Some would say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And Rosie’s Restaurant knows just how important that first meal is. Before the classic diner opened late last month, general manager Tim Raridan made sure all of the recipes were the best options for hungry customers.
“We’re all about great food, great service and a pristine environment,” Raridan said. “We tried to incorporate a little bit of the style of an old diner while staying modern.”
Upon entering, customers can place their orders before turning around and walking through an open space in one wall that leads them to the dining area with tables and booths. The layout is mostly the same as the previous restaurants at 909 W. First Ave.: Incrediburger and Eggs and de España. The walls are now decorated with painted flowers.
Before joining Rosie’s, Raridan worked at IHOP for 17 years. He places a high value on food, and while he wants it to be quick, he also wants to work with quality ingredients. He even tried 30 types of bacon before finding the right one for the restaurant’s recipes.
Raridan started as a chef when he entered the food industry and always tries to keep recipes consistent. He said it’s never necessary to have 14 sauces for five meals, so if a customer comes to the restaurant two days in a row and orders the same thing, nothing is different.
Raridan said that preparing food is a great honor because when the waiter hands the food to the customer, his face is behind it.
“It’s my work, my blood, my sweat, my tears that go into it,” he said. “We love having people, good food and smiles. When you look around the dining room and see the smiles, you know you’re doing it right.”
Rosie’s employee Lindsey Lennemann has been working there since April, when the opening was being prepared.
Previously she was a bartender.
“This is really my passion, being able to make fun cocktails and alcoholic milkshakes and create stuff that people don’t have, so it’s original to us,” Lennemann said. “We have our own homemade Bloody Mary mix that’s special here.”
“I had the opportunity to recreate the recipe and I am very proud of it.”
Rosie’s offers a selection of cocktails as well as non-alcoholic mocktails, hot chocolate and a full espresso bar with coffee from Thomas Hammer.
Lennemann said Raridan’s candied bacon is a nice addition to the menu, but what she really enjoys about working with the diner is that she keeps bringing people back to the restaurant.
“It’s special,” she said. “Getting customers who want to come back and having that nice community is definitely the most important thing.”
Other menu items include a selection of breakfast burritos for $14, omelets for $16, pancakes for $10 and more.
Rosie’s is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves breakfast, lunch and cocktails. Customers also have the option to pre-order online at rosiesspokane.com so their food is already prepared when they arrive at the restaurant.
