a chef with a hearty appetite, comes to town we hit up Scratch Biscuit Company for fluffy breakfast biscuit sandwiches and hearty platters, followed by a visit to Black Dog Salvage for a little treasure hunting. This Grandin Village eatery owes its low-key vibes to friendly counter service and first come, first served seating, and a price point that’s more affordable than a sit-down brunch. My brother usually crushes The Crippler Platter, which comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and country ham, plus grits or sausage gravy and either a biscuit or buttered toast, as well as a biscuit sandwich ($5.35 to $8.55; vegetarian biscuits and gluten-friendly corn arepas are also available). My favorite biscuit sandwich is the hot honey with crispy chicken or the Jerry Garcia, which features marinated, smoked tofu to which I add scrambled eggs and lashings of homemade hot sauce. 

For a Carb-centric Feast: Breadcraft (24 Church Ave SW, Roanoke)

Breadcraft is another favorite for family brunch or hosting visitors who are eager to spend time in downtown Roanoke. The full roster of excellent European-style pastries is on offer along with daily breakfast favorites, like croissant French toast with maple syrup and bacon ($14) and eggs Florentine ($10.50), where two poached eggs are suspended in creamed spinach with feta cheese and paired with baguette for mopping up the luscious sauce. You’ll also find weekend brunch specials including recent offerings such as a mixed veggie frittata, served with house made pesto and a side salad ($12.50); Creole shrimp and grits, starring Deep Roots Milling yellow grits, sauteed shrimp, bacon and Creole sauce ($15); and fluffy Belgian-style waffles with mixed berry compote and fresh whipped cream ($12.50). Order at the counter, then take your number to one of the bistro-style tables (the back area is often opened up for extra seating) and tuck into one of the pastries — say a pain au chocolat or seasonal scone or danish — while you wait for cooked-to-order fare. Don’t forget to pick up a baguette or loaf of bread while you’re here!