The High Nooner

The High Nooner
3510 N. Government Way
Coeur d’Alene, ID
(208)664-2223
www.highnooner.com

Ah, the glorious sandwich. It’s a simple concept, yet it can be so difficult to master. Everyone has a different viewpoint on the subject, from the mundane (Mayonnaise vs. Miracle Whip) to the controversial and bizarre (my mother’s love for Peanut Butter and Pickles with Mayo on Rye.) A good sandwich is more than just a few slices of mystery meat between two gluey slices of white bread, although I hear that is considered a gourmet treat in the Kootenai County Jail cafeteria. A good sandwich is a memorable, well-crafted experience, a blend of flavors coming together as a full, convenient meal.

There’s a fine art to getting the sweet tang of the tuna salad just right, or knowing how to pile on enough ham to counterbalance the bite of the sliced onions. Certain types of breads work better with certain fillings. Condiments should be generous and varied – there’s nothing harder to choke down than a bone dry sandwich. I can’t think of a reason to be shy when lubricating your food – mayonnaise and yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish and spicy horseradish – spread it on thick and treat yourself.

In the lunch industry, the sandwich is obviously a behemoth and those who master the many facets of their creation and construction are highly respected artists. Even at your local neighborhood Subway, it’s clear some of those seventeen-year-olds have a gift and will have a long future in sandwich engineering. Between cigarette breaks, they pour their heart and soul into each squirt of dijonnaise. In all seriousness, Subway has created a consistently satisfying and affordable product and has set the standard for take-out sandwich freshness in the public consciousness.

The High Nooner offers a local alternative to national chain sandwich places, having just added a Coeur d’Alene location to its four existing Spokane stores earlier this month. I visited the new lunch spot with my co-conspirator Q. this week, not really knowing what to expect. We went a little early, hoping to beat the lunch rush. It was mid-morning and cars already filled the lot, the air abuzz with the anticipation of trying a new restaurant.

The first thing that struck me as we walked in was the multitude of Jo Jonas’ Indian Chief drawings hanging on the walls. I was delighted to see these rare works – Jonas is a legendary local artist and the man who made all those huge bronze sculptures down on the North Idaho College campus. I was lucky enough to have him as an instructor there as well many years ago. Kudos to the High Nooner for creating a virtual Jo Jonas museum on their walls, although I could live without the ugly ‘80’s Santa Fe tapestries and Wild West furniture his drawings are displayed with.

We approached the counter and were handed a couple of paper menus to look over. The vibe here at the High Nooner was not at all relaxed, but busy go-go-go. I looked into the semi-open kitchen in amazement at the literally dozens of young kitchen workers running around in street clothes in a crazy panic to the tune of blaring hip-hop music. What were they all doing back there – are they already getting that much business? Between the intricate dance of the sandwich makers and the loud thump of the bass, it genuinely seemed like there was a full-blown nightclub happening back there at 11 in the morning. It was like they were getting ready to audition for a touring company of the musical “Rent” or something. Wild.

Meanwhile, I felt a little angst from the counter girl for me to instantly decide on my order, pronto. People were behind us in line, but there was only one register and I was looking at a menu I’d never seen. Feeling pressured to order, I picked the “Sundowner,” which had caught my eye with the word ‘cranberries” in the description, reminding me of my favorite sandwich in town: the Hobbit at Sunshine Trader. I asked if I could get a half-sandwich and a cup of soup and was told they had no such combo. No soup and sandwich combo at a lunch deli? Just out of principle, I couldn’t bring myself to order them separately so I opted for a side of Asian Noodle salad. Q. ordered a Veggie Nooner and before we even had a chance to pick a table a woman came round the corner waving two brown paper bags and calling my name. I grabbed the lunch sacks, realizing that the place was obviously set up more for fast to-go orders rather than a sit-and-relax dining experience. The High Nooner also does catering and delivery, and that seems to be a large focus of the business.

