9 Easy Questions: Adam Bennett
His work is eye-catching and bold and can be seen decorating the windows and tables of Baja Bargarita, in logos for Studio Capelli Salon, on business cards for the Torch Lounge, and most recently, something called "Karen is Dead" (I have no idea either), just to name a few. Adam was kind enough to share with us what local food and drink options put the drop shadow behind his sans-serif font. Check out some of his work over at the Aha! Creative Facebook page.
1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: Michael D's. Hands down. Their breakfast potatoes have special healing properties. And the Eggs Benedict never disappoint.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Gotta go with Caruso's on this one. Only place I can get a sandwich that tastes like something I would make at home. Eating out without feeling like I ate out afterwards is something I place a HIGH value one.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: I love Toro Viejo. No, actually I LOVE Toro Viejo. I can walk to the downtown location from our new office and Junior and his staff always make you feel like family.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: (Ed. note: he left it blank, which kinda says it all.)
5. Best place to get sushi: I've been really impressed with Syringa lately. I'm not a fan of
"real" sushi, but I do love a California Roll every once in a while.
6. Best fast food joint: I'm trying real hard not to eat fast food anymore. (But when I do I have to go with Arby's).
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: I'm a huge fan of Baja Bargarita. We really don't make it anywhere else consistantly, but Baja is small enough to be comfortable with a group of people. The atmosphere there is really conducive for a laid back night out. Nuff' said.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? If its a mixed drink, I'll usually have a Firefly™ and Water. I love Iced Tea, so it's a natural favorite for me. Sometimes I'll even put a little bit of lemonade in with it. If it's shots, I'll take some Hornitos or Patron any time.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? I'd have to go with Oatmeal Cookie Ben & Jerry's. The stuff is really amazing.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Quincy Clark
Many of you will know the notorious Q. from his appearances as my co-conspirator in many of my reviews. For some unkown reason, the Spokesman-Review editors decided at some point last year that they weren't going to print my references to Q. any longer and started replacing them with things like "my friend" or "my lunch partner". So if you were wondering where he went, he's still there but just hiding between the lines. When Quincy isn't excelling in his classes during his first semester at NIC, he's watching lots of bad TV, listening to Lady Gaga, and taking care of his adorable bulldog, Miss Bailey. Q. was kind enough recently to fill us in on what local food and beverage situations put the bluffin' in his muffin.
1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: I'm bored to death with the breakfast joints in this town. I suppose if I had to pick one it would be Mickey D's.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: I'm not into sandwiches. But I do love a Red Robin special!
3. Best Mexican restaurant: I love me some Toro Vejo. The food and service is always super.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Mmm...Chinese. A tough one for me. But I'm gonna go with Chinese Gardens.
5. Best place to get sushi: The very best would be Syringa. Small small small, pricey, but great sushi.
6. Best fast food joint: Bleh
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Oh that would be Mik-n-Mac's when I do go out.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Good 'ol Makers and Coke.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Lemon ice cream! Nothing like a little sweet and sour.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Kami Jo Kiele
Some say it's good luck to give Mik-n-Mac's bartender Kami Jo Kiele's ta-ta a little squeeze, but try it without her permission and you will swiftly find out that action is very bad luck indeed, for she will have you in a choke hold, up the stairs and out the door in seconds flat. I've always told her I want a miniature Kami Jo to carry around in my pocket, and someday I swear I'm going to figure out how to make one because life would be so much better if I could have a dose of her sweet sass whenever I wanted, 24/7. Come down on Karaoke night and see her perform a live Country music video about a small-town girl who moved north to the big city (well, Cd'A is bigger than Kooskia), got a job as bartender/Queen B(eotch) in a sorta gay bar. Yes, she can take orders, pour drinks, wipe the counters and sing, all at the same time. Miss Kami was fab enough recently to fill us in on what kinda eat and drink puts the pimento in her cocktail olive.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: 4th St. Pantry. The best most delicious 24-hour breakfast joint out there, especially for the price.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Daaneas Deli. The most awesome fresh cut meat and cheeses with an aray of toppings and German chocolate and an amazing sellection of import beers.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Veijo. I feel that they have the best selection on their menu. It is such a wide variety and the absolute best chips and salsa and call margaritas.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: For egg rolls, Chinese Gardens. For everything else, Bonsai Bistro. They have he best General Tso's chicken: just enough spice. Beautiful.
