The Olympia

The Olympia Restaurant
301 Lakeside Ave.,
Coeur d’Alene, 666-9495.

H zwh einai san angouri, o enas to troi kai drosizete kai o alos to troi kai zorizete (Life is like a cucumber, one person eats it and is refreshed whilst another is forced to eat it)

Several years ago, I unwittingly found myself blacklisted by the former owner of the Olympia Restaurant. I had a roommate at the time who had written them a bum check to pay for his lunch one day, and Mr. Olympia was not going to mess around when it came to settling the debt.

The phone calls started, sometimes waking me up at the crack of dawn. “Hello?” I’d croak, and Mr. Olympia would be on the other end, carrying on angrily in a thick Greek accent. “You a thief! You bring money or I call police! I put you in jail!” I’d explain to him that it wasn’t me he was after and I had nothing to do with the situation.

Either he didn’t understand or he didn’t really care, threatening me with “you bring my money today or I call you over and over” before hanging up. He wasn’t kidding. I’d pass the messages to my roommate but he’d just laugh it off. “Tell that cranky old coot to go stuff his Dolmades!” This went on for a few weeks until one day the phone stopped ringing. The silence was ominous, and I knew it wasn’t good.

“Oh no, the cops are here!” cried my house mate as he slipped out the back door and off into the afternoon, bye-bye. Reluctantly, I answered the door and the officer informed me he was sent by Mr. Olympia to arrest my roommate and haul him away to jail. I played dumb, saying “Oh, he’s gone. Out of town. Yeah, out of town, that’s the ticket.” Rattled, I decided to end the nightmare myself and go down to the restaurant to pay off the darned bill.

As soon as Mr. Olympia figured out what was going on, he came storming out of the kitchen yelling “You a thief! You pay me money and you go! You not welcome here anymore!” Feeling defeated and slightly embarrassed, I didn’t have it in me to try and clarify; I just slipped out the door with a serious case of the sads. The Olympia was one of my favorite places to eat and here I was banished forever through no fault of my own.

So I breathed a tremendous sigh of relief when I learned that Angelo Itskos and his wife Eva had since taken over the place. The transition was smooth enough to be almost unnoticeable. As far as I can tell, the menu hasn’t changed a word. The bright, comfortable atmosphere remains intact, complete with posters of the Greek countryside and authentic music softly piping over the speakers. Most importantly, the service is as friendly and efficient as ever. I had to chuckle when I spotted the handwritten sign posted near the cash register which read “Sorry, absolutely no checks accepted.”

I knew what I wanted to order, but decided to tour through the menu anyway. The appetizers alone are enough to make one want to pack a travel trunk full of big pants and hop the next flight to Athens to live the good life. Most tempting are the Spanakopita, which is spinach, herbs and feta cheese baked in phyllo dough, and the Saganaki, an intensely flavorful form of fondue, with melty kasseri cheese sautéed in brandy and served with warm pita bread. Or start with a simple delicious hummus dip, or a classic platter of Dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef and topped with a lemon sauce.)

Lunch at Olympia revolves around the gyros, a soft pita containing your choice of seasoned gyro meat, falafel, chicken, pork, lamb, or Souvlaki (meat with a lemon-garlic marinade). Each sandwich includes lettuce, tomatoes, and onions and is topped with creamy Tzaziki (a yogurt-cucumber-garlic sauce). The salads are essentially the gyros minus the pita atop a bed of fresh salad greens and veggies and the don’t-miss dinner item has to be the Mousaka, a Greek masterpiece with layers of sautéed potatoes, seasoned ground beef, eggplant and herbs topped with a rich béchamel sauce.

I started off with a cup of their wonderful Avgo Lemono soup, which blends chicken bits and orzo pasta in a brisk lemony broth. It took one only bite to make me realize how much I missed this uniquely flavored treat. My chicken gyros arrived fast and was as perfect as I remembered, and as perfectly messy. Get extra napkins because these babies tend to get sloppy despite the chef’s attempt at a neat paper wrapping. Just make sure whatever you drop lands in the basket so you can enjoy every last delicious piece of tender meat.

I did notice the absence of the Greek herbs they used to sprinkle their fries with; minus this touch of personalization they were still pretty good, just slightly on the ordinary side. The grand finale of any Greek meal is the Baklava. The delicate layers of flaky filo dough, the finely ground pistachios and the drizzles of sweet, sticky honey make it the most perfect dessert on Earth, and I could live the rest of my life happy as a lamb kabob eating it for every meal. Now that I’m no longer banned from the Olympia, it’s a distinct possibility.

11 Cool Things About Wallace, Idaho

Wallace, Idaho. A tiny town with big dreams. It's been called the most interesting small town in Idaho and it certainly must rank up there with the weirdest. At the very least, it's way cooler than Athol (sorry Atholites, don't send angry emails).

