Watch the Downtown Spokane Partnership Annual Meeting video. I hope you can be proud of Spokane for this.
http://www.downtownspokane.org/video/Cmon_Everybody.php
-Annie
January 27, 2009
Sushi.com…
The name might seem odd for a restaurant especially since the restaurant does not even have a website of its own. You can only hope that they do not purchase their fresh fish online. Needless to say, the name doesn’t do the restaurant justice.
Picture found on Experiene Spokane
The atmosphere is similar to many sushi restaurants. The sushi bar is welcoming and the menu is relatively affordable.
Sushi.com has all of the tradition sushi rolls that can be found at most restaurants. It doesn’t stop there. They have some very unique rolls that have very distinct flavors. One of my favorites is the Harley Davidson Roll. It has about five different fish of the sea in and around it with this sweet and spicy sauce to compliment.
picture found on Experience Spokane
What is essential to a Japanese sushi restaurant is the Japanese imported beers. Sushi.com has three refreshing kinds: Sapporo, Kirin Ichiban, and Asahi.
Not only is the fish freshly made, it served with a great presentation. Long rolls, such as the Caterpillar, come out shaped as its name sake. When you come with more than two people you can order the Boat. The Boat is a miniature Japanese Sloop overflowing with your personal sushi favorites.
So the next time you are in the mood for some high quality sushi, stop by Sushi.com to see what they have to offer.
- Annie
Location:
430 W Main
Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 Noon – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM
January 27, 2009
The Big Foot spotted in Spokane
picture found at stevemandich.com Blog
The Big Foot Pub and Eatery lures Whitworth students on Monday nights, but Monday nights aren’t the only nights the pub is hopping.
Live music graces the dance floor Friday and Saturday night. The Big Foot offers some of the best Spokane local dancing around. Every time I go, I am amazed at the array of dance moves people come up with.
The instance you walk into the bar you feel welcomed into the Big Foot family. The bartenders are some of the nicest and helpful bartenders I have met in Spokane.
The drinks are generously poured and the price is the best I have found yet.
My favorite thing to order is a Dirty Shirley (Shirley Temple with vodka) and their world renowned fries (at least in my world they are renowned). The Big Foot’s fries are to die for. They are beer battered fried and have the perfect amount of crunch.
Rumor has it changes are starting to be made at the Big Foot. Various tournaments on Monday nights, live music now on Thursday also, and it will now keep its doors open until 2 a.m. every day.
At the Big Foot, you will never find a dull moment. Come and enjoy one of Spokane’s finest bars.
-Annie
Location:
9115 N Division St
Open daily until 2 a.m.
January 27, 2009
Catacombs Underground Pub
Last weekend I went to the Catacombs Pub with a group of friends. Catacombs is a sub-terrain bar and restaurant that specializes in micro brew beer and hand made pizzas. We arrived late that night and were pleased to find the atmosphere relaxed and casual with two roaring fires, one on the far end of the restaurant and the other behind the bar baking pizzas.
My friends and I found ourselves settling into a night of conversation and laughter as we lost track of time in the low lit stone walled parlor. I admit that I usually like to visit venues that are a bit more lively, but for some reason Catacombs Pub felt just right after a busy week. I share a pizza with a roommate of mine and drank one of my favorite import beers, Spaten Optimator, all for about nine dollars, a pretty good deal I thought.
As far as my review of the bar/restaurant goes, Catacombs offers enough drink specials, rustic cuisine and even occasional live music to make it worth your while.
Catacombs Pub in conjunction with The Montvale Hotel are actively involved in the community through their membership at Greater Spokane Incorporated. It has also been recognized by the Pacific Northwest Inland as Spokane’s best new restaurant
- Annie
Open daily at 5:00 pm
Tel: (509) 838-4610
Located in the cellar of the Montvale Hotel.
110 South Monroe Street
January 26, 2009
Mmm… Music
This past Christmas season, the Spokane Symphony played Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s most recognized score as dancers from the Alberta Ballet performed the Nutcracker with distinctive new choreography. The dancing was lovely, but hearing a classic played with precision and emotion made the night for me.
I hope to hear the symphony perform again in March. They will be playing Holst’s The Planets, among other things. The symphony keeps things fresh, especially when outside musicians are brought in to perform alongside. Look for a beautiful voice to join the symphony when singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile performs in Spokane on April 23.
In addition to regular performances at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, the symphony offers chamber soirees at the Davenport and the Old Church in Post Falls. Exceptional chamber groups are selected from the symphony to play in an inviting and personal atmosphere. The Post Falls location also makes the symphony more accessible to Spokane’s Idahoan neighbors.
-Nita
January 26, 2009
Fried and Delicious
If you like big burgers, comfortable booths and restaurants that feel like they belong in a smaller city than Spokane, try The Onion. The atmosphere is friendly and informal. When I walk in I feel like I’m home in rural Western Washington, or at least a lot closer to it.
The food is great in the super fattening, no holds barred kind of way. The menu showcases healthy options for those who want them, but I have yet to order anything that didn’t come off of the burger page. The only thing I don’t like about The Onion is that I don’t have enough will power to eat there very often. After ingesting so many things that have been battered and fried, I leave feeling much as I did after visiting North Carolina for the first time.