5. Best place to get sushi: Again, Bonsai Bistro. They have one of the best cutters and rollers in town allong with the best atmosphere. Troy the manager is amazing at making everyone feel welcome and of course he makes everyone laugh. But the food, above all, is the best quality fish and such!
6. Best fast food joint: Wendys. I love love their new Spicy Chicken nuggets and their boneless wings are Grade A+. IF YOU HAVNT TRIED THEM YOU SHOULD YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWAY. They have the freshest meat and veggies, it is amazing. I know because when I was younger, I used to work there. A long time ago, lol.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Mik-n-Mac's. It is a club for everone with the best specials and the widest array of music. The new DJ is amazing. Also DJ Funk brings a new vibe and no lie, he is amazing. Since the club has reopened it has had such a great vibe. No fights, and a friendly group of workers there. It feels like it did back in the day, like 6 -9 years ago. So much fun.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Yes, I will always take a drink from someone. If it's a shot I would do Patron or Red Stag. A drink - Firefly with 7UP and splash of coke and sour. Super yummy.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? My favorite is Cold Stone's Sweet Cream with Honey and Macadamia nuts. No joke, OMG it is sooooo good. If I were a flavor I would be Maple Nut. A little nutty with just enough sweet not to make you sick, but a back-in-the-day flavor, if that makes sense ha ha.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Jesi Gaboury
1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: The Breakfast Nook on 4th. Without a doubt. Even when we roll in 7 thick and have to chill for an hour to get a big table, the waiting room conversation alone is enough sustenance for me.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: This may surprise you but I am not a big sandwich fan. I love getting lunch at the Teriyaki Tiki behind the corner bar. The Musubi is to die for.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Oh how I adore the Mexican Food Factory. Mmm Taco Tuesday...
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Canton is delicious but my vote is going east to the Golden Dragon in Post Falls. It can be tough to find parking but the Lemon Chicken makes me dance around all happy like.
5. Best place to get sushi: Syringa, Syringa, Syringa! Intimate dining room, edgy artwork, cool lights, great music, happy and intelligent staff, local owned and operated. Plus my parents love it too, and Dad usually pays.
6. Best fast food joint: I'm gonna tweak this one, I don't usually eat fast food before 2 am... But I drink an astronomical amount of coffee. The Lean Bean has really good snacks to accompany my quad shot soy caramel latte.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: I dig the Moose Lounge for wine, or the Cd'A Brewing Co. for beer. If you see me at Baja, I'm on a mission!
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Usually whatever they are having. Shots of Jagermeister are good if they want to have a drink with me. But too many and I disappear into the night.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? These days I would be Soy Dream dairy free/ Fat free sorbet. Strawberry. This would be me because you don't have to feel bad when you overindulge.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Sam Middleton
Sam Middleton has a weird thing for Kristy McNichol, but really, who doesn't? The "Little Darlings" star is just one of the Mik-n-Mac's bartender/postal carrier's many 70s and 80s oriented fetishes. Pop into the bar some random afternoon when she's working and I can pretty much guarantee she'll kick your ass a game of "Name That Satellite Radio 70s or 80s Tune" and she won't be afraid to remind you with a big smile that you're a big loser. Sam hates everyone equally, but in the most delightful way possible. Recently, she was nice enough to clue us in on the local things that put the foamy head on her freshly poured pint of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: The Country Boy in Athol. Rosie and the other gals rock and I love the cinnamon rolls and bacon, obviously.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Well, I used to go to San Fransisco Sourdough but now I would have to say Subway. I'm always looking for the deals and the $5 Foot Long is a catchy little ditty.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Viejo all the way, baby. Love Ruben and his peeps, plus Ican always go next door (Ed. note: to Baja) and see Christa and Zach.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: I like Panda Express but that shouldn't really count. Now I would have to say the place in Rathdrum, I have no idea what its called (Ed. note: Wah Hing), I just know how to get there.
