Hungry Readers Share Suggestions On Great Area Restaurants To Try
Everybody’s a critic.
When it comes to food, that is.
And lately, a few readers have been playing restaurant reviewer, generously sharing their recommendations of area eateries worthy of more attention. Here are their mouthwatering tips:
Kathryn Clark of Spokane said the chicken teriyaki at The Teriyaki House is out of this world. “The food is excellent, the portions are huge and it’s inexpensive,” she said. Clark also gave the tempura veggies a great big thumbs-up and said the service at The Teriyaki House (E11516 Sprague) has always been extremely nice.
“I’ve been living here 17 years and this is the best restaurant I’ve found in quite a while,” she said.
Sandra Novak of Post Falls called to rave about a hidden gem that’s recently come under new ownership. She and her family were so impressed with the prime rib and other menu items at CJ’s Sandbar Galley at the Sandy Beach Resort near Cocolalla that they’ve become regular customers.
“The place always had a bad reputation. It was never open and was basically just a bar, but it’s got new owners who are really trying to do things right,” Novak said.
“The food is absolutely delicious. They make the best prime rib I’ve ever tasted and the portions are huge,” she said.
Novak also reported that CJ’s atmosphere was relaxed, with a jukebox and dancing on Thursday nights. Another bonus: Breakfast, including homemade hash browns, is available anytime.
And the price is right. A prime rib dinner, with a big bowl of soup, a substantial salad, a baked potato and dessert, is $13.95. A filling prime rib sandwich is $5.95.
Call (208) 263-9142 for reservations.
Pava Young faxed her recommendation for a pleasant Chinese food restaurant on North Division that seems overlooked by diners.
“We have been to the New Harbour a number of times and it’s always empty, but the food and the service is excellent,” she said. “The food is lightly seasoned and healthier than a lot of Chinese restaurants.”
The restaurant opened last fall and “they have all the ingredients to be a successful restaurant. They just need some more business,” Young said.
One reader, who didn’t leave her name, had good things to say about Ronquille’s, a restaurant and market which opened last fall at E2904 Sprague.
Ronquille’s serves breakfasts and lunch with a special emphasis on deli sandwiches. It also offers soups and chili, salads, as well as selling honeyglazed ham and smoked turkey by the pound.
Another friendly, but anonymous, voice left on my phonemail suggested I skedaddle over to the Alpine Deli at E417 Third. She loves the deli sandwiches and specialty items and said there is also a selection of German-type gifts and magazines in the front of the store.
I’d love to hear more gastronomic adventures from readers. Drop me a line at Behind the Menu, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210; or fax me your recommendations at 459-5098. Suggestions will be featured in upcoming columns.
Down Palouse way
The Sunday drive is a tradition that needs reviving. I was out looking for signs of an early spring on the Palouse last weekend and spotted several places to fuel up during an outing. Worley Grill, formerly known as Leo’s Worley Club, recently reopened with new owners.
The menu includes steak, deepfried seafood, Italian and Mexican entrees. There are also daily specials. All items are made on premises.
Prices are reasonable, with most meals about $5.
It’s located in Worley, Idaho, two miles south of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Bingo Hall on Route 95.
Italian, island-style
Makena’s may be known as the Spokane’s only Hawaiian restaurant, but Italian is on the menu Jan. 31 for a special wine dinner.
A select lineup of Italian wines, created to complement the flavors in a four-course dinner, will be served.
The meal will begin with an unusual soup that contains nutmeg, cheese and egg. That will be followed by fettucine with Italian sausage in a saffron cream sauce. The entree will be braised pork served with veggies and garlic-flavored mashed potatoes. Baked pears will be served for dessert.
The dinner is $25.95 per person or $17.95 without wine. For reservations, call 924-5011.
New menu at Bistro’s
Bistro’s, a cozy little spot on the South Hill (on 30th off of Grand Blvd.), has recently expanded its menu, adding some salads and such appetizers as stuffed mushroom caps. But the biggest change is the introduction of featured dinner items each evening.
Along with an interesting lineup of sandwiches and pizza, a rotating selection of entrees will be served. On any given night, diners might be offered one of the following choices: Southwestern chicken, beer-poached salmon, sauteed shrimp with Cajun sauce and shepherd’s pie with veal, among others. Dinners include salad and vegetables with either pasta or rice side dish. Prices for the featured items range from $8.95 to $12.95.
Eventually, the most popular items will be incorporated into the permanent menu. On Mondays and Tuesdays, from 6:30 until 9 p.m., all food will be half price.
Bistro’s is now offering beer and wine. It’s also one of the few places in Spokane you can find the heavenly Torrefazione coffee.
For takeout orders, call 747-6501.