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Fedora ready for grand opening

by Joel Donofrio
| September 3, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - A longtime area accountant has thrown her hat into the restaurant ring.

Donita Mattern and her daughter, Mallory Mattern, recently opened The Fedora Pub and Grille at 1726 W. Kathleen Ave., and they are pleased at how quickly word-of-mouth has led to breakfast, lunch and dinnertime crowds.

"The support from the community has been great," said Donita, who opened the doors of The Fedora on Aug. 23. "Our goal here is to provide a fun, friendly atmosphere and a comfortable setting."

Donita Mattern is a 25-year resident of the Coeur d'Alene area who said she was "burned out" after years of working as a corporate accountant.

"I wanted to do something new. I'm 48 and I wanted to do something different with my life," Mattern said. "It's less pay and more hours, but I'm loving it."

The restaurant, located just west of Ramsey Road in a predominantly residential area of northwest Coeur d'Alene, was formerly Wagner's Hofbrau.

That establishment closed after about a year and a half of business, and the building was bought at a real estate auction by local Realtors Paul and Robbi Bielec. The Matterns bought it from them earlier this year and spent the summer transforming the building into The Fedora, with Mallory giving the restaurant its name.

The 6,000-square-foot building features a cozy bar area complete with sofas and easy chairs; a banquet room available for large groups and gatherings; and a sizable dining area.

Menu highlights include six entree-sized salads, ranging in price from $7-9; five hand-crafted burgers ($7.25-8.50); five sandwiches, including a steak sandwich ($8.25-12); and entrees such as pasta dinners, steak, sesame ahi, fish and chips and coconut chicken. All dinner entrees are $15.25 or less.

A combo plate is offered for $7.75, allowing guests to choose two items from three categories: soups/side dishes, a half-order of the menu's salads, and a half-order of the menu's sandwiches.

Mattern credited her chef, Brad Case, for concocting such popular items as the Monte Cristo sandwich, made-from-scratch biscuits and gravy, and five vegetarian lunch and dinner choices.

"All of our sauces, salad dressings and rolls are homemade - even our hamburger buns are homemade," she added.

Case is among 65 employees, most of whom are working between 30 and 40 hours each, Mattern said.

She hopes her restaurant will be popular with all age groups, including young adults, families with children and older residents.

The restaurant received its beer and wine liquor license this week and was expected to begin serving those drinks on Thursday - just in time for this weekend's grand opening. A wide selection of Northwest wines, 15-20 different microbrews and happy hour specials are available.

The grand opening will include a prime rib special - and a deal for anyone wearing a fedora into the restaurant. Wearers of those distinctive hats will receive a free house appetizer with the purchase of any entree.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at The Fedora, beginning at 7 a.m. each day. For more information, call the restaurant at 765-8888.