Tecate Grill set to open in mid summer
Tecate Grill is the latest eatery planning to fill spaces around the Riverstone Cinema off Northwest Boulevard in Coeur d’Alene.
The upscale Mexican restaurant will be in 5,500 square feet to the left (north) side of the theater entrance. The menu will be a combination of dishes common to the inland and cultural feel of its namesake location of Tecate, just over the border from San Diego. It will share the menu of Spokane’s Tecate Grill, but the décor will have more of a Baja California desert feel rather than coastal, as in the Spokane outlet.
The menu includes a variety of dishes ranging from $9 to $15, and most including rice and beans. Some dishes come with salad, veggies, potatoes, soup or guacamole.
With a planned opening in July, Tecate’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant will employ about 50 people. The company also owns Desert Fire and Los Costa restaurants in Western Washington. Co-owner Ramon Ramos’ family is connected with the chain of Azteca restaurants. He came to Seattle from Los Angeles in 1979. His partners are Carla and Kiko Barajas.
Other restaurants opening soon on the south side of the cinemas are San Francisco Sourdough and Pizza Schmizza. The sandwich shop should open in June, and the pizza store should open soon.
Meanwhile, Joey’s Smokin’ B-B-Q, another eatery on the south side (right next to Starbucks), has expanded to Jones Chevron and Deli at 4020 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.
Rusty’s open in Hayden
This new bar in The Design Center at Government Way at Orchard Avenue in Hayden is named after a roof. Yes, a corroded, tin roof is part of the Northwest design of the place, which also includes weathered barn wood, copper highlights, a rock fireplace and a conversation area with leather furniture.
With a full bar and tap beers, Rusty’s bills itself as an upscale sports bar with eight high-definition TVs, and several video and bar games, including darts and golf. Sandwiches and salads come from the neighboring 2b Cafe between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Seating includes the bar, booths, tables and the conversation area.
Owner Kim Gittel, a Dalton native, employs eight people. Rusty’s wll be open from 11 a.m. until about 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Phone: 772-2400.
This week’s tidbits
“The Breakfast Nook is opening more and has closed. This could be confusing if a person didn’t know there are two Breakfast Nooks. Er, no. That’s incorrect. There’s just one because the one at 115 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, has closed. The employees there have transferred to the Coeur d’Alene location on Poplar Avenue between Third and Fourth streets. And they’ve transferred there because this Breakfast Nook now is open daily and has added dinner to its menu. It’s now open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with 23 employees.
“Meanwhile, Wingers Restaurant in Post Falls has closed and doesn’t have a second North Idaho location.
“And High Nooner Restaurant in Coeur d’Alene has opened next to Sportsman’s Plaza (and just west of Costco). Hours at the sandwich,soup and salad place are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It has dine-in, take-out and delivery. Phone: 664-2221. Check www.highnooner.com.
“Read the fine print when renting a car. Last week in New York City I rented a car from Enterprise for one day ($60) and went 10 miles before noticing the gas tank was almost empty. I called the company representative who explained they rent the cars with the gas tank content where the last renter left it. Oh. So I filled the tank ($40). I called my destination 70 miles north and discovered the roads were closed with 8 to 10 inches of snow. Oh, again. I returned the car – out $100. But St. Patrick’s Day was exciting in that city. I also went up the Rockefeller Center Tower, which was fantastic.