We pulled our sandwiches out of their brown bags and unwrapped them. My Sundowner was nearly $6.50, so I had pictured something with a bit of elevation, plentiful toppings piled high between soft slices of bread. What I got was some scant, thin bits of dry turkey and lettuce, a teaspoon of Stove-Top stuffing, spread thin as paper, two cranberries with the remotest smear of accompanying cranberry sauce, and half-a-trace of mayo between the halves of an enormous white hoagie roll. It was tear-jerkingly dry and I couldn’t really taste any of the ingredients in all that bread. Needless to say, I was not overly enthused as I picked out and ate what small bits of meat I could excavate, returning the half-eaten hoagie roll to the bag. The side dish fared no better – it seemed like they just marinated some cooked noodles in plain soy sauce and sprinkled on a few sesame seeds. This “salad” was overly salty and would have benefited greatly from the simple addition of an actual veggie or two. Q. was also less-than ecstatic about his veggie sandwich, calling it “bland and uninspired” before rewrapping the other half to take to his granny, who normally loves foods fitting that description, but who reportedly was also unable to find any joy in the thing. The addition of free chocolate chip cookies was a nice touch, but they tasted store-bought and stale.

Color me unimpressed. However, I’m not willing to totally cross the High Nooner off my list yet. I’d like to hope they’re still working out the bugs and I’ve heard that the Spokane locations are known for having great food. Further examination of the menu leads to some promising notions, like the “High Nooner” with egg salad, cream cheese, bacon, and tomato; the “Afternooner” with juicy ham and turkey and melted cheese on a hot parmesan French roll; The “Buff Chick” with grilled chicken, blue cheese, and spicy buffalo sauce on foccacia bread. Hopefully they don’t skimp on the ingredients with these items. The dessert counter looked fantastic, huge slices of carrot cake, rum cake, brownies, and one thing I know they couldn’t possibly mess up: giant Rice Krispies treats. Service was fast and friendly, and they seemed sincere as they waved us bye-bye and asked us to come back soon. Q. said never again, but I’m a firm believer in second chances.

Peterson Family Foods Deli

Petersons Family Foods Deli
(formerly Sherman IGA)
1211 E. Sherman Ave.
Coeur d’Alene
208-664-9992

A trip to the deli area at Sherman IGA in Coeur d’Alene is a trip back in time. It’s one of those rare local spots that is pleasingly untouched by the grip of modernization. In fact, I’d bet most of the owners of the upscale boutiques and exclusive galleries that seem to be crawling their way up Sherman avenue consider Sherman IGA to be outdated urban blight, and they’d love to see it burn to make way for maybe a nice little high-rise of condos and offices.

Other, more corporate grocery delis in town have bigger selections, trendier items, cleaner, more updated looks and little personality. None offer the historic, "hometown proud" experience that good old IGA serves up. Of course, technically it's not a restaurant, you've got to eat your takings at home, but the food here is certainly worth discussion.

I grew up in the increasingly rough neighborhood where the old IGA is located and I’ll admit that shopping there can be risking your life at times. When I was about 12 or so my mother and I hid shivering behind a mayonnaise display as the store was being robbed. It takes a certain type of person to shop there, adventurous, unafraid of society’s fringe, or the body odor of the homeless junkie. It’s the kind of place you really want to hit in the mid-morning when it feels safest, and the friendly long-time staff and management will make you feel like you just got home to old friends. You might run into an old teacher from high-school, the friendly postman, your dear Aunt Betty. However, be warned - when the sun goes down the place carries a whole different vibe – it turns into an edgy hotspot for meth moms in recovery, drunk college boys, and munchie-afflicted emo kids. On hot summer nights, the parking lot swelters with intensity, heavy metal music blaress out of high-revving Corvettes.

Like the rest of Sherman IGA, the deli area has seen little cosmetic change in at least 25 years. The mainstay here is the world-famous “Chester Fried” chicken. I was curious to know exactly what made a chicken “Chester Fried” versus just plain old fried, and a Google search turned up some interesting tidbits. The company website lists only a few dozen places nationwide where you can get this delicacy, but oddly there’s no mention of Sherman IGA. How did they manage to drop off the official Chester radar, I wonder? Is the big 70’s-ish sign they display just a ruse, a leftover from better days? Are they actually peddling some kind of bootleg knock-off of Chester Fried Chicken? Is it just another of IGA’s many dark secrets? Where does that leave the jo-jo’s? All besmeared with blood-like ketchup?