The onion rings are beautiful: crispy golden brown and thick enough that you know there is a slice of onion inside of the fried wonder. Many of the burgers are served with one on top. I can’t pick a favorite burger at The Onion, and that fact is to their credit. Most places that serve burgers have so little variation that I can’t pick a favorite because they are all the same; at The Onion, I can’t pick a favorite because they are all completely different and I love at least four of them equally.
My top four are: the Jalapeno Bacon Burger, the Avocado Burger, the Black ‘N Bleu Burger, and the Hula Burger. If none of those sound good, check out the other eight options or something from the pasta, broiler or sandwich parts of the menu. I apologize; in those areas I can give you no guidance. Good luck!
-Nita
Location: There are two Onion locations in Spokane
Downtown: 302 W. Riverside
Northside: 7522 N. Division
Menu Suggestions: Burgers, burgers, burgers…
January 23, 2009
Coffee + Artistic Talent
The Empyrean describes itself as sublime, celestial, and heavenly – The abode of God and the angels, simply paradise.
They are not quite exaggerating. The ambiance is welcoming with walls of warm tan and brown colors and couches of all shapes and sizes to engulf you. Their coffee is a perfect mixture of a rich coffee bean taste and a smooth finish. Each cup of espresso drink made is carefully crafted into a beautiful design. Flowers and leaves are created through the artful pour of the steamed milk.
They have a wide and unique collection of loose leaf tea. Beer and wine are a great substitute as well. Ice cream and baked goods fill the counter displays.
In short what they have to offer is indeed heavenly.
Picture found on Empyrean's website
Through their business they succeed in promoting fair world trade and stay true to their ecological responsibility. They would rather a customer come to enjoy their drink of chose in house so they can cut down on waste in disposable wear.
Their mugs are an art form in themselves. Most have been ceramically made by various employees.
Not only does the Empyrean maintain its own artistic flair, but they are proud supporters of local artists, musicians and businesses.
They have turned an old garage next door to them into a retro stage for talented, local musicians to play. If the crowd is smaller musicians can also set up stage in a nook in the coffee shop.
Art adorns the walls, continually changing to encourage local artists skills.
There is a multipurpose room in the back to host such events as business meetings and art classes.
This two year old coffee shop has successful made itself a versatile shop serving some of the best coffee in Spokane – in Washington guilt free.
What are you doing next Tuesday?
Waffles and $1 PBRs at the Empyrean…
- Annie
Location:
154 S. Madison509-838-9819
January 21, 2009
Santorini in Spokane
I finally tried the pizza at Opa Pizza. I usually get distracted by the pasta or gyros, but yesterday I stuck to the plan.
My slices of pizza were not like any I’d had before. The crust was thick, but soft and light. It was almost like eating a warm, cheesy, open-faced sandwich. The house-made pesto sauce tasted creamy, and highlighted the basil without being too strong.
Somehow I saved room for dessert, probably only because I shared. The tiramisu I ordered came in the shape of an attractive wedge. The layering was well proportioned and the lady fingers were delicately touched by espresso, rather than soaked in it. Nothing about the dessert was soggy or heavy.
The thing that strikes me most about Opa is that my memories of it are filled with laughter. It isn’t a silly or ridiculous restaurant; I don’t laugh at it. The atmosphere is palpably joyful. The waiters engage customers in sincere conversation. The blue decor and photographs bring Santorini to Spokane. I’ve never wanted to go to Greece so badly as when I sit in Opa and discuss the food, language and culture of Southern Europe with a friendly waiter.
-Nita
Location: You will find Opa Pizza on Newport Highway, just north of Hawthorne
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Open for Cuban breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Menu Suggestions: Flaming Saganaki (they will ring bells and yell “Opa!” as they bring it out to you… on fire!), Chicken a la Pesto Pizza, Chicken Kota, Greek Gyro with Lamb, Tiramisu
January 20, 2009
Just down the street…
It would be easy to assume that the hunter green lattice decor clashes with the butcher paper and crayons on the tables at Tomato Street. In my opinion, the two don’t even send mixed signals. Rather, they provide evidence that this restaurant knows how to multitask.
Italian food is a traditional fall-back for a moderately formal date, and Tomato Street doesn’t disappoint when it comes to culinary offerings. The tomato basil soup is consistently creamy without being heavy and is perfect for dipping bread into. Many of the main dishes are variations on classics. The Blackened Chicken Fettuccini combines creamy alfredo sauce with Cajun spices to create a mildly spicy, rich dish. And the calzones are big. Big enough to satisfy a boyfriend’s appetite. I can almost finish half of one. Almost.
But as I said before, Tomato Street is a multitasking restaurant. So if you aren’t planning a nice date but want to have fun with family and friends over dinner, it will still serve you well. Especially if kids are involved. They’ll love the ridiculous hats that the waiters and waitresses wear. On my last visit, the waiter was wearing fuzzy antlers. And if the kids get bored anyway, you can break out the crayons and let them create a masterpiece all over the butcher paper on the table.
-Nita
Location: You’ll find Tomato Street on Division, just south of Francis.
Menu Suggestions: Blackened Chicken Fettuccini, Smoked Gouda and Shrimp Mostaccioli, Baked Spaghetti
