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| RESTAURANT | PHONE/LOCATION | REGION | CUISINE | PRICE | NOW SERVING | THE INSIDE DISH |
Anthony’s HomePort at Spokane Falls (N) | 510 N. Lincoln St., 328-9009 | Downtown Spokane | Seafood | $$$- $$$$ | Monday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sunday: 2 to 9:30 p.m., brunch 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | The Spokane branch of this West Side seafood chain is perched right on the cliff above the Spokane River’s upper falls. Anthony’s does the view justice with a stylish atmosphere, a well-managed dining room and an array of high-quality seafood dishes. Offerings change seasonally, yet you should always be able to count on the alder-planked salmon. Give the Dungeness crab cakes a try as well. Otherwise, pay close attention to the fresh sheet. (September 2004) |
Commellini’s Italian Restaurant (N) | 14100 N. Dartford Drive, 466-2088 | Northwest Spokane | Italian | $$$- $$$$ | Tuesday – Saturday: 5 pm. – 9 p.m.; Sunday: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. | The place used to be an old bootlegger’s hideout – the underground tunnels still exist. Current owner Al Jouan has spiffed up the menu and converted it into a relatively high-end dining experience, with crisp linens on the tables and classical arias floating overhead. The menu reflects this new sophistication as well, especially in the Lobster Gnocchi, an outstanding langoustine sauté flavored with truffle oil. Even the Chicken Cacciatore has been spiffed up to become a sauté dish. Traditionalists can still find top-quality ravioli, cannelloni and other pasta dishes. Don’t miss out on the rich and earthy house Mushroom Soup. (April 2005) |
| Kim Do (N) | 2018 N. Hamilton St., 487-7700 | Northeast Spokane | Vietnamese | $ | Monday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Kim Do Restaurant is a friendly, lime-scented Vietnamese restaurant in the Gonzaga District. Try the Pho, the beef- or chicken-based Vietnamese soups. With generous garnishes of fresh basil and bean sprouts, think of it as a soup and salad combo, all in one. Or try one of the many excellent vermicelli rice-noodle dishes, or the curry. You might want to avoid anything with tendon, unless you’re a Vietnamese food veteran, or just plain adventurous. It’s tasty, but gelatinous. The translucent spring rolls are a must. And don’t forget to try the sweet iced coffee, made with condensed milk. (May 2004) |
Maggie’s South Hill Grill (N) | 2808 E. 29th Ave., 536-4745 | South Spokane | Bistro/ Eclectic | $-$$ | Daily from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. | This South Hill bistro-grill is routinely packed with people who have discovered the uncommonly stylish Chicken Pot Pie, which comes with a jaunty pastry hat, the zesty Pan-Seared Ahi and the excellent pasta dishes and sandwiches. Maggie’s is also exceptionally warm and welcoming, especially to families with kids. (April 2005) |
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant (N) | 2008 Northwest Blvd., 328-9733 | Northwest Spokane | Moroccan | $$$ | Daily from 5 – 10 p.m. | Diners sit on the floor or on low cushions and the food is eaten with the fingers (or utensils if you want). The best way to go is with the prix fixe menu, in which you get five courses, including a lentil soup, a marinated salad and the outstanding Bastela Royale, a filo pastry with with scrambled eggs, ground chicken and powdered sugar (trust me, it all works well together). Among the entrees, I’d try the Chicken with Honey and Prunes or the Lamb M’Rouzia. The meal ends with a sweet mint tea ceremony. (November 2004) |
Neva Russian Tea Room and Restaurant (N) | 2909 N. Division St., 325-3552 | North Spokane | Russian/ Ukrainian/ Uzbeki | $-$$ | Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. | The masterpiece is the light and fragrant borscht (a beet soup), filled with delicate shreds of beet and cabbage and flavored with tender cubes of veal and sour cream. Be sure and try some of the many kinds of bliny (stuffed crepes, or blintzes) and vareneki (filled dumplings). You also can’t go wrong with the more familiar items, such as a wonderfully rich Chicken Kiev and a delicate, sherry-infused Beef Stroganoff. The tea, with delicate floral notes, is worth a trip alone. (March 2005) |
Percy’s Café Americana (N) | 10502 E. Sprague Ave., 924-6022 | Spokane Valley | American | $$ | Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. | This Valley institution, with an art-deco theme, serves simple food with good value. The menu is full of entrees that have stood the test of time: prime rib, steaks, chicken and seafood with a few pasta dishes. Try the French Peppered Filet of Sirloin, topped in mushrooms and flamed with brandy. The Potatoes Romanoff, mashed with garlic and cheese, is a house specialty side dish. Give the fish and chips and the sandwiches a try as well. You might want to avoid the salami, ham and mozzarella panini, which combined too many strong flavors. Service is friendly but sometimes too casual. (December 2004) |
Shogun (S) | 821 E. Third Ave., 534-7777 | Downtown Spokane | Japanese | $$- $$$$ | Sunday – Thursday: 5 – 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 5 – 11 p.m. | Around back, past the waterfall and the karaoke stage, is one of the biggest and best sushi bars in Spokane. The sushi chefs are thorough pros and the ingredients are fresh and beautifully presented. Try something adventurous, such as the smoke eel roll. (July 2004) |