Restaurant 1616 Gervais set to open later this month

The owner of new restaurant 1616 Gervais has set an open date of Aug. 26.

The restaurant, located in the space formerly occupied by The Back Porch restaurant, is owned by former radio station promotions director Susan "Susu" Morningstar who hired Jeff Blackmon as 1616's executive chef. The restaurant will have a menu featuring items such as a smoked gouda mac 'n' cheese burger, homemade baked pimento cheese on crostini, savory cheesy shrimp and grits and blackened chicken salad. Morningstar said the restaurant will keep the "back porch" atmosphere with a porch and back lounge area in addition to its indoor dining.

1616 Gervais will serve lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday with the bar and lounge open "until" (closed Sunday).