Where the Locals Go: Moon Time, The Porch, The Elk, Two Seven, and El Que

REAL Northwest Living
46 minutes ago
3 min read

A family of local restaurants built on comfort, quality, and connection

By Like Media Team

Across Coeur d’Alene, Hayden Lake, and Spokane, the lights glow a little warmer in winter. Inside, there’s the low hum of conversation, the smell of a meal cooking from scratch, and the comfort of knowing you’ll probably see a familiar face. Together, Moon Time, The Porch, The Elk, Two Seven, and El Que form a family of neighborhood restaurants built by longtime friends John Grollmus and Brad Fosseen.

Their restaurants share more than a name on the door. Each one feels personal, shaped by years of consistency and care. “We focus on doing what we do well—serving good food, providing good service, and making sure our guests feel welcome,” says John Grollmus. Walk into Moon Time in downtown Coeur d’Alene, and you’ll see the rhythm of a well-loved local spot: regulars at the bar, a server who remembers the order, and plates that come out just right every time. The Porch, tucked near the Hayden Lake Country Club, brings that same balance of quality and comfort to a setting that feels like an escape without leaving town. A covered porch overlooks the golf course, and inside, the atmosphere stays relaxed and steady.

In Spokane, The Elk in Browne’s Addition still buzzes with the energy that’s kept it full for decades. Set among old brick buildings and tree-lined streets, it remains a neighborhood staple where weekend crowds spill onto the patio when the weather turns warm. Two Seven on the South Hill carries that same tone in its own way, situated off Mount Vernon Street with the quiet draw of a local favorite. The lighting’s low, the music fits, and customers settle in without rushing, often greeted by staff who know them by name. El Que, the smallest of the group, might just be the most surprising. Its compact footprint on Cannon Street carries its own pulse—fast, bright, and familiar—offering tequila, tacos, and conversation in a space built on full tables, steady rhythm, and staff who move like they’ve done it a thousand times.

Every restaurant serves a slightly different crowd, yet the experience stays unmistakably theirs. What ties them together isn’t a slogan or a trend; it’s the everyday commitment to doing the work right. Consistency lives in the prep lists taped to the walls and the crews who never miss a step.

In every kitchen, sauces start from scratch, meats are trimmed and roasted in-house, and familiar faces greet guests year after year. Chef and manager Chris Schultz has been with Moon Time since the doors opened, while Kevin Russell leads Two Seven’s kitchen after decades with the team. At Moon Time, Lark Patton runs the bar with the same precision that built her reputation on the floor, and Marshall Powell keeps Two Seven steady as general manager. That consistency across kitchens is what keeps guests coming back.

The patios are quieter, but the booths fill early. Guests linger a little longer, trade stories, and order another round. Each location keeps a lineup of regional beers on tap, along with cocktails and local wines that match the menu’s comfort-driven style. Menu staples like the Reuben, Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich, and the famous corn pasta stay in regular rotation for a reason. It’s honest work that continues to speak for itself.

After nearly three decades, John and Brad still spend time in each restaurant, checking in, listening, and making sure each shift runs the way it should. “It’s been about building places where people feel comfortable,” says Brad Fosseen. “That’s always been the goal.” Their focus hasn’t changed: keep standards high and doors open.

In a world where restaurants come and go, theirs have become something else entirely: a constant. A collection of tables where strangers become regulars, employees become friends, and every meal is another reminder of why we gather.

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Moon Time

1602 E. Sherman Ave. #116

Coeur d’Alene, ID

208.667.2331

The Porch Public House

1658 E. Miles Ave.

Hayden Lake, ID

208.772.7711

The Elk Public House

1931 W. Pacific Ave.

Spokane, WA