A plan for Ken Mistler to remodel the patio of the former South Beach Restaurant on Main Street received glowing reviews and eventual approval from members of the city's Design Review Committee on Tuesday.

The board opened its meeting with a field trip to South Beach were Mistler explained the concept.

Mistler intends to enclose the patio, but use retractable glass panels (something like a garage door made of glass panes) so that he can operate the patio as a bar, dining room and music venue 12 months out of the year.

"We'll close the windows for weather or when it's windy," Mistler said.

The concept has already received a positive recommendation from the Genesee County Planning Board and once the Design Review Committee approves his final plans in 30 days, Mistler will be able to proceed with construction.

Mistler is planning a Southwestern/Western theme with urban flair for the new restaurant and bar. It will be called City Slickers.

While the restaurant continues to cater parties in the basement bar and dining area, Mistler is completely remodeling the inside of the bar and dining area (the new custom-built wooden bars are stunning).

He expects to open City Slickers around the third week of April.

Photo below: Mistler holds a picture of the former Kiwanis Park that was west of South Beach from before Mistler remodeled it to the present patio.

The entire staff of South Beach is dressed up for Halloween tonight. Do you recognize owner Ken Mistler?

Even though there are some finishing touches left yet for the new patio at South Beach, the grill is open. Chef Arvin Ortiz opened the grill today with an offering of hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled pork. Throughout the remainder of the summer, the grill will be opened for lunch and dinner this weekend and, for now, lunch during the week. At times the menu will include ribs, chicken and other grilled dishes. Menu service from the main kitchen is also available on the patio. This afternoon, starting at 4, there will be live music on the patio, and the Ghost Riders play starting at 8 p.m., Saturday.

The concrete has been poured for the new South Beach patio and owner Ken Mistler said the patio will be open for business in two weeks "at tops."

After the concrete was poured and hardened a bit, it needed to be watered for several hours to help it dry slower and set harder.

Below, pictures submitted by Mistler of the work in progress.

Crews have been working yesterday and today to remove the concrete and plants that once made a little park between the HSBC building and South Beach Restaurant.

South Beach owner Ken Mistler acquired the strip of land from the city in order to create a BBQ pit and outdoor dining area for his restaurant.  

The new space will also contain a greenway with a walking path and bricks inlayed as a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club (the park was formerly known as Kiwanis Park).

Business owners and people with jobs that leave them only limited time for lunch are the target audience for South Beach Restaurant's noon-time buffet, according to owner Ken Mistler.

Mistler launched the buffet a month ago.

"People on lunch hour need to get in and get out and eat at their own pace," Mistler said.

The buffet allows people to come in, place their drink order and immediately serve themselves -- no waiting for a meal to be prepared and multiple courses to be served.

The food is all freshly made each day, Mistler said. Nothing is frozen.

And the available entrees also change each day, based on what's available at the market.

Already there've been days featuring meatloaf, steak, fish, chicken, pork, ribs and all kinds of pasta dishes.

"We want people to get a good, wholesome meal and still be in out quickly if that's what they need," Mistler said.

The buffet includes a full salad bar -- at least 24 items each day -- and fresh, homemade soup.

"We have a new soup recipe every day," Mistler said.

The desserts are also fresh and made from scratch, according to Mistler.

The buffet is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the cost is only $10 (drinks sold separately), though it is not "all you can eat."