5. Best place to get sushi: I just go to Bonsai Bistro. I tried Takara once and it was good. I keep trying to get to Syringa, but I have to take Rita with me and she's a pretty picky eater.
6. Best fast food joint: Well, I worked at Wendy's for 12 years so I am pretty partial to them. But when the chips are down I run for the border. And does Gittel's Grocery 3 for $1.39 hot dogs count? If so then definitely them. Those dogs pull at my heartstrings...
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: That is a hard one but seeing as you know where I work I'm gonna have to say Mik-n-Mac's, ha ha ha ha. But really, I don't go out much. I do try and get down to Baja to see Christa though.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Wow, these are hard. Okay, since I almost killed my liver in my late teens to mid-twenties, I don't find drinking the fun it once was, but I am a beer drinker by nature so a Bud Light. For a shot I would have to say bubblegum vodka and Red Bull.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Rainbow sherbert. I like the colors and it has more than one flavor in it and it's fruity. You know how I like me the fruity ones.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
9 Easy Questions: DJ Brentano
Feeling dancey? You can catch DJ Brentano making hips, feet and various other body parts move at either The Torch Lounge or Baja Bargarita, both in downtown Cd'A. He was nice enough recently to let us know what local food and drink opportunities put the throbbing bassline in his hot Rihanna remix.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast:Depends on the time of day. If it's when normal humans are awake then I usually go to the Breakfast Nook. Little known fact - the Breakfast Nook use to be the 4th St. Bistro. I use to own that and sold it to Paul who owns the Nook. Hence I've been going to the Nook to eat since they were downtown in the little shack. If it's time to eat and it's after 2am I go to the 4th St. Pantry that just opened up last month. They are a little known place & that's why I like to go there, no running into the usual belligerent drunks like at Denny's and such.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: The Big YELLOW roach coach sitting in the parking lot at Goodwill. Best Philly Cheesesteak in town and the curly fries stretch out so far that they put the corporate fries to shame. The Fry sauce is pretty darn yummy too, my little daughter loves it.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Veijo, of course. But it's true, I love their grub...
4. Best Chinese restaurant: If you find a good answer for this I'd love to know where to go. Both the places downtown are not bad, but I still think somethings missing.
5. Best place to get sushi: Troy @ Bonsai especially when he's been drinking...
6. Best fast food joint: Skipper's - love their Chowder.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Tough question here, I usually go wherever they pay me the most. I usually work most of the nights that are worth going out on so I'm stuck to make it the best it can be wherever I may be. Currently either the Torch Lounge or Baja Bargarita.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Depends who's asking, I generally will always says Patron Platinum or Crown XR, no one other than the Resort has Louis Tre & it's not really all that good. However it's few and far between that someone actually buys me those drinks. I usually always seem to wind up with a 44/Red Bull!
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Half Baked-a crazy concoction of chocolate and vanilla ice cream mixed with fudge brownies and gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough...why? Why not, someones got to be!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Brian Hardison
Brian Hardison needs no introduction. But I think I'll do one anyhoo. This former North Idaho resident moved to Seattle several years ago after a house landed on his sister. This area was simply not worthy of his pointed wit, refined sense of culture, and highly luscious gams. He is currently attending the University of Washington, majoring in Dusty Old Books with Obscure Phrases. His likes include Jeeves, gin, Siouxsie Sioux, and gin and his dislikes include errors in spelling and grammar and the entire human race in general. He was kind enough recently to park his broom long enough to tell us what puts the squiggly line underneath his ç, both Idaho-wise and Seattle-wise.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: When I lived in the area, I enjoyed going to Rustler’s Roost down on Sherman—I miss their home fries and gravy!—or, more recently, I enjoyed going to Rockin’ Robin. Since I moved to Seattle in 2005, I either go to Café Presse (http://www.cafepresseseattle.com), as it is within walking distance of my apartment, for the œufs plats, jambon, et fromage, or I go to Smith (http://www.smithseattle.com) up on 15th for the pitchers of mimosa and a Full English!
