AIMLESSLY UNBALANCED

Vanderbilt University - BVD Bloggtographer was there. Here's the latest goings on at Rand.

Rand receives a makeover

Since May 15, Rand Dining Center has been under construction to provide new dining options.

Prompted by students’ desire for more grab-and-go items along with the ability to create a more specialized restaurant, Vanderbilt Dining has funded a complete transformation of the area previously known as CX2.

No longer the place for burgers, fries and smoothies, CX2 has been gutted and “will be transformed into a more open, ‘dressed up’ environment with new floors, ceilings and serving lines,” according to Camp Howard, associate director in dining and executive chef.

The redesign pays homage to the university’s 30-year veteran, Chef Bill James while simultaneously taking advantage of the close proximity to the bookstore and mailroom. The new design of the space, now known as Chef James Bistro, will allow customers to see the action of food preparation while enjoying “specialized restaurant cooking.” Additionally, the bistro will have longer hours to suit customers’ eating habits.

To satisfy the desire for more on-the-go food choices, “in-house chef crafted” items will be available in Rand that include:

-Sandwiches

-Salads

-Wraps

-Fresh fruits and vegetables

There will also be a chilled entrée area where complete on-the-go meals can include items such as:

-Grilled chicken

-Fish

-Fresh vegetables

-Salads

-Starches

In addition to the updated to-go meal choices, menus will still include a variety of hot entrees, vegetables, starches, soups, fountain and bottled beverages, coffee and tea.

Since the smoothie stand of CX2 is also being replaced by the new Chef James Bistro, the downstairs Stonehenge sandwich booth has been demolished and is currently under construction to create a new location to buy smoothies. The new Center Smoothie will offer a variety of fruit- and yogurt-inspired smoothies.

The construction is set for completion by August 4

Jerry : Now wait a minute. There's always been cold cutz and fruitz. What's so new about more sandwiches ?
BVD : Everyone was sick and tired of seeing that broken down Volkswagon. It gave the impression that Vanderbilt could'nt afford real art. Besides , a VW is for the poor people , not Vanderbilt people. Even Nashville's street people felt poorly , while standing beside it. Perhaps , if they had used a Navigator , Vanderbilt people would have felt more comfortable with themselves