Scout takes place of former Far West

Scout up breakfast, lunch or dinner at the new joint on the corner of First and Monroe.

Simply named Scout, the new bar and restaurant at 1101 W. First Ave. has taken over the space once home to Far West Billiards. Although remodeled, Scout has a worn and well-loved appearance that suggests it could have been there far longer.

The billiards tables have been moved to the back near the bar to open up seating for diners in front. Several mounted animal heads adorn the walls. Eclectic lighting fixtures hang from the high ceiling. A worn historic sign from the Montvale Hotel is a centerpiece in the dining room. Owners say the sign was found in a pile of dirt in the building’s basement in 1996.

A door with three tall, narrow windows connects the restaurant and bar to the lobby of the Montvale Hotel next door, which is also owned by developer Rob Brewster. Brewster embarked on the ambitious makeover of the building in 2004. His efforts include the boutique hotel, the new restaurant and pub and the Catacombs Pub in the basement.

He describes the food as British pub meets Portland eatery, but there appear to be other influences at work. The breakfast menu includes a basic egg and bacon breakfast, as well as waffles, pancakes, corned beef hash or chicken-fried breakfast. Or, head south for fried chicken and waffle (that’s a boneless chicken breast pounded, battered and fried, served atop a crispy waffle with maple syrup) or further south for El Gringo, eggs served with black beans, cheddar cheese and corn salsa. Prices range from $6 to $12.

Lunch and dinner also include an array of starters, sandwiches, soup and salad. Entrees include locally raised game hen ($15), pork tenderloin sandwich with a cacao chili rub ($15), Idaho trout ($14), Kentucky burgoo with beef and pork with beans, tomatoes, corn, cabbage, okra and potato ($16) and the Salty Pear, a four cheese and pear fiocchi pasta in a roasted garlic cream sauce ($14).

Scout is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Reach the restaurant at (509) 747-3434.

Look next week for Twelve String Brewing

Twelve String Brewing Co. owner Terry Hackler may be the newcomer in the area’s surge of microbreweries, but he’s not new to the craft.

Hackler, who recently opened the taphouse to his new brewery in Spokane Valley, has been brewing more than 30 years.

Last week, we promised you a story on Twelve String. Sadly, space constraints will not allow it to appear this week. So look for it next week.