New restaurants in Tri-Cities offer variety

Whether you are in the mood for Mexican, seafood or home-style fare, there is a new restaurant either just opened or breaking ground in the Tri-Cities.

Sheila Bentley and her husband, Darren Martin of Pasco, opened a second Magill's Restaurant in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland at the end of August.

"We've had our eye on this location for over a year," she said. "It just became available a few months ago, and when the landlord called, we said yes."

Business at their first restaurant at Argent Street and Road 68 in Pasco is "good, really good," she said.

"We didn't realize how many of our customers there came from Richland. When they found out we were opening one in Richland, we heard a lot of 'Oh, my gosh, now we don't have to drive to Pasco,' " Bentley said.

Both Magill's restaurants offer the same menu, an eclectic mix of pastas, soups and other comfort foods. They have similar decor too, with warm wood walls full of memorabilia and a flickering faux fireplace.

The Richland location comes with a bonus. Around the corner from the restaurant, connected by the kitchen to the restaurant, is a bakery.

"Come Oct. 1, we're going to be selling ice cream and homestyle desserts like bars, cookies -- things you get at family reunions and that grandmom used to make," Bentley said.

Magill's in Richland employs about 25 and is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Phone: 509-713-7111.

Costa Vida Mexican

If Mexican appeals, check out Costa Vida Mexican Fresh Grill in Kennewick. It opened Saturday at 4309 W. 27th Place, Building C, near Southridge High School.

It is owned by brothers Bob and Russ Cazier of Pasco, who also own 24 Subway franchises in Eastern Washington and Oregon.

The two restaurant chains are a good fit. Just as you step up to the counter to order a sandwich your way at Subway, you do the same at Costa Vida.

"You can smell the food, see the quality, because it's right there in front of you. You see it before it goes on a tortilla," said Bob Cazier.

Everything at Costa Vida is prepared fresh every day.

"Except for condensed milk, there are no cans of food in our restaurants," said Brian Dixon, marketing director for the chain.

"We're sensitive to serving healthy foods. We have an executive chef on staff to oversee the menu, not some R & D department in Chicago," Dixon said. "He's really a guy with a passion for food. He calls what we make 'whole food' without added sodium and preservatives and other additions."

"Our ingredients list is very simple," Dixon said. "For example, refried beans are just beans, vegetable oil and seasonings."

Cazier said the Baja-inspired menu has a lot of seafood and lighter choices, like the raspberry chipotle chicken. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options too.

It's open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday. Phone: 509-572-2235.

Sterling's

Within six months Tri-Citians will be able to dine at another area favorite, Sterling's Famous Steak, Seafood & Salad Bar. Jim Sterling has broken ground at 2500 Queensgate Drive in Richland across from Burger King. This will be the first one he has built from scratch.

Sterling opened his first restaurant on George Washington Way in Richland in July 1982. A few years ago, he opened one in Kennewick and another in Walla Walla.

He calls his establishments "just a restaurant. Where I grew up, a restaurant meant wholesome, fresh-baked bread, fresh-cut meats and soups fresh made in the back of the house," he said. "And that's what I serve in my restaurants now."

Other new restaurants either open now or opening soon include:

-- Bob’s Burgers & Brew, at Vintner’s Plaza in Richland (near Target), opening March 2012.

-- Taqueria El Rinconsito, a Mexican restaurant, plans to open at 2226 Court St., Pasco.

-- Yoplicity, 4309 W. 27th Place, Building C, Kennewick.

-- Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., in Columbia Center mall, Kennewick.

-- Texas Roadhouse, 845 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, will open in October.

New owners

-- O’Henry’s, 20 S. Auburn St., Kennewick, is under new management with a new menu.

Some recent closures include:

-- Nany’s Manila Restaurant 1340 Jadwin Ave., Richland.

-- Bella, an Italian bistro and wine bar, 509 Ninth St., Benton City, will be closing on Sept. 30. The business is for sale.

-- Willingham’s Grill, 335 W. Columbia Drive, Kennewick.

-- Six Degrees, a restaurant and bar, 3311 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick.

This story was originally published September 25, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New restaurants in Tri-Cities offer variety."