New steakhouse open in Kennewick

You can't get breakfast or lunch at Kennewick's new TC Prime Steakhouse.

"But you can get the best steak dinner in town," says co-owner Patrick King.

The philosophy at Kennewick's newest steakhouse is to "focus on one meal and do it right."

King, along with his wife, Patricia, who split their time between Kennewick and Pendleton, and Kurt and Cindy Fisher of Richland, are partners in TC Prime.

But it's King and executive chef Josh Young and sous chef Makaiwi Wachter in charge of the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.

King has been in the food industry for about 20 years. He learned it running a diner in Baker City, Ore., and honed his skills as part owner of the Stetson House of Prime in Pendleton.

"It's a real cowboy-style steakhouse. But then that's Pendleton, and when in Rome, you do Rome," he said. "I wanted to go in a different direction, to kick our food and dining experience up a notch."

King and Young -- who was working at a rival steakhouse across the street from Stetsons, Hamley's Steakhouse -- began dreaming, planning and looking north.

"We like the Tri-Cities, and the economy is way better here than in Pendleton," King said.

"Actually, we had customers from the Tri-Cities drive down to Pendleton to get a great steak. They kept asking, why don't you open one in the Tri-Cities? I listened," he said.

The Kings sold their interest in Stetsons and headed to the Tri-Cities.

TC Prime opened last week at 1408 N. Louisiana St., next door to the Olive Garden, where a Chinese fast food restaurant used to be.

"It has a contemporary feel, the decor isn't at all Western or cowboy," King said.

And he noted that unlike a lot of our neighboring restaurants, it is not a chain.

"We're local, and we buy local. Or at least as much as possible," he said. "We also stress freshness in produce, meat and seafood. Nothing's ever been frozen except the prawns. That's how they come. Fresh isn't an option."

The menu is limited, but everything on it carefully is chosen.

"We plan to make small changes often and seasonally," he said.

Steaks and seafood are their main focus, but it offers salads and chicken, too. It has a full bar, including wines almost exclusively from Washington.

The Kings, Fishers and their staff intend to make TC Prime not just the best steakhouse in the Tri-Cities but one of the best restaurants.

"We are serving not only fine food, but we want to give our customers the best dining experience they can get for the money. For us it's not just about the food but the overall experience," he said.

TC Prime is not being advertised as a family restaurant but King said children are welcome and they have a limited children's menu. The restaurant also is small, they can seat 40 with an additional six at the bar.

Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com

This story was originally published March 4, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New steakhouse open in Kennewick ."