To most Americans, a cafe is a morning spot with a muffin or donut and an extra large drip coffee or oversized latte. But in Rome or Paris or Budapest, a cafe is a bunch of tables on the sidewalk with a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine and a cigarette.
Emma Rue's is vying to bring that Old World-style cafe right here to downtown Spokane. (But without the cigarette, OK?)
The popular green velvet lounge that used to be a coffee shop by day and cocktail bar by night officially nixed its morning hours in August. It's now a nightlife-only joint. Owner Aaron Hein also developed a food menu with the help of local chefs in the area to complement the robust cocktail menu.
The changes help make an evening at the bar more complete — now, you can listen to live jazz, grab a drink and snag dinner all in one place. The shift also distinguishes Emma Rue's from its next door neighbor, People's Waffle, which will now be exclusively in charge of the morning rush.
Food has been part of the vision for Emma Rue's ever since it opened back in 2021, Hein says. While the restaurant scene slowly recovered from COVID, Hein had to temporarily shift his business model to make ends meet.
But now, he's bringing the vision back with a vengeance. In an epic season two comeback, the French fries — or, excusez-moi, pomme frites ($9) — are already satisfying the OG fans that fell in love with them on the original Emma Rue's menu.
But now, more divas are entering the scene. There's a Mediterranean hummus plate ($12), a prosciutto and brie flatbread ($14), and a duo of duck confit tacos ($15) to keep everyone interested.
And of course, no dinner would be complete without something sweet. Don't let the missing pastry case fool you — in-house desserts will be very much available and ready to mingle. Coming soon, there will be a smokin' creme brulee, a scrumptious pot de creme and a sassy New York cheesecake, which is Hein's total favorite.
The menu reboot is completely gluten-free, thanks to a shared kitchen with GF-friendly People's Waffle, but you would never know it. Hein is a self-professed foodie who would never serve anything but gossip-worthy dishes.
The espresso machine will still, however, keep its spot on the bar, so you can order an espresso or espresso martini at any point in the evening. Heck, you could even order an after-dinner cappuccino, if you don't mind deeply offending Italians. This can still be the Wild West if you want it to be.
The focused hours and new food menu give Emma Rue's a new identity as a one-stop spot for all your night out needs.
"The music is low and the chairs are comfy," Hein says. "Our space is all about building comfort, community and creativity." ♦
Emma Rue's • 17 S. Howard St. • Open Tue-Sat 3 pm-midnight • emmarues.com • 509-703-7389
