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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New development to offer Mexican food and more

Nils Rosdahl Correspondent

Busy, busy, busy. These words fit what will soon be happening on 3.5 acres at the southwest corner of Highway 41 at Mullan Avenue.

They already apply to the new Del Taco Restaurant at the intersection of Highway 95 and Prairie Avenue. Customers are often waiting in line both inside and at the drive-through window. Steve Ridenour, who developed that project, thinks the same thing can happen at Highway 41 and Mullan in Post Falls.

That’s why Del Taco will be part of a three-building development on the property. The 3,256-square-foot Del Taco building will be on the south end of the project. A 3,500-square-foot bank will be at the intersection corner, and an 11,350-square-foot retail building will be in the corner of Mullan and Primrose.

The project, with a name probably to be determined by a high school marketing class, will have access from all three streets. The occupants have primarily been determined but aren’t quite close enough to signing to be revealed, Ridenour said. They include a deli and upscale coffee shop with a courtyard and outdoor hearth and a retail store.

“They’re real close to confirming this,” Ridenour said. “We wouldn’t launch this if we didn’t have definite anchors.”

Offering Mexican and American food, the Del Offering Mexican and American food, the Del Taco will include a children’s area and picnic area. Planning a late-summer opening, it will employ 50 to 60 people. Ridenour also anticipates opening three Del Tacos in Spokane, two in Spokane Valley and one in Sandpoint. Ridenour is with North River Development of Coeur d’Alene.

Kynrede a kindred experience

A pleasant find this past week was Kynrede Café at 8885 Government Way, across from Idaho Independent Bank, in Hayden.

The restaurant moved from an old house a few blocks north, where it started as a breakfast-lunch place six years ago. Now it’s in another old house, completely revamped to be a lunch-dinner location.

You can’t call it an eatery. It’s simply too pleasant, with the tables seating 35 to 40 people divided among three very tastefully decorated rooms, similar to the previous location of the White House Grill in Post Falls. And the food is too good for an eatery.

The lunch menu has standard sandwiches served hot or cold with homemade soup or Caesar salad. The specialty lunch fare includes quiche, lasagna, wraps and salads. Dinner options include mouth-watering appetizers, salads and about 10 items including liver and onions and Osso Buco Milanese (tender veal shank). There are nightly specials, soups, a children’s menu, special deserts, gourmet teas and coffees, wines and beers.

“The menus are created around people’s tastes,” said Jesse Nachtwey (pronounced Nokway), who owns and runs the business with his wife, Lynn, and other family members. “People ask for certain favorites, and we’ll change it to be seasonal.”

The Nachtweys met several years ago while both were employed at Hayden Lake Country Club. He’s from Spokane, educated in culinary arts at Spokane Community College, and she’s from Coeur d’Alene.

A friend labeled them as kindred spirits, which Jesse researched to find the old English spelling of Kynrede. They designed the place around the feeling associated with the word, and the friend gave them their first restaurant silver.

They will be adding a large patio soon for outdoor dining, and the 1950s Cliff’s Auto Shop on the property probably will become Lynn’s antique shop. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday for dinner. Reservations are a good idea. Phone 772-8643.