For a romantic daytime dining experience with a picturesque courtyard view, enjoy Sunday lunch at Olivia’s at Frenchman’s Creek.
Susan Colomaio, a caterer for about 20 years, opened the restaurant and catering establishment in October 2011.
Colomaio, a Kinston native, was the director of catering at East Carolina University before opening her restaurant.
“That (ECU position) gave me a lot of fine dining experience,” she said. “I saw an opportunity because of the space, atmosphere and ambiance of the whole area at Frenchman’s.”
Normally open only for Sunday lunch, Olivia’s will serve dinner for Valentine’s Day weekend from 5:30-9:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
“We’re offering a full menu for (Valentine’s holiday),” Colomaio said.
Diners can choose among six entrees, including prime rib, filet, shrimp scampi, baked salmon and stuffed chicken breast, with the soft sounds of piano music in the background. Beer and wine are available. Reservations are recommended.
Olivia’s Sunday Lunch includes an all-you-can-eat carving station, salad bar and serving line.
“Most of our dressings are homemade,” Colomaio said. “We cook everything here.”
The chicken, tuna, potato and pasta salads are all homemade. Each week a different carved meat is served — steamship round, roast beef, ham and pork are some.
The variety of desserts, such as apple dumpling, bread pudding and peach cobbler, change each week, too.
Olivia’s, tucked away behind Neuse Sport Shop, caters on- and off-site for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “We specialize in special” is their motto.
“It’s very personalized attention,” Colomaio said. “Their event is just as special to us as it is to them.”
Olivia’s at Frenchman’s Creek, 225-C E. New Bern Road, is open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. For catering information or reservations, call 252-208-2626 or Susan Colomaio at 252-341-0993.
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Anyone walking into Kinston’s Hampton Inn might be pleasantly surprised by its classy appearance.
The property — once a Sheraton Hotel which became a Hampton Inn in June 1996 — has undergone extensive renovations since Greensboro-based LRP Hotels of Carolina purchased it in August 2011.
Travis Baker, a Sanford native with 22 years of experience as a general manager for Hampton Inns, has been general manager there more than four years.
“We’re the largest interior hotel here in Kinston,” he said.
Baker said Hampton Inns are generally remodeled every five to seven years. The first revamping began in early 2012 under the new ownership and included mainly new paint and carpet, he said.
“(President/owner Roger Patel) had to do a complete renovation to meet the new Hampton Inn standards,” Baker said.
All 122 guestrooms were upgraded with new furniture, cloud-like bedding and artwork, and the public areas were modernized with furniture and lighting.
The breakfast room offers complimentary hot meals, including homemade Belgian waffles. The dining area features a variety of table setups, including a tall, king-sized table with elegant table
Outside, the entrance features new stone columns, walkway, landscaping and pool furniture. lamps and lots of seating. The outdoor pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
New equipment, including a treadmill, exercise bikes and free weights, are available in the fitness center.
More renovations are planned, such as moving the business center out into the lobby, creating a laundry center, revamping the two 300-seat banquet rooms and replacing the shower/tubs with tubs and tile.
“Our goal,” Baker said, “is to continue giving our customers 100 percent satisfaction on our products and services.”
The 36 employees receive “extensive training on customer service,” he said.
The hotel received an “outstanding” rating Feb. 5 from the Hampton Inn headquarters during an unannounced inspection on safety, cleanliness and service, Baker said.
Rooms — standard two-queen or one-king beds and “king study” with a sofa bed — all have a microwave and refrigerator.
“Ninety-five percent of our rooms are non-smoking,” Baker said.
The Hampton Inn, 1382 N.C. 258 S. off U.S. 70, provides an event venue and accommodations. For information, call 252-523-1400.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
FYI
Do you have a new retail business or one that’s undergone a significant change? The Free Press would like to hear about it. Contact Margaret Fisher at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com.