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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wine Experience Has Become More Affordable At Cavanaugh’s

Three cheers for Cavanaugh’s new wine pricing strategy. It has just made enjoying wine with dinner much more affordable.

For instance, on the new list, there are 11 selections under $10. And they are not stinkers, either. In fact, there’s plenty of local talent featured.

In that least-expensive price range, there’s chenin blanc from Worden’s, Latah Creek and Snoqualmie (all $7.50) along with sauvignon blancs from Caterina ($7.95) and Arbor Crest ($8.95). Affordable chardonnays include Caterina ($9.95), Waterbrook ($10), Columbia Crest ($10.75) and Gordon Brothers ($10.75).

For those interested in a splurge, cabernets from well-respected Washington producers such as Woodward Canyon, Leonetti Cellars and Quilceda Creek seem downright reasonable at $35 and under.

Other highlights include the Bethel Heights first-release pinot noir from Oregon for $11, Mountain Dome sparkling wine for $15 and Edna Valley chardonnay for $10.75.

Restaurant markup on wine is usually considerably higher than retail, but these prices are competitive with supermarkets.

The wines will be available at the three Cavanaugh’s fine-dining restaurants: Hobart’s, Windows on the Seasons and Ripples, which will soon debut a new menu.

New venue, new menu

Sandpoint restaurateur Greg Grass is opening a second venue.

Beginning in mid-May, diners can nosh on wood-oven-baked pizza and pasta at Vecchio’s. Named after a famous bridge in Italy, the restaurant will be located in the newly renovated Cedar Street Bridge mall.

The menu will feature pizza, calzone, lasagna and manicotti along with freshly baked Italian breads and desserts.

“We will use special fruit woods, such as apple, to acquire just the right balance of flavor and heat,” said Grass, who also owns Gregory’s Fine Wines and Dining.

Also available will be a variety of imported cheeses, fruit, pasta salads and a large selection of Italian-style ice cream called gelato.

Italian wines will be offered by the glass or bottle, as will a selection of beer.

In warm-weather months, outdoor seating will be available overlooking Sand Creek.

For information on opening dates, call (208) 265-2004.

More wining and dining

The wonderful wines from L’Ecole No. 41 will be showcased at a dinner Tuesday at the Cannon St. Grill.

The luscious-sounding menu starts with spinach and goat cheese wrapped up in phyllo dough, which will be served with the delicious semillon. A chardonnay will complement an artichoke and fennel salad with lemon-thyme dressing. Osso bucco, which is braised veal shanks, will be served with two different types of merlot.

Dessert will be chocolate decadence accompanied by the cabernet sauvignon.

Winemaker Marty Clubb will be the star dinner guest and will describe the fruits of his efforts for other diners.

The dinner is $59.95, which includes tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 456-8660.

We like the pizza, pizza

Cucina! Cucina! has added some items to its lunch and dinner menus.

In the pasta department, there’s a fettucine with wild mushrooms, pesto-filled tortellini covered with a creamy sauce containing peas, Parmesan and prosciutto and a fresh grilled tuna with angel hair pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, roasted garlic, capers, lemon and pine nuts.

There are also several new pizzas, main dishes and desserts. At a recent lunch, I was impressed with the eggplant panino, a fried eggplant sandwich with smoked mozzarella, roasted peppers, garlic aioli and marinara sauce. Served in a pitalike pizza bread, the flavors worked wonderfully together.

Scouting report

Louis Cox of Loon Lake wrote to sing the praises of a new restaurant in Chewelah, Wash.

He said Kristian’s Dinner House has “simple but elegant fare.”

Located in a nicely restored old house, the restaurant impressed Cox and his wife with trout served with baby red potatoes and a New York steak dressed up with a roasted pepper, herb and tomato sauce.

Cox said the food is well worth making the drive from Spokane.

Kristian’s Dinner House, located at 8 W. Main in Chewelah, is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Brunch is served on the weekends from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For reservations, call (509) 935-8965.

Small bites

Post Street Grill recently reopened with new owners and a new menu. It’s now called Sarah’s Post Street Grill.

Fugazzi is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with south-of-the-border-style lunch specials.

Among the featured dishes will be a pasilla pepper stuffed with chicken and four cheeses and a Mayan shrimp salad served with a corn salsa.

Fugazzi is located at 1 N. Post. Call 624-1133 for reservations.