ABOUT US

Welcome to Terraza Waterfront Café!

Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, white-sand beaches and an exciting nightlife: welcome to Latin America.

Many who travel there for Machu Picchu, Amazonia, Ecuador, Mexico, or Costa Rica go to see the patchwork of beautiful landscapes of snow-capped mountains, spectacular jungles, and for their fresh fruits and vegetables, stews, seafood and specialty cocktails.

Going to Terraza Waterfront Café is like traveling to Latin America... going home for a visit with your mom. You sit down, order a glass of wine and Tequila Clams to start... you talk, you catch up. It's a friendly-focused culture. It's a "get to know you before doing business" culture.

Doug Johnson

- Owner

Doug Johnson, the owner of Terraza Waterfront Café, has lived in Coeur d’Alene for over 30 years and has been associated with the hospitality industry for nearly that long. Doug started his hospitality career at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in 1986 and held various management roles throughout the organization for 11 years before taking the general manager position at Hotel Lusso in Spokane. After managing the Hotel Lusso for 5 years, Doug entered the healthcare industry to work with NightHawk Radiology Services, a radiology professional service startup.

After 10 years serving as the key accounts director, he opened his first restaurant, Fire Artisan Pizza. Doug and his wife Sally have been married for 29 years and have 3 children. Doug attends Coeur d’Alene Bible Church and is involved with various ministries there, as well as being involved in business and community organizations.

Ashley Bliesner

- General Manager

Our General Manager, Ashley Bliesner was born and raised in Spokane, WA. She has worked in all facets of hospitality; from fast food to fine dining, hotels and everything in between. Her 15 years of hospitality experience led her to bartending in New York City and serving tables in Las Vegas, with the majority of her experience being in Spokane, such as Spencers for Steaks and Chops, Rut, and Mirabeau Park Hotel.

Ashley has a strong passion for utilizing fresh and unique ingredients in beverages - which she is excited to share here at Terraza Waterfront Cafe. In her personal time, you can either find Ashley on a hiking trail with her sweet dog or baking sourdough. She is excited to foster a welcoming and fun environment for guests and staff alike.

Bjorn Thompson

- Executive Chef

Originally from a small town in central Minnesota, Bjorn Thompson began washing dishes in his uncle's restaurant at 15 years old. Since then, he has spent over 23 years in restaurants from Solara and Café Levain in Minneapolis to Cuveé in New Orleans to several properties in Wolfgang Puck's Fine Dining Group in Las Vegas. After helping Gozzer Ranch for a couple of summers, he decided to relocate his family in 2019 to become the executive chef at the Lake Club.

Bjorn has a serious passion for creating food and the experience of dining that surrounds it which he approaches with care and an eye for all details. If you ask him what he does, he will tell you that he plays with food for a living. One of his favorite quotes is, "Life is too short so eat dessert first, and without silverware."