CANAL FULTON – A new eatery is bringing life to a former restaurant space in the city.

Uncle Ray's Restaurant and Bar is set to open this month in the former Grayce Ann's restaurant at 2176 Locust St.

Reda Smaili, better know as Uncle Ray, said the menu at the family-friendly restaurant will feature everything from pizza to burgers to seafood and Middle Eastern dishes that pay homage to his homeland Lebanon.

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Canal Fulton City Manager Dan Bucher Jr. is glad to see the new eatery replace Grayce Ann's.

"It's a pretty exciting time for the city," Bucher said of the new business moving into town. "With Cornerstone (on the Canal) and the (non-profit) Canal Life a lot of good stuff is happening."

Several new businesses are planned for the city, including Velocity Sports and a new wedding venue, he said.

Fulfilling an American dream

Smaili, who moved to the United States in 1999, garnered some of his culinary skills working at a local Italian restaurant.

As his dreams of opening his own restaurant began to grow, he returned to his homeland last year to perfect and learn more cooking skills.

After spending four months traveling the country, he was equipped with what he needed to open his own place.

"I went other places and had lessons on how to cook seafood and other dishes," Smaili said.

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Guests will see Middle Eastern dishes such as hummus and lamb shanks on the menu.

Smaili put his name on his iconic Mediterranean salad. Uncle Ray's salad features tomatoes, green peppers, carrots, olives and herbs, including parsley. It's topped with his own special dressing, which he compares to an Italian dressing.

Other items not to miss on the menu: sauteed liver and steaks. Sauteing is how the liver should be prepared, he said.

All of the entrees will be served with rice, Smaili said. The rice comes in a variety of ways from the Middle Eastern staple rice with vermicelli to rice with vegetables or ground beef.

His kids' mac 'n cheese is made from scratch.

Besides menu items, Smaili said, he will offer specials throughout the week.

"This is my dream," he said of his new venture. "There will be lots of home cooking."

The recipes were created by Smaili along with a close friend who lives overseas, he said.

About 12 people will staff the restaurant, including two chefs, he said.

The renovated space features modern flooring and decor. A private room can be rented and accommodate large groups. The restaurant has seating for 85 guests, he said.

In the future, Smaili hopes to host events for pay-per-view fights and special sporting events.

The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and will be closed Mondays.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Uncle Ray's Restaurant and Bar is dream for Reda Smaili