Maplewood Tees Up For Fine Dining

RENTON

One of the biggest moneymakers at Renton's municipal golf course has something in common with the sport's phenom, Tiger Woods.

Just as Woods has brought new fans to the game, plenty of people who have never swung a golf club are visiting Maplewood Golf Course because they like the restaurant.

The RiverRock Grill and Ale House, run by Seattle restaurateur Jack Pederson, has less to do with golf than with a full bar, microbrews, gourmet food, and catered business meetings and wedding receptions.

Serving a Sunday brunch and dinner entrees that include a Gorgonzola T-bone, the restaurant in Maplewood's new clubhouse is a far cry from the fast-food fare typical at most public golf courses.

No snack shack

"Looking at (municipal) golf-course restaurants, there isn't much there," explains Pederson, who opened the RiverRock in October 1995. "They're generally snack shacks. I just thought there was a need for something more than that."

Last year the RiverRock, named after its rock fireplace, grossed nearly $2 million and contributed $145,000 to the city of Renton to help operate the 18-hole course. This year, the owner expects to gross $2.4 million.

Pederson, who has been in the restaurant business since 1976, beat out two other bidders for the Renton contract. He is a founder of The Brooklyn in downtown Seattle and operates Umberto's Ristorante in Pioneer Square.

Jazz nights

At Maplewood, Pederson this year introduced the Sunday brunch, and live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Jazz nights have been packed.

"When you talk about where to go for a nice evening in Renton, that's probably the No. 1 spot," says Renton Community Services Administrator Sam Chastain, who oversees park operations.

Renton has other popular nightspots, including the new Cedar River Brewing Co. But the RiverRock has become a destination for many folks who don't know a 9-iron from a back nine.

Looking for more ways to build the business, Pederson plans weekend rhythm-and-blues concerts on the patio. He and city officials are discussing the possibility of converting the old clubhouse into another banquet hall.

"It's his business, and he knows it well," says Renton Parks Director Leslie Betlach. "He knows how to market that business better than the city does."

It isn't the first time the city has contracted with a concessionaire to run a restaurant at the golf course. But it's the first time since the city bought the property in 1985 that it sought a concessionaire whose background was in restaurants, not golf.

For 10 years, Charlie Stewart ran all the golf-course operations, including Charlie's Bar and Grill. During its last full year of operation, 1994, the small restaurant and lounge grossed $335,600 and passed $10,000 on to the city.

The RiverRock and associated banquet rooms were part of a $4.5 million project intended to upgrade the golf course and attract more business to help the city keep the golf course going. Revenues from the restaurant, golf course and driving range cover the golf course's operating costs and construction debt.

Too busy to golf

An ardent golfer, Pederson, 44, wanted the golf-course contract partly because he thought it would give him a chance to play more. So far, he's been too busy to golf much.

With municipal golf courses in nearby cities grossing only a fraction of the RiverRock's business, Pederson thinks other cities will follow in Renton's footsteps and add full food service. "It should be a no-brainer," he says.

---------- Dining out ----------

RiverRock Grill and Ale House, 4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton.

Dining room: open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Sunday brunch: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lounge: open 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.