“When you make food that is undeniably good, people will continue to come back,” said Shane Holland, the new owner of Ricardo’s Kitchen + Bar in Lacey.
Established in 2003, Ricardo’s has a reputation for serving top-grade ingredients from local vendors including custom dry-aged beef lovingly called Sexy Beef. Under the careful eye of French-born and -trained Chef Mikael, the meat room is where the age-old rustic tradition of dry aging beef takes place. Visible from the moment you enter the lobby, the meat room sets a tone for what is important at Ricardo’s . . . a delicious, unpretentious meal.
According to Holland, the most recent General Manager of the store before purchasing it in March 2022, “Elevated food can be intimidating to some. We want to keep our food relatable: simple, but delicious.” He added, “We are not fine dining, but fun dining.”
Menus are changed seasonally to reflect the produce and proteins available locally. Per Chef Mikael, “Creating a menu based on what is in season means less impact on the environment via transportation and agricultural impact.”
And yet Ricardo’s is so much more than a typical fine-dining restaurant. There are several indoor and outdoor meeting spaces including the Wine Cellar that can host a private dinner for 25 people. For an event needed to accommodate 150-200 people, there is a space called Hub Central which features garage-door-style openings to the outdoors and a patio with an infinity pool that can serve a party of 80-125. Something for a more intimate group of 50-80 can be held at the Fireside with a beautiful, large fireplace as the focal point of the room. Catering for the spaces is, of course, available from Ricardo’s, but they also cater off-site affairs.
New ownership can mean changes, and Ricardo’s has some aesthetic changes planned. More attention will be given to creating an upscale lounge with intimate lighting and seating. A speakeasy-style back room is in the works. Ricardo’s places a heavy emphasis on being involved in their community, and that means Holland and his wife, Jennifer, will be looking for ways to partner with non-profits and give back.
For Additional Information
richardoskitchenandbar.com
LYNN CASTLE