A new restaurant is debuting in the upstairs Gamecock Park food court at the Russell House, and two more campus eateries are on the way.

Santorini's, a Mediterranean concept restaurant offering humus, gyros, and grilled chicken, opens Jan. 16. The menu, which will also feature Greek salads, beef and lamb entrees, and vegetarian options, was shaped by recent student requests for health-conscious alternatives in the food court.

Construction of a full-scale Starbucks cafe will begin soon in the University Bookstore at the Russell House. In addition to coffee and pastries, the cafe will offer salads and sandwiches with tables and seating for 75. The Starbucks outside entrance will be on the east side of the Russell House, near the corner of Bull and Greene streets.

A new restaurant for the humanities/business campus area will begin to emerge later this month. USC has signed a contract with Pyramid Construction to build a 5,000-square-foot facility on the plaza between Gambrell Hall and the Humanities complex. The new restaurant will open this fall, serving breakfast and lunch and specializing in gourmet wraps and sandwiches, healthy offerings such as fresh fruits, salads, soups, and pastas, as well as a coffee and dessert bar.

"There are 10,000 to 12,000 people within a block radius of this location during lunchtime, and the closest eatery--Sidewalk Cafe--doesn't offer seated dining," said Helen Zeigler, director of USC's Office of Business. "Our new restaurant will have indoor seating for 110 and provide 24 outdoor tables, as well."

The building also will have two lofts; one can be a reserved space with seating for 20-25 and the other will be equipped as an Internet cafe with wireless access.

Other changes are in store for Russell House eateries over the summer months. Zia Juice will be expanded to enable quicker service to its customers. Sub-Connection will style itself as a New York delicatessen with a healthy array of sandwich and salad options. The space occupied by EarthWorks will be re-vamped to provide seating for Zia's and the new delicatessen.

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