Nearby: Whitman Mall Adding Dining Spots to Operations

By Pam Robinson

As Walt Whitman Shops continues to remake itself, one of the more visible changes is the addition of several restaurants.

Four new places are scheduled to open in the coming weeks:

Cups Frozen Yogurt  - late September 
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar - early October 
Brio Tuscan Grille  - mid-October  
P.F.Chang’s China Bistro – early to mid-December 

Construction is underway on the restaurants, which are growing on the west side of the structure, added in some cases to what was the outside wall of the mall, facing out onto Route 110.

Zinburger and Cups are part of the Briad Group, a New Jersey-based company that operates quick-service restaurants, such as Wendy's, casual-dining restaurants, such as T.G.I. Friday's, and hotels under the Hilton and Marriott name.

Cups can be found in Commack and Carle Place; most of its stores are in New Jersey. 

Zinburger offers such specialties as a Snickers Shake and such pairings of wine and food as Bridlewood - Chardonnay with an Ahi sandwich.

Its existing stores are in New Jersey but the Whitman restaurant is one of seven the chain plans to open in New York, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.

P.F. Chang's, which got its start in the early 1990s, has more than 200 restaurants around the world.

Brio's offers a full Tuscan-themed menu, parties and catering. 

Unlike the past, many of the new businesses open out onto the parking lot, breaking up the monolithic look of the mall. New stores include Carhartt and Pottery Barn for Kids.