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Letter to the editor

Village shops ready to land

By Paul Swider, Times Staff Writer
Published March 6, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Handout] Menna's Landing, a development of retail and condos at 111 Boardwalk Place in John's Pass Village, is almost complete.

With the building nearing completion, tenants are beginning to finalize plans for Menna's Landing, including a taste of the south of England.

"We've been very busy for 30 years in England," said owner Paul Kalli, who with his son will open Time Out, a "steakhouse and fresh veg" restaurant in John's Pass Village, in May. "We're hoping to open two or three of these in the area."

Kalli will join other shops in the three-story building, being built by Frank Menna at 111 Boardwalk Place. Others will include Lazy Days, a "high-line beach shop," said owner David Dayan, and a Food Mart, both on the ground floor.

One more retail space is available next to Kalli's place on the second story, and four condos are taking shape on the third floor.

Kalli said he moved his family to the United States to make this investment. They have been involved in several restaurants, most recently the Riviera in Selsey, a seaside tourist spot near Portsmouth. Kalli said he is aiming to provide what area restaurants don't.

"We're trying to bring a bit more proper food to the area," he said. "It will be a family restaurant with a bit of fine dining."

Kalli will offer roasted meats and healthy side dishes in a home-cooked style, he said. Prices will range from $10 to $20 for dinners, and Kalli will offer a realistic children's menu.

"Everywhere you go, it's just huge portions," he said.

Children's offerings will come in sizes for children up to 6 years old and larger sizes for children up to 14. There will also be a wider variety of offerings than the usual chicken fingers and mac and cheese, Kalli said.

The menu will include British items like shepherd's pie, but also lasagna, steak burgers with Cajun or barbecue spices, and an assortment of cheeses.

"We've been doing the same concept for 30 years," he said.

Time Out will have 150 seats inside, including 24 at the full-liquor bar. Another 60 seats will be outside on the deck that overlooks the boardwalk businesses and the John's Pass waterway.

Construction of the building has been delayed, but Menna said it should be finished this spring. Two of the condo units are sold, he said, but three-bedroom and two-bedroom units remain.

Kalli said he wanted to open in November but the building didn't allow that. He's hoping to get the business running smoothly and have his family do more and more of the management as it grows.

"I came here for the sun, not the work," he said.

Paul Swider can be reached at pswider@sptimes.com or 892-2271.

[Last modified March 6, 2008, 06:51:17]