Petar’s Restaurant has taken the longtime dining favorite to the next level.

A recent expansion of the local restaurant nearly doubled its size in the Center of Bonita Springs on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Bonita Beach Road. The restaurant grew from 1,545 to 2,830 square feet over the summer. “It’s getting big,” said chef-owner Petar Al Kurdi.

With the chef’s popularity, food quality, presentation and local acclaim immediately after his launch of Petar’s in 2015, it was puzzling why the tiny upscale dining spot didn’t expand sooner or relocate to a larger location, which it clearly could have filled.

“We waited them out,” Al Kurdi said about the neighboring retailer, Sally Beauty Supply, which closed its adjacent storefront, allowing Petar’s to knock down a wall to significantly expand. So, the restaurant was able to add to its space without having to move.

“This is a good next step,” he said. The additional space also allows an additional dining amenity—a full bar.

“We built a whole new bar here,” Al Kurdi said. “We’re going to have liquor. We’re going to have drinks. Before we were just wine and beer.”

The expansion means Petar’s had to double its staff from 20 to 40. Diners can expect new flooring, lighting and more. The chef also has more walk-in cooler space and more storage in the back of the business. The small, chef-driven menu of starters, entrees and desserts is basically the same, though.

“We’re going to tweak it a little, but I don’t want to change it too much,” Al Kurdi said. “There’s a lot of people who come back for their favorite.”

Some favorites, such as braised Angus beef short ribs, were on Petar’s original small menu.

“The short ribs have always been on the menu. We sell a lot of fresh pasta. We sell a lot of fish for the fish special. We sell a lot of lasagnas. Lasagna is very popular,” Al Kurdi said. “Everything we have is popular. If it’s not, I don’t keep it on the menu. We try to try dishes as specials first and, if it’s a really big hit, we just add it.”

During Petar’s renovations, the restaurant temporarily closed for four months beginning May 12. It reopened Sept. 12.

Petar’s, 3300 Bonita Beach Road, Suite 120, is open only for dinner from 5 to 9:30 pm. Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays.

Sushi Sake

Q: Is there any word on a planned opening date for Sushi Sake in the Publix-anchored Riverchase Plaza (the old Chicken Salad Chick location) in North Naples? —Michael Faccone, Naples

A: Sushi Sake is targeted to launch in mid- October in Riverchase Plaza on the northeast corner of U.S. 41 and Immokalee Road in North Naples.

The new Japanese restaurant is building out the 2,831-square-foot interior space at 11200 Tamiami Trail N. between Publix supermarket and Firehouse Subs that used to be franchises for both Chicken Salad Chick and Saladworks years ago. Sushi Sake joins a restaurant lineup in that retail center that includes New York Pizza & Pasta, Cote d’Azur, China Wok, Tijuana Flats, Firehouse Subs and Starbucks.

Sushi Sake is known for its contemporary sushi, hibachi cuisine, craft cocktails and signature sakes. Its first area location launched March 18 in south Fort Myers at Bridge Plaza off McGregor Boulevard.

The Florida chain that started in 2009 in Miami has scores of locations from West Palm Beach to the Keys, with other Florida spots coming soon. “Our success is that we blend the excitement of hibachi with exceptional quality sushi in an upscale yet casual environment,” Sushi Sake notes. “Our growth has been based on consistent quality our customers know they can count on. It’s why most of our customers are repeat customers.”

Sushi Sake’s menu includes some unique creations such as Latin fusion sushi with options such as the Calle Ocho roll, Miami Heat roll and pineapple fried rice. The culinary lineup includes traditional dumplings, noodles and familiar rolls, as well.

Some common design elements define the restaurant’s style and ambiance. Its modern Asian flair includes bold gray-blacks contrasted with natural wood tones and pops of colored light. Standard elements include black ceilings, custom-made butcher block tables, its signature red-lighted name behind the bar and a “Let the Good Times Roll” neon light on its Japan-inspired floral wall.

Burger Finite

Q: What happened to BurgerFi in the Staples/ Lowe’s/Fresh Market Center on 41 in East Naples? —Barbara J. Wilson, Naples

A: BurgerFi permanently closed in mid-June at the Shops at Eagle Creek. Its other area location at Creekside Corners remains open in North Naples.

The fast-casual restaurant at 12712 U.S. 41 E. in East Naples was Fort Lauderdale-based BurgerFi’s first regional location when it launched in a 2,400-square-foot end unit next to Lowe’s in September 2014. The second area location on the corner of Good-lette Frank and Immokalee roads opened in August 2016.

BurgerFi International Inc., owner of the “better burger” dining concept as well as the casual dining chain Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, announced Sept. 11 that it filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to preserve the value of its brands for all stakeholders. All 144 locations of the company’s two brands will continue normal, uninterrupted operations, the company reports.

More at mall

Latinos 239 opened Sept. 1 next to Chick-fil- A in the Coastland Center food court. The new restaurant serves a variety of Latin cuisine such as empanadas, arepas, croquetas, pan de bono, papa rellenas, pastelitos, picadillo, ropa vieja, sopa de pollo and tequeños.

During the last 25 years or so, that particular spot in the mall’s food court has been a string of decent local and chain eateries: Planet Grilled Cheese, Island Vybz, Burrito Fresco, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Istanbul Kebab House and Frank & Stein Dogs & Drafts.

The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.