The new Darby's at the Market, with a restaurant, lounge and catering services in downtown Nampa, opens informally Sunday with a brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market already had a soft opening of sorts: The Music Theatre of Idaho's "Beauty and the Beast" Character Breakfast for children and parents, was held there Saturday and will be repeated Oct. 31.

Darby's, 112 13th Ave. S., is replacing the Market Limone, which closed in April, much to the dismay of patrons who loved the specialty breads, cheeses, imported items and pricey truffles.

I visited recently with Darby's executive chef Preston Hoyt and bar manager Jimmy Dunbar as they waited for city officials to arrive for final inspections. Preston said the restaurant is taking catering orders for holiday parties. They plan to serve lunch and dinner seven days a week.

JD says the establishment has a full liquor license, and all Idaho wineries will be represented. Davis Creek Winery is being featured now.

Preston told me that his new wife, Melody, is the pastry chef. The restaurant's signature dish is smoked prime rib, and the menu includes fish, chicken, pasta and vegetarian items, plus a kids' menu and senior citizen specialties. Its fun dcor features white leather chairs and some cozy booths, and artist Linda Baker has colorful Halloween paintings adorning the windows.

Darby's is right across the street from Brian Inaba's elegant Copper Canyon Restaurant, and Brian said he welcomes the new establishment and wishes it a lot of luck. He feels he offers a different ambiance for fine dining.

"This is a hard town for restaurants," Brian said.

SPOOKY SHOW CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN

Proud mom Vera Cederstrom, chairwoman of publicity for Boise Music Week, told me that her talented theatrical daughter, Jenny Sternling, is directing a unique production at Bishop Kelly High School for the Halloween season.

"Frankenstein 1930," adapted by Fred Carmichael from Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's book, will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 1, in the school's gym, 7009 Franklin Road.

Jenny, who has been directing shows for Bishop Kelly Theatre Arts for about seven years, said this performance will be spooky, startling and fun for kids and families.

Katrina Estep from Nampa will be featured as Elizabeth, the love of Dr. Frankenstein. Katrina is a ninth-grader, and has had roles in several school shows, including the musicals "Oliver" and "Jesus Christ Super Star."

Becky Hopper of Caldwell, another ninth-grader, is working on the show's crew. Becky has attended Syringa Middle School in Caldwell and St. Paul's Catholic School in Nampa.

Jenny told me that the creature created by Dr. Frankenstein will be performed by Greg Housley, a sophomore. The role of Dr. Frankenstein will be played by a guest performer from Boise State University, Chad Shohet. Jenny said she directed Chad seven years ago in his first dramatic production, and now he is an accomplished theater major.

Tickets for the "Frankenstein 1930" show are $7 for general admission, and $5 for children younger than 6 and senior citizens older than 65.

SPECTACULAR 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' RETURNS TO NAMPA

Jean Andrews, director of the Music Theatre of Idaho's current production of "Beauty and the Beast," reports that the elaborate production at the Nampa Civic Center is selling out fast, and there are just four more shows, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

For reservations or more information, call MTI at 468-2385 or mtionline.org.

Do you have any news about West Treasure Valley? E-mail your ideas to Marie D. Galyean at riedevine@cableone.net.