Tri-Cities newest cocktail bar opens. Brewery adds menu, other restaurant openings
Tri-Cities newest cocktail lounge is now taking reservations.
Moniker Cocktail Bar in Richland just opened after its initial May plans were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspired by the 1960s Palm Springs palisade, the bar at 720 The Parkway is featuring seven specialized hand-crafted cocktails and seven food items — all are based on pan-Asian, Indian and South American cultures.
There also is no guessing games at prices. Everything is $12, with the exception of add-on items, such as chicken.
“I don’t want people to evaluate what they are going to drink based on price, I want them to base it on flavor,” said Erin Stevens who opened Moniker with her husband Tyler and his sister Megan.
While Moniker doesn’t have a full bar, it does have off-menu options such as a gin and tonic, Stevens said. But everything they carry is top-shelf liquor to maximize the experience.
The menu will change every six to eight weeks, with all dishes and drinks having seasonal ingredients and house-made juices and syrups.
“One of the most important things is the experience,” Stevens said. “What you want to eat and drink in the summer is different than in the fall.”
One of their most popular drinks already is the Dr. Strangelove — a bitter mai tai — and a Jess Holly made with freshly juiced strawberries and in-house ginger syrup.
Other Tiki inspired drinks include a Papa Doble, a Hemingway daiquiri with house-made grapefruit lime cordial, and a Banana Bandit with homemade roasted banana liquor that can be topped with sorbet.
“We have big, fun, flamboyant drinks,” Stevens told the Herald.
Aloo Matar Curry with freshly ground spices and hand-rolled lumpia — a Filipino fried roll with green papaya salad — are two of the items on the opening menu.
Stevens said to expect the October menu to be heartier with flavors of cinnamon and smoke and more spirit-forward drinks.
Moniker is open 3 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and takes reservations. For now, it is only open to the 21 and over crowd, but Moniker owners are working on getting licensing approval to allow minors.
Other restaurant news
▪ The Crow’s Nest Bar and Grill at Clover Island Inn in Kennewick has been newly renovated and reopened Sept. 1 with a freshened up menu.
Crow’s Nest sits on the top floor of the hotel at 435 Clover Island Drive with a wide view of the Columbia River.
Meals choices include burgers made with freshly ground beef, hand-cut fries and fish and chips made with Ice Harbor beer batter from the neighboring brewery, Ice Harbor at the Marina.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday with Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with drink specials and half-priced drinks.
▪ Paper Street Brewing Co. moved from Richland’s Uptown two years ago to a Pasco farm, and now is inviting rotating food vendors to create a family-fun experience.
Paper Street taphouse reopened in a converted farm shop last October but had to close in May because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The microbrewery is back in business and will be reopening this weekend for inside seating.
The brewery has eight of its own beers on tap in addition to hard seltzers — including one of its own — and a rotating guest hard cider.
The in-house own food menu is limited, but food trucks including Ciao Wagon, Bayou Some Cajun, Mami’s Ceviche and Between the Buns have been regulars at the farm.
Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Outside food also is welcome at Paper Street at 241 Fanning Road near Road 100, where guests can spread out on the property. Minors are welcome outside, and guests are invited to bring yard games.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Allison Stormo at astormo@tricityherald.com.
This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 11:18 AM.