Well, I think they’re getting it down pretty close at least, since the trick behind Chester’s is in the unique moisturization process that renders that sinful, highly caloric chicken breast so juicy and irresistibly tender inside that greasy, thick crunchy shell so flavorful and artery-clogging. These chickens must have been huge beasts when they roamed the earth – these giant fried chicken parts make KFC pieces look Barbie doll size. It’s likely not a healthful idea to indulge in the Chester action more than every once in a while, but when the craving hits, there’s only once place in town that has it and god bless them for it.

Also heavenly are the BBQ spareribs, delicious and always cooked to falling-off-the-bone perfection, although they are on the spendy side (for this place at least). I have tried the roasted chicken, and it wasn’t bad, just average, and not as much fun as killing yourself with the fattier fried version. IGA also offers huge jo-jos, chicken strips and old-school beef and bean burritos – the kind you usually can only find at middle-of-nowhere gas stations. Cheap, filling, and always an interesting gastrointestinal experience.

Move on over to the deli cooler for more retro action. I love the raspberry jell-o chunks mixed with sugary pink froth. Or the “Ambrosia salad” (secret recipe: canned mixed fruit and cool whip). Then there’s the mean green mystery substance simply labeled “pistachio crème” which shares nothing at all in common with its namesake nut other than its unexplainable addictiveness. Not everything here is my favorite. There’s the joyless “five bean salad” swimming in some kind of bland, oily dressing; a plethora of potato and macaroni salads, all including those damn little red pepper chunks I always have to pick out. Is it a pimento, maybe? I won’t eat them. I think the “Mustard Potato Salad” is free of the evil buggers, but could use another squirt of the yellow stuff to liven it up a tad.

There are gourmet desserts like tapioca, glompy chocolate pudding, and some type of layered raspberry/cool whip/angel cake parfait concoction that looks like it came right out of the pages of the Betty Crocker 1974 Edition cookbook. There’s the usual deli assortment of prepackaged sliced cheeses and meats, and maybe it’s just the bad lighting to blame, but there’s something a bit off about the pallor of the roast beef. Is there such a color as “electric brown”? It looks quite a bit more appetizing when coupled with some cheddar in one of the perfectly fine pre-made sandwiches, but if you’re like me you’ll want to grab an extra mayonnaise packet – they’re a bit on the dry side.
I’d recommend sticking with the main attraction, but do try to arrive early for your Chester Fried fix. There have been a few times when I’ve stood in line behind ladies that buy enough of the stuff to feed the whole church and by the time I make it to the counter, nothing remains but Chester Fried crumbs at the bottom of the deli case. After a certain time of day, they will refuse to make more, even if you threaten a hold-up. They’re not that easily fazed around here.

Note: Since publication, the place has been renamed Petersons Family Foods and is basically the same, save for the tiniest bit of rearranging. As one of the cashiers there told me "the crackheads still come out at night..."

O'Shay's Irish Pub

O’Shay’s Irish Pub
313 E. Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr.
Coeur d’Alene,
(208)765-7723

http://www.oshaysirishpub.com

For my entire life, I’ve been cursed with fake Irishness. I know, all the major giveaways are there: I have red hair, my name is Patrick, my favorite color is green. But alas, as far as I can trace, there’s only maybe the slightest hint of Irish blood running through my veins. The majority of my ancestors apparently floated over from merry England, and the rest escaped the fjords of Norway for the cornfields of the Midwest, eventually migrating here. Still, people always ask me if I’m Irish, and I’m usually quick to say “No!” with a look that says “How dare you?” Nothing against being Irish, but I’m not and I’m so over people assuming I am for the reasons stated above. However, every year when St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, I say proudly “Yes! I AM Irish!” Over the years I’ve learned that on this holiday, it’s just easier to smile and embrace my fake-Irishness and enjoy the free green beer and Bushmills that everyone suddenly wants to buy for me.

This week I had the pleasure of being fake Irish a little early when I popped into Open Mike Night (Thursdays) at O’Shay’s Irish Pub in Coeur d’Alene. O’Shay’s is tucked away in an old converted house amidst the vintage motels on Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive. I immediately felt a sense of warmth and coziness when I walked into the place. A small crowd was gathered and they were applauding the first act of the evening, Americana artist Harvey Stanley, who also serves as host of the weekly event.

