New Foresthill eatery serves up variety menu

The varied menu at Foresthill's newest eatery reflects the cooking heritage of its four owners.Tiffany Henry's breakfasts originate in part from her time as owner of the nearby Starlite Café. Marc Cooper added the gumbo and Philly steaks. Jamie and Phil Contini contributed their teriyaki rice bowls and chicken kabobs.The restaurant, Foresthill Grill & Deli, opened in late October."It's three restaurants combined into one," co-owner Phil Contini said recently.The menu also includes numerous types of burgers, hot dogs, salads and hot and cold subs."The burgers are fresh, not frozen," Contini said.There's an extensive appetizer selection as well as ribs, chicken and pasta dishes such as baked zitti and lasagna. Cooper developed the gumbo recipe from time spent in New Orleans. Rather than a soupy consistency, it is more like stew, he said."The gumbo is a huge plate. Everything here is huge," Cooper said. "There's a big plate of rice with thick gumbo over the top." Customer Roy Williams was having lunch at the eatery for the first time Tuesday and ordered a teriyaki Philly cheese steak."It's the best I've ever had," he said, adding that he's had quite a few.Williams also likes that it is locally owned, he said. Henry and Cooper are Foresthill residents. The Continis commute from Roseville.The four share a long history in the food industry, Contini said. Henry and Jamie Contini most recently were at the Starlite Café. Contini has been working in the restaurant business since he was 16 and learned how to cook from observing chefs and cooks, he said. He and his wife also own a restaurant in Sacramento, the Lil Phil's Pizza Kitchen - now open only on weekends.Cooper has owned numerous restaurants, most recently the Vernon Street Grill in downtown Roseville. He also maintains a residence in Cabo San Lucas and has a restaurant there, too, he said.Once they decided to go into business together and found a site - located next door to the Foresthill Divide Chamber of Commerce - it took about two-and-a-half months to complete the remodel. They did most of the work themselves."Basically we gutted everything," Contini said. "Everything got painted. We updated the electric."They also added a coffee bar, offering espresso, chai teas, mochas and hot chocolate to go or to dine in."Now people can have coffee to go up here instead of having to go down the hill," Contini said.And there is more on the drawing board."We're going to build a big deck in back for outside seating and patio," Contini said. "We hope to have that done by spring."The restaurant now seats 60 and with the new deck, will add 40. Catering is also a big part of the business."We can cater any holiday or event," Contini said.For a recent school event, they served baked zitti, garlic bread, green beans and a Caesar salad, Contini said.Involvement in the community also is an important part of being in business, according to Contini, adding the restaurant will work with local service groups on fundraising.The Journal's Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com or comment online at auburnjournal.com.Foresthill Grill & DeliWhere: 24620 Main St., ForesthillOpen: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-SundayCall: (530) 367-4745