New restaurant serving up ‘food for the people’

By Dylan Scott

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

Republic Kitchen and Bar is bringing “food for the people” to its location on Eastern Avenue south of I-215.

The restaurant, which opened Sept. 1, serves a diverse menu of classic meals. Meatloaf TV dinners are a staple, and Vermont cheddar grilled cheese is a highlight on the menu. The restaurant’s name derives from its focus on the public’s tastes, said owner Jeff Kovatch.

It’s “foods that (people) grew up with,” said Kovatch, adding that reasonable prices should allow Republic to be viable in the current economic climate.

Kovatch said he and his partner, Patrick Haggerty, wanted to offer families in the valley a quality dining experience without the hassle of gaming or entertainment. They interviewed locals about what they sought in a restaurant and hired chef Josh Green, who has catered for U2 and the Rolling Stones on tour and cooked at Mandalay Bay and Wynn Las Vegas.

“We knew he had raw talent,” Kovatch said. All dishes contain fresh ingredients, he said, and salad dressings and sauces are made in-house.

The 5,900-square-foot building also features the Republic Jazz Brunch, an evolving ensemble of musicians, on the weekends. Kovatch estimated that Republic will employ 80 to 90 people at full staffing.

The restaurant is located at 9470 S. Eastern Ave. For more information, call (702) 463-3500 or visit its website.