Quirky new restaurant to grace downtown Anderson

City Lights Under the Bridge in Anderson.

If it isn’t fun, they don’t do it at City Lights Under the Bridge, downtown Anderson’s newest restaurant, Linda LaVold said.

LaVold, who has lived in Anderson more than 25 years, is one of four partners who have joined to open one of downtown Anderson’s newest restaurants, City Lights Under the Bridge.

Hunkered beneath the Murray Avenue bridge on 134 W. Earle St. in what was once Kay’s Glass, City Lights offers a “fun and simple” menu whose signature sauces and dressings are the creations of Executive Chef Patrick Donaldson, LaVold said.

Donaldson is an Australian who has served clients in Europe and the Middle East, she said.

Open Monday through Sunday and featuring a weekday menu designed for a busy lunch crowd, every weekday lunch guest will receive a complimentary warm cookie to take back to the office or wherever they are headed.

The lunchtime menu will feature hot, homemade soups, fresh salads and a mashed-potato bar - the potatoes will come served in martini glasses, and customers can choose their fixings, LaVold said.

“We want to serve those who may not have a lot of time for lunch,” she said. “This way will allow people to come in, feel welcome, and take a hot cookie on down the road when they leave.”

For the evening dinner crowd, City Lights offers more than what is found on the menu.

“We’ll shoot you a pigeon,” LaVold said.

And she sort of means it.

“We offer pigeon. If you order it, our chef will go out and pop one of the pigeons from underneath the Murray Avenue bridge,” she jokes.

Of course, she adds, the ‘pigeon’ isn’t really a pigeon, it’s a Cornish game hen, and the chef is only shooting blanks, but it’s all in good fun.

The restaurant will offer live entertainment Monday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Depending on the night, dinner guests will be allowed to participate in a variety of themed programs, including a Gong Show, karaoke night, or a dinner theater every Friday and Saturday night.

The dinner theater is a four-course meal with a show, LaVold said.

Thursday nights will feature live, local talent.

“We want this to be a place where someone who has some talent and wants a chance to test the waters to come and give it a shot,” she said.

Saturday lunch will be geared toward families.

“It’s going to feature a children’s lunch theater, where kids will be entertained with live shows,” LaVold said. “We want have a place where kids can come and leave with their bellies full and their imaginations piqued.”

The partners are also planning to offer Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. until to 2 p.m., and full bar service is available.

For more information, call (864) 642-0888.