Downtown Update: New restaurants, relocations, and more!

The Manhattan is nearly ready to conclude the longest winter break ever! Though the restaurant has not yet announced an opening date for its new spot at 56 Center St., fresh exterior signage was recently installed and word is that renovation work is almost completed. The restaurant, closed since January, is relocating after five years at 16 Eden Ave. The crew has kept up with social media, offering teases of food and drink as work at the Center Street location continued through the winter. The menu and updates can be found at www.manhattansouthington.com.

Renovation work continues as El Sombrero - Southington Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, Renaldo's Apizza and Three Cs prepare to relocate to 75 Center St. Owner Shawn Daigle recently received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for new exterior signage. El Sombrero will leave the Oak Hill Mall at 151 Queen St. after 29 years. Daigle told the ZBA he has sold the lease and location to the Mexican restaurant Senor Pancho's, the former occupant of the site. The chain confirmed last month it would be returning to Southington. Renaldo’s has been at 350 Queen St. since a fire destroyed its longtime home on North Main Street in 2016. Daigle, of Glastonbury, purchased 75 Center St. in January through Downtown 75 Center LLC for $490,000.
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The new Spelunkers bar and restaurant continues to find a following at 25 Center St. General manager Leslie Cortes-Matias tells the Scoop that the concept caters to customers “nostalgic for those high school summer nights (and) the feeling of hanging out in your best friend's basement, without a care in the world…a space for you to eat, drink, and chill, packed to the brim with neon lights, custom graffiti, games, TV (and) music.” The spot features 90’s-style arcade games, a photo booth, pool table, a rotating roster of local DJs, dance parties and karaoke nights. The food menu developed by owner and chef Mike Truss celebrates the dive bar atmosphere with a strong hint of his Craft Kitchen. The menu and more information can be found at www.spelunkersct.com.