Restaurateur Cindy Goulet’s latest project, Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen, is just weeks away from opening.

[blockquote quote="Construction is going very well. We’re down to the nitty gritty now, the interior, the appliances, tables and chairs." source="Cindy Goulet, owner of Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen" align="right" max_width="300px"]

“Construction is going very well. We’re down to the nitty gritty now, the interior, the appliances, tables and chairs,” Goulet said. “My plan is to open at the beginning of April, which I think is pretty realistic.”

Goulet had her start in the restaurant business 24 years ago when she opened her first Italian restaurant, Florentyna’s, in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland. She changed locations several times before settling at the Tri-City Airport 19 years ago.

Several years ago she opened the 3 Eyed Fish wine bar inside the security area at the airport and later opened the 3 Eyed Fish wine bar on Keene Road in Richland.

When the Pasco Port Commissioners voted to accept a proposal from Tailwind, a North Carolina company, to operate concessions at the airport, Goulet closed both airport locations.

The port commissioners’ decision, Goulet said, “pushed me into looking at other options.”

Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen is the result.

Lu Lu is the first restaurant Goulet has built from the ground up. Terence L. Thornhill, Architect, Inc., of Pasco designed the building and IBK, Inc., of Kennewick, is the general contractor.

The 8,000-sq-ft., single level restaurant overlooks the marina and Columbia River. It will seat 180 people inside with additional seating outside on the spacious patio.

The atmosphere and décor will be casual, which will be reflected in the menu, as well. The menu will feature burgers, salads, steaks and, of course, some pasta, she said.

Hours will likely be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays with brunch beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The decision to name her new restaurant Lu Lu was easy.

“It’s my middle name. I wanted something that would roll off people’s tongue and that sounded fun,” she said.

Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen is at 580 Columbia Point Dr., Richland, and will employ 40 to 50 people

For more information and the opening day details, look for Lu Lu Craft Bar & Kitchen on Facebook.