New on the Menu: A successful Eyvind + Hunt, plus dining at Osprey, Texas Roadhouse and Cosmic Cowboy Grill
It seems as if there is always a new restaurant popping up here and there in Spokane and the surrounding areas, and it’s a challenge to keep up with all the openings – but I’ll try.
Truthfully for this first New on the Menu column, I’m playing catch-up. Here are some of my latest stops in the vibrant culinary scene:
Eyvind
225 W. Riverside Ave.; (509) 474-1262
Tony Brown’s long-awaited Eyvind (pronounced “eye-vind”) is named after American artist Earle Eyvind and co-owned by Jed Conklin, a former photographer at The Spokesman-Review. Fine art and fine dining complement each other at the owner of Ruins’ new hotspot, and the dishes and cocktails at Eyvind are exquisite.
A recent dinner included pork belly and duck liver pate as starters, and they were started, then ended at empty plates. The scallop was beautifully presented, and the tofu was full of flavor. Dinner wrapped up with a refreshing champagne and strawberry sorbet and decadent mousse, and the two cocktails the Manhattan and Boulevardier were delightful.
Constructive criticism: The bench seating is uncomfortable. Otherwise, dinner was wonderful, and a return visit to Eyvind is in order.
Hunt
225 W. Riverside (basement); (509) 919-3748 and huntspokane.com
Brown and Conklin’s downstairs bar and lounge, Hunt, is often grouped with Eyvind as Eyvind + Hunt, but it stands on its own in its celebration of the great outdoors of the Inland Northwest and all things “elevated camp food.” The place is called Hunt for a reason, as you’ll discover once you peruse the menu.
A recent pre-concert stop included elk chili with cornbread, an elk burger with a generous side of pickles, rabbit stroganoff, smoked trout served with latkes and dirty wild rice with kimchi and pork belly. The Old Fashioned, Aviation and Sazerac were standout libations.
Constructive criticism: Hunt is in a basement, so the ceilings are low, and it has a “Pulp Fiction” dungeon feel in certain areas. But I’ll get over it. Hunt has become a favorite small plates and watering hole.
The flavors and reasonable price points at Eyvind + Hunt will keep me coming back to both of Brown’s stellar establishments.
Osprey Restaurant and Bar
700 N. Division St.; (509) 326-5577 and ospreyspokane.com
Jerry Dicker’s Ruby River Hotel is undergoing an extensive renovation, and one of the new offerings is Osprey Restaurant and Bar. With its riverside location and patio, it’s bound to be a destination once the cold weather ends, and you’ll also find a menu that is adventurous.
Memorable menu items during two meals included fire roasted Brussels, smoked salmon and goat cheese taquitos, ratatouille, coconut curry carrot bisque (which was ordered during both meals), a perfectly prepared coffee-rubbed ribeye topped with mushrooms, creamy green chili and pancetta macaroni and cheese, mini Yorkshire pudding (I could’ve eaten six of them) and an Old Fashioned with candied bacon.
Constructive criticism: I’m looking forward to the finished restaurant and the patio dining in the summer and fall.
Texas Roadhouse
7611 N. Division St.; (509) 505-1080 and texasroadhouse.com
Texas Roadhouse first opened in the area in Coeur d’Alene, and the North Spokane outpost opened to much fanfare in January. I enjoyed dinner at the CdA location years ago with my family, and Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few and his family were seated across from my brother-in-law and me during a sneak preview dinner in January.
Texas Roadhouse is a family-friendly steakhouse that won’t break the bank. The prime rib is excellent, the beer is cold, the music is popular and sing-along country, and the service is friendly without being fake and cloying.
Constructive criticism: This place is popular, even on weeknights, so expect a wait. Not so much a criticism as it is a warning or helpful hint.
Cosmic Cowboy Grill
822 W. Main Ave.; (509) 381-3333 and cosmiccowboygrill.com
Cosmic Cowboy Grill also opened in Coeur d’Alene first, and the Spokane location now sits in the first level of River Park Square next to Nordstrom. When you enter, there is a small, roped-off bar area perfect for hanging out when the kiddos are at “Frozen 13,” and you’ve declined to attend.
Cosmic Cowboy, with its farm-to-table and healthy options marketing, offers a good selection of burgers, sides and salads, and there is a surprising number of vegetarian and gluten-free selections, as well as interesting flavors of non-mainstream sodas.
Constructive criticism: During lunchtime there with family and friends, at one point at least five tables remained un-bused for a considerable amount of time, the men’s bathroom was littered with paper towels, and CCG ran out of forks. Forks! I’ll give you a pass for now since you’re brand new and will do better.