Food & Wine

Farmers market finds, French brunch, lavender and cherries. Tri-City foodie stories

June brought a wave of openings, closings and seasonal launches across the Tri-Cities food scene, from new brunch menus to farm U-picks.

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening at local restaurants, farms and markets this month.

Click the links to read the full stories.

Lavender season is underway at U-pick boutique farms across the Tri-Cities region, including Sunkissed Lavender, Blue Mountain Lavender Farm and Crockett Road Lavender Farm, where visitors can find culinary treats like lavender ice cream, jelly and infused lemonade.

Crockett Road Lavender Farm at 53671 W Crockett Rd, Milton-Freewater, OR.
Crockett Road Lavender Farm at 53671 W Crockett Rd, Milton-Freewater, OR. Emma Zawacki emma.zawacki@tricityherald.com

The Richland Farmers Market kicked off its 20th season on Lee Boulevard with vendors offering everything from sausage breakfast sandwiches and tamales to strawberry matcha tiramisu and honey-spiced flatbread, running Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October.

Colorful fresh local fruits and vegetables cover a vendor's tables Friday morning for the opening of the Richland Farmers Market.
Colorful fresh local fruits and vegetables cover a vendor's tables Friday morning for the opening of the Richland Farmers Market. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

The Bradley by Chef Jessie in Richland is launching a new French-focused weekend brunch menu with items like a $15 berry-topped waffle and a $26 tenderloin plate, plus specialty cocktails including a mimosa flight.

The menu also includes a Saumon Poché. This dish is a poached salmon with fingerling potatoes, fennel and a citrus salad, according to the menu.
The menu also includes a Saumon Poché. This dish is a poached salmon with fingerling potatoes, fennel and a citrus salad, according to the menu. The Bradley

Angel and Carmen Peña are opening Angel’s Family Restaurant near the HAPO Center in Pasco, a larger full-service spin-off of their Angel’s Cafe that will seat more than 72 and serve both breakfast and dinner.

Alan’s Eggs Benedict features poached eggs, bacon, avocado over crispy country fried steak topped with Hollandaise at Angel’s Cafe.
Alan’s Eggs Benedict features poached eggs, bacon, avocado over crispy country fried steak topped with Hollandaise at Angel’s Cafe.

Mocha Express is closing its Kennewick drive-thru at 1400 W. 27th Ave. after eight years as Jackson Food Stores expands operations on the property, though two other Kennewick locations will remain open.

According to a Facebook post that announced the closure, the business has been there for eight years.
According to a Facebook post that announced the closure, the business has been there for eight years. Emma Zawacki emma.zawacki@tricityherald.com

Ray French Orchards in Richland opened for one of its final U-pick cherry seasons, with owners Sandra and Robin French planning to wind down the multi-generation orchard by 2027 or 2028 due to their age, high costs and development pressure.

Sandra and Robin French recently announced they’re starting to phase out their u-pick Ray French Orchard operation in Richland. They are working towards retirement after operating the longtime family farm. Their dog, Ollie, stays close to them in the photo.
Sandra and Robin French recently announced they’re starting to phase out their u-pick Ray French Orchard operation in Richland. They are working towards retirement after operating the longtime family farm. Their dog, Ollie, stays close to them in the photo. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Napoli’s Italian Restaurant on George Washington Way in Richland has closed after three years after owners Tony and Valle Morina lost their lease when the building was put up for sale.

Napoli’s Italian Restaurant’s sign in front of its old location in Richland
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant’s sign in front of its old location in Richland Emma Zawacki emma.zawacki@tricityherald.com

Copper Top Tap House and Growler Fills in Kennewick’s Southridge neighborhood is up for sale after 10 years, with owner Darren Mayer hoping to find a devoted customer to take over the 40-tap bar and keep the Copper Top name.

Beer tap
Beer tap

Two Benton City wineries — Terra Blanca’s Vineyard Grill and Frichette — have been nominated for USA Today 10 Best awards in the Best Winery Restaurant and Best Wine Club categories, with voting open until July 20 and winners announced July 29.

Columbia Gardens Artisan Village in Kennewick is celebrating two new additions with a ribbon cutting for Wheat Head On the Water taproom and Brandi Dayton Art Studio, which offers oil painting classes starting with a signature sunflower composition.

Wheat Head Brewing Co. has opened its much-anticipated new taproom on the Kennewick downtown waterfront. It's located in the Columbia Gardens facility at 313 E. Columbia Drive, Suite 120, Kennewick, near Zip’s and the cable bridge.
Wheat Head Brewing Co. has opened its much-anticipated new taproom on the Kennewick downtown waterfront. It's located in the Columbia Gardens facility at 313 E. Columbia Drive, Suite 120, Kennewick, near Zip’s and the cable bridge. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.

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