Kelsey’s Steak House Owner Killed

Raymond New Hampshire: Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery

This 14,000-square-foot restaurant in New Hampshire is a carnivore emporium, according to Guy Fieri. Theres a full-scale butcher shop, where they grind, slice, marinate, smoke, cut, cure and spin seemingly every protein one could imagine. Those nose-to-tail ingredients are the base of a stellar menu of modern American fare spun together by chef Bobby Marcotte. One highlight is Braveheart black angus steaks cut from humanely raised, vegetarian-fed cows reared in the Midwest.

Go to: Tuckaway Tavern & Butchery

Dayton Ohio: The Pine Club

Open since 1947, this supper club and steakhouse specializes in old-school specialties like a starter of plump shrimp cocktail and unbeatable steaks. The 20-ounce bone-in rib eye dry-ages for 28 days. It’s broiled and caramelized, drizzled with butter and served with deep-fried onion rings and the house stewed tomatoes. No wonder Top 5: Restaurants deemed it one of the best steaks in the country.

Go to: The Pine Club

New Kelsey’s Owners Won’t Mess With Success

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VALPARAISO | Jack Hood says his philosophy for operating his two Kelsey’s Steak and Seafood restaurants is “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Hood and his wife, Peggy, recently bought Kelsey’s Steakhouses in Valparaiso and Portage from the Ken Blaney family, who had owned and operated them since 1987.

“We’ve changed very little,” Hood said. “Why would we? They’re always filled and doing great.”

Ken Blaney Jr. even stayed through this month to help the Hoods operate the restaurant.

Jack Hood, who is the restaurant corporation’s secretary, also owns Jack Hood Transportation, a Michigan City newspaper hauling business operating in 33 states and traveling 86,000 miles nightly.

“I call it the world’s longest newspaper route,” Hood said.

His interest in the hospitality business began when he met his wife in the early 1980s. Peggy, who is president of Kesley’s, then was managing Studio 80 in what is now the Radisson Star Plaza.

After their marriage, the couple bought a restaurant on U.S. 30 on the outskirts of Valparaiso named Another Roadside Attraction. They operated it for four years before selling it to spend more time with their growing children.

“When we got married, Peggy had four children and I had five,” Hood said. “They were getting to an age where they needed a lot more of our attention.”

The Hoods began considering getting back into the hospitality business when they were dining at Kelsey’s in December.

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Kelsey’s Steak House Reviews

First time at this restaurant… Quiet atmosphere, went on Friday night. Had the Delmonico Ribeye… Food was cooked perfect… Server was excellent…. Just think they should have better deals, normally restaurant are doing dinner for two now. Also the location just seems bad. Looks like it needs to need in a downtown area. Maybe that will draw bigger crowd and higher revenue, and not next to dentist office.

My family and I used to visit Kelsey’s once a month when I was a kid – so I thought how nostalgic it would be to take my family there for Father’s Day!I made our reservation for right when the restaurant opened, and the woman who I made my reservation with misunderstood me so we had to be moved to a larger table – no big deal. Our server was sweet and took our orders , but the next time we saw her was a half an hour later to bring us our appetizers. Fast forward one more hour and no refills later, the manager comes over to us to tell us that we aren’t being ignored and that our food is “on the way”. When our food arrived, my dad’s steak was well done and another two in the party were served cold prime rib.All in all, this isn’t the Kelsey’s it used to be. No apologies for their mistakes, cold and overcooked food , and being ignored isn’t something I was expecting!

Server: Meredith Bongiorni Xenia Greek Kouzina

The Columbia resident and Howard County native, 34, has been serving for 16 years, all in Howard County. I truly care about my guests and their experiences, she said. I try and always be a step ahead for whatever my guests need. BonGiorni was hired last July to manage Xenias social media accounts and began serving a few months later.Training was real quick because I was already comfortable already. Today, shes proud to be a part of a restaurant that she thinks of like a jewelry box.

Honorable mentions:

Amanda Curtis, The Iron Bridge Wine Co.

Celine Manneville, The Iron Bridge Wine Co.

Elaine Reese, Kelseys Restaurant, Irish Pub & Banquet Room

Sports bar: Looneys Pub

Honorable mentions:

Mutiny Pirate Bar & Island Grille

Nottinghams Tavern

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Here Are The Victims Of The Las Vegas Shooting

LAS VEGAS — At least 58 people were killed and another 489 others were injured Sunday after a gunman opened fire at a country music festival in Las Vegas. The identities of victims of the deadliest mass shooting in recent American history began to emerge in the days following the tragic event.

Authorities say the 64-year-old gunman, Stephen Paddock, fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino at a crowd attending a music festival below. When police entered his hotel room, they discovered Paddock had killed himself. A motive has not yet been determined.

President Trump — who called the shooting an “act of pure evil” — and first lady Melania Trump visited University Medical Center’s trauma center in Las Vegas on Wednesday and met with and consoled some of the survivors of the massacre. They also paid a visit to first responders, whose actions prevented even more casualties.