There was a small but lively group of folks gathered around the bar so I pulled up a stool and ordered a pint of that chocolaty old Irish staple Guinness. I was half-expecting it to arrive in authentic Irish style: room-temperature. Thankfully, this is still America and the bar maid, Michelle, handed me a perfectly cold and frothy one. Call me a sissy yank, but I’m not big on warm beer. Looking around, I noticed the amazing collection of Irish ephemera, an eye catching collision of framed prints, metal signs, postcards and tchotchkes. Plus, place was decorated to-the-nines for St. Paddy’s day with endless green foil shamrocks strung across every wall. There was a little pile of green plastic leprechaun hats for customers to put on if they were feeling especially festive, and this evening several were.

Like any pub, O’Shay’s has its faithful regulars, and it seemed that this evening some of them had been warming their stools for quite awhile. Michelle was quite an affable hostess, and the laid back vibe of the place made me want to stick around. I had to chuckle when someone was leaving and couldn’t quite manage to push the door open and Michelle told them to “give the door a good Irish kick!” They did and it worked. She kept the conversation rolling up at the bar, from bad high-school photos to the rules of horseshoes, and she rescued our drinks each time they almost fell over on the warbly copper counter. I chatted with Harvey Stanley and told him I wish I’d have made it in time to see him perform. He was cool enough to crack open a copy of his debut CD “Go Harvey Go’ for me and autograph it. It’s an enjoyable album of witty, original Americana songs and no doubt I will be returning to O’Shay’s on a Thursday in the near future to see him out in person. (Visit Harvey’s MySpace to check out his music for yourself.)

The mellow ambience was heightened by the music of Coeur d’Alene acoustic duo Standing Still, (Josh Erk & Marques Pozzani) who played unplugged versions of post-grunge classics. Still, I wondered a bit where the “Irish Folk” music was that I’d seen advertised somewhere. The regular sitting next to must have read my mind - “You know, I hung out here for about 9 months before I heard any actual Irish Folk.” Ah well, the music was great anyway, although some of the open mike regulars were unable to make it. I was told that I absolutely needed to return to hear John Sylte and Robbie French, both acoustic folk guitarists who regularly play on the weekends. Notably, O’Shay’s also serves lunch and dinner daily, and I hear the food is excellent. I was kind of hoping to try an appetizer but the kitchen was already closed for the night. I do plan on returning for lunch sometime soon, and will have the full rundown for you right here.

I asked the kitchen guy what kind of plans they had lined up for the big day – March 17 – and I could practically see the anxiety well up in his throat: “It’s gonna be crazy…” I grilled Michelle for more details, and turns out he wasn’t kidding – I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a more full-on St. Patrick’s Day party than what they’ve got planned. O’Shay’s opens at 11AM and will be serving traditional corned beef and cabbage as well as fish and chips. Drink specials will include Irish Car Bombs, Guinness, green beer, and green jello shots so clearly no-one will be going thirsty. There will be a full bar set up out back next to their outdoor amphitheatre and beer garden, as well as a huge bonfire to enjoy while the sun sets and the chill of the spring evening creeps in. There will be lots of Irish music, and best of all, they are expecting a full-on Irish band of drums and bagpipes to march through the building and around the amphitheater. It’s bound to be the biggest party in town that day, and I will likely be there in all my fake Irishness. Wear green or get pinched.

Jamba Juice

Jamba Juice
202 W. Ironwood Dr. Suite E
Coeur d'Alene
(208) 664-3206

www.jambajuice.com


It's one of those mornings when as soon as you crack a crusty eye and become vaguely aware you're awake you just want to die. Every noise is like thunder, every ray of daylight is like a shocking flash of lightning. Your mouth tastes like the floor in the break room at the cigarette factory. Memories are fuzzy, but you vaguely recall kissing that prince (or was it a frog?) before you downed the last of your martini and caught a cab home before somehow stumbling into bed.

You say to yourself "Oh good grief, I need to get on a health kick or something before I drop dead." You need to get some serious rejuvenation rolling. A visit to the day spa is too spendy and feels like cheating, anyway. You simply don't have the energy for the gym or to even get off the couch, for that matter. I've got the perfect solution for your predicament: you need a big, cold Jamba Juice smoothie to replenish the essential vitamins that you ran your body dry of in the course of your shameless overindulgence.

