Trendy Room replaces old fave

Don't expect the legacy of Hector's one of Chapel Hill's most iconic eateries to overshadow its successor's.

The Recovery Room is coming to Franklin Street.

The new restaurant scheduled to open next week will function as a cafe in the morning offering local coffee from Carrboro Coffee Company then serve lunch and dinner later in the day.

At 10 p.m. it will morph into a bar. Food will continue to be served until 2 a.m." adding some diversity to Chapel Hill's late-night dining options.

""The restaurant will be unique" unlike anything this town has ever seen said owner Michael Watring.

 It's going to be a hybrid restaurant" cafe and bar.""

Watring said he hopes to provide a dining experience targeted at Chapel Hill's discerning eater.

""I believe kids nowadays are more tuned to nice things"" he said, citing the success of La Residence and restaurants on West Franklin Street as results of this heightened attention.

Watring added that, though downtown Chapel Hill is full of restaurants, nearby establishments welcomed him rather than see him as a competitor.

All the nearby businesses are very supportive. They don't see it as competition but as bringing something to the neighborhood"" Watring said.

The Recovery Room will open on 108 Henderson St., between East End Martini Bar and P.T.'s Olde Fashioned Grille.

 Anything getting down here on this side of the street is good"" said Rutland Tyler, owner of Linda's Bar and Grill at 203 E. Franklin St.

Watring said he hopes to capture Chapel Hill's prime demographic by investing in features targeted at college students.

Every booth in the restaurant has electric outlets and internet for laptop computers. Watring also installed special lighting ­— circular fixtures that change color, which he called DMX"" style.

The Recovery Room will also aim to provide a quality meal at prices affordable for college student"" Watring said.

""It'll be a fine dining experience without having to pay fine dining prices"" he said.

As for Hector's, the Chapel Hill standby has left traces around Franklin.

A little bit of Hector's is still on this street" Watring said. There are Hector's barstools at East End" and booths are at Zog's and P.T.'s.""