What with the last couple of closure items lately it’s nice to see something that will be opening: the Cascade Business News site/paper has some news about what’s moving in to the old El Jimador space downtown on the corner of Wall and Franklin:

Downtown Bend will welcome a new restaurant, Bend Diner Company, to its mix in 2013 in the former El Jimador Mexican restaurant space at the corner of Wall and Franklin.  An official name for the diner is still in the works.

Located at 801 NW Wall Street on the corner of Franklin Avenue, the iconic downtown location … [will offer]… a refreshing concept that will combine traditional upscale diner fare with that of a French Brasserie.

[Investor and partner Ted] Swigert noted improvements to the space will include stainless steel fixtures and the requisite black and white checkerboard floor, while an imported antique bar will elevate the atmosphere and serve as a nod to the Brasserie concept.  Drawings and plans for the space will be submitted to the City of Bend in the coming weeks as the restaurant aims for a Spring opening.

A name for the diner is in the works and will be announced pending trademark clearance, but diners can expect a menu that offers a range of specialties including mussels and fries, fried chicken, an array of French inspired burgers, salads, small plates and sides.  A dessert menu will offer floats, milkshakes and various sweets. The restaurant will serve weekend brunch, lunch and dinner, and will be open during the weekday for lunch, dinner and Happy Hour.

So “diner” might seem an odd choice considering the Bend Burger Company, arguably offering a diner-like experience, is just a few doors down, but I like the French twist—something that would be interesting for Bend (though I confess I don’t really know what a “French inspired burger” is beyond… a burger). And I’m glad to see the space being used.