New hours & menu items coming to Coronet Cafe & Nightjar (PHOTOS)


March 8, 2023
By Matt Sterner

Over any amount of time, just about everyone and everything experiences change — a metamorphosis of some sort. And, much like the caterpillar completing its transformation into a beautiful butterfly, The Coronet is constantly blooming in newness over on the corner of Meyer Avenue and Cushing Street.

Assorted dishes at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

Beginning on Thursday, March 9, Coronet Cafe is officially launching its evening dinner service and staying open until 9 p.m. (they used to close at 2 p.m.). This also means that anyone enjoying a cocktail at Nightjar will be able to order food directly from Coronet Cafe later in the evening.

New Hours of Operation

Coronet Cafe will now be open from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday – Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday). From 2 – 5 p.m., they’ll be serving a smaller menu of coffee, tea, wine, beer, pastries, and more with a Happy Hour kicking off soon from 3 – 5 p.m. daily (coming soon).

Cappuccino at granola at Coronet Cafe (Photos by Anna Smirnova)

Nightjar also has a new set of hours from 5 p.m. – midnight on Thursday – Saturday and 5 – 9 p.m. on Sunday – Monday. This is great news because Nightjar was also closed on Monday, leaving many of us double-checking our calendars in anticipation of Tuesday.

Indoor seating at Coronet Cafe (Photos by Anna Smirnova)
New Dishes On The Block

With the changes in hours and available service options at each of the three concepts come new menu items as well. The new additions and alterations to the day and night menus are dishes Sally Kane, owner of The Coronet, Coronet Cafe, and Nightjar, knows will lure folks in time and time again.

Pulled Rabbit Poutine at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

“I know we are a destination but I also feel like we’re very much a neighborhood place,” said Kane. “To me, because the corner restaurant is fine dining, I really want to create a space that the neighborhood feels comfortable going to all the time.”

The menu features dishes like Bangers and Mash, Pulled Rabbit Poutine, Pickles, Roasted Artichoke Hearts, and an array of sustainable tinned seafood choices. Plus, a well-considered charcuterie board that’s paired with a Mushroom Walnut Pâté.

Charcuterie, octopus, bossam, artichoke at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

“Coronet Cafe is opening at night, which is kind of like opening a whole new business, and then we’re adding new menu items to a menu that existed,” Kane explained. “But then, we’re also changing menu items in the daytime — adding some amazing things like a Bun Cha and a breakfast bowl.”

Bun Cha at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

One of the standouts on the new menu is the grilled cheese sandwich and all of its glorious amounts of cheddar and gruyère cheese — a comfort food fanatic’s fantasy. Aside from the obvious cheese, there’s peach aleppo thrown in the mix and then sandwiched between slices of Barrio Bread.

Grilled Cheese at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

“I live in the neighborhood, we’re a neighborhood cafe, and that’s what I would be looking for at night,” said Kane in regard to the new grilled cheese sandwich. “It comes with French fries but you can sub the Curried Carrot Soup or local greens salad. Plus, we’re doing a really slow-cooked, smokey ham hock that you can add to the grilled cheese.”

For those familiar with Nightjar’s late-night menu, there’s no need to worry because dishes like the Bossam (Korean braised pork belly, scallion salad, grilled kimchi, and ssamjang on a butter leaf wrap), the Roasted Artichoke Hearts with a Barrio Bread crostini, and the belly-warming Coronet Burger will be on the Coronet Cafe’s menu.

The Coronet Burger (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

The burger, which Kane describes as a “slam dunk,” is everything you’d want in a burger. Some may even refer to it as comfort food between two buns. The meaty meal comes with French fries and if meat isn’t your forte, there’s a meat-free patty.

Fun Times In Downtown

Aside from the food at Coronet Cafe, Nightjar, and The Coronet, they’re still hosting events like the recurring Chess Club, and live music indoors and on the patio. Plus, the return of their beloved movie nights out on the patio is making a comeback once the weather warms up a bit. 

“We’ll be starting movies again soon and this time it will be in the small courtyard instead of the big one,” said Kane. “That’ll be so great with the cafe there and Nightjar — it’ll just be its own thing. And we’ll also be doing double features sometimes as the days get longer.”

Small Patio at Coronet Cafe (Photo by Anna Smirnova)

At the end of the day, the trio of concepts is a lovely addition to downtown Tucson, and as Mr. Rogers would say, “it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.” This is especially so when paying a visit to The Coronet, Coronet Cafe, and Nightjar. 

The Coronet, Coronet Cafe, and Nightjar are located at 198 W. Cushing St. For more information and to see the full menus, visit coronettucson.com.

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