The Cascade aims to offer top shelf river views, food and service in downtown South Bend

For local restaurateur Kurt Janowsky, the opening of the Cascade restaurant in the next month is a return to the spot where he cut his teeth in the kitchen of Captain Alexander’s Moonraker in 1978.

Later renamed the Wharf, the restaurant eventually shut down and was later demolished while Janowsky was building his reputation at other restaurants in the region.

Meanwhile, the spot near the Colfax bridge on the east bank of the St. Joseph River sat vacant for roughly two decades.

That is until downtown South Bend started rebounding and private developers saw the incredible beauty of the river and the amenities such as Howard Park that were springing up nearby.

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What was arguably the most desirable piece of property on the river in downtown South Bend ― the site of the former Moonraker ― was purchased and developed into luxury condominiums by developer Frank Perri and partners Panzica Building Corp.

With the goal of using the first floor of the Three Twenty at The Cascade as public space, Janowsky was approached about his interest in opening an upscale restaurant at the location.

Of course, he had a sentimental attachment to the spot where he began his restaurant career decades earlier and he had the necessary experience ― operating fine-dining restaurants like Cafe Navarre in South Bend and Artisan in Elkhart as CEO of Navarre Hospitality Group.

And the restaurateur was in love with the panoramic view of the river and the cascade. “This is the best site in the area and it would be a great spot anywhere in the country,” he says while providing a tour of the space.

Still a beehive of construction activity, the restaurant is targeted to open in early August, about two years later than expected because of construction delays stemming from the hydroelectric plant that the University of Notre Dame developed nearby as well as work that had to be performed on the walls along the river.

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“We could have opened earlier, but it wouldn’t have made sense with all of the construction that has been going on around us,” Janowsky says, adding that river views would have been blocked by construction equipment.

Even still, the new restaurant, which will focus on prime steaks and fresh seafood, will open before work wraps up on nearby Seitz Park and the rebuilt portion of the river walk that runs in front of the Cascade building.

Janowsky and Matt Soutra, vice president of operations for Navarre Hospitality, know that the most important feature of the restaurant will be the space itself so every seat in the restaurant ― officially known as Cascade, Prime Steak & Seafood ― will have a view of the water.

Part of the dining area sits on a raised platform to ensure unobstructed views throughout the 225-seat restaurant, which also includes a 75-seat patio overlooking the river. Most of the seats also will have a view of the open kitchen, which will include a wood-fired grill.

“People enjoy watching what’s going on in the kitchen,” Janowsky says. “It adds some fun and excitement to the overall experience.”

The 8,000-square-foot restaurant has been designed to allow for two private dining areas that can be combined for larger parties, Soutra says, adding that the management team for the new restaurant already is in place.

Having roughly 500 employees working at Navarre Hospitality restaurants and bars in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties gives the business a talent pool that it can draw upon for staffing.

But its size also allows the business to offer growth opportunities for employees, health insurance and other benefits that often aren’t found in the restaurant industry, making it easier for Navarre Hospitality to attract and retain employees, Janowsky says.

The menu is yet to be finalized, but expect price points to correspond to restaurants offering the finest prime steaks and fresh seafood. “This will be elevated American cuisine, using only the highest-end ingredients,” Janowsky says.

With some 400 to 450 wines, a sommelier will help customers make an informed decision on proper pairings with their entrées, but the restaurant also is set up to accommodate those who might simply want cocktails with appetizers.

Initially, the restaurant will be open seven days of the week for dinner before eventually expanding into lunch hours. Expect more information after the opening.

But even with construction still underway, it appears as if South Bend and the entire region will have another local restaurant to feel proud about.

Considering the scope of the Cascade project, it isn’t surprising that Navarre Hospitality decided to close the former Oaken Bucket restaurant in South Bend. While Janowsky and Soutra have been heavily involved in the build-out of the Cascade, they’re also planning a renovation of the Rocky River Tap & Table restaurant in Granger.

The farm-to-table restaurant at 1032 E. University Drive will shut down for several weeks at the close of business Sunday, July 14 for an extensive renovation that will include floors, walls and furniture as well as a menu revision.

“It’s going to remain farm-to-fork but in a new way with a menu that’s lighter and fresher,” Janowsky says, adding that the restaurant was due for a revamp after 10 years of operation.

That restaurant, which was damaged as a result of a burst pipe during the holiday blizzard in December 2022, is tentatively scheduled to reopen in about a month.

Stay tuned to learn more about each location.

Email Market Basket columnist Ed Semmler at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: The upscale Cascade restaurant is nearing completion in South Bend