New Mexican restaurant with fresh-fruit margaritas opens in downtown Olympia
A new Mexican restaurant called Rica Cocina has opened in downtown Olympia in a familiar location. That location? The former home of a restaurant called Chicory that closed last year.
The new restaurant opened the other week, said Abhi Kaushal, one of several owners, including his mother-in-law Maria Bencomo Singh and his wife, Radha Singh. His mother-in-law is Mexican and his wife is half-Mexican, he said.
“Because of them this is 100 percent possible,” said Abhi, adding that the restaurant is using his mother-in-law’s recipes. Muskesh Singh is an additional owner, he said.
The restaurant at 111 Columbia St. NW had its soft opening on Wednesday, April 15, then its main opening was the following day, he said.
What’s on the menu? When diners first take their seats, they receive beans and chips, plus a choice of salsas. There’s also a salsa bar, featuring two mild and two spicy choices, Abhi said.
Popular dishes include the quesabirria and beverages such as fresh-fruit margaritas and horchata, a sweet rice-based drink with cinnamon. The menu is limited now because the business just opened, but in time they plan to add soups, weekend specials and vegetarian and vegan options, he said.
They also plan to create a dedicated space for artists to show their creations, and if OK with the city, to have outdoor seating in the alley next door when the weather improves.
The Rica Cocina sign – Rica Cocina roughly translates as “yummy kitchen” – was hand-painted by Josh King of the Olympia Sign Co., Abhi said.
That maintains a theme along the street because a number of businesses along Columbia Street have hand-painted signs, he said.
Rica Cocina is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
If you’re wondering what happened to the owners of Chicory, they have gone on to open a restaurant called Gold Standard.
Massive development proposal to be heard by county
A proposal to bring 57 duplexes to south Thurston County is set to come before Thurston County Community Planning & Economic Development during a pre-submission conference on May 14, according to county information.
A pre-submission conference gives developers a chance to learn what local government will expect of their projects before they become official.
“The project proposes a multiple building complex for multifamily consisting of 57 buildings totaling 228 bedrooms,” the proposal reads.
The potential development is proposed along Bear View Lane in Rochester, according to the proposal. The 7.9-acre site currently is undeveloped.
The county’s pre-submission agenda also identifies the location as 5735 Ivan Way SW, Rochester, in the Grand Mound urban growth area.
Thurston EDC seeks nominations for biz awards
The Thurston Economic Development Council is seeking nominations for its business awards.
The organization is looking for nominations for new business (in operation for three years or less), small business (49 or fewer employees) and nonprofit organization of the year.
Winners will then be celebrated from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 24 at the Hangar 51 Event Center at Olympia Regional Airport.
“We invite you to be part of this celebration by nominating organizations and businesses that are making a real impact in Thurston County,” EDC officials said. “Your nominations help us recognize the people and teams driving meaningful change and shaping the future of our local economy.”
Submit your nominations here.
Homes First to recognize ‘heroes’
Homes First, a Lacey-based provider of low-income housing, is set to hold its 10th annual Real Community Heroes Awards & Celebration, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. May 1 at The Heritage Room, 604 Water St. SW. in Olympia.
The event will honor:
- Dana Evans, Built for Zero coordinator, Family Support Center of South Sound.
- Natalie Skovran, Deputy Director, Family Support Center of South Sound.
- Dan Doyle, owner, Doyle Construction.
- Nichole Woolsey, Senior Development Manager, American Cancer Society.
Register for the event here: www.homesfirst.org/celebrate.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
