The tasty offerings at Rebel & Rye Public House arose out of a mutual distaste for corporate America. Nate Wiesner, Danny Casteel and Kelly Jones are the owners of the new restaurant across from the Hoodland Shopping Center. And, according to Jones, they share a group vision in their new venture.

“The ‘Rebel’ in the name comes from our combined employment history in
corporate America and our strong distaste for it,” Jones said. “We were always
told to look a certain way, act a certain way, basically never allowed to be
ourselves. The primary drive for opening our own place was to create an
environment where we could be who we wanted to be and allow our team the
same.”

The rest of the name came from a far less pointed bureaucratic slant.
“The ‘Rye’ represents our love for rye whiskey,” Jones said, before adding:
“Plus, it sounds cool.”

Jones, of Brightwood, brings 12 years of experience in property and financial
management, and will oversee financials, payroll and human resources.
Wiesner, of Happy Valley, has more than 10 years of experience in the
hospitality, food and beverage industry and will serve as the executive chef.
Casteel, of Brightwood, also brings 10 years-plus of experience in the industry
and will be the front-of-house manager.

Dakota Mingus will add to the kitchen expertise in the role of assistant head
chef.

The menu is dotted with the influence of international dishes that Jones
describes as “gastropub.” Rebel & Rye has a full bar specializing in local craft
beers and ciders, and true to its name, features more than 25 different
whiskeys.

The menu is a gastronomic gallery of global delights. Dinners include such
items as: 12-ounce ribeye with blackened shallots; pork cheek tacos;
Hawaiian teriyaki chicken; Cubano sandwich on a grilled baguette; crab mac
and cheese; and the list goes on.

Breakfast does not take a back of the restaurant seat to the dinner menu. The
morning fare includes: chicken fried steak and waffles with chorizo gravy;
Cajun creole stack with blackened shrimp on hash browns; Dutch baby euro-
style pancakes; and a bad breakfast burrito.

“We pride ourselves in the diversity of our menu,” Jones said. “You can come
one night, have a burger, and in the same week have some pad Thai, or
jambalaya, or a quinoa bowl.”

The House has plans for live music events – already Tony Smiley will appear
Jan. 6, and the John Bunzow Trio with Bobby Cole and Ted Swenson will sit in
Jan. 13 – trivia nights, karaoke, movie showings and comedy nights.

The Rebel & Rye Public House is located at 24371 Welches Road, and
operating hours are 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday, 10 a.m. to midnight Monday
through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.