PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

To make sure their 6,000-square-foot, multi-concept eatery is in shipshape for its April 12 grand opening, the owners of Lawrence Hall held a friends-and-family celebration. 

Named after Capt. James Lawrence, a heroic U.S. Naval officer and the Lawrenceville neighborhood’s namesake, the food gallery at 4609 Butler St. has four independent restaurants (who are leasing their space for a three-year term), a Leona’s Ice Cream scoop shop, a full bar, seating for 225 and a mezzanine overlooking the whole thing. 

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Starting Friday, hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Place orders at each kitchen or by scanning the QR code at your table and servers will deliver the grub. 

In my case, that was jerk chicken with collard greens, red beans and rice and corn bread from Cuddy’s Soul Food; it was a spicy, lip-tingling, stick-to-your-ribs delight. Speaking of ribs, they have beef and pork. 

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Cousins Charles Nelson and Reggie Nelson launched the Homewood-based business in 2017. From grilled salmon and fried chicken to mac and cheese, the family’s been making these recipes for generations. Cousin Anthony’s Soul Rolls are basically egg roll versions of the entrees. They’re the perfect take-out meal for folks who don’t want to slow their roll.  

Other eateries include La Palapa, a Mexican spot owned by Jesús Martinez and Oscar Avila. The pair also operate a location at 2224 E. Carson St. on the South Side. Their Lawrenceville menu will feature their best-sellers, including fresh tamales, taquitos and enchiladas with mole sauce.

Boston natives Anthony and Katrina Tomacchio operate both LOADED, an “American-fusion” eatery, and the modern Italian concept TOMA. It’s nice to know you can get a double smash burger and fries and pork shank osso buco under the same roof. 

You can also get dessert. 

The counter at Leona’s was booming, even on a snowy April evening. For 11 years, Katie Heldstab and Christa Puskarich have been making real dairy, lactose-free ice cream and dessert sandwiches. Get a scoop in a cup or cone or grab a pint from the freezer. You can order from the service window facing Butler Street, but be sure to check out the interior. 

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

I’ve been following this project since 2000, but the bones of the building date back to the 1890s. It housed several businesses over the years and was in disrepair by the time married couple Brett Minarik and Phoebe Fraser and their business partner Adam Harvey bought the place. They worked with mossArchitects on the redesign. It’s hard to believe this beautiful food hall was, up until recently, nothing but a pile of bricks and a hole in the ground.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Artwork by the prolific Max Gonzales and Shane Pilster are so full of life they appear to be moving — or maybe my Dark and Stormy was a little too stormy. Capt. Lawrence and the crew of the USS Chesapeake are represented on the wall. 

Have a drink in their honor at the Dear, James bar.