After 13 months of renovation and preparation, Tavern 1888 has "soft opened" in the Eagle House in Old Town Eureka (139 Second St.). The official grand opening is set for Friday, Oct. 14 and Jennifer Metz, co-owner of the Inn at 2nd & C and Phatsy Kline's Parlor Lounge, says, "We're excited to make it official." The former home of Gallagher's seats 60, says Metz, between the dining room and the bar/lounge area.
The restaurant takes its name from the year the historic building went up but the menu is more new American than old California. Executive Chef John Ruddick cooked in Hawaii for seven years before coming to Humboldt, where he also served as executive chef at the Red Lion. Metz says the Georgia roots of sous chef Jason Whitley have brought Southern and Cajun flavor to the kitchen with a family recipe for shrimp and grits and a "pasta-laya" take on jambalaya.

The offerings may continue to shift with availability of ingredients at the farmers markets but Metz expects early favorites like the lamb osso buco, filet mignon, poke and lion's mane mushroom "crab" cakes to stay.

Newly hired pastry chef Margaret Neal will not only be heading up desserts, but bringing back tea time and morning pastries at the inn. Meanwhile, familiar face Cynthia Carter, mixologist for Phatsy's, will be at the bar and changing the seasonal cocktail and mocktail menu.

The Oct. 14 grand opening of Tavern 1888 will feature live music from Canary and the Vamp, as well as sets by DJ Marjo Lak.