Recently Reviewed

The Inlander Staff & r & & r & OISHII & r & & r & Inventiveness is a hallmark of chef Junior Solis, who designed the hip space, replete with contemporary d & eacute;cor like burnished raw steel, simulated black lacquer and pop-culture paintings of Japanese geisha and dragons. The updated menu features nearly a dozen new rolls, gyoza (fried pork potstickers) and Hawaiian poke, alongside sushi staples like nigiri (rice topped with fish/seafood) and sashimi (just the raw fish/seafood). Oishii's poke ($10) starred a fresh-tasting maguro (red-meat tuna known as bluefin), firm-textured with a zesty marinade of scallion, sesame oil, sesame seeds and sea salt. Plenty to share, it would make a pleasant lunch alongside seaweed salad ($5) and soup. The Oxygen roll ($12), one of many vegetarian offerings, combines asparagus, cucumber, avocado, seaweed salad, scallion and