Chew on This: New breakfast restaurant in Hiawatha, Barrel House in downtown Cedar Rapids

Phong Lan reopens its dining room in downtown Cedar Rapids

Jun. 9, 2021 9:30 am

The former location of La Cantina Bar & Grill at First Avenue East and Second Street Southeast in downtown Cedar Rapids will soon be home to Barrel House. The small Eastern Iowa chain is putting down roots in Marion, too. (Photo courtesy of GLD Commercial Real Estate)

The Breakfast Bar by Saucy Focaccia opens Wednesday, June 9, at 1950 Blairs Ferry Rd., Suite 116, in Hiawatha.

The new establishment, from the owners of two Saucy Focaccia restaurants in Cedar Rapids, joins another new restaurant at the Peck’s Landing development in Hiawatha. Paradise Indian Grill also relocated there from Cedar Rapids on April 30.

The new breakfast restaurant’s menu includes an assortment of pancake and waffle options like sweet cream pancakes and deep fried French toast, eggs Benedict options like Pork Belly and Rib-eye Breakfast Steak, and breakfast sandwiches. The mimosa menu includes cocktail varieties like caramel apple, orange creamsicle and peach.

Hours listed on the door were 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the dining room and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the drive-thru.

Phong Lan reopens dining room

Phong Lan reopened its dining room June 1 after a long stint of carryout only through the pandemic.

The Vietnamese restaurant offers a variety of popular Southeast Asian dishes, including its popular pho and spring rolls, at 216 Eighth St. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Phong Lan is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Barrel House coming to downtown Cedar Rapids

Less than two months after announcing a new Marion location, Barrel House has announced plans for a downtown Cedar Rapids location, opening in October.

“The high profile corner at First Avenue East and Second Street SE will be revived with a twist on traditional tavern favorites, specialty cocktails and an outstanding selection of local beers on tap,” said GLD Commercial Real Estate in a news release.

The new location will occupy the 3,500-square-foot space formerly filled by La Cantina Bar & Grill.

Barrel House founder Jimmy Holt said he recognized the effect COVID-19 had on downtown Cedar Rapids and the void of restaurant options.

“We saw an opportunity to be at the forefront of the recovery and hope others will follow,” Holt said.

The Marion location will open this summer. Barrel House has locations in Davenport, Dubuque and Moline, Illinois.

Comments: Reach reporter Elijah Decious at (319) 398-8340 and elijah.decious@thegazette.com