The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research’s (IALR) on-site café, Megabytes, has reopened featuring a new menu and online ordering. The café offers unique and healthy options Monday-Friday, including a well-stocked fresh salad bar, pizza and sandwiches. Interesting twists on old favorites include a turkey wrap with avocado and red pepper hummus, or a ham and cheddar croissant with sweet pineapple Dijon. Snacks, including freshly baked cookies, are also available.

In addition to daily items, the café features a hot buffet Tuesday-Thursday offering a rotating menu. Some themes include Taste of Italy, featuring dishes like beef lasagna and chicken carbonara, Taco Tuesday with selections like Chile Verde pork and fajita steak, and a Burger Bar, where diners can design their own burger creation using a variety of toppings and sauces.

For pick-up orders, new online ordering options are available at www.toasttab.com/megabytes or via the free Toast Takeout mobile application downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Megabytes’ new friendly and highly trained staff are eager to welcome and serve their guests. Executive Chef John Clark has been bringing culinary excellence to country clubs and conference centers since he was 27 years old. He recently located with his son to Danville from Taylor Hospitality’s Virginia International Raceway (VIR) property and has been responsible for the food and beverage program at IALR since August 2021. Although he established himself as a creative force on the west coast, he is a native of Virginia, originally hailing from Alexandria. When not in the kitchen, he is a gifted musician who likes to travel, play golf and garden.

Front House Manager Alex Hattwick is a 2014 graduate of Averett University. He has a long history in food service, primarily as a bartender and banquet captain. Hattwick is excited to be back in the Danville area and looks forward to enhancing options and growing the café. He is an avid motorcyclist, gardener, tinkerer and surfer.

Donna Conner, Server/Banquet Server, is a 30-year veteran of the customer service and transportation industries. She takes special pride in getting to know her customers and keeping the restaurant organized and operating smoothly. Like Clark, she comes to Megabytes from Taylor Hospitality’s VIR property.

Megabytes café summer hours (June 1-Sept. 2) are 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday with the hot bar serving patrons Tuesday-Thursday. For more information and to view menus, visit ialr.org/megabytes.