To the delight of loyal customers and staff, Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar will officially reopen on Wednesday, April 15, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.
The community is invited to join in celebrating the reopening of this popular local destination.
In advance of the grand reopening, the Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar will continue soft-opening hours with a limited menu, operating Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. The Bistro downstairs will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar is located at 1451 NW Airport Way in Chehalis.
The limited menu features a selection of fan favorites, including Beef Bistro Bites, sweet potato fries and the popular chicken avocado burger.
The Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar has been closed since late September following a kitchen fire that, while quickly contained by the Chehalis Fire Department, caused significant smoke and internal damage. The incident resulted in a nearly seven-month closure, requiring replacement of food inventory, equipment and key infrastructure, including the oven hood system.
Owner Sonja Sorenson emphasized that safety and quality were top priorities throughout the rebuilding process.
“I wanted to ensure we were bringing people back into a safe space with high-quality replacements,” Sorenson said. “Keeping staff employed and engaged during this time was also a priority.”
Manager Ericka Dukeshire-Pogue added, “Sonja’s commitment to our staff has meant that my front house team has returned along with two of our amazing cooks after the long closure. I am feeling very confident and blessed with our kitchen and service team.”
Dukeshire-Pogue also noted that the renovation created an opportunity to improve kitchen efficiency.
“We were able to reorganize the kitchen layout, which has made service quicker and opened up more working space,” she said.
Riverside Golf Club, established in 1927 as a nine-hole course and expanded to 18 holes in the 1970s, provides a scenic backdrop for the bistro and bar. The Chehalis River winds through the 110-acre course, offering picturesque views for guests.
While the venue is a favorite among golfers, it also welcomes families and community members from across the region.
“Many of our customers don’t golf,” explained Sorenson, who shared her enthusiasm about reconnecting with guests. “We’re excited to welcome back our regulars and look forward to meeting new customers. We want everyone to feel at home here.”
Riverside Bistro & Rooftop Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere, quality food and approachable pricing, the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce stated in a news release.
“We work hard to source our ingredients to maintain high quality while keeping prices comfortable,” Sorenson added.