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: When I go out for lunch, I rarely get a sandwich. I can make those myself at home and they’ll be less expensive and tastier! However, when I lived in Idaho, I enjoyed going to lunch at Takara for the bento or the oyako donburi. During the work week, my favorite place for lunch is the Kafé at the Swedish Cultural Center. It’s only open on Friday, but the chef, Ann-Margret, serves excellent smørbrød (open-faced sandwiches, I prefer the prawn smørbrød. Although, the one with gravlaks is good, too!) and dishes like kjøttbullar (meatballs served with brown gravy, boiled potatoes, and lingonberry sauce) and desserts like eplekake med vaniljesaus (apple cake with vanilla sauce). Plus the view of Lake Union and downtown from the dining room can’t be beat.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: In Coeur d’Alene, Toro Viejo was always my favorite! I almost never eat Mexican food in Seattle! I’ve never found one near my stomping grounds that made a decent carne asada.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: The Chinese restaurants in Coeur d’Alene when I lived there were rather appalling. Here, I go down to the International District and go to Purple Dot for my Chinese food! I’m there practically every weekend for dim sum and I’ve been known to make late night/early morning runs when I simply must have delicious Chinese food. The dim sum hostesses and cart staff all know me.
5. Best place to get sushi: In Coeur d’Alene, the only place, when I lived there, to get sushi was Takara. In Seattle, I go to Nijo (http://www.nijosushi.com) downtown on Spring Street. They’ve a killer happy hour! The walk back up the hill, however, is equally a killer. Do yourself a favor and have the waitress call you a cab!6. Best fast food joint: I dislike fast food on principle and almost never patronize them. I prefer that my food be readily identifiable.
However, when I’m really hungry and want food in a pinch, my mind turns to phở! If I’m in the University District, I stop in to Phở Than Brothers for some incredibly delicious phở. It’s cheap (under seven dollars), quick, and served with an incredibly tasty cream puff. The restaurant is a bit dingy, but it’s always packed by starving students. The Broadway location is a bit cleaner, but not by much. If I’m not in the University District and find myself craving phở, I trip over to the International District and visit Phở Hoa. They, too, have excellent, inexpensive phở that is served quickly. It’s also noticeably cleaner. The only downside is the lack of a cream puff!
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Since my schedule has become so much busier, I rarely go out to bars or clubs these days. However, in Coeur d’Alene, I was frequently found at Mik-n-Mac’s having a good time. In Seattle, I’ve a few more options, naturally, and it depends on what I feel like. If I’m meeting a friend out for a drink during the week, we often go to Tavern Law (http://www.tavernlaw.com), Café Presse, or Smith. If I’m not working on homework on the weekend, I generally go out to a private goth/industrial club.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? In Coeur d’Alene, it was generally a shot of something! In Seattle, however, it really depends on where we are and my mood. However, I regularly drink Old-fashioneds, double Maker’s-and-sodas, Manhattans, Tanqueray martinis (extra dry, three olives, shaken), Guinness, and champagne cocktails.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Does it have to be ice cream? Or can it be gelato? If I can pick gelato, then definitely vanilla! It’s simple, delicious, and just slightly decadent.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
9 Easy Questions: Tracey Vaughn
It seems like I've known Tracey Vaughn for 179 years. Well, that couldn't be actually, since we're both so very young and vivacious. Tracey's latest gig is teaching drama and English at the Cd'A Charter Academy and if she's not busy with that, she's organizing an "our gang" anti-class reunion for next summer. We recently asked her what puts the climax in her Act II, and her answers were short but sweet, just like she is.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: Michael D's or Mulligan's.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Bella Rose.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Viejo.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Panda Express (sad, I know.)
