A new downtown restaurant creating buzz in the Niles community will be open for a sneak peek during the 8th Annual Hunter Ice Festival Jan. 13-15.

Olfactory Hue Bistro, which will officially open in March at 226 E. Main St., was asked by Niles Main Street to serve as a warming center during the festival.

Owner Daysha Fritz-Amster, who also operates Olfactory Hue Catering Company, said the decision was a no-brainer.

“We’re just so community driven and really excited to be in Niles,” Fritz-Amster said. “We’re basically a temporary restaurant for the festival.”

The first night of the festival, Friday, Jan. 13, Olfactory Hue will host a beer dinner — a five-course, five-beer meal prepared by Fritz-Amster. Her husband, Ben Amster, a craft beer specialist, will discuss regional beers from New Holland Brewing Co., Bell’s Brewery, Greenbush Brewing Co., Founders Brewing Co. and Upland Brewing Co. during each course. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the dinner will start at 7 p.m. The cost is $50 and seating is limited.

“We anticipate that it will fill up,” Fritz-Amster said.

Olfactory Hue Bistro will serve as a warming center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Family friendly food — breakfast burritos with Hunter sausage (hand-ground local bacon, pork, coriander and mustard seed), Hunter stew, tomato bisque, artisan grilled cheese sandwiches and more — will be available. Beer and wine will be served Saturday only.

All alcohol proceeds from Friday and Saturday will benefit the Niles Burn Run, a non-profit motorcycle ride that benefits the Great Lakes Burn Camp, a retreat for burn victims ages 7 to 17.

A children’s story hour hosted by Fritz-Amster, Fox 28’s Allison Hayes and Lacey Wiemuth, owner of Lace Dance and Fitness Studio, will be held Sunday. Smoothie samples will be served. More information will be available later as the event is planned.

Fritz-Amster said the events are her way of not only generating interest in her new business, but also contributing to her town and instilling “foodie-ism” in its residents.

“It just can’t happen fast enough,” Fritz-Amster said. “It’s all a labor of love. I just can’t get the word out fast enough.”

Foodies unite

• Olfactory Hue Bistro and Olfactory Hue Catering Company are both on Facebook, where a full menu is available.
• For questions about Olfactory Hue Bistro, email Daysha Fritz-Amster at daysha@gmail.com or visit www.olfactoryhue.com.
• Learn about the Hunter Ice Festival on Facebook or  www.huntericefestival.org.