According to one of the handy info pamphlets they leave out for customers, each Jamba contains 3-6 servings of fruit in one go. Each is available with a variety of different "boosts", which are vitamins and minerals formulated to add a punch of protien, energy, or immunity. Many of the drinks served here are "functional", like the tangy, Vitamin-C and Zinc packed "Coldbuster." More exotic is the "Acai Supercharger", which along with a whammy of good 'ol caffiene (via guarana), contains the strong antioxidant "Acai juice." The way the menu describes some of these unusual ingredients leaves you with the impression that someone at the Jamba Juice company spent years crawling through the bushes of South America looking for undiscovered miracle produce, just for us. "Matcha" is another one, a type of organic green tea that you can try in smoothie form or as a gnarly little green shot with soymilk, kind of like an espresso from Venus. Also, for those who crave the taste of fresh-mowed lawn, wheatgrass shots are available.

Although generally good for you, and always refreshing, many of the smoothies are not neccessarily low on calories. The "Jamba Classics" like "Carribean Passion" or "Razzamatazz" are made with huge scoops of sherbert and yogurt - a large cup packs 600-700 calories, or about the same as a good slice of turtle cheesecake. Chocolate is no stranger to these parts, either, with the "Chocolate Moo'd" smoothie that gives the illusion of being nutritious while tasting like an old fashioned milkshake. Along with it's evil twin, the "Peanut Butter Moo'd", these are the most decadent items available here, weighing in at over 900 calories each, for a large.

However, they've recently introduced the "all fruit" smoothie menu and the "Jamba Light" menu, which contain Splenda and whey protein and taste just as good, especially the addictive "Mango Mantra." A few years ago, I went to the best Chinese place in Chinatown, San Francisco, and they served a mango dessert that tasted almost exactly like the "Mango Mantra"- rich, creamy and delicious. These smoothies come in at between 200-300 calories, so they are basically guilt-free. My main Jamba favorite is the "Orange Dream Machine" which is a great breakfast substitute with 18 grams of protein, a days worth of vitamin C, and a yummy creamsicle vibe. Throw in an energy boost, and I'm set until dinnertime.

Fruit smoothies here are the main gig, but they do have a small selection of baked goods at the counter, and the ones I've tried were very good. The blueberry-bran mini loaves pack enough raw fiber to keep things moving very smooth, if you know what I mean. There's a shelf with a random variety of items for sale: juice books, logo t-shirts, on-the-go sippy cups, an actual juicer. I enjoy the atmosphere inside Jamba Juice. The decor is lite-90's modern with a happy clash of avocado green, pale orange, and bright purple walls mixed with clean, natural wood floors and fixtures. It's a small place with minimal seating, but most people get their smoothies to go.

From my experience, the service is always good here. I'm normally in a rush when I pop in, with only a few moments to spare on my way to work. Lines and delays are rare, and I'm usually in and out within 5 minutes. The staff are always perky and polite and even though I only visit every few weeks, the cashier remembers my first name when I order. One thing that annoys me about some places like this is the bored looking teens that stand around and talk trash instead of doing their jobs. Not here - these kids are quiet, clean, fast, and efficient, doing whatever magic thing it is they do back there with all those blenders and other machines. If they make too much smoothie to fit it all in your cup, they'll pour the extra in a small cup and give it to you as well. They always only remove the bottom part of the straw wrapper when they stick in your cup, leaving the top part wrapped and sanitary - a nice touch!

Takara Japanese Cuisine & Sushi

Takara Japanese Cuisine & Sushi
309 E Lakeside, Coeur d'Alene
208-765-8014

Takara Website

From my experience, sushi makes for one of the best pre-night-out-on-the-town meals possible. It’s not really a hot idea to eat anything too heavy duty before indulging in a night of hi-balls and disco dancing. No one enjoys feeling painfully bloated while attempting the Electric Hustle. Sushi is light in substance, yet filling, and all that sticky white rice will help soak up some that booze you’ll be enjoying later in the evening. Plus, eating sushi with some close friends can be a ritualistic, bonding affair, a relaxing way to wind down and let the week’s chaos dissolve like wasabi into soy sauce. Takara Japanese Restaurant, located on Lakeside Avenue, is the perfect way to dine before venturing out to explore the downtown Coeur d’Alene nightlife.