5. Best place to get sushi: Syringa or Takara...I'm torn.
6. Best fast food joint: Subway.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: The Underground.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? A nice red wine.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Chocolate Chip Mint because I am complex and surprisingly refreshing! Hahahah.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Christa Jennings
Christa Jennings is the most studious gal I know, and also the studliest. Not only did she earn a 3.85 GPA on last semester's report card, she did so while slinging drinks at one of Cd'A's more chaotic nightspots, the Baja Bargarita. She'll pour them nice and strong for you, my dear Liza, just how you like. But y'all bettah show mama some sugah or she'll give you an eye roll that could cut a bitch like a sharp knife through a juicy lime and it will feel good. When her future career as a social worker goes bust, she could always open the Elvis museum in her spare room to the public and make a few bucks. Christa was enough recently to fill us in on what puts the Viva in her Coeur d'Vegas. 1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: The Breakfast Nook, I love the crab benedict.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: It used to be the Sunshine Trader but now they are an Italian place so I'm not sure who my favorite is...
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Viejo of course, my whole family loves it we ate there a lot even before I worked at Baja.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: There is no good Chinese in this town. This town is not great for ethnic food, I don't think.
5. Best place to get sushi: I usually go to Takara because it is close to Baja and I can get there quickly before or after work. I also like their teriyaki stuff.
6. Best fast food joint: I like Paul Bunyan, they have good burgers and it's affordable. They also have the best onion rings.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: I am mostly at the Baja because I work 4 nights a week, but when I'm not at the Baja I go to Mik-n-Macs. That was my home for 10 years so I like to go see my friends there.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? I usually order a Heineken with a lime, and if they don't mind spending the money sometimes a shot of Patron.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? It would probably be Neapolitan because you get 3 flavors in one and I like variety and change.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Mark Rakes
On his Facebook page, Mark Rakes lists his occupation as "Common Sense Officer". I have no idea what that means either, but whatever it is is secondary to me next to the fact that Mark is a super rock star bass guitar player for Coeur d'Alene's finest progressive/alternative rock act KITE (tm). Yes, I think the (tm) is actually part of their name, how cool is that? Apparently, the band has been working on the follow up to 2006's "Sleeping in Thunder", but KITE (tm) are not exactly known for rushing these things. Hopefully it will see the light of day in 2010, just in time for the Coeur d'Alene High class of 1990 20-year reunion, which Mark and I will (possibly) both be attending. He was super enough recently to take the time to fill us in on what puts the groovy distortion in his effects pedal.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: For a "big" breakfast, Michael D's, or Rustler's Roost if we're in Hayden (love iced "Market Spice" tea). For something lighter, Bakery by the Lake is great (either location).
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Lately I'm liking the Club (at Caruso's). Of course make sure you order the 1/2 sandwich, not the full/whole loaf of bread version
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Mexican Food Factory. Lisa and I love it, and the kids love it too. The danger for us is that it's only about 4 blocks from the house. Luckily for us Danny & co. take the weekends off
Tangent/Too much information: In general, Mexican food is a weird category for me: I grew up in west Texas, and my parents are from New Mexico, and I finally figured out after living in California for a couple of years (during the "dot com" era) that what I considered Mexican food isn't the same as most other folks. I want a lot more green and red chile, with actual heat to it. On this front, I've discovered that Pilgrim's carries the "Hatch" brand of products, which come from southern New Mexico, and that's gone a long way toward improving what I can make at home (whoa, green chiles with actual heat to them)
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Hmm. Chinese. We don't really go to any of the Chinese places in town (sorry local business people!). Maybe we should try a couple of them again sometime, but we'd never found anyplace that we really liked. I guess the closest we come to Chinese would be something like Noodle Express, which we visit quite a bit (kid friendly menu!!!), and we've also been loving Teriyaki Tiki, which is pretty close to the house, and really good.
5. Best place to get sushi: Syringa. I'm actually not a fish eater, but Viljo's got several other great choices on the menu, and the staff always takes such great care of us...
(although I guess this is my chance to say: "bring back the twice cooked pork, Mr. Basso!"