Here are a few interesting tidbits you may or may not know about this oddly charming historic village. If you can't get there this year or the next (or the next), no worries. It's a town stuck in time and everything will be the same ten years from now as it was twenty years ago. Except for the prostitutes.

1. 1.2 billion ounces of silver have been produced in the Wallace area since 1884, placing it near the very top of "Most Silver Rich Places" in all of world history, along with Liz Taylor's jewelry hutch.

2. Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner was born in Wallace. She was known as "Judy" until she went to Hollywood at age 16 and changed her name to Lana, becoming one of the era's most famous and glamorous movie stars. During her long career she was known as "the Sweater Girl" and was nominated for an Best Actress Academy award for "Peyton Place". She had a recurring role in the cheesy 80's prime-time soap "Falcon Crest".

3. Literally every building in downtown Wallace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Certain residents worked tirelessly back in the 70's for to make this happen after discovering tentative plans for the new improved Interstate 90 threatened to raze much of the historic area and run right through the middle of town. This is why I-90 now runs "over" the town instead.

4. In 2004, Wallace mayor Ron Garitone issued an official proclamation declaring the town to be the "Center of the Universe." The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Welfare backed up this notion under the newly discovered science of "Probalism" and it was peer-reviewed by La Cosa Nostra and the Flat Earth Society. Yeah, I'm not sure what it means, either. The exact "center" is at the intersection of 6th and Bank St., which is marked exactly by a specially designed manhole cover and a couple of street signs.

5. Hookers! Until the late 1980's, Wallace had a thriving prostitution industry. the local police chose to ignore the brothels for over 100 years and it wasn't until the feds got involved that they were forced to shut down. The Oasis Bordello Museum gives $5 tours of an old whorehouse, left exactly how it was when the ladies had to scramble. A copy of People magazine is among the exhibits, its cover featuring Baby Jessica, the girl who had the whole country freaking out after falling down a well.

6. Wallace used to be famous as the home of the only stoplight on I-90, until uncaring road builders finished the overpass around town, and finished the town's claim to fame. But the town was not so easily dissuaded. They had a grand funeral for the stoplight, putting it in a coffin, and had a horse-drawn hearse carry it as a bagpipe band played. Now, a sign at the old site gives directions to the Wallace Mining Museum, where the light can still be seen, resting in its coffin.

7. Wallace proudly has nine bars in an approximately four block zone. With a population of 960, this means there is one bar for every 106.66 people in town. In theory, the entire town could be out getting sozzled at the same time, and this likely actually happens from time to time. Yet mysteriously there is nowhere in town to buy underwear.

8. After the great Wallace fire of 1910, the Pulaski was invented there. What's a Pulaski, you asky? It's a mattock-axe tool used in fire fighting.

9. Fans of classic retro signage come from all over the country to admire and take photos of Wallace's iconic Stardust Motel sign. I'm thinking it must have been restored not too long ago, because I seem to remember it being pretty beat up for a while and now it looks clean and new, with all the bulbs working and everything (I think).

10. The slightly less-than-classic volcano disaster flick "Dante's Peak" was filmed in Wallace in 1996, with the actual volcano added via computer graphics. Stars Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton created quite a high-profile buzz in North Idaho. They stayed at the Coeur d'Alene Resort and were frequently spotted at various locations in the area, dining and schmoozing. I had the opportunity to encounter both celebs and Brosnan was super nice and down to earth. Can't quite say the same thing about Miss Linda Too-Much-Of-A-Big-Hollywood-Star-To-Even-Smile Pants. Too bad "Dante's Peak" effectively ended her career.

11. Teddy Fest. It won't happen again for another 94 years, but if science invents a way to live that long, I'll be there. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt came though Wallace with much frou-frou and fanfare. The event at the time was marked with a parade and gathering for Roosevelt's speech at the Wallace City Park. 100 years later in 2003, Wallace threw together a little commemorative festival which I found myself unwittingly part of.

It was a sunny May day so a friend and I had decided to check out Wallace just for something to do. The town did seem a bit livelier than usual, but we didn't really clue in until the woman behind the counter at the old corner store asked us "You going to the parade?" She explained to us it was the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt's big visit and the parade was starting in two hours. What exciting news!

We wandered around Wallace, noticing the buzz in the air for "Teddy Fest" as we nicknamed it. We decided to come a bit early and found a nice wide window ledge across from the old depot to sit on and enjoy the parade. Gradually, the old timers started coming, waddling in from the other side of town six blocks away, lawn chairs in tow. Moms with a dozen toddlers, lumberjacks, the town drunk(s), pretty much everyone in town was there, lining the street along with us looking at their watches and murmuring to each other in suspense. The Teddy Fest Parade crowd went for five blocks or so on both sides, a surprisingly large turnout for such a wee berg.

Finally, from around the corner it came: a horse-drawn carriage driven by some guy with a big walrus moustache and one of those pairs of glasses with the long chain balanced on his nose a la Teddy himself, waving stoically to the crowd. This was followed by a flatbed truck with four old coots playing some kind of squawky, primitive Oompah music. The end. People clapped appreciatively for a moment as these two rather sad happenings went by and as soon as they passed the lawn chairs were folded up, the kids gathered and it was homeward bound.

