Care for a scone with that haircut?

Business Beat

By Marijke Rowland

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The owners of the new Bella Vagos salon don't want you to just get a haircut, they want you to have an experience.

The joint salon, spa and cafe will celebrate its grand opening in the site of the old Portofino Caffe, 521 McHenry Ave., with an open house Saturday.

Co-owners Meagan Burns and Arica Carranza said they wanted to create a unique spa experience.

In addition to hair, nail, facial, tanning and massage services, Bella Vagos serves food and drinks.

The cafe, in the detached building behind the main house, has coffee, scones, muffins, sandwiches, salads and soups. It offers beer, wine and champagne throughout the day.

"It's about giving you special service," Burns said. "We can bring you a mimosa when you're getting your pedicure."

The cafe seats 25 indoors with additional seating in the outdoor courtyard.

The salon has eight hair and three manicure- pedicure stations, as well as massage, an esthetician and spray tan rooms.

Carranza, who co-owns Hero's Sports Lounge with her husband, met Burns when they worked as nail technicians at Salon Salon.

Bella Vagos, which loosely means beautiful dreams in Italian, offers all-day spa packages and will offer regular high teas and other events. The space can be rented for private parties.

In the spring, Burns said the cafe will expand to evening hours. The public is invited to the grand opening at 6 p.m. Saturday. Its regular hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For details, call 573-8605 or go to www.bellavagos.com.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Surla's is ready to serve.

The new restaurant in the former site of Hazel's Elegant Dining opens today. Owner John Surla, the former executive chef and general manager of Galletto Ristorante, said his menu will feature an eclectic mix of California and Asian fusion.

The restaurant opens for dinner at 5 p.m. today through Saturday, then begins its regular lunch and dinner service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

The restaurant features a contemporary design, large bar and local artwork.

"We revamped the whole thing," he said. "It feels like you are in Las Vegas."

For more about Surla's, 431 12th St., call 550-5555. ...

If you're tired of the traditional takeout options, try the new Kabob Kitchen for something new.

The Mediterranean food takeout restaurant opened two months ago.

Chef and owner Shamiran Beitsayad serves a variety of kabobs, dolmas, stews, sandwiches and soups.

Shamiran's daughter Dona Beitsayad said her mother, a former bank manager, decided to open the eatery after a lifetime of cooking for family and friends.

"Everyone tells her she is a little Martha Stewart, so she said, 'Let's try this dream of ours,' " she said.

Kabob Kitchen, at 2221 McHenry Ave., next to Baskin-Robbins, is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for dinner 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 622-0900. ...

And finally, Asia Villa has closed. San Jose resident Yu Huang opened the eatery at the corner of Briggsmore and McHenry avenues in August. Before that the site was the short-lived Villa Beef House and Mr. Chau's Chinese Fast Food.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; 578-2284 or mrowland@modbee.com.