Auggie's Out

Crazy about conch fritters? Hankering for a hurricane? Better get 'em soon. Adam Spell, owner of Auggie's Island Grill [1], recently confirmed that the restaurant is closing for good on July 3. "We have a good thing going, but it's taxing our social life and our family life," says Spell. "It's summertime, and we want to go out on the lake and watch T-ball." However, Spell and his wife Jill plan to keep — and make improvements to — their Shelburne restaurant, La Villa Mediterranean Bistro and Pizzeria [2].

What'll end up in Auggie's old spot, formerly the Bourbon Street Grill, which is nestled between H&R Block and Stone Soup [3]? A new restaurant called Bueno y Sano, which means "good and healthy" en inglés.

Owner Will Lowry, formerly a graphic designer, plans to open the Mexican-American venture on September 1, after "spiffing the space up a bit." He modeled the new resto on an Amherst and Northampton duo owned by his brother: "We'll have an open kitchen. And there will be a counter in the back where you'll place and pick up your order." They're also removing the bar — "Whether or not we'll have alcohol is yet to be determined," adds Lowry.

How will Bueno y Sano distinguish itself from New World Tortilla [4], Burlington's other burrito joint? "I like their food," Lowry declares, "but what we have to offer will be a nicer environment, a more central location and a bigger menu."

. . . Italian out, Italian in. Casual but elegant Cannon's, an Italian restaurant in Burlington's Ethan Allen Shopping Center, closed its doors last week and is for sale. Owners Dan and Susan Rogers took turns managing the place. Meanwhile, South Burlington is gaining a new restaurant called Pulcinella in the Dorset Street space occupied by the old Cork & Board. Sam Palmisano, who purchased the ill-fated 5 Spice Café just two months before a conflagration closed it, will be the chef. He has abandoned previous plans to re-open the Asian hot spot on lower Church.

. . . Nothing goes better with BBQ than an ice-cold beer. Big Fatty's BBQ [5] on Burlington's Main Street is now pouring Switchback and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Although it's not normally paired with pulled pork, wine is on the way.

. . . At Three Tomatoes Trattoria [6] on Church Street, you can get 30 different vini by the glass, thanks to a "nitrogen-forced wine storage unit" purported to keep it fresh in the bottle longer. You can chow down on a wood-fired frittata and other traditional Italian items at the restaurant's new weekend brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

. . . As of Friday, Smokejacks [7]will no longer be serving lunch Monday through Thursday.

. . . Pho Dang Vietnamese Café [8] opened last Saturday on Main Street in Winooski. Read this week's Taste Test for more info.