The whole thing happened so fast, we were left sitting there almost in shock. As soon as we realized that was it for the big parade we almost cried ourselves to death with laughter. We finally gathered ourselves and headed for the car but started laughing uncontrollably again when a woman ran up in a panic asking "Oh no, am I too late, did I miss it?!?" and when we told her "Sorry" she frowned and stamped her foot in disappointment. "Damn it!" she griped. As if she missed something truly beautiful and inspirational and would never have the chance to see such a divine spectacle again.

I ♥ Supermarket Sushi

Convenient But Mysterious:
Grocery Deli Sushi Solved.

Local sushi lovers are relatively spoiled when it comes to finding top notch dining out options, but it wasn’t always that way. Takara first introduced the idea to downtown Coeur d’Alene in 1992 and they remained the area’s sole provider of Sashimi and Maki Rolls until about midway through this decade when sushi bars began popping up faster than you can say “Domo Arigato Mr. Maguro.”

Bonsai Bistro, Syringa , Fisherman’s Market, Japan House and Sandpoint’s Oiishi are all great sushi spots, but there are times when a formal dining affair isn’t really feasible and that yen for sushi just won’t cease. Perhaps insomnia has you up in the wee hours toying with the idea of ordering a Ped Egg when suddenly you’re stricken with the urge for Unagi Eel. Or maybe you just want to emulate Molly Ringwald in “The Breakfast Club” and impress your lunch break pals with your flair for the exotic.

Thank Buddha for the convenience of pre-packaged, ready to eat supermarket sushi, now available in the deli sections of pretty much every big-name grocery store in the region. While there’s certainly nevery any real comparison between the readymade variety and the real deal, there are some passable and even entirely edible options available in the fluorescently lit display coolers of North Idaho.

I think I first spotted supermarket sushi locally at Safeway, first at the mega-deli inside the Neider location and later on at the old-school vintage model Safeway downtown, which is my daily grocery haunt. A California-based company called Fujisan is the actual party responsible for the “sushi product” sold in our local Safeway stores, and it doesn’t take a lot of experience with real sushi to realize that what Fujisan makes is a far cry from it. It’s like the difference between a wedge of Brie and a spray can of Cheez Whiz.

Both the connoisseur and the curious realize that the most important aspect of good sushi is freshness, and what Safeway offers just doesn’t quite cut it. It's clear from the expiration dates that he Fujisan truck arrives from Seattle about once a week, and even on arrival day these rolls seem somehow lackluster. Things turn even grimmer after they’ve sat around a few days, when the rice begins to absorb the orange stain of the carrots and the avocado goes mushy brown. Also, every piece is unnaturally identical as if mass produced by machines rather than hand rolled with love.

Still, desperate times call for desperate measures and I’ve learned that with enough soy sauce and wasabi, Safeway sushi tastes slightly better than it looks. Their basic California roll is do-able if fresh, but avoid the Surimi Roll, which is filled with a gloppy Krab-mayo salad and is unpleasantly sweet with a slightly fishy aftertaste. I’ve noticed a small selection of Fujisan trays recently at local Albertsons stores as well, possibly for deli-goers burned out on Cheap Chicken Mondays.

Super 1 Foods’ sushi has much more to offer in terms of freshness and quality. Even visually, it’s closer in spirit to restaurant sushi. These eye-catching assortments are hand assembled and most include several different varieties of nagiri and maki style sushi, as well as the ever-popular California roll and even Inari, which is rice inside fried tofu. The giant Rainbow Roll is decorated with slices of avocado and drizzled with a tangy sauce. I like their Mini-Pack Tuna Combo, which included a small, tight tuna roll cut in 6 sections and a piece each of maguro, unagi, and ebi (tuna, eel, and shrimp).

According to the sticker on the package, Super 1 sushi is made fresh daily in Spokane by “Eson Gib” (read it backwards) with no further info other than a phone number. Intrigued, I called and reached a slightly confused woman with a very thick Asian accent. “I got your number from my sushi tray,” I yelled into the phone. It seemed to take a few moments for her to understand. “Ah yes, Super 1”, she finally said. I awkwardly attempted some small talk but it was clear we had a language barrier in effect so I just told her “my compliments to the chef” and said bye-bye. I have an image of this kind woman in my head, faithfully awake at 4 a.m. every day, greeting the fresh fish man and expertly assembling sushi trays exclusively for area Super 1 stores. I can't vouch for the accuracy of this soft-focus fantasy, but have no reason to believe otherwise.

Word is that Fred Meyer has an actual sushi chef on site during the day, although I’ve never been early enough to catch the action myself. Even the after hours selection is quite fantastic; with good sushi, the fish should gleam and visually tell you that it was swimming happily until very recently and Fred Meyer succeeds on that level alone. The freshness is even more apparent in the flavor. My “Shoreline Combo” contained a spicy tuna roll and four pieces of nigiri; salmon, tuna, eel, and yellowtail.

