Bite-size steak and chicken wings dominate the menu of Jay Starnes' latest downtown Lewiston venture, a sports-themed restaurant with a full bar.
Located in the former Candy Store on the upper floor of 301 Second St., Zone 208, Wings, Spirts & Sports is intended to be every bit as family-friendly as its predecessor was edgy with its scantily clad dancers.
Zone 208 is smoke free. Minors can be on the premises from its opening at 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and the restaurant has a kids menu. It has 12 flat-screen televisions, darts, foosball and pool - games that Starnes said he's seen parents playing with their children. Dart tournaments are played Monday and Friday nights.
The waitresses' uniforms are modest pink sports jerseys, black leggings and tennis shoes. The floor has Astro turf with white lines to make it look like a football field and the dance floor is done in black and white squares like a NASCAR finish line.
The playfulness reflected in the atmosphere extends to the menu, which features lunch and dinner foods that are all custom-made.
One of the 18 varieties of chicken wings ($11 for 10 and $19 for 20) is slathered in a cola barbecue sauce and topped with pop rocks candy that pop when the dish arrives at the table. Other wing flavors include traditional spicy buffalo, mojito wings with a yogurt cucumber sauce and cheddar bacon with ranch.
The bite-size ($9 for 7 ounces and $15 for 14 ounces) is made from hand-cut sirloin steak. Just like the wings, Zone 208 has put its own twist on the Lewiston standard.
Three of the nine varieties come with an apple cider au jus. Another is topped with a bourbon sauce as well as sauteed mushrooms and onions. Yet another has some heat, with the meat rolled in wasabi powder and then served with wasabi and horseradish sauce.
The concept of Zone 208 will likely evolve soon based on customer requests, Starnes said. Trivia tournaments and karaoke contests are among the possibilities.
Staying tuned to what people want is a key strategy of Starnes, who changes concepts at his establishments when they no longer work. The space that's Zone 208 was previously Boomer's, a sports bar with smoking that's now downstairs at the same address, as well as a fine-dining restaurant and a private club.
Starnes also operates Sidelines Grille at 514 Main St. in downtown Lewiston and Boomtown American Saloon, which is next door to Sidelines.
Zone 208 is open from 11 a.m. to at least 11 p.m. seven days a week.
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Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.
