Food & drink notes: New restaurants, brunch in Five Points

New restaurants

▪  Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina will be coming to Lexington in the Saluda Pointe center at U.S. 378 and Interstate 20. The Athens, Ga.-based franchise known for its fresh, made-to-order burritos opened its first location in the Midlands at 650 Lincoln St. in September.

▪ A Mexican restaurant will open soon in the Scarborough Plaza shopping center on Augusta Highway near Lexington High School. El Jimador will open in the former El Paso location in the center. In late December, El Paso relocated to 1937 Augusta Highway.

▪ The former Moe Levy’s location at Assembly and Lady streets downtown will soon be revived in the form of a breakfast/brunch/lunch eatery called Famous Toastery, according to The Arnold Cos., which is redeveloping the site. Famous Toastery offers breakfast items such as stuffed French toast, a “Northwestern” omelet with fresh herbs and goat cheese, and a sunrise burrito with homemade salsa. Brunch and lunch include a tofu fresco salad, bacon and blue cheese wrap, hot dogs and gourmet burgers.

▪ The Virginia-based Underground Kitchen is coming to Columbia. UGK hosts a series of pop-up dinners at various locations using locally sourced ingredients, along with local and regional talent to prepare the food. The dinners feature five to seven courses, paired with wine, that correspond to a theme. Once the venue and menu have been decided, a limited number of tickets become available (prices vary but include food, wine and gratuity). Ticketholders are given only the date of the event and the city in which it will be held. The precise venue, the chef and the menu are kept secret until 24 to 48 hours in advance. Watch for the kitchen coming to Columbia around the end of March.

Brunch, anyone?

There are several options for weekend brunch around Columbia. But you’ll find several choices right in the Five Points neighborhood:

Delaney’s Music Pub: Enjoy chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and Celtic steak and eggs. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 741 Saluda Ave.

The Gourmet Shop: Breakfast paninis, egg and cheese croissants and Belgian waffles are popular choices. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, 724 Saluda Ave.

Harper’s Restaurant: Eggs Benedict, French toast and a variety of omelets are among offerings. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 700 Harden St.

Village Idiot: Brunch pizza, brunch stromboli, omelets and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, 2009 Devine St.

Yesterday’s: Quiche of the day, Southern breakfast bowl and chicken-fried steak are among popular choices. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, 2030 Devine St.