I remember when Takara first opened its doors many moons ago – 1992 to be exact. Sushi in Idaho? What a shock! I’d imagine that at the time, a very miniscule percentage of locals had ever even tried sushi. My family certainly never did. Raw fish? I don’t think so. We were meat and potatoes kind of people, none of that frou-frou California stuff. In fact, it wasn’t until I was in college that I was invited to tag along with a few new friends for lunch at Takara. I really wanted to be cool and make a good impression on these folks and didn’t let on that my tummy was making flippy-floppy at the mere thought. I knew I was just going to have to go for it.

So I watched the others do the ritual: pour a little soy sauce in the cute little dish, take some of the green stuff and stir it in with your chopstick. Gingerly pick up the piece with your sticks and dip it carefully in the sauce and pop it in your mouth! I held the big, pink slab of raw salmon meat and seasoned rice under my nose for moment: Wait! No fishy smell at all! And in my mouth it went. The first thing that hit me was the intense flavor of the wasabi. The fish itself didn’t seem to have a strong taste at all, certainly tasting nothing like the deep-briny fish taste I was expecting. No, it was very mild and the texture was buttery and delightful. I did it! I tried a piece of the spider roll and was surprised that I even liked the flavor of the nori (seaweed), another food I would have never thought would ever make it past my gullet.

Since then, Takara has been a regular haunt of mine. I love the authnticity and ambience of the small curtained-off private dining booths (wear clean socks – shoes have got to come off to sit in there). The waitresses are always prompt, friendly, brunette and gorgeous. In all the years, I’ve dined there, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a snarly server. The only occasional flub has been when the entrees are served long before the sushi makes it to the table, but I’ve come to learn this is a fairly normal thing for a sushi place. Sushi is a fine art that takes time, and the knife masters at Takara have never disappointed this hungry customer.

Normally a small Nigiri assortment is enough to satisfy me – this platter usually includes the classics: unagi (eel), hamachi (yellowtail), sake (salmon), ebi (shrimp), maguro (tuna), and tamago (scrambled egg), along with a spicy tuna roll. If the mere thought of actual sushi turns you the color of a ripe avocado, there are certainly other options on the menu. Their Teriyaki Chicken is legendary, so tender and juicy and dripping with thick, tangy sauce. Also craveworthy is the Tonkatsu, which is a fried, breaded pork loin served with ketchupy katsu sauce. Friends from Seattle and elsewhere have told me the best Tempura shrimp and vegetables they’ve ever had was from here. Meals come with the extra benefit of miso soup, a green salad with gingery dressing, and plenty of white rice. If you still possibly have room, they offer several specialty desserts inluding the magical green tea ice cream.

You will leave full, but you will walk some of it off on the way to your first night spot of the evening – by the time you get there you’ll be ready to have a cocktail and watusi the night away.

Other Reviews:

"More Than Just Raw Fish" - Spokane 7

Taste Everything Once

Steve's Gastronomic Page

Trip Advisor

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Eat

Local Restaurant Listings and Dining Guides

Got a grumble in the tummy of your very soul? Hankering for that certain something to slide across your tongue and into your gullet and heart? Whether you need a quick nibble or an all-day buffet, the below links ought to help give you some directional inspiration.

CDA Night Out

Dining Guide

Coeur d'Alene Visitors Bureau

Fine Dining 

Casual Dining 

Pubs and Grills 

Delis and Cafes
By the Lake

Dad's Diner
(Blog)

FYI North Idaho

The Guide to Dining

Go Northwest

Coeur d'Alene Dining Guide

Sandpoint Dining Guide

Sandpoint Online

Restaurant Search
List of All Restaurants

Explore Sandpoint Dining Guide

Sizzle'n Cuisine (Spokane/North Idaho Dining Magazine)

