How's this for a restaurant concept: the name Tony? As in Tony Bennett, Tony Danza, and Tony Romo.
"Google the name Tony and you're going to come up with a lot of Tonys," says Kamran Assadi, who plans to open Tony's Diner on Baltimore's West Side.
All the famous Tonys will get a pic on the wall, says Assadi, whose nickname is, by the way, Tony. Assadi, also the owner of
Luna Del Sea is spending $600,000 to open Tony's Diner at 8-14 Park Avenue. Assadi picked the West Side location with the hopes of getting business from the convention center, hotels in the area, and people attending plays and concerts at the
Hippodrome Theatre and
First Mariner Arena.
He also chose the west side over Baltimore's east side because he didn't want to compete with his cousin, who runs Mo's Seafood in Little Italy.
"I didn't want to compete with him," says Assadi, who has helped run Mo's in the past. "He has the east side covered."
Tony's will encompass sthree businesses in one: a deli, bar and diner with a total of 142 seats. Each will have its own entrance. The deli will serve sandwiches that cost between $5 and $12. The dining room will serve up pasta, steaks, chicken and maybe steamed crabs. Dinner entrees will cost between $12 to $24.
The Baltimore City Liquor License board granted Assadi a new liquor license that is available to restaurant owners that invest at least $500,000 in a new establishment. Assadi also received a live entertainment license and plans to occasionally feature piano, guitar and violin players.
The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will employ up to 30 workers.
Source: Kamran Assadi, Tony's Diner
Writer: Julekha Dash