Applebee's International, Inc. has signed a 6,640 square foot lease at the Throggs Neck Shopping Center. Throggs Neck Shopping Center is being developed by Simone Development, in conjunction with Aaron Malinsky and Paul Slayton.

Applebee's International, Inc. introduced its new Spirited Cuisine menu, inspired by cooking down wine, bourbon and beer to release deep, rich flavors. With techniques normally reserved for fine dining restaurants, Applebee's NEW Napa Chicken & Portobellos, NEW Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip and Double Barrel Whisky Sirloins meld bar with grill at America's favorite neighbor. Using beer to slow cook, wine for depth and bourbon to caramelize brings the flavors of Applebee's new Spirited Cuisine menu to life. Highlighting the complexity of the new menu, Applebee's also has released a new series of advertisements featuring the classic Run DMC song, "It's Tricky," and the world's premiere "flair bartender," Christian Delpech, who expertly flips bottles, utensils and ingredients while preparing Spirited Cuisine menu items. Spirited Cuisine Menu Items: NEW Napa Chicken & Portobellos: A rich cabernet demi-glace smothers a grilled chicken breast topped with onions, Portobello mushrooms and Parmesan cheese over a bed of zucchini, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, onions and crispy red potatoes -- all Unbelievably Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories(TM). NEW Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip: A contemporary spin on a classic British dish, craft beer and white cheddar cheese are cooked slowly to allow the beer's flavors to permeate the cheese completely. Fluffy on the inside and crispy outside, the pretzels are finished with sesame seeds, coarse salt and crushed red pepper. Double Barrel Whisky Sirloin: Deglazing the pan with smooth bourbon brings out the sweetness in the caramelized onions and incorporates an oak flavor and light, smoky notes into the two blackened 4 oz. sirloins, served with garlic mashed potatoes.

Applebee's International, Inc. at Tuscany Village has closed its doors. The casual dining restaurant, which opened on McKenzie Avenue near Shelbourne Street in the summer of 2009, was to shutter for good Friday night after the last customer left. All three locations for the restaurant in B.C.-Victoria, Port Coquitlam and Courtenay-are closing. In a statement, the company informed that it came down to finances. Ongoing efforts to solve financial problems confronting Island Apple, the Applebee's franchisee in British Columbia, have proven unsuccessful and the company's franchise agreement has been terminated. Applebee's head office informed that it was not ruling out a return to the B.C. market. It gave no indication of how many staff is affected by the closings. Applebee's and its other six Canadian franchisees remain committed to the country, where 20 restaurants continue to operate in 17 cities. The company informed that it look forward to returning to British Columbia in the future.