Urbanspoon

Coeur d'Alene
Sandpoint

Virtual Tourist

Cd'A Restaurants

Post Falls Restaurants

Cd'A Downtown Association Dining Guide 

Yelp Restaurants

Coeur d'Alene

Sandpoint

Post Falls
Kellogg

Get Out! North Idaho Reviews Archive

ATHOL

Country Boy Cafe

BONNERS FERRY
Panhandle Cafe

CATALDO

Mission Inn

COEUR D'ALENE

4th Street Pantry

Alejandro's Tacos

BajaBargarita

Bakery by the Lake 

Bardenay

Beachouse
Bonsai Bistro

Cafe Carambola

Cafe Chulo

Calypso's Coffee

Canton

Caruso's Deli

Chinese Gardens

Dairy Queen
Davis Donuts

Donut House

Down the Street

Dragon House

Eddie's Bar and Grill

Elmer's

Fiesta Mexicana

Fisherman's Market and Grill

Flaming Wok

Fort Ground Grill

Great Harvest Bread Company

Herbie's Deli Shop

Hudson's Hamburgers

Jamba Juice

JB's

Kelly's Irish Pub

Las Chavelas

Las Palmitas

Longboard Burgers

Mexican Food Factory

Michael D's

Moon Time

Nina Mary's

Nosworthy's

Hall of Fame

O'Shays

Old World Confections

Olive Garden
Original Mongolian BBQ

Panda Express

Paul Bunyan

Peterson's Deli

Pho Thanh

Pilgrim's Market

Pita Pit

Red Robin

Rockin' Robin Cafe

Roger's Ice Cream and Burgers

Santorini's

Schlotzsky's Deli

Taco Time

Taco Works
Takara

Teriyaki Tiki

Thai Bamboo

The Breakfast Nook

The High Nooner

The Office Bar and Grill

The Olympia

Tomato Street

Top of China Buffet

Valentino's Pizza and Subs

Zip's Drive In

HAYDEN

Blue Plate Cafe

Caruso's Deli

Jamba Juice

Noodle Express

Owl Cafe

Paupau's Kitchen

Rustler's Roost

Susie's Bar and Grill

The Porch

Zip's Drive In

HAUGAN, MT
Lincoln's $10,000 Silver Dollar Bar

KELLOGG
Noah's Canteen

Sunshine Inn

Wah Hing

LIBBY, MT

Antler's

MURRAY

Sprag Pole Inn

PINEHURST

The Tall Pine

PLUMMER

Gateway Cafe

POST FALLS

Caruso's Deli

Dairy Queen

Famous Willies BBQ

Flying J Travel Plaza

Golden Dragon

KC's Breakfast Club

Mallard's

Milltown Grill

Nate's New York Pizza

White Pines Cafe (Cabela's)

Zip's Drive In

RATHDRUM

Burger Heaven

Wah Hing

Zip's Drive In

SANDPOINT

5th Avenue Restaurant 

Connie's Cafe

Jalapenos

Zip's Drive In

SPIRIT LAKE

Hideaway Cafe

9 Easy Questions

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

9 Easy Questions: Adam Bennett

I met Mr. Bennett when we worked together at Coldwater Creek helping crabby ladies order ugly dupioni silk skirts and Kokopelli wall hangings. Thankfully, we've both moved on to bigger and better things, and Adam is currently readying a new downtown storefront for Aha! Creative Group, his graphic design studio, whose mission is summed up nicely on their website as "We bring fresh perspective to your business image, and specialize in coaxing information out of business owners- whether we make you sketch it, mold it out of clay or pick 20 words to describe the look you’re after with your business in Coeur d’Alene".

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

The delicious Miss Jesi Gaboury, aka Jesi B. of Cd'A's hottest funk setup, Jesi B. & the All-Rites has a voice that combines the power soul of Aretha with the modern grit of Alicia Keys. She could sing the boring old stock market reports, and it would be completely captivating. Heck, she could even get away with singing the CDA Press and make it actually sound deep and meaningful, and that's really saying something. Her and the boys have been busy little beavers lately. They recently recorded a live set for KCDA 103.1's Local Lounge, which will be up and streaming on the stations website soon. They're also setting the roof of the Cd'A Brewing Co.on fire with a show on Friday, February 19. Can't wait? Go see Jesi hosting a karaoke show either at Willie's Bar or Baja Bargarita. Her appearances are random but so worth it. Jesi was super-duper enough recently to let us know what local food and drink situations put the Rites behind her All.

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.