NEWS

Knight Cap reopens with new look

Vickki Dozier
Lansing State Journal

Leo Farhat Jr. was beaming.

"I was interested in the Knight Cap for a long time and I've always wanted to own the Knight Cap," he said, sitting on the banquette of the downtown landmark. "I had an opportunity to buy it, I've always wanted to own it, and now I own it with my son and myself. I'm just delighted."

The Knight Cap originally opened in 1969. It was owned and operated by George and Charlotte "Charlie" Sinadinos. They ran it together until George died in 1988. Charlie continued to operate the restaurant after his death until March of this year, when she sold it to the Farhats.

The restaurant reopened June 22 with a total interior renovation and new items on the menu. The sign promising "Liquids & Solids For Beefeaters" has been replaced with one sporting only the name.

"The Knight Cap had a good long history and was an iconic establishment and we wanted to keep it going," said Greg Farhat.

"There are a lot of people that whether they're business travelers or people coming back for homecoming games or football games or whatever the case, it was kind of routine for them to check in there."

Leo Farhat will take the helms as the general manager. He'll be at the front of the house and the face of the business, according to Greg. Greg, who is director of workplace strategies and delivery at Jackson National Life, will handle the financial and marketing side.

"My father is very personable with all the guests that come in," Greg Farhat said. "We are really seeking to be that comfortable dining establishment while complimenting other businesses downtown."

Leo Farhat is no stranger to the restaurant business. He was general manager at Robert's, a fine dining restaurant in East Lansing, from 1977 to 1983. He owns the Brunch House on Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing.

"This is our own unique place here," he said. "We have fresh flowers on the tables, and a nice clean refreshed, updated restaurant. It's still an intimate atmosphere."

The majority of the staff stayed. They have the same chef, Carl Davis, the same bar staff and the majority of the wait staff.

There is new flooring, a new ceiling, new lighting, all new paint and colors, brand new booths and furniture. The walls are two-toned in a light gray and a darker gray. Greg Farhat says they were going for a mixture of comfortable and classic.

"It's pretty timeless what we've done in terms of the finishes," he said.

The Knight Cap will no longer serve lunch. And the dinner menu is smaller and simpler.

"We kind of want less is more, so we want a simpler menu," Greg Farhat said. "We will serve dinner only to make sure we provide consistent, quality food to get that reputation back to where it should be. Then we'll kind of analyze the demands for lunch and other needs."

Leo Farhat brought to the menu from Robert's, including the oysters Rockefeller and the mushroom caps, but they've kept many of the mainstays.

They added the roasted beet salad, roasted Brussels sprouts with jalapeno bacon, creamed spinach and truffled mac and cheese. The mocha ice cream torte is homemade, in house.

Bar manager Kathy Foote was with the former Knight Cap on and off for about 25 years, says one of the biggest changes is that many of the booths are gone, so there's a little bit more room for people. "But it's still a kind of 'make friends with your neighbor' place," she said.

Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 or vdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickkiD.

Knight Cap, 320 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, 484-7676.

Hours: Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The bar may stay open later, depending on how busy it is. Closed Sundays.

Website: www.knightcap.com You may make reservations via the website

Facebook: www.facebook.com/knightcaplansing