Clark County released a full list of victims, which can be found online here.

Some of their stories are now coming to light:

Texas Roadhouse Founder Kent Taylor Dies

Kent Taylor, the founder and CEO of chain restaurant Texas Roadhouse, has died, the company announced in a statement on Thursday.

The cause of Taylors death was not released.

Taylor founded the chain in 1993, and it has grown to 630 locations in 49 states.

The CEO was remembered for giving up his pay during the pandemic in an effort to support the companys workers.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kent Taylor, said Greg Moore on behalf of the restaurants board. He founded Texas Roadhouse and dedicated himself to building it into a legendary experience for Roadies and restaurant guests alike. During the pandemic, he gave up his entire compensation package to help support his frontline workers. This selfless act was no surprise to anyone who knew Kent and his strong belief in servant leadership.

He was without a doubt, a people-first leader. His entrepreneurial spirit will live on in the company he built, the projects he supported and the lives he touched.

Before founding Texas Roadhouse, Taylor founded and co-owned Buckhead Bar and Grill in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Atlantic City New Jersey: Knife And Fork Inn

Legendary, iconic, storied: big adjectives are used to describe this Atlantic City landmark. Originally opened as a gentlemens club in 1912, Knife and Fork Inn was the place to see and be seen among the citys elite. Recently restored to its Prohibition-era glamour, the Dutch-influenced space includes white tablecloths, wood details and a rich mahogany bar, where locals and tourists sip classic cocktails. As youd expect, the selection of steaks and chops is fairly traditional with classic sirloins, filets and ribeyes simply grilled with a side of house steak sauce or optional upgrades like blue cheese béchamel or lump crab, béarnaise and asparagus.

Italian: Tinos Italian Bistro

8775 Centre Park Drive, Columbia. 410-730-8466. tinositalianbistro.com

Lance Cook knew he was meant to run restaurants, but unfortunately his realization coincided with the 2007-2008 financial crisis. After his business plan was rejected by more than 100 banks, he says, he found one institution willing to fund his venture if he purchased an existing business instead of starting from scratch.

When Cook found Tinos Italian Bistro, he knew instantly it was the right fit.

The former owner had already incorporated things into his business plan that I wanted to incorporate, Cook said.

For instance, both Cook and former owner Christopher Infantino donated 10% of the proceeds they received on some nights to charity. Under Cooks management, Tinos has contributed for causes such as housing, cancer research and animal welfare.

I grew up in Iowa, he said, and if one family was struggling, all the other families around them joined forces to pick them back up. That attitude was engrained into me.

Since Cook purchased Tinos seven years ago, his customers have come to crave his recipe for lasagna and entrees with the restaurants cream-based Chesapeake sauce laced heavily with crab.

Its so good, Cook said, I would drink it.

At Tinos, customers will find Cook overseeing the business. His wife, Nicole, has extensive financial experience and is the chief operating officer. Daughters Addison, 15, and McKenzie, 12, bus the tables and refill soft drinks.

Honorable mentions:

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Bartender: Kristina Markman Xenia Greek Kouzina

Asked for her favorite drinks to make, bartender Kristina Markman has no trouble rattling off a few: a refreshing cocktail with St. Germain, mint and lime. Then theres the espresso martini, which she prepares with espresso vodka and a fresh-brewed shot of black espresso. But dont forget about lemondrops and mojitos. The 31-year-old bartender and 8-year industry veteran calls Xenia the nicest restaurant shes ever worked. Everyone holds themselves to a very high standard, said the Columbia native.I love my job here.

Honorable mentions:

Best overall: Xenia Greek Kouzina

Honorable mentions:

EC Diner

The Iron Bridge Wine Co.

Seattle: The Butchers Table

This modern steakhouse in the midst of Seattles South Lake Union serves a rotating seasonal menu that highlights Mishima Reserve American wagyu beef. That luxurious meat is served in creative dishes like Pacific Northwest Surf & Turf, topped with house-smoked Penn Cove mussels and a salsa verde of shallots macerated in lemon juice, brown rice miso, garlic, chile and parsley. The two-story space includes a livelier street-level lounge decked out with mahogany and leather-bound chairs as well as a bar serving craft cocktails. Downstairs, the intimate dining room offers a more romantic vibe lit by candles and the cozy glow of the fireplace.

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Ewing Nj Man Charged With Murdering Transgender Woman

A 36-year-old Ewing man has been arrested and charged in the deadly shooting of a transgender woman in Trenton on Friday.

Around 4:40 a.m., Trenton Police responded to a shooting at a home in the first block of Kelsey Avenue and found that the 23-year-old Shaquil Loftin had been shot in the face.

Loftin was pronounced dead a short time later.

Daniel L. Smith was taken into custody on Saturday night during a motor vehicle stop in his hometown, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri announced.