6. Best fast food joint: My favorite fast food joint is Chipotle, but unfortunately (and fortunately at the same time) the closest one of those is in Issaquah. Locally, my son is partial to the shakes at Sonic, so I'll go with that.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: The Moon Time, although for food rather than drinking/music. After that, The Iron Horse or The Moose Market (depending on where friends' bands are playing that night).
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? A diet soda - Not really a drinker. (I don't drink coffee either, which is kind of a mortal sin around here, I know)
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Probably Ben & Jerry's "Chubby Hubby", but I aspire to be Häagen-Dazs "Five" Vanilla Bean someday - only contains 5 simple ingredients, simple and easily understood by the common man.
Tuesday, December 15
9 Easy Questions: Ryan Brodwater
Ryan Brodwater (aka Otis G.) decribes himself as "a wannabe punk rocker disguised as a wannabe engineer, who excels at nothing in particular but is kinda okay at a lot of things". Last month while visiting Tennessee, he made a boo-boo while skateboarding and broke his leg. He writes "I think it's very cool that you're asking me to do this. Besides, when you're laid up... what better thing to do than fill out a survey! The leg is actually coming along, I've still got another 3 weeks before I can even try to put weight on it. I'm very lucky to have a desk job. I'm pretty sure I've now retired from skateboarding." Despite many lovely painkillers, he was lucid enough recently to let us know what puts the glide in his deck, truck and wheels.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: Old European in Post Falls. You just gotta beat the church crowd.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: I can't remember the last night I bought a sandwich for lunch. My lunch of choice is to grab a bowl of Pho soup from the Pho Thi Minh in Spokane Valley. For a special treat, I'll add some spring rolls wrapped in rice paper.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: A new place just opened up next door to my work (Spokane Valley City Hall) called... Alejandro's? For a couple bucks, you can get burritos (even the breakfast variety) that are the size of a yule log. We honestly don't know how they stay in business.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Chinese Gardens in Coeur d'Alene. I can never remember my "usual" combo plate number, but it doesn't matter. I've never had anything there I didn't like.
5. Best place to get sushi: I love hanging out with friends in one of the back rooms at Takara in Coeur d'Alene. Gotta have a nice warm jug of sake, and those salted pea pod things. Oh yeah, and sushi.
6. Best fast food joint: I usually hit up Ron's Drive-In in Spokane Valley. It just seems like good old-fashioned fast food. I also love Dick's on occasion, I just never find myself in downtown Spokane too often.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Mik-n-Mac's for karaoke night, or the Iron Horse for open mic night. I've even been known to perform at both places... once!
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? I love a Dewar's 12-year scotch on the rocks, but I'd feel guilty having someone pay for it. I'd just ask for a well scotch with ice.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Talk about a brilliant combination of comfort foods.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Dani Mahoney Clarkson
As the director of North Idaho AIDS Coalition, Dani Mahoney Clarkson deals with some pretty serious business. Along with basic AIDS education and prevention, she has worked tirelessly, without a tremendous amount of help, to bring assistance to local adults and children who have been afflicted with the debilitating disease and are who aren't able to provide themselves with meals and other basics. Dani is also a rock star wife (her husband Scott is a guitarist in popular local act KITE) and a brand new mom, having had her gorgeous daughter Prudence several months ago. Recently, Dani was nice enough to tell us what puts the pretty red ribbon around her free condom packet:1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: Rustlers Roost~ Woody's breakfast kicks your arse for under ten bucks!
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Capones~ There is just something about the midtown air.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Toro Veijo~ Nothin' like Fundido.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Chinese Gardens~ I don't eat a lot of Chinese food, but when I do, it is from Chinese Gardens. Can't get enough crab rangoons!
