Dave Rather

Dave Rather, owner of Mother's Federal Hill Grille, has made his New Year's Eve party more casual this year to appeal to a younger, twentysomething crowd that may not have lost much in 2008's turbulent stock market.

Kyro's owners said they expect to open 50 franchised eateries in five years while Mother's Owner Dave Rather said he will not open his first franchise location until 2010.Rather said he hopes the economy turn around by then.

Restaurant consultant Moutasem Atiya approached the owner of Kyro -- formerly known as Al Pacino Café -- about franchising his restaurant.Atiya, a regular customer, said he was a fan of Kyro's salads, falafel and wood-oven pizza that come in varieties such as Casablanca, a mix of eggplant, peppers, mushroom and pesto.

Atiya said Kyro has attracted interest from prospective franchisees in New Jersey and California, whom he declined to name.
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But if it takes off in Maryland, Rather, who plans to obtain financing from a bank loan and private investors, said he will take the concept national.

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Kyro's owners said they expect to open 50 franchised eateries in five years while Mother's Owner Dave Rather said he will not open his first franchise location until 2010.Rather said he hopes the economy turn around by then.

Restaurant consultant Moutasem Atiya approached the owner of Kyro -- formerly known as Al Pacino Café -- about franchising his restaurant.Atiya, a regular customer, said he was a fan of Kyro's salads, falafel and wood-oven pizza that come in varieties such as Casablanca, a mix of eggplant, peppers, mushroom and pesto.

I talked to co-owner Dave Rather, and he told me about his renovation plans, including a new kitchen, dining room expansion, and a curb-side carryout.

says Dave Rather, whose energetic history in music and special events as owner of Mothers will be crucial to the FUNK BOX vibe.

"I am going to fight and do whatever it takes to continue, even if they fine me every week," said Dave Rather, owner of Mother's Federal Hill Grille, which was fined $500 by Department of Housing and Community Development inspectors.

HCD's zoning enforcement inspectors earlier this month ordered Mother's, in the 1100 block of S. Charles St., to stop pregame parties that attract hundreds of fans to the bar's parking lot.

Officials also told sports talk-show host "Nasty" Nestor Aparicio to stop selling parking passes for an unpaved lot he leases for the parties in the 100 block of W. Ostend St.

"What it says about Baltimore is there are certain people who don't like to have fun," Aparicio said."The vocal minority is ruining the fun for the fun majority."

For its part, the Ravens organization finds itself in a quandary, not wanting to anger neighbors or fans.Team officials had no comment on the zoning enforcement actions and say they plan no changes to their policy on tailgating on stadium lots.

"It's like an extra Christmas," said Dave Rather, co-owner of Mother's Federal Hill Grille.