Saddle up: Kris Ryan to open The Big Smoke, Uncle Otis

Kris Ryan, known to food and drink fans for his involvement in spots such as Cox, The Saddle, The Rickshaw, The Saddle Cantina and The Side Saddle, has two more projects in the works – The Big Smoke and Uncle Otis – in the Xingfucun East Street area. Gutted a few weeks ago, the multilevel venues are under renovations, with plans to open by the end of April, says Ryan.

Ryan says the food menus are not fully decided though one place will be a “home-style food bistro” while the other will focus on chicken. When asked the crucial question of whether or not the chicken joint will serve those tasty Cox-style wings so popular a few years back, Ryan answered, “definitely”.

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