5. Best place to get sushi: Syringa~ I love Syringa.
6. Best fast food joint:Mexican Food Factory~ Just had a baby, so I loaded on the salsa around the 9th month. I think it helped.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: What happens at the "Horse" stays at the horse.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Red Wine. They say it's good for you.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter & Chocolate, I can't say anything more:)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Rebecca McNeill
Few people in Cd'A have as much experience in local theater asRebecca McNeill. Fresh from a recent stint directing "Dracula" at the Lake City Playhouse, she's been acting in, directing, writing, even doing props for theater productions in venues in Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, and Seattle since she was a wee tot. She's even worked the box office at both the Playhouse and the Schuler Performing Arts Center at NIC. In addition to performing motherly duties for her two young children, Rebecca enjoys frequenting local art galleries, watching The Simpsons, and listening to Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen. Oh, and we grew up in the same neighborhood so I've been friends with her since we were around three years old. She was swell enough recently to tell us what puts the climax in her Act II.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: The Breakfast Nook - Tasty, cheap, and my kids love going there.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Moon Time - The best staff, fabulous menu, great atmosphere, and also not too pricey.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Fiesta Mexicana (do I have the name right?) on 4th and Appleway. You reviewed it favorably, so I tried it, and now it's my favorite. Love the food, and very kid-friendly.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: I just don't do Chinese food in this town, though I have a sentimental attachment to Chinese Gardens.
5. Best place to get sushi: Syringa!!!!!!!!!!! Please include all eleven exclamation points. ALL ELEVEN. I never thought a guy who drove a Nova in high school would turn out to make the best sushi in a 350 mile radius, but I was wrong about a lot of things.
6. Best fast food joint: The Taco Works stand on Best. So good, so cheap. So, so cheap.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Also Moon Time. I love the music they play, the people are incredible, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun, and there's not a meat market bar feel to the place. Just always a good time.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? No one's ever offered to buy me a drink. Usually I propose that if a guy will buy me a drink, then I won't hit on him for the rest of the night. That usually gets me a Cosmopolitan or a Newcastle, depending on where I am.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Dulce de Leche. Reminds of the years I spent breastfeeding my kids.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Beverly Lodge
Beverly Lodge is the AE of Interactive Multimedia at local design firm Blue541. But more importantly, she's a mover and a shaker and she knows everyone in town because she's an extraordinarily chatty kinda gal. In fact, she lists talking as her number one interest on her Facebook profile and her favorite book is "Robot Dreams" by Isaac Asimov, which doesn't have anything to do with anything. She was nice enough lately to answer our 9 Easy Questions and let us know what puts the gift in her gab.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: The Breakfast Nook - I just really enjoy the setup of that place, and it has the best biscuits and gravy in town!
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: San Fransisco Sourdough - Because I'm a picky meat eater and their deli meat is top notch.
3. Best Mexican Restaurant: I like Toro Veijo better only second to Las Palmitas, but only because they have way better and friendlier service.
4. Best Chinese Restaurant: Dragon House - Because I had to pick one. I actually all think they stink around here.
5. Best place to get sushi: I have heard great things about the Fisherman's Market, which I have yet to try, so in that case I'll have to say Syringa. They just have a personal touch you just notice. Sort of like when a sandwich is tastier just because mom made it.
6. Best fast food joint: McDonald's on Hanley - I have never had to wait more than six seconds at that window.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: The Moose Market. They tend to have a lot more bands come in and play original music on the weekends, which is nice. I am sooo sick of cover bands.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Seirra Nevada Pale Ale or T3, Townsend Cellars red blend.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? I would be Ben and Jerrys "Rainforest Crunch". They don't make it anymore, sadly. But it was nutty, creamy, and original. And I think I encompass all three of those things. I just wish I had caramel running through my viens!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Rita Mikalatos
You could say that Mik-n-Mac's Lounge is Rita Mikalatos' baby. If that's the case, then she nearly abandoned her child and left in in the hands of terrible strangers. Thank the Gods of Booze, she came to her senses and re-opened the bar a few months back after a deal to sell the place fell through. Mik-n-Mac's is North Idaho's longest-running dance club (we don't count the Resort), and things just wouldn't have been the same without it. The deal was made even better by a snazzy remodel of the bar area and fresh staff members, all of whom will be happy to assist you in tying one on and move your groove thing. Rita was kind enough recently to share what shakes the ice in her martini mixer. 1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: Country Boy in Athol. Not only are Rosie and her family awesome people, but the food is excellent (no weenie bacon and see through bread). She also has killer cinnamon rolls. Don't count your calories there!