It’s pretty good stuff, it's quality comperable to sushi I’ve been served at actual Japanese restaurants. Accompanied by an ice-cold bottle from their large selection of Sake (I like Sho Chiku Bai), it's a refreshing meal for hot summer days when actual cooking seems like a rare, sweaty form of torture.

Best of all, the Fred Meyer deli clerk provided one of those rare moments of great customer service. I feared the small plop of wasabi provided just wouldn’t cut it; I like a lot of the green stuff. So I offered to purchase another little plop. To me, it's that intense horseradishy head buzz that makes the sushi experience so sublime and addictive. She had to dig around to even find the wasabi vat, but she did it with a smile and scooped out enough to last ten rounds, no charge. This unexpectedly kind gesture instantly charged my mood much like the heat of the wasabi itself charged my tastebuds, causing my eyes to well with tears.

Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers

Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers
1224 Sherman Ave.,
Coeur d’Alene, 765-5419.

“Quick! Grab it before your teacher sees it!” I whispered to the little girl. She was glaring teary-eyed in shock and sadness at her just-dropped chocolate ice cream cone on the sidewalk, which seemed to be looking up at her like it would hop back up into her hand on its own free will if it could. She was among a group of about twenty hyperactive preschool-aged “Art Camp” kids and two very frantic “Art Camp” teachers still all dressed up in their Kiddie Parade outfits. They’d decided to besiege an already busy Roger’s Ice Cream moments before my arrival.

The little girl gave me a quick wide-eyed glance and went for it, rescuing her rapidly melting treat in the nick of time. “Five second rule, it’ll be alright,” I told her, but she was already too far gone back into her ice cream to care, detachedly covering her face and hair with chocolate goo as if it were one of her Art Camp projects.

I listened to each and every one of those kids approach the girl at the walk-up window and order their ice cream. “Um…I’ll have a…uh…um…vanilla!” After the long, grueling moments of indecision, almost every kid would pick plain old vanilla, with only a couple of token chocolates thrown into the mix. When one brave boy climbed up to the window and ordered a scoop of bubblegum, I wanted to applaud him for his sheer vision and ingenuity.

Certainly, the kids had plenty to choose from. Roger’s doesn’t offer quite as many flavor options as some of the national chains, but here quality trumps quantity. Many flavors are made from scratch locally, with the addition of popular favorites from Denali Flavors such as Caramel Caribou and Bear Claw. Also on hand is the vanilla peanut butter-fudge swirl of Moose Tracks, the flavor that prompted former VP candidate Sarah Palin to say it was “near and dear to my heart”, but you don’t have to let that stop you from enjoying it.

New owner Mark Randolph has done a mighty terrific public service by resurrecting Roger’s from real estate oblivion, after it sat painfully empty for an entire summer last year. Long time locals and in-the-know visitors alike were beginning to seriously worry that the historic walk-up eatery had become a thing of the past, destined to be torn down and replaced by pricey townhouses or yet another Home Depot. For decades the place was known as the Dairy De-Lite, and it was the headquarters for several generations of neighborhood residents seeking cheap sustenance and old-fashioned refreshment on hot, lazy afternoons on the way to and from the beach.

The original Roger’s Ice Cream was born in Moscow in 1940, eventually relocating to Coeur d’Alene for a stint at the corner of 4th and Sherman. It finally took over the current spot from Dairy De-Lite in 1992 with very few noticeable changes. Similarly, Randolph has managed to erase the memory of Roger’s hiatus by leaving things virtually the same, including the classic red and white exterior, the cheerfully adept teenage staff and the uncomplicated burger selections. The menu’s lack of variety is refreshing in a fast food world where too many multiple choices results in a form of mental block known as Jack in the Box syndrome.

Available options include a single plain burger or cheeseburger, of course. Then there’s the Double-D with two patties and cheese, the Triple-D with three patties and cheese, and I had to ask the counter girl just to make sure, but yes indeed, the .44 Caliber burger includes 4 beef patties and cheese piled high on a bun. Fries are available in one size only, and that’s the extent of the food menu other than Randolph’s healthful new additions of a Turkey Burger and a Veggie Burger.

The gaggle of preschoolers finally cleared out and I placed my order. Between the radio and the chaos of cookery, the noise level in the tiny kitchen was so intense I had clarify after the counter girl looked at me sideways and said “uh, sorry, we don’t have ribs.” I smiled and said it a little louder; “I’ll have a Double-D with fries and a Mr. Pibb.” We laughed and I added on a scoop of homemade Huckleberry Ice Cream.

