Monsoon's Grill, a family restaurant and neighborhood bar, opened for business Saturday, taking the place of the troubled Dugout Bar & Grill (aka Benner's Grill) in Continental Ranch.
Benner's Grill opened in late 2006 as a modestly upscale grill and sports bar. Owner Richard Benner closed it in July.
Monsoon's is owned by the husband-wife team of Jan and Stephen Baker, who have lived for two years in the neighborhood behind the restaurant off Silverbell and Wade roads.
Stephen Baker, a retired Navy officer, said the restaurant will serve family-friendly fare such as burgers, chicken, signature sandwiches and homemade lasagna. Entrees range from $12.95 to $18.95
The Bakers have never run a restaurant before, but Jan Baker spent 14 years managing the bar at Best Western Inn Suites on North Oracle Road, her husband said. Baker said he tended bar in the 1970s in Louisiana.
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The couple's niece, a culinary-school grad who ran her own restaurant in San Diego, will oversee the kitchen.
The bar side of Monsoon's includes a pool table and 16 beers on tap.
Monsoon's Grill, 8235 N. Silverbell Road, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 744-4683.
— Cathalena E. Burch
