A few weeks ago, Restaurantarama reported that Just Curry owner Alex George was planning to relocate his establishment in light of the possible landing of a CVS/pharmacy on the spot where George holds his sublease (the Anderson Brothers Building on the Corner, which also houses Satellite Ballroom, Plan 9 and Higher Grounds). At the time, no deals were inked, but this paper reported on March 5 that the building’s owner had confirmed CVS’ interest in the space. All of this made us nervous. We’d already been willing to endure the Corner’s chaos for a helping of Just Curry’s Butter Chicken and Plantains, but what other far-flung mountains might we have to climb for our coriander and cumin? Then, snapping us out of our self-involved despair, George intimated that he might not just be moving, but expanding as well, giving Restaurantarama reason to dream of Just Currys on every corner!
 Alex George, who’s opened a Just Curry outpost in the Transit Center on the Downtown Mall, gives new meaning to the words “to go”—or you can stay and eat at one of these tables. |
O.K., so George—a former private chef, French Culinary Institute grad and Guyana native—hasn’t conquered the world with his Caribbean-styled curry just yet, but by the time you read this, he is scheduled to have opened a Just Curry outpost on the Downtown Mall—in the Transit Center to be exact. As of press time, the scheduled opening is Monday, April 7, at the site of the short-lived Transit Café operated by Ciao! Catering’s Christian Trendel. George is offering the entire Just Curry menu out of the Transit Center’s small kitchen take-out window, and all of it can be enjoyed at the six or so surrounding café tables or taken back to your cubicle, whatever. George says he’s looking forward to reaching a whole new local audience (you know, Downtowners who avoid the Corner like the mumps), as well as providing Just Curry fare for Pavilion events.
Unfortunately, by the time you read this, we’ll be no closer to knowing the fate of Just Curry’s Corner location. Referring to the possible building takeover by CVS, George says, “There’s still no real information,” But George tells us the kitchen in the Transit Center isn’t big enough to accommodate Just Curry’s full menu, so he’s relying on his current Corner location for part of the prep, and he says, “I’m determined to stay on the Corner, whether it’s here [1435 University Ave.] or at another location.” George confirms he’s actively scoping out an alternative Corner spot in the event he gets booted from his current camp.
Says George: “I have very loyal customers who’ve been very good to me over the last two years—they’ve been encouraging me to stay.”
It’s no surprise that this little shop on the Corner has garnered such a big following. There aren’t too many other places around here where you can get a flavorful plate of Angus beef (marinated, cubed and simmered with crushed tomatoes, onions, curry spices, coriander and cumin seed), two sides and a drink for around $10.
Well, now there are two places! The Transit Center Just Curry is scheduled to be open Monday through Thursday from 11am-3pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11am-8pm.
Brix fix
Recently, a concerned reader contacted Restaurantarama to ask why Brix Marketplace on Route 53—Karen Laetare’s first location in her growing Brix empire—was mysteriously dark. Could it be that with Laetare scheduled to establish a Brix operation at the new Monticello Visitor Center in November (her third, counting the Brix Terrace Café on Pantops), she’d decided to close her flagship shop? No worries, Brix fans—the Marketplace has reopened! Laetare tells us she’d simply closed the original shop for the last couple months, so she could replace the rusted-out tin roof. The doors have reopened with a new roof firmly in place and new hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9am-4pm and Saturdays from 10am-4pm.
Orbit in orbit
By now you’ve probably noticed that Orbit Billiards & Cafe has closed its doors. Owner Andrew Vaughn has sold the operation to Mellow Mushroom owners John Adamson and Andrew Watson. Adamson tells us that when the place reopens in about two months, it will be called The Joint—we’ll fill you in on more of the dope next week. [For more on Orbit, see Feedback]
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