Chef reincarnates restaurant

After a few years’ hiatus, Ian Wingate has brought Moxie back, and to Spokane. No, not in the old-timey, “I gotta say, that kid’s sure got moxie” kind of way. To the 33-year-old restaurateur, the word is his dream, his way of life – it’s his restaurant.

Wingate’s first incarnation of Moxie lasted four years, tucked away in a Liberty Lake strip mall. He sold the space to Solstice Restaurant – which is set to close at the end of June – after he was offered the executive chef position at the then set-to-reopen Davenport Hotel. There, he was a decision-maker, helping design the kitchens and menus that have since become some of downtown’s fine-dining favorites. But it wasn’t enough. He decided it was time to resurrect Moxie at a new location – this time at the old Great Harvest location at 816 W. Sprague Ave. in downtown Spokane.

“I just did what I needed to do there, and was anxious to get back into business for myself,” he said. “Doing it yourself, as opposed to for someone else, is completely different.”

So far, it looks like the restaurant is just that – completely different. Wingate’s created a Euro-Asian menu, mixing French, Asian and Northwestern influences. Grilled Miso Chicken Yaki shares menu space with Pepper-Seared Breast of Duck, Char-broiled Chipotle Glazed Meatloaf and Seared Prosciutto-Wrapped Fresh Mozzarella on Tomato Carpaccio, among others. Lunch is laid-back, with meals priced less than $10, while the dinner atmosphere is a bit fancier, with prices from $10 to $30.

“At night, we put linen on the table,” he said. That, along with the dark wood interior and the Hokusai-inspired Japanese wave mural on the wall, might provide for a fancy dining experience, indeed.

Moxie is open for lunch Monday- Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner Tuesday- Thursday, 5-9 p.m. and Friday- Saturday, 5-10 p.m. For more information, call (509) 456-3594 or visit www.moxiemoxie.com.

This Luigi’s no sidekick

It’s been four years since Luigi’s Restaurant reopened at 245 W. Main Ave. after its original location was consumed by a 1998 fire. To celebrate, owner Dave Bible is giving back to the community that supported him when tragedy struck.

During July, Luigi’s is running a 2-for-1 special Sundays through Thursdays. It’s good on any entrees, with the lesser of the two being the free item.

Bible also has decided to introduce “Family Night,” which will offer a family-style menu with different portions and pricing for group grubbing and family feasting. This formula has spelled success for Italian restaurants in other cities (Seattle’s link in the Buca di Beppo chain comes to mind), and Bible believes it will be huge in Spokane.

Lastly, Luigi’s has started a limited delivery service, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The restaurant will deliver to the downtown, Gonzaga, Riverpoint, and South Hill hospital areas. So if you’re looking for a little lasagna to go with your laziness, here you go.

For more information, call (509) 624-5226 or visit www.luigis-spokane.com.

Here comes Anthony’s

Many food junkies think it’s a blessing. Others see it as an unwelcome West side invasion into the much-coveted old Salty’s location overlooking Upper Spokane Falls.

So culinary enthusiasts and local-business-only picketers alike – mark your calendars. The restaurant, which will seat 244 guests in 8,600 square feet of space, is set to open its doors July 14.

According to an Anthony’s press release, the restaurant will employ up to 100 people and will open initially for dinner and Sunday brunch only, with plans to open for lunch daily by early August. For more information, visit www.anthonys.com.