In November 2007, a delicious addition was made to First Avenue in Downtown Spokane—Scratch Restaurant. With seasoned restaurant veteran Connie Nacarrato—former owner and operator of Mamma Mia’s restaurant—at the helm, the contemporary fine-dining restaurant with a “big city” feel welcomed enthusiastic diners by offering them an intimate space featuring a beautiful menu filled with fresh, local scratch-made cuisine unlike any other the city had seen before. The inventive and creative ideas continue to flourish nearly a decade later.
From day one, Scratch’s menu has never been stagnant; it changed as the seasons changed, allowing the chefs to create dishes inspired by the available fresh and local ingredients. Owen Cruz has been the executive chef of the restaurant for the past four years and has been wowing guests with his culinary expertise at Scratch since it first opened. Prior to Scratch, he was a chef at the former Fugazzi at Hotel Lusso. Sous Chef Sil Hernandez has worked personally with Connie for the past 15 years, transitioning with her from Mamma Mia’s to Scratch, having been with the Scratch team from the beginning.
As the name indicates, all items on the menu are made from scratch. Diners will find signature dishes including the calamari, Scratch’s signature salad, hot pot and the seafood trio, as well as hand-cut steaks and fresh fish. Don’t leave without trying the lemonade cocktail.
Connie’s desire for bringing her guests an unmatched dining experience is shared by her employees, who are just as proud and passionate about Scratch as she is. The staff cares about the restaurant and each other; they are like family and treat their guests like family.
“As my mother told me when I first started in the restaurant business 32 years ago,” says Connie, “if you wouldn’t eat it because it wasn’t the best quality that you could get, then neither would your customers.”
Right next door to Scratch is Rain Lounge, which Connie opened in 2008. Rain is an extension of Scratch, where guests can order signature craft cocktails and seasonal drinks from the full bar, food from the full Scratch menu, along with a happy hour menu Monday and Tuesday all day, and Wednesday through Saturday 4 to 6pm and 9pm to close. This is a great spot to unwind and enjoy a cocktail and bite to eat in a less formal setting.
Connie and her team have a table set and are ready to serve you.
Scratch Restaurant & Rain Lounge
Downtown
1007 W. 1st Ave.
509.456.5656