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Hmmm, peanut butter sandwich from my pantry, ha ha.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Hayden's Toro Viejo by far! Love them in Cd'A too, but parking is so much easier in Hayden. Love the pollo a la crema. Can you tell I don't count calories?
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Bonsai Bistro. Yes, I know it's a Hagadone corporation, but a close runner up is Panda Express. Yes I know, neither are Chinese. At real Chinese restaurants I end up ordering a grilled cheese.
5. Best place to get sushi: Yuck!
6. Best fast food joint: Panda Express. Well their drive-thru isn't so fast though.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Mik-n-Mac's (of course).
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Depending on my mood, Patron tequila or Red Stag (Black Cherry Burboun). Or cranberry juice in a rocks glass so they think its a Washington Sour Apple, ha ha.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Birthday cake! With every bite it's a confetti surprise!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Kerri Rankin Thoreson
Few people have as much North Idaho-ness running through their bloodstream as Kerri Rankin Thoreson. Her father is the legendary Ron Rankin, one of the most controversial and well-respected politicians in Coeur d'Alene's history. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, as they say, and Kerri made a successful run in 2008 for Post Falls city council, a seat she will hold for at least four years. She writes the weekly Main Street column in the CDA Press (see her blog here), one of few reasons to get one's fingers inky with a copy of that paper. She also works hard to actively promote North Idaho tourism and belongs to approximately 425 local clubs and organizations. She was kind enough recently to answer 9 easy questions about what puts the main in her street.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: American Legion in Post Falls on Sunday mornings. I like to flirt with the guy who cooks the eggs to order (my husband).
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Big Bear Deli, cozy and friendly service and great variety of sandwiches.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: La Cabana, it feels like you're in someone's home for dinner. If they lived in Mexico, that is.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: Golden Dragon, when I do Chinese it's usually take-out. Old habits die hard and they've been around quite awhile in the neighborhood.
5. Best place to get sushi: Takara/Bonsai Bistro I like Takara ambiance and Bonsai is where I always see lots of people I know. Both have elevated sushi to a fine art.
6. Best fast food joint: Hudson's Hamburgers With just burgers on the menu, I don't have to make too many decisions. Visiting with the assorted Hudsons who are there on any given day and the lunch counter conversations with old timers are a big draw for me, too.
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: I don't stay out late much but the Oval Office is great place to mingle during happy hour after work.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? Iced tea or Diet Pepsi.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why? Baskin Robbins Chocolate Peanut Butter. Having consumed as much of that flavor as I have through the years, I think it might show up in a blood test.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
9 Easy Questions: Cynthia Fassler
I'm introducing a new recurring "man on the street" feature here on Get Out and to kick things off, I asked Cynthia Fassler, the fabulous and foxy bartendress of Baja Bargarita and Willie's fame, to answer 9 easy questions about which North Idaho stuff floats the cream in her Sex on the Beach with a Blanket.1. Favorite place to go for breakfast: I really never go out for breakfast. I stay home and have eggs and toast.
2. Favorite place to grab a sandwich for lunch: Pilgrim's deli. I like their chicken sandwich 'cuz it's juicy.
3. Best Mexican restaurant: Definitely Toro Viejo, and not just because I work there.
4. Best Chinese restaurant: I like Bonsai Bistro because what they serve is different than the usual. Whichever one I end up at, I always get the General Tso's Chicken.
5. Best place to get sushi: Bonsai Bistro again. The kobe beef sushi is sooo good, you've gotta try it.
6. Best fast food joint: Never eat fast food, unless the Pilgrim's Deli counts...
7. Most frequented bar or nightclub: Other than the two I tend bar at, I like to go to the Iron Horse.
8. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order? I only drink either a good red wine or a good Irish whiskey.
9. If you were a flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be and why?
Coffee ice cream because it evokes wonderful childhood memories and plus, I'm a total coffeeholic.
