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

Public Market’s Food Court Has Something For Every Public Taste

The deliciously diverse offerings at Schade Brewery Public Market’s new food court aren’t your typical deep-fried mall fare.

In this charming space, festive lights have been strung from the shake roof facades on each booth and a huge faux pine dominates the main room. It has the feel of a indoor market you might find in Mexico (without the funky odor).

Diners have all sorts of options, whether it’s a deli sandwich or freshly made quiche at Oliver’s or homestyle Mexican dishes from Aracelia’s. (That popular restaurant gave up its downtown venue, but their menu remains basically the same.)

There are five vendors altogether including a booth featuring Mary Lou’s Homemade Ice Cream, from which you can build every kind of soda fountain creation imaginable. That spot also serves affordable pizza and pasta dishes. (Lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs for $2.50; pizzas starting at $4.65.)

Virginia’s Bake Shop offers an array of freshly baked goodies and bread. (I’m anxious to try their sourdough made with wild yeast captured from the brewery’s fermentation room.)

I’m also delighted to see John’s Southern Bar-B-Que back in business. This man - who had a restaurant on Lincoln and then was a fixture at the old Spokane Marketplace - can cook.

He grills his meats over mesquite chips and then slathers them with a not-too-sweet homemade sauce. The chicken I tried recently was moist and it had a great smoky flavor. Dinners are served with a side of beans and potato salad.

Prices range from $3.95 for a sandwich to $15.95 for a slab of ribs.

Hours vary for each vendor - for instance, Aracelia’s is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday until 9. Most booths serve food Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. However, there are plans to expand the hours as more diners discover this spot.

I hope once more people find it - it’s off Trent, east of Division - that they will also expand the seating area.

Jerry Lewis ate there

That’s what the readerboard at Schlotzsky’s Deli on Francis proudly proclaimed.

While the legendary comedian was in Spokane for the six-day run of “Damn Yankees” last month, he waltzed into the deli and ordered a Smoked Turkey Original.

That sandwich is piled with turkey, bacon and salami. (What? No ham?)

Apparently, Lewis liked it so well, he phoned in a to-go order of 15 more sandwiches later in the week.

Here’s the beef

The folks who revived the tradition of skating car-hops at Wolffy’s have opened a new steak house in North Spokane.

The Davis family has opened Wolffy’s Old West Steak House at the Fairwood Shopping Center on Hastings Road with the promise of plentiful portions.

The decor features parts of a 100-year-old barn, antique wagon wheels and an indoor corral that serves as a waiting area.

Naturally, the menu focuses on beef in various guises - prime rib, several sizes of sirloin steak as well as a T-bone that weighs in at more than a pound.

There’s also barbecued ribs, chicken and pasta dishes. Surf-type fare includes grilled shrimp, crab legs and lobster.

Prices range from $12.95 to $24.95 for a celebration of gluttony. Eat all of The Bigfoot, a 42-ounce steak and the side dishes in an hour and your name will be inscribed on a plaque.

Wolffy’s is open for dinner from 5 until 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For reservations, call 465-1453.

Tasty new menus

The new fall menu at Beverly’s features more Asian-inspired dishes including a Thai beef noodle dish and a spicy vegetable hot pot with chili-glazed salmon perched atop soba noodles and veggies in a ginger-infused broth.

Other additions include a grilled venison sausage appetizer and potato-crusted trout.

Europa recently revamped its menu, adding some upscale offerings such as a steamed Manila clam linguine and a vegetarian pasta with roasted garlic.

Another welcome addition is the handmade gourmet ravioli with a different stuffing showcased each month. For November, it’s a chicken Florentine served with a garlic cream sauce.

Among the savory new pizzas is a spicy Louisana Cajun chicken, a Thai seafood pie and the European, which is a five-cheese affair with white sauce, pesto, strips of chicken and shrimp.

At lunch, the restaurant has started offering several “In a Rush” specials, served in 10 minutes or less. (Today it’s Italian sausage and spaghetti bake, a hot pastrami, chicken breasts stuffed with garlic mashed potatoes or a pepperoni and sausage calzone.)

Europa is located at 125 S. Wall.

On its first new menu in years, Windows of the Seasons includes a mix of classic dishes and lighter entrees.

New selections range from garlicky escargot and French onion soup to vegetarian pasta and a broiled salmon filet with basil-caper vinaigrette.

There’s also a beefed-up section of lean cuisine. Dishes such as sauteed scampi, chicken with basil, currant and garlic butter and Alaskan halibut with a strawberry-mint salsa meet The Heart Institute of Spokane’s criteria for Lite ‘n Hearty meals. (That means 30 percent of the calories come from fat.)

To check out this new menu, call 328-9526 for reservations.

Save me a scone

Rocket Bakery South has opened in the former Espresso Evviva location. This makes the third Spokane venue for this popular pastry purveyor with other locations on Garland and in the Valley on Argonne.

The new address - at 14th and Adams - features a similar decor and the same offerings as the other stores. That includes a mouthwatering lineup of muffins, sweet breads, cookies and pastries, such as their outrageous scones. (Make mine a raspberry oat.)

For take-out orders, call 456-3534.

Small bites

The Lotus Garden’s new owners at 14415 E. Sprague will continue to offer a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese food. For take-out call 891-5786.

Garlic lovers should check out the new pie from Bennedito’s. The LC Tiger has three layers of this pungent bulb - first in the pesto sauce slathered on the crust, then more fresh garlic, followed by whole, roasted clove. Bring on the breath mints.

For take-out or delivery, phone 455-7411.

Tequila’s in the Valley is now Los Laureles. The extensive menu features the usual Mexican fare, as well as a variety of seafood dishes and fajitas. It’s located at 11114 E. Sprague. The phone number is 928-4397.

Congratulations to the SS Beryl. This northside seafood restaurant has been afloat for 19 years.

A Boston Market is being constructed on the South Hill in Lincoln Heights. Look for it to open around the first of the year.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT OFF THE GRILL The arrival of a couple of press releases tickled our funnybone. Tucked inside the announcement of Saturday’s ladies cigar lunch and fashion show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort was a notice for an upcoming holiday fragrance event. Now, they just might have something if they got those two do’s together on the same day.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT OFF THE GRILL The arrival of a couple of press releases tickled our funnybone. Tucked inside the announcement of Saturday’s ladies cigar lunch and fashion show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort was a notice for an upcoming holiday fragrance event. Now, they just might have something if they got those two do’s together on the same day.