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

Sushi on the South Hill

If Eastern Washington flooded, the South Hill could end up an island.

Maybe that’s what Noel Macapagal has in mind with his recently opened island cuisine and sushi fusion joint.

Macapagal – who also owns RAW Sushi and Island Grill in downtown Spokane – opened Okané on the Hill, 2910 W. 57th Ave., to dish his take on his favorite foods on Oct. 10.

He’ll be the first to say his is not the average sushi joint, and not just because the restaurant has yet to procure a frontage sign.

“It’s really very untraditional sushi,” Macapagal said. “We have a Northwest Roll that has Granny Smith Apples in it and huckleberry teriyaki sauce.

“While we have everything that you would expect in a sushi bar, we went totally out of the box and started playing with flavors.”

One house specialty is the “Poke” (pronounced poh-kay), chunks of raw fish tossed with sauce and Maui sweet onions.

“The good thing about the Poke is that in Hawaii they sell it by the pound,” he said. “And it’s like the potato chips of Hawaii. You go to a Super Bowl party, and there’s 10 pounds of pokes.”

Okané – the Japanese word for money – isn’t all raw fish and Hawaiian cuisine. Macapagal gathers inspiration from Thai and Philippine cuisine, and even goes American with a rib-eye steak.

Starting Saturday, local jazz, Hawaiian and blues musicians will play every other Saturday night at 8.

Though he says the restaurant’s already busy, Okané will hold a grand opening on Nov. 12. By then Macapagal hopes to have a full martini bar, a wine list, an expanded menu featuring desserts and pastries, and – oh yeah – a sign.

Okané on the Hill is open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information, call (509) 448-1779, e-mail spokanesushi@yahoo.com or visit www.spokanesushi.com.

Speaking of sushi

Macapagal also has big plans for the future of RAW, 523 W. First Ave.

He plans to open a winery downstairs, next to five private karaoke and dining rooms.

That’s right, private karaoke rooms.

“I’m totally wiring the place,” Macapagal said. “There’ll be Internet hookup. (Customers) can be viewing a sales presentation, watching a movie and eating dinner, or singing karaoke, which I guarantee you will be crazy.”

In the same building, Macapagal said he and partner Dave Black will open a spot tentatively called Black Cellar Bistro, with panini, pita sandwiches and Hawaiian plate lunches, which he said should open by Christmas.

In the meantime, RAW is open Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 4:30 p.m. to midnight; Sundays, 4 to 8 p.m.

For more information, call (509) 722-4264.

Nothing like the real thing

Until recently, shopping at Costco on East Sprague Avenue was an occasion.

Not because of the deals; because of the tacos.

Tacos Tumbras, otherwise known as “that taco truck out on Sprague,” parked a clone of itself on North Division Street on Sept. 26.

“Customers from the North Side would have to leave the North Side, you know,” said owner Carlos Zuniga. Now they don’t have to.

The new location’s not only for North Siders, either. At 3721 N. Division St., it’s close enough for downtown folks, too.

Tacos Tumbras offers a list of fillings for its authentic tacos, sopes and more, including Chorizo (sausage), Alambre (grilled veggies, meat, cheese) and Lengua (tongue).

Tacos Tumbras is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but sometimes stays open late on weekends.

For more information, call (509) 701-1205.

I’m too pita for my pit

Moscow residents know and love the Pita Pit and its fast-food style, late-night Middle Eastern and Greek fare.

The restaurant chain gave Coeur d’Alene a reason to cheer during the summer by opening a store at 320 Sherman Ave.

The Canadian-started chain also opened its U.S. headquarters in the lake-loving locale, said spokeswoman Kathy Ducharme.

Pita Pit also has plans for restaurants in Cheney, Hayden and the Gonzaga University District in 2006, Ducharme said.

Hours at the Coeur d’Alene Pit are Sundays through Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to midnight, and Thursdays through Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. If you go in the morning, don’t forget to try the Breakfast Pita. The Pita Pit also offers vegetarian and vegan items.

For more information, call (208) 664-1738.