I grabbed one of the picnic tables in the shady covered outdoor patio and wrapped my fingers around my Double-D burger. A Roger’s burger can be a messy beast; the patties sprawl outside of the borders of the bun and the shredded lettuce and tomato slices are piled high. There’s a dense layer of a thick, white spread made from (I think) whipped mayo and cream cheese. The beef itself is sizzled up on a well-seasoned grill and tastes comfortingly home-cooked. My fries were pretty much cold but still tasted great. Thin, crispy, golden brown potato strips with skin deliciously intact and salted so well I retain water just thinking about them.

The grand finale was the ice cream cone, a scoop of rich homemade vanilla blended with what our local Stickman refers to as “Purple Gold,” sweet, plump Huckleberries. I was so enrapt in its tangy goodness, I had to stop myself from smearing it all over my face and hair, and if I’d accidentally dropped it on the dirty sidewalk, I’d have just picked it up and kept eating. Five second rule, you know.

O'Shay's O'Coustic Fest 2009

Record-Breaking Skinny Dip Attempt at Sun Meadow

Someone posted to the LDS Skinny Dippers Web Forum that the Sun Meadow Nudist Ranch near Worley has "...a nice indoor pool, and a very hot outdoor jacuzzi. Very low key environment, perfect for the first timer or reluctant spouse." First of all, I don't regularly frequent the LDS Skinny Dippers Web Forum. Actually, I came across it on a Google search for Sun Meadow. Now, I'm not saying anything either way about the Mormon's beliefs, but I'm pretty sure they aren't known for getting naked and playing tetherball with Delores and Merle from Grand Forks.

One thing's for sure, you won't catch my naked booty anywhere near the recreational areas, but apparently some people get some kind of free and easy feeling out of letting their dangly bits play free in the summer breeze. Sun Meadow has a growing membership of folks who flock in from all over the nation to enjoy a clothing-optional getaway in sunny North Idaho. Or should I say mooney North Idaho. They've got events and live entertainment going on every weekend all summer long. High School speech teachers frequently recommend picturing your audience in their underwear or nude to help tackle a case of stage fright, so I guess if you're performing at a nudist ranch you're able to just skip this step entirely.

Coming up this weekend, Sun Meadow hosts another uh, unique event and below are the details they provided. If you're comfortable naked with strangers, why not show up and help put North Idaho in the Guinness Book for something entirely odd.

If you'd like to participate in this national event at a place where you're not likely to be arrested, check out the 2nd Annual Skin to the Wind Festival of Fun at Sun Meadow Resort July 9 to 12 near Worley, Idaho. A highlight this year will be an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records largest skinny dip ever in North America. The American Association for Nude Recreation is coordinating the record-setting event and the folks gathered at Sun Meadow will do their part Saturday July 11 at high noon. The public is invited to participate in this event nationwide. Rules require all participants to be completely nude to be counted. First time skinny-dippers are welcome and shyness will be accommodated, hosts at Sun Meadow say. "Skinny-dipping is a wholesome tradition as old as mankind and frequently honored in art and movies. It celebrates the natural joy of plunging into water without hindrance of clothing."

Rob Quist will appear in concert at Sun Meadow Resort Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. as part of the 2nd Annual Skin to the Wind Festival of Fun. Rob's original music tells tales about people and history of Montana and the West. He has shared the stage with many musical greats including, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Heart, and The Allman Brothers to name a few.

--Our Second Annual Skin to the Wind Festival of Fun!
--Thursday, a concert with Montana's own legendary country music singer/songwriter, Rob Quist (tickets $12).
--Friday night volleyball, homemade soup, salad bar and homemade bread, and a DJ dance at 9 PM.
--Saturday, be a part of the Guinness Book of World Records! The World's Largest Skinny Dip will happen all over the country, and especially at Sun Meadow. We've even figured out a way for non-nudists to participate.
--after the 4:30 PM pot luck patio party and 6:30 PM dinner, another concert (TBA).
--Every day, DJ tunes by the pool, gourmet meals from scratch, fun workshops, Planet Earth videos, concessionaires, massage, and lots of fun!
--Package prices available.
--Sunday evening enjoy our pot luck dinner at 6:30. Nothing to bring? No problem. Just let us know and contribute $6.

Sun Meadow Resort
30400 Sun Ray Trail
Worley, Idaho 83876

Phone (208) 686-8686
website

In Search of the Ultimate Fish and Chips

I received an email in my inbox recently from a reader inquiring, “Who has the best all-you-can-eat Friday fish fry in the Cd’A area?” This reminded me of a friend of mine from Wisconsin who asked me the same exact question when he first moved to town. I have a feeling this reader must also be from Wisconsin since as far as I can tell, the idea of the traditional Friday fish fry seems to be at it’s height of popularity almost exclusively in the church basements, cafeterias and diners of cities like Milwaukee and Wauwatosa and every town in between.

It seems most folks there faithfully follow the guidelines of Lent and start their spring weekends with a day completely free from red meat consumption. Bottomless quantities of cod and other fish are breaded, deep fried and consumed with piles of fries and tartar sauce for not much more than five bucks a head. Extended families get gussied up and gather together for this ritualistic seafood binge; in certain circles it's the social highlight of the week. It's so popular that virtually every restaurant and roadside dive in Wisconsin has some type of Fish Friday special.

