Leland’s Bluestar Kitchen Bar opened this past spring under the direction of Steve Harrington, only to close a month in operation.
 
Now the restaurant is set to reopen, with general manager Andrew Middlemiss at the helm.
 
Middlemiss said the restaurant received a very warm welcome from the Leland community and the owner, who prefers not to be named.
 
The owner has spent the past several months hiring and training a new staff and creating menus with chef Steven Hawley and bar manager Tyler Jeffrey. Middlemiss’ wife, Christina, will serve as pastry chef as well as assistant manger and event coordinator.
 
“We have a passion for the industry and this place has really spoken to us,” Andrew Middlemiss said.
 
Bluestar’s menu will be centered around traditional American fare, with some Mediterranean and Asian influences, Middlemiss said. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner as well as Sunday brunch to start and eventually serve breakfast as well.
 
“We want to make sure people love what we’re doing and then grow with them,” Middlemiss said. “With an entirely new staff we have to be sure everything is consistent and we have a solid foundation to build upon.”
 
Some minor renovations are scheduled for the coming weeks to finish the attached event space, which will be available for private parties.
 
“We’re working hard to make sure everything is ready for the final inspections, and to make sure we’re starting in the best possible form,” Middlemiss said. “If all goes well, we hope to open within a week or two.”
 
Bluestar Kitchen Bar is located at 117 Village Road NE in Leland, and is expected to be open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for brunch.
 
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