A lot of new additions and renovations have been happening at the corner of Cushing Street and Meyer Avenue, and it’s just about time to reveal the changes to those looking for something both new and familiar.
After taking a few months off, The Coronet is reopening on Thursday, September 9, along with the new Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile opening on Monday, September 20. Additionally, The Nightjar will be opening on Thursday, October 14, but we’ll get to those details a little later.
While The Coronet may look similar to how it did during your last visit, many of the renovations made were behind the scenes, like improvements made to help keep the staff healthy and the cuisine flowing at a more efficient rate.
“We’re repainting everything inside and out and touching stuff up,” said Sally Kane, partner at The Coronet. “We’ve repaired and oiled all the furniture and are in the middle of refinishing a bunch of tables. Planting a lot of plants — it’s going to be really cohesive and comprehensive when you all come back.”
The menu will be full of new bites, too, besides a couple of popular items brought over from last season. Expect more organic produce provided by SouthWinds Farms out of Benson, Arizona, as well.
The Coronet’s new menu highlights (opening on Thursday, September 9):
- Seasonal Fish Chowder – market-fresh white fish, bacon, potato, celery, thyme, and a Barrio baguette
- Orange Braised Pork – grilled pork tenderloin, ham hock broth with bitter greens, Brussels leaves, roasted baby turnip, and trumpet mushroom chip
- Braised Rabbit and Root Vegetable Tarte Tatin – with potato, baby turnip, pearl onion, tomato, baby carrot, watercress, and ale mustard
- Dukkah Crusted Eggplant – green lentil mujadara, finger lime, and herb salad
The Coronet’s new hours are 5 – 9 p.m. on Thursday – Monday and will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Live music will also be making its return to the restaurant, with the Jed Paradies Jazz Trio kicking things off during the Grand Reopening.
Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile
Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile, which is located on the same property, is opening on Monday, September 20. It’s a smaller counter-service cafe where visitors can grab a bite, sip on coffee from Caffe Luce, wake up with a cup of tea, or drink a beer.
Plus, there’s free WiFi to make it easier for those working remotely.
Meyer Avenue Cafe Menu Highlights (opening on Monday, September 20):
- Brisket Benedict – poached egg, potato kugel, dill hollandaise, spinach, and caraway crisped onions
- Lil Dutch Babies – tart citrus cream, maple syrup, and seasonal fruit
- Horchata Steel Cut Oats – fresh berries, apple butter, spiced pecans, and coconut flakes
Meyer Avenue Cafe will be open from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily and the Mercantile shop is open 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Tuesday – Wednesday and 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursday – Monday.
When it comes to the mercantile portion of the cafe, they’ll be selling things like bodega water glasses, coffee, beer, wine, and other tabletop items. Also, they will be jarred and canned offerings for sale that come from all three restaurants.
The Nightjar
Speaking of the third spot on the property, The Nightjar is opening on Thursday, October 14.
“Nightjar is located in two spaces in our historic property,” said Kane. “The bar — the old 1927 back bar from the old Coronet — will be located in the rooms historically called ‘Home Sweet Home.’ There is seating in Home Meet Home with a few tables on the main patio and additional seating in the ‘Booth Rooms.’ So, you can enter from Meyer Avenue or from the main courtyard.”
The Nightjar will have its own menu, too.
“It’s going to use the same kitchen that the daytime cafe [Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile] does,” said Kane. “It’s the kitchen we ran service out of The Cornet this last season. So, The Coronet is moving back inside the ‘big boy’ kitchen.”
The Nightjar Menu Highlights (opening on Thursday, October 14):
- Savory Vegetable Galette – sweet potato and butternut squash, peas, pearl onion, golden raisin, yellow curry, and zhoug
- Thai Mussels – lemongrass fume, Thai chili, galangal, romano beans, peas, favas, torn fresh herbs, and a Barrio baguette
- Cubano – coffee-rubbed pork shoulder, pancetta, house pickles, house mustard, Pepper Jack cheese, and a Barrio baguette
Also, to make it all complete, there will be a charcuterie board, small bites, plenty of veggie options, and desserts to enjoy with your beer, wine, cocktail.
Stay tuned for The Nightjar’s hours of operation as we get closer to the Grand Opening.
The Coronet, Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile, and The Nightjar are located at 198 W. Cushing St. For more information, call (520) 222-9889 or visit coronettucson.com.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
