eat

Movement on the Vietnamese front

Fans of Vietnamese food salivated at the news in summer 2007 that the former home of short-lived Slavic restaurants Neva Russian Tea Room and Ararat Grill, 2909 N. Division St., was to become a second branch of Pho Van, a longtime staple of the Gonzaga District restaurant scene.

Then we waited.

And waited.

Well, things finally seem to be progressing on the North Division Street pho front, with signage going up and work being done, proving it’s not just a hot, soupy fantasy.

A restaurant spokesman said the second Van should be open by mid-October.

One World Spokane to open

Keith and Janice Raschko continue to cozy up to an opening date for their new One World Spokane community kitchen project at 1804 E. Sprague Ave.

The couple based their new open-source restaurant – meaning people choose their portions, pay honor system-style by donation and even have the chance to work for their food – on a sister eatery, One World Everybody Eats Salt Lake City. They plan to open the Spokane location by the end of the month.

You might remember the Raschkos as the owners of SereniTea, which was highlighted in a 7  cover story in August 2007 featuring individuals trying to make a difference in the Spokane area’s historic neighborhoods.

Now the Raschkos are the first people in the region to open up a restaurant with the One World model.For more info, visit www.oneworld spokane.com.

– Tom Bowers, staff writer