As the fifth annual Traverse City Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend, The Ticker gives you a look at the very latest among local eateries.

Several restaurants have opened or moved, including Full Moon Pizza, now at 830 E. Front St.; Georgina’s Tacqueria, now at 236 E. Front St.; and Union Tap & Grill at the former Union Cantina, located at 127 S. Union St. New is McGee’s No. 72 at 4341 M-72 E in Williamsburg, formerly the home of TraVino (Co-owner John McGee adds lunch is now also offered). 

Harbor 22 has a new chef. Brian Fleuter has returned to the area after college, culinary school, and several years of work in Portland. He calls Portland an “avant garde food city,” and worked with the farm-to-table movement there. Fleuter says he’s looking to bring “comfort food with a twist” to the restaurant. “We want to try to be something a little different,” he said, “not to blend in.”

Ralph Humes has returned to Centre Street Café, and owner Pete Boothroyd says he's happy to have his creative friend and chef back in the kitchen. Boothroyd also is looking to knock down the walls of a storage area and expand the dining area within the next few weeks.

Not only is 7 Monks Tap Room opening a second location in Boyne City, the popular tap room has a new chef. Katie Viswat is a native of the area who was working in the farm-to-table scene in Seattle. She recently returned to the area, working at the Glen Arbor restaurant Blu as well as the deli at Anderson’s IGA. Co-owner Matt Cozzens says 7 Monks is looking to focus more on small plates, like a “slider of the week,” and other and fresh appetizers and snacks.

Cozzens adds that he and other staffers are looking forward to shaving their heads for St. Baldrick’s in March as a fundraiser for childhood cancer research. Last year 7 Monks and North Peak/Jolly Pumpkin engaged in a friendly competition that raised over $40,000.

The husband and wife team of TC natives Eric and Amy Kolden debuted White on Rice in December as a pop-up restaurant inside The Little Fleet. White on Rice also boasts a new menu of sushi and related items for the month of February.

Todd Stachnik reports several new items on the menu and at the bar at State Street Grill (formerly The Yard). 

In the Warehouse District, The Workshop's Pete Kirkwood has opened The Remedy Cafe for breakfasts.

Traverse City Restaurant Week begins Sunday and runs through Feb. 28. Participating restaurants offer three course meals for $25 per person. Advance reservations are encouraged. Participating restaurants and menus can be viewed here.