A La Carte: Albatross Bar & Grill lands in Parkway Pointe

The Albatross Bar & Grill, a golf-themed restaurant/bar/entertainment center, is open for business in the Parkway Pointe retail center.

At the former site of Ned Kelly’s Steakhouse, 3455 Freedom Drive, it’s owned by Carl Creviston of Rochester, who also helms Alpha Tile. It’s his first restaurant and he spent seven months renovating the space.

“We’re trying to make it as entertaining as possible,” he said. “There are things for the whole family to do. After 9 o’clock, there’s more of a bar atmosphere.”

Except for the homemade potato chips, all hot menu items are grilled. On the menu are burgers, kebabs (chicken, pork, shrimp, steak and salmon), pizzas (including Philly cheesesteak), brats, salads, sandwiches (such as club and grilled cheese) and macaroni and cheese. There are nine sauces for wings and kebabs. A kids’ menu has hot dogs, corn dogs and pizza.

Games include electronic darts, foosball, two pool tables and two Golden Tee Golf machines; a golf simulator will be installed soon. There are 11 TVs, including two big screens that air premium sporting events and golf. A meeting/party room is available. There is seating for about 200 in the 7,500-square-foot building.

A large fenced-in area outside doubles as a smoking patio and outdoor cafe; in warmer weather, it will be a venue for concerts. Inside, there’s a jukebox.

The Albatross offers a variety of evening entertainment. Tuesday is open-mic night, Thursday is karaoke night, and live music is offered on the weekends. A Bloody Mary bar will be available Sunday mornings. Creviston said he wants to have car shows, motorcycle shows and other events in the outdoor space behind the restaurant when the weather allows.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone: 679-0224.

The Australian-themed Ned Kelly’s closed in January 2007 after a 10-year run.

Not only is an albatross a large bird, in golf it’s a synonym for a double eagle, a term for three under par on an individual hole.

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Frozen yogurt shop Twist-N-Swirlz, 3140 W. Iles Ave., has gone out of business. A sign on the door says, in part, “We are very blessed to our loyal customers that have supported us.” The owners were Bob and Elizabeth Knox. The shop opened in the fall of 2011.

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Augie’s Front Burner, 109 S. Fifth St., will offer a holiday candlelight dinner between 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The three-course meal includes a spinach and arugula salad with pears, feta and candied walnuts; prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and roasted root vegetables; and orange marmalade cake accompanied by house-made cranberry sangria or warm mulled wine.

The meal can be ordered as a whole, or diners may choose courses a la carte. Reservations are highly recommended; call 544-6979 or reserve at opentable.com.

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There aren’t many Springfield restaurants open on Christmas, Dec. 25, but these are the ones that contacted us with holiday information.

* The Rosewood Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, will serve a Christmas Day brunch.

On the menu: carved prime rib with horseradish sauce, roast turkey with gravy and dressing, cranberries, breast of chicken, poached salmon, carrots with mint, sauteed brussels sprouts and onions, mashed potatoes, au gratin potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, skillet potatoes, waffle station, omelet station, pecan rolls, fresh fruit, cheeses, peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked and peppered salmon, antipasto, a variety of salads, cream of chicken soup, a variety of desserts and a chocolate fountain.

Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Price: $31.95 for adults, $17.95 for children 7-12 and free for kids 6 and under. Reservations are recommended: call 585-2828.

* Temple B’rith Sholom, 1008 S. Fourth St., will offer its ninth annual Holiday Interfaith Breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Christmas. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, turkey sausage, coffee, juice and dessert will be served. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and 25 cents per year for children 12 and under. Get tickets at the door or by calling the temple office at 525-1360.

* Secret Recipes, 319 N. Main St., Chatham, is selling a Christmas Family Feast to go. It includes an 8-pound spiral sliced ham, au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls and butter and an apple-nut-caramel pie. The cost is $92 (tax included) and feeds six to eight. It can be picked up hot or cold for later reheating.

The meal is available for carryout before 4 p.m. Dec. 24. To place an order, call 483-9500 by Dec. 22.

* The IHOP restaurant at 4001 Wabash Avenue operates 24 hours a day, and that includes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The sunroom can accommodate up to 45 people for group and family get-togethers. Call 698-4467 to reserve the sunroom.

Holiday hours for the IHOP at 2600 Sunrise Drive, off South Dirksen Parkway, are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve and 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Day.

* The Feed Store, 516 E. Adams St., is selling nine soups by the quart, half-gallon and gallon on Dec. 21 and 24. Cream soup choices: Wisconsin cheese, mushroom bisque, cream of broccoli, tomato bisque, cream of spinach and French potato. Broth-based soup choices: vegetable beef and beef barley. Seafood soup: seafood chowder.

Quarts range from $7 to $7.75; half-gallons range from $13.25 to $14.75; and gallons range from $25.50 to $28.50. Advance soup orders are encouraged; call 525-2766 (office) or 528-3355 (restaurant).

The Feed Store is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, but will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25.

* Star 66 Cafe, 3752 Camp Butler Road, will stay open until 3 p.m. on Christmas. The restaurant at exit 100A on Interstate 55 normally is open 24 hours a day. Phone: 523-0611.

* Nick & Nino’s Penthouse Steakhouse at the top of the Hilton Springfield will be open on Christmas Eve from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Reservations are suggested; call 789-1530 or go online to NickAndNinosSpringfield.com. The adjacent Pinnacle Club Lounge will be open that day from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Location: 700 E. Adams St.

The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Menu items are listed for new restaurants. Send items to A La Carte, The State Journal-Register, One Copley Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701; fax to 788-1551; or email food@sj-r.com. The deadline for Sunday’s column is 5 p.m. Tuesday. Please include your name and daytime phone number. Kathryn Rem can be reached at 788-1520.