Smith is charged with one count of murder and multiple weapons offenses, Onofri said.

As the motive remained under investigation, Smith could potentially face bias charges based on Loftins gender identity, according to the prosecutors office.

In a separate, unrelated deadly shooting Sunday, Trenton Police responded around 12:30 a.m. to gunfire in the 800 block of Stuyvesant Avenue.

There, officers found Daquan Basnight, of Ewing, had been shot in the head.

As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been made in Basnights death.

Police also noted there was no evidence to suggest the shooting was related to last weeks deadly shooting, several blocks away on the same street.

On Thursday, 58-year-old Leonard Pettigrew was shot and killed in the 1400 block of Stuyvesant Avenue.

Chef: Akis Anagnostou Xenia Greek Kouzina

I started when I was 10 years old, said the fourth-generation chef and partner in the restaurant, now 38. His father owned a pastry shop in Rhodes, where Anagnostou helped make philo from scratch for the shops signature baklava. Anagnostou later became a pastry chef before being named executive chef at Xenia, where diners at Xenia can feast on traditional moussaka and spanakopita made according to his family recipes. Each recipe is redolent with memories from his homeland.I grew up inside a kitchen, so for me cooking is everything, he said. Its passion.

Honorable mentions:

Dan Wecker, The Elkridge Furnace Inn

Chris Lewis, The Iron Bridge Wine Co.

Brian Thornton, Cured | 18th & 21st

Chinese: Hunan Manor

Hudson Coastal

Cured | 18th & 21st

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Milwaukee Wisconsin: Five Oclock Steakhouse

This old-school supper club is like walking into a time warp, back to the days when a night on the town often included a nice steak dinner. The Milwaukee icon has served slow-roasted prime rib, hulking porterhouses and other steakhouse classics in its wood-lined dining room since 1946. Not much has changed over the decades Five OClock still serves high-quality USDA Choice meats, noteworthy wines and mid-century-cool cocktails including martinis and sloe gin fizzes in a space that feels like a favorite for stars of yesteryear. It even has an upstairs piano bar called the Alley Cat Lounge, where diners sip nightcaps while watching free after dinner shows.

Charleston South Carolina: Oak Steakhouse

In recent years, Charleston has emerged as one of the Souths premier food cities, with an impressive number of acclaimed restaurants for its small size. Oak Steakhouse, situated in an 1848 bank building on historic Broad Street, opened its doors in 2005, just as Chucktown was gaining serious foodie traction. Executive Chef Jeremiah Bacon is a local. He follows the regional ethos, sourcing as much as he can from low-country farmers and fishermen, for dishes like Anson Mills farro mushroom risotto and Southern-style local collards with Bentons bacon. The beef isnt local the Southeast produces far superior pork but it is Certified Angus Beef brand, available wet and 35-day dry-aged in a handful of cuts. They come from Master Purveyors of New York City, who sell to beloved Peter Luger and Keens Steakhouse as well.

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Raleigh North Carolina: Death And Taxes

Though many surmise that James Beard Foundation Award winner Ashley Christensen named her newest eatery for Ben Franklin’s claim that nothing can be certain, except death and taxes, she drew inspiration closer to her cooktop. The historic building housing her restaurant has served as both a bank and a funeral home at different points. Now, its Raleighs hottest restaurant, inspired by a trip to Uruguay that moved Christensen to cook over an open-wood fire. The focus is grilling in general, but given the technique, its no surprise that Christensen serves an impressive piece of beef. Her Bear Creek Farm dry-aged steak, aged up to 93 days, is simply seasoned, enhanced by notes of wood and smoke, and then served with straightforward spring onion and chimichurri.

Kelseys Steakhouse Valparaiso In

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Wilmington Delaware: Harrys Savoy Grill

Harrys Savoy Grill owner Xavier Teixido cut his teeth at New Orleans legendary Commanders Palace before coming back to Wilmington to purchase Harrys Savoy Grill, which he expanded with a $3 million ballroom in 1998. The intimate New American steakhouse in the Brandywine Hundred community is known for its award-winning prime rib, always cooked to the ideal medium-rare with au jus and creamy au gratin potatoes. But it also offers great seafood mandatory in coastal Delaware and an impeccable 45-day-aged, 18-ounce ribeye, paired with an extensive wine list.

Cleveland Ohio: Red The Steakhouse

Its a story youve heard before: guy or gal makes it big in his or her hometown, then moves to a bigger city to reach the pinnacle of fame. Many hometown heroes never make it back, but in the case of Cleveland, the talent always seems to return. LeBron James did. And so did Peter Vauthy of Red, the Steakhouse, whose South Beach restaurant was hailed as the best in Miami. Vauthy debuted an outpost in Cleveland, which is now one of Ohios top destinations for meat. Steaks are aged a minimum of 28 days, seasoned with kosher salt, peppercorn and aglio brushing , then seared in the broiler to seal in all the juicy flavor.

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