by Bailey White
Staff Writer
The first of two new downtown restaurants is scheduled to open today on North Hogan Street and another, on West Adams Street, should follow shortly.
The International Cafe plans to open its doors in the old Underwood building today.
“We think downtown is a good place for this kind of business,” said Hilda Castillo, who, along with her sister and brother-in-law Lylliam and Albara Borge, owns the restaurant. “It’s growing and we did some research and it seems like a sure bet.”
The menu features standard breakfast fare and less typical items such as eggs rancheros and Cuban toast. For lunch, there are plenty of sandwiches and a couple of specials for each day of the week.
“And we’ll have one special from a different country every day,” said Castillo. One such special is tipitapa fish from the owners’ native Nicaragua.
Castillo said they’ll be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, but if they see a need, they may extend their hours to include the weekend.
The owners of Gordo’s, a Tallahassee-based Cuban restaurant, expect operations will start before the end of May. They’re taking over space formerly occupied by the Cactus Cafe in the Schultz Building on West Adams Street.
“We’re really close,” said co-owner Eddie Agramonte.
Agramonte owns two Tallahassee locations of Gordo’s with his brother Alberto Agramonte and their partner Robert Morales. For the Jacksonville location, the trio has taken on a fourth partner, Carlos Cruz.
“We’ll probably open towards the third week of May,” said Morales. “The inside work is done and we just have to hire some staff.”
Morales said they’ll open Gordo’s with a full liquor, beer and wine bar. The restaurant will be open until 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and for the rest of the week, they’ll be open for happy hour and dinner.
“If we see demand, we’ll stay open later for the first half of the week, too,” said Morales.