New RigaTony's restaurant open despite setback

RigaTony's, a new Italian restaurant, just opened in the former Uncle Joe's Steakhouse location on First Street, and while recent maintenance issues have temporarily closed its in-house dining areas it is still providing pick-up and delivery.

Restaurant owner Tony St. John, a native of Havre who only recently returned, said their dishwasher broke down Friday and they are waiting on a replacement part that should be coming in the middle of next week.

St. John, after graduating from Havre High School in 1982, joined the U.S. Army, after which he went to culinary school and worked as a chef at restaurants, hotels and casinos around the U.S., including as a banquet chef and an executive chef.

In the last 15 years, he said, he's been working as a consultant helping other restaurants reach their full potential, but now he wants to run his own place.

"It's something I've always wanted to do, for 30 years," he said. "My own thing."

He said the menu is kind of a collection of all his favorite recipes from his time in the industry, and while most of it is classic Italian, like bolognese and risotto, there are other things on the menu, including a few steaks, which he thought was appropriate given the building the restaurant is in.

The location, at 1400 First St., originally was a pool hall and diner and was converted into a steakhouse and restaurant in the early 1990s.

St. John said if there was a label to put on his restaurant he would call it Italian-American.

He said the place is the product of a tremendous amount of experience, and he can't wait for them to get people back in the dining hall.

"It's the result of a lot of work over the years, learning stuff as I go," he said.

St. John said the dining halls are set up for customers' return, but in the meantime, he and his team will have to content themselves with making people food for delivery or pick-up.