WHITFIELD'S FINE DINING OPENS IN DOWNTOWN AREA

Whitfield's Fine Dining will offer a unique experience for diners, says Elma Staten, manager of a new operation that opens next weekend at 220 Independence.

"The service will be on the order of old Southern service," said Staten. "Our waiters will wear cut-away-tails and white gloves and our hostesses will wear French maid uniforms."

Staten said dining would be at "two seatings," at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily except holidays.

"We'll have four seatings on holidays lunch, mid-afternoon and the two evening seatings," said Staten.

"We don't have a menu," she said. "We won't be serving a special cuisine; we'll be providing gourmet foods, and they will be changed every two weeks."

The fine dining operation is one of four operations in the 11-room facility in downtown Cape Girardeau.

"The total business operation at 220 Independence will include Whitfield's Fine Dining; Unique Caterers; Creative Arrangements, a flower and gift shop; and antiques.

Unique Caterers became a full-time service in 1987.

Creative Arrangements will be open from 10 a.m. through the final dinner seating of the evening. People can browse through antiques during the same period of time.

"We'll serve dinner customers in 11 dining rooms," said Staten. "We're already taking reservations for the Easter weekend."

Reservations for dining and catering information are available by calling 651-4225.

Flowers, gifts and antiques may be found in all 11 dining rooms.