I hate to break it to you my dear reader, but as far as I can tell, we don't celebrate Fish Friday here in North Idaho. While there are plenty of area restaurants serving fish and chips, as far as I can tell there are no regular "Friday fish fries" happening every week at the Methodist Church or the VFW Hall or whatever. That's a shame too, because I'll bet there's nothing finer than the fried fish cooked up by some old geezer who’s had 49 years to perfect his method and make people line up out the door for another platter full of the good stuff.

I’ll admit, I’m not fortunate enough to have sampled all the fish and chips in town, but I do have a few experiences with the subject matter. Rob's Seafood and Burgers has been around in Post Falls forever, selling cheap cartons of cigarettes and greasy fast food. They do have an "all you can eat" special that runs all the time for the reasonable price of $8.95. However, their quality is wildly inconsistent; I’ve had excellent food there, but I’ve also fallen victim to indigestion due to the consumption of an oily, crumbly mess atop cold french fries. Also, I’m extremely leery as to the cleanliness of the kitchen and dining room, both of which could visibly use a little love and attention.

Zip's Drive-In wins my personal award for favorite fish and chips. They use flaky, flavorful halibut served in thick chunky morsels rather than thin fillets. The fried batter is always dense, golden brown and crunchy, and Zips has the best tartar sauce ever invented. Add a handful of their trademark, crinkle-cut fries and you've landed in a partially hydrogenated paradise. Occasionally, they do overcook their fish slightly for my taste but I've never had a really bad batch in over 20 years.

Fisherman's Market on Kathleen Avenue in Coeur d’Alene has only been open for a few years but has already gained a reputation as one of the best seafood joints in the area. In addition to classic cod or halibut, they fill their little plastic fish baskets with fried Mahi-Mahi, clams, oysters, and whatever happens to be the catch of the day. I’d heavily recommend the catfish, a rare treat in this part of the USA. It’s incredibly moist, delicate and rich with flavor. Everything is served with your choice of eight different wacky tartar sauce varieties, including a fun green wasabi tartar sauce. The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you come in and sample the goods you'll think you've died and gone to Pike Place Market, which is basically Heaven for seafood lovers.

Another fairly new establishment offering a classic cod and chips combo is the Chicken Basket on Northwest Boulevard. I’m thinking they really ought to consider switching the name to “Fish Basket” instead. I found their chicken to be passable, but it was the broasted cod and fries that really blew my taste buds. My basket included two massive chunks of fresh, flaky fish dredged in a lightly crisp outer shell, a massive pile of fries, a side of home made coleslaw, a dinner roll, a foil wrapped pat of butter, lemon wedges and a cup of their piquant tartar sauce. The broasting process leaves the fish moist and divine, and the whole thing is a steal for under ten bucks.

Don’t rely on my advice, fish craver; I posted the original question on the Get Out blog and readers responded with some good ideas of their own. Jack wrote in favor of Skippers, saying “I am clearly not a connoisseur of fish and chips, but I always thought that theirs was pretty good.” Howard recommends O’Malley’s Pub in Rathdrum, calling their fish and chips “absolutely killer.” Lynne’s comment was “the Office Tavern in mid-town and Capone's both have pretty good fish and chips.”

No place received as much unbridled enthusiasm as O’Shay’s on Lake Cd’A Drive. “It’s O'Shays fish and chips for me, especially when they do the Salmon. We were in Ireland and Scotland and had a lot of fish and chips and none compared,” says the local blogger known as “Me”. An anonymous commenter agreed, saying “O’Shays has the best fish and chips ever, and they pour a beautiful Guinness.” On that thirst-inducing note, I will definitely be seeing you there.

11 Questions with Cracker's Johnny Hickman

In the dank bronze age of Alt-Rock there was a weird little band called Camper Van Beethoven who put out a series of really cool indie records in the 80's, including Telephone Free Landslide Victory, which featured the MTV video hit "Take the Skinheads Bowling." When that weird psychedelic dream ended, founding member David Lowery entered the musical kitchen with with guitarist Johnny Hickman and baked up Cracker, a much glossier, more commercially inclined venture. Cracker's 1992 self-titled debut put them on the pop radar with "Euro Trash Girl." Their 1993 album Kerosene Hat was a Modern Rock smash and the single "Low" brought them to the radio masses.

After fickle programmers moved away from alternative rock, Cracker began drifting toward folksier, almost country-ish territories, with mixed reactions from both fans and casual listeners. On their latest set, 2009's Sunrise in the Land of Milk & Honey. they turn the circle back to something more reminiscent of their post-punk 80's roots with a much more raw, punchy sound and an edgier, more confrontaional and enjoyably sarcastic lyrical tone.

