ALBANY - It's been more than two years in planning and construction, but now the Cascade Grill & Bar has opened near the Albany airport.

Albany builder Bob Mitchell said he has always enjoyed being in the restaurant business - he once operated the Little Apple Tree in Albany and The Big O in Corvallis - so he decided to become involved in another one.

"When we started the Albany project, everything in the economy was coming up roses, and now they're all wilted," he said. "We're going to depend on good customer service, fresh ingredients and good food to make us the best we can be. So far we've done very well."

Joshua Bonds, who spent 13 years at the McGrath's Restaurant in Corvallis, is the chef and general manager.

He said he buys as many ingredients locally as he can, and his beer and wines come from the area as well. For now, the desserts are made off the premises, but he hopes to make them on-site soon.

The 8,000-square-foot restaurant has two dining areas for 150 people and contains various-sized booths and tables for four that can be rearranged.

There is a 32-seat meeting room that can be used for parties. The bar is decorated with framed black and white photographs of male movie heroes, including John Wayne, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood and James Dean.

Interior colors are burgundy, cream and soft greens. The ceilings resemble the tin used years ago in buildings, and was picked for its aesthetics and because it absorbs sound.

Currently, the restaurant employs about 40 people.

Sharon and Bob Mitchell bought the Opal Court property because it is near the freeway, the airport, the Comfort Suites, the Holiday Inn and the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.

Don Johnson of DJ Architecture in Albany designed the gabled-roof building, and made it one level in keeping with the scale of the neighborhood.

The entire project, including furnishings, topped $1 million, Mitchell said.

The Mitchells bought the property from the city for $350,000, after a difficult negotiation process involving other potential buyers. They agreed to open their restaurant within 18 months of the Sept. 30, 2006, closing date.

They ended up asking the council for extensions, citing unforeseen delays. All of the snags associated with the project were easier to overcome because of the help offered by the city council and the city's building staff, Mitchell said.

The restaurant's soft opening - an unannounced launch of the business - was three weeks ago.

DINING FACTS

What: Cascade Grill & Bar

Where: 110 Opal Court S.E., Albany

Menu: Pasta, steak, comfort food

Prices: Sandwiches start at $7.99; hamburgers at $7.50; and steaks at $12.99

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week