Recently Reviewed

by Inlander Staff


Coeur d'Alene Brew Pub -- The dozen (or more) Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company ales are distinctive and clean tasting. To go along with all those cool pints, the comfortable CdA brewpub has a diverse and interesting menu featuring salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, even fish tacos. The $8.50 Alehouse Sandwich -- made with quality ingredients like sliced turkey breast, bacon, provolone, lettuce, red onion and roasted pepper aioli on sourdough -- is hefty and satisfying. The $11 fish and chips (coated in Lakeside Ale-spiked batter), however, are so-so. A pleasant atmosphere and good service come standard. Corner of Second Street and Lakeside Avenue, Coeur d'Alene. Call (208) 664-2739 (Reviewed 7/7/05, MC)





Maggie's Grill -- Maggie's seat-yourself, order-at-the-counter style of dining adds a new twist to South Hill neighborhood dining. The menu includes a little bit of everything: sandwiches, wraps, salads and hot entrees like lasagna, chicken pot pie, flat iron steak, roasted honey ginger chicken and broiled lemon shrimp skewers. The Thai chicken noodle ($11) was quite pleasant and spicy with a rich, tangy peanut sauce, thick noodles, grilled chicken and crispy cabbage slaw that added texture and coolness. The pan-seared ahi tuna ($15) -- encrusted with black sesame seeds and served with wasabi aioli -- was also very tasty. The timing between salad and main entr & eacute;e course was off, but the owner made up for it with complimentary desserts. 2808 E. 29th Ave. Call 536-4745. (Reviewed 3/31/05, LM)





Anthony's Homeport -- Anthony's has brought its Seattle style to Spokane, settling into one of the best spots in town, the former Satly's above the Spokane Falls. Seafood and freshwater fish dominate the menu. The $23 Northwest Duet (wild king salmon in a sweet pepper beurre blanc and Alaskan halibut) was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The $25 yellow fin ahi was marinated in a ginger soy sauce, chargrilled medium rare and served with homemade pineapple chutney. Soup or a salad is included with all dinners. Service is capable though not, as yet, outstanding. Reservations recommended. 510 N. Lincoln St. Call: 328-9009 (Reviewed 10/28/04, LM)





Bonsai Bistro -- The Bonsai Bistro (housed in a renovated concrete building just across the street from the Coeur d'Alene resort) is a fun restaurant with a cool concept and pan-Asian foods that range from mild and comfortable to fiery and stylish. The interior is understated, with warm earth tones complementing the chic lighting. The ginger chicken and broccoli ($12) is lovely, with the bright green steamed broccoli ringing the plate around a mound of tender chicken in a delicate ginger sauce. The crispy beef Szechuan ($13) is hot and tingly, with lots of julienne carrots and celery, green onions and bean sprouts in a spicy sweet and sour soy sauce. Service by the helpful staff is excellent. 101 Sherman Ave., CdA Call: (208) 765-4321 (Reviewed 9/30/04, LM)





Twigs Bistro -- Twigs offers food and atmosphere that manages to transcend commonly held food court dining conceptions. The lunch menu of the day offers an array of intriguing and competitively priced choices, including sandwiches and wraps ($5-$6), soups, salads, topped baked potatoes, combos and a section called "hot off the grill" where you choose among seven options (battered fish, cheeseburger deluxe, crispy chicken sandwich, ham and Swiss melt, etc.) and get fries and a 16 oz. soda in the deal for $5.95. The Chicken Caesar Wrap with chips ($5.50) was a winning mixture of tender chicken, romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes and artichoke hearts with tangy Caesar dressing in a basil flour tortilla. Delicious and surprisingly filling. 808 W. Main Ave. in River Park Square. Call 232-3376. (MC)





Moxie -- Moxie is back with a sophisticated new look and location, with a menu that features Chef Ian Wingate's signature fusion creations, which lean toward the Asian: wok-seared spiced orange stir-fry and coconut jasmine rice available with steak ($12), ahi tuna ($12) chicken ($10) duck ($12) tofu and eggplant ($10) and prawns ($14). Sweet ginger-glazed Rogue River salmon ($18) and sesame seed seared yellow fin tuna ($18) are also on the menu. And fear not, for good ol' American cuisine (charbroiled chipotle-glazed meatloaf ($14) with mashed potatoes) is represented. The flat iron steak ($16) was a succulent success, cooked as ordered, with a delicate miso teriyaki glaze and sweet chili-glazed vegetables. 816 W. Sprague. Call: 456-3594. (Reviewed 8/19/04, LM)





Rocky Rococo -- Rocky Rococo has been serving Spokane's pizza needs for 18 years, and here's why: The location and atmosphere are great, the pies are uniquely tasty deep-dish numbers, the staff is cheerful and the salad bar is probably the best you'll find downtown. For lunch, the unlimited salad bar for $6 is a good option but so is the #3 special (a regular slice of your choice with a trip to the salad bar and a medium soda) at $6.39. A "slice" here is a sturdy rectangular slab of crunchy-chewy crust topped with a sweet and tangy sauce, melted cheese, and your choice of toppings. We recommend the Uncle Sal's. 520 W. Main Ave. Call 747-1000. (Reviewed 3/10/05, MC)





Publication date: 04/14/04