Critically, it's their most well-received effort in many years, and they'll be playing the Panida Theater in Sandpoint next Monday, July 6 at 8 p.m. as part of a massive national tour to support the record. Get Out was fortunate enough to have Cracker co-founder and God of perfect hair Johnny Hickman answer a bunch of my questionable questions. Cool, I learned we both share a love for Seafood and Dead Can Dance. Let's party.

1. Welcome to North Idaho. Have you ever visited Sandpoint before? What are your impressions and/or preconceived notions about out our little neck of the woods? Will you have time for any lake activities?

JH: I've never been before but it sounds beautiful. Most likely not much time for R+R but from what I hear I should come back when I do have time.

2. From what I understand, the band perfected many of the new songs live before hitting the studio this time around, yet the songs still sound quite spontaneous. How did you manage that?

JH: We always tweak them continually as we go along right up to recording them. Cracker have a reputation as a great live band I'm proud to say. That's where the songs really come together.

3. Cracker has 17 years worth of diverse music to draw from for material each night. What process does the band go through while putting together the set list? How likely are you to play those obscurities shouted out by the hardcore fans in the audience?

JH: Actually we never use a set list live. We just play what we feel like playing and go with the vibe of the audience each night. It's a lot more satisfying for us that way and our fans really appreciate because many will will come to several shows on a given tour. Of course we always play our best known radio but we also change the show up every night. We have a new album out so of course we are playing several of those songs each night. That changes too.

4. The band sounds organic and refreshed and kind of punky on “Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey.” How did this come about? Was there a conscious effort to return to an edgier sound?

JH: Thank you. No, we didn't really plan it that way, it just happened spontaneously. When we first got together to write for this album both David Lowery and I had a few riffs and ideas that had that early 80s kind of sound which is the kind of music we were listening to when we met just out of our teens. With Frank Funaro (drums) being from The Dictators and Sal Maida (bassist) having played with Roxy Music and Sparks we had the perfect rhythm section for this record. All four of us just hammered the songs together as we went.

5. Name a few artists who’ve influenced you over the years that no one would probably ever guess and how they influenced your sound or musical outlook.

JH: Randy Newman because like David and or I he's never afraid to say something outrageous or controversial in a song if it fits the character of the song's persona. As David puts it "You create a character and let them speak in their own voice".

6. How did the video for “Yalla Yalla” come about? Are the song and video trying to make a statement about life during wartime or is it just some soldiers goofing off with cameras?

JH: All of the above, although less a statement than an observation perhaps. I had the guitar riff which later became the chorus melody and David picked up bits of current military slang from talking to soldiers at the Atlanta airport and let them tell their story really. There is an undeniably dark humor to the song and video. The silliness of the soldiers is their way of coping with having to deal with the almost surreal, dangerous situations they are in every day I suppose. The sexual innuendoes / limericks at the end of the song is us imagining what these guys in their twenties would be saying to keep their bravado up.

7. Has your current bassist Sal Maida coughed up any amazingly decadent stories about playing in Roxy Music at the height of the Glam Rock era? Do tell…

JH: Hey man, Sal is about six foot six and Sicilian. I'm not gonna rat THAT guy out. I'm sure he's got amazing stories though....wink wink.

8. Name five albums off the top your head. How come you have these five albums on your mind?

JH: 1) Dead Can Dance, The Serpent's Egg because it relaxes and disturbs me at the same time. I need that diversion on tour.
2) Rolling Stones, Beggars Banquet because after making a very electric, slamming punkish album I am needing the nasty, acoustic blues thing. One of my all time favorite albums.
3) Fleet Foxes. For the same reason and it's a stunning record all the way through.
4) Ike Reilly, Junkie Faithful. An insanely great album by one of the least appreciated songwriters of this decade.
5) Palmhenge, Johnny Hickman. Not to dig my self but just listening and thinking about the next solo CD I am currently writing. Sussing what feels right as I write new songs.

9. We do a lot of food reviews on our blog. What’s your favorite place to eat when you’re home between tours? What are a couple of do-not-miss places to eat you’ve discovered in the Northwest while touring over the years?

JH: At home in Fort Collins Colorado there is a place called "Plank". Great and always changing menu. Seafood is by far my favorite and of course the Northwest is the best for that. No particular place but I always ask the locals.

10. If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be and why?

JH: Chocolate with more chocolate and chocolate syrup. Can't get enough of the stuff. I'm a chocolate addict.

11. Someone offers to buy you a drink. What do you order?

JH: For years I would have said bourbon, Maker's Mark or Knob Creek. However, starting with the making of "Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey" it's been gin and tonic, preferably with Bombay Sapphire. My new mob nickname is Johnny G+Ts.

4th of July Happenings

Athol Fireworks Extravaganza at Silverwood Theme Park: Celebrate Independence Day at Silverwood with patriotic music and a Fireworks Extravaganza at dusk. Included in gate admission price. For more information call 683-3400.

Bayview Bayview Daze. Saturday's Events: Street Parade 11am, Lighted Boat Parade after dark, Spectacular Fireworks 10 pm. Street Bazaar all three days. 683-1859

Bayview Live music with Lost Faculties, 7 pm until they shut us down at Boileau's Floating Patio
34040 N.Lakeside, 683-9301.

Bonners Ferry PRAISE & SALUTE A Tribute to God and Country, Boundary Co. Fair Grounds 1:00pm - 9:00pm

Carlin Bay PJ Destiny and the Carlin Bay Jam Band live at Carlin Bay Resort at 8:30 p.m.

Coeur d'Alene Sun up Bay Resort (CDA Lake) annual fireworks at approximately 10 p.m. Note: These fireworks take place Fri. July 3.

Coeur d'Alene Downtown Coeur d'Alene celebration includes a grand parade down Sherman Avenue, boat parade, live music, food vendors, children's activities and a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coeur d'Alene Resort/Downtown 664-3194 ext. 170 or www.cdachamber.com

Coeur d'Alene Mik-n-Mac's- 408 N. 4th St. - Beer Garden and Parking Lot Party. Nest to bar on front of Celestial Tanning. Cold beer and cocktails outside all day, then the party moves inside with DJ's Jason and Kenya.

Coeur d'Alene Baja Bargarita - Beach Party with 2 for 1 drinks and $5 bottomless keg. Special guest DJ Kowax from Las Vegas. 115 N. 2nd St.next to Toro Viejo.

Coeur d'Alene The Torch Lounge - 3rd & Coeur d'Alene Ave. Kami Jo says: "We are going to have a live DJ and two dance floors. Billy Hoe and myself will be behind the main bar and Angel will be working the buddie bar.It is going to be off the hook. Everyone is going to have to check it out. It is a totally different vibe at the Torch on Saturdays. It is Bomb Sauce!"

Coeur d'Alene 315 Martinis & Tapas - Independence Day BBQ. Our view of the fireworks is spectacular, and we will have Tom Kuntz and the Jazz Boys playing outside in the gazebo. 315 Wallace St., Reservations: 667-9660.

Harrison INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Harrison's Fireworks Celebration. Cool Stack plays blues at One Shot Charlies at 8 p.m.

Hauser Southern Comfort Band plays Rock and Country music st 8 p.m., Wendy’s Hauser Lake Resort, 18226 W. Main St., 773-6227.

Kellogg Silver Valley Independence Day Celebration. City Parade. Mountain Top Sunset BBQ. Movies on the Lawn & S'Mores Roast. Beer Garden & Food Vendors. Horseshoe Tournament. Free Concert in Teeter’s Field, Kelly Hughes Band. Fireworks Display. 784-0821

Kingston Country Lane Resort presents live music by Mike Greenwood, Roy Orbison impersonator, at 8 p.m. Take I-90 to exit 43, go North on Coeur d’Alene River
Rd. Take the Bumblebee cutoff. 682-2698.

Murray Come join the Prichard/Murray Volunteer Fire Department in a fun filled evening at Molly B Park. Starting at 6 pm we will be serving ice cream sundaes and pie a la mode. We will keep serving until the Sprag Pole Inn's fireworks start (at dusk) or until we run out of food. The environment is family friendly and the fireworks that the Sprag Pole puts on are amazing. All proceeds go to fund our non-profit fire and emergency medical department.

Post Falls The Second Annual Sammy Eubanks Fourth of July Invitational Jam at Templins Red Lion Resort. Free of charge. BBQ on the river followed by a great fireworks display. Live country music with Sammy Eubanks. Family friendly, so bring the kids and a blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy the show. 773-1611.

Priest Lake Fireworks Display in Luby Bay and Cavanaugh Bay. Free Ice-Cream Social, Coolin Civic Center.

Priest River Fourth of July Celebration in Priest River. Enjoy the great fireworks show over the beautiful Pend Oreille River, the fireworks begin after dark. 448-2721

Sandpoint Independence Day Celebration Parades downtown in the morning; stage performances and a raffle follow at City Beach in the afternoon, plus a fireworks show at dusk. 263-0887.

Sandpoint Three Glasses, 202½ First Ave., hosts live music with Boise's jam band Equal Eyes following the fireworks at City Beach.

Sandpoint Pop-Punk act Crimson Resolve plays a free show at Sandpoint City Beach at 12 p.m.

Spirit Lake Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade, Music and Vendors in the Park and Fireworks at dusk. (Call Verla Reed for vendor information 623-3375)

Worley Coeur d'Alene Casino - Our largest fireworks show ever! Fireworks at Dusk. Music by The Perones 4pm - 8:30pm. Outdoor BBQ and Beer garden. Bingo X4 points 11am - 2pm. $4,000 Hot seats 2pm - 10 pm. www.cdacasino.com

Worley Dance to Protocol on the deck from 6 to 10 p.m. at Conkling marina and Resort, 20 W Jerry Ln., 686-1151.