A new trend in fun wine

COEUR d'ALENE - Tito's, an Italian restaurant in downtown Coeur d'Alene, is giving its customers an entirely fresh look at this style of cuisine - along with a game-changing new concept in wine.

The new Tito's Italian Grill and Wine Shop will be run by Chef Jim Barrett. He was previously the head chef at Beverly's Restaurant at The Coeur d'Alene Resort and The Golf Club at Black Rock.

"We're making things slightly more serious, more of a genuine Italian restaurant with a Mediterranean twist," Barrett said. "We will have specialty sourced ingredients, with fresher, lighter food and more of a seasonal menu."

Tito's holds a prominent location on downtown Coeur d'Alene's Sherman Avenue, with both indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant has a brick oven, private dining room, full service bar and a comfortable lounge.

The newest addition is Tito's Wine Shop, where diners can browse and shop at grocery store prices, select bottles of wine, and bring the wine to their table, where it will be opened by the server for only a small corkage fee. Wine is also available by the glass or for takeout. This allows customers to enjoy any of the wine choices at dramatically reduced prices, said Bill Reagan, general manager of The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"This is the newest trend in fun wine selection and dining," Reagan said. "People can touch and feel the bottles, read the labels and make their own selections from the shop's ‘living wine list.'"

On the food side, Barrett was brought in when the restaurant's ownership, Hagadone Hospitality, wanted a change.

"He's one of the best in the game," said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of Hagadone Hospitality. "With Chef Barrett in the kitchen, we anticipate food that's fresh, looks good, and is ultimately enjoyable to eat."

Part of the strategy is creating a menu that appeals to different types of customers.

"What we've created is an interesting menu that works for everyone," said Stephanie Fritts, Tito's manager. "People can come in for a pizza and a beer, some inexpensive appetizers and a bottle of wine, or a full-on, sit down genuine dining experience."

The restaurant still caters to children with a creative, inexpensive kids menu.

Tito's Italian Grill and Wine Shop is open for lunch, dinner, drinks and wine shopping seven days a week, located at 210 E. Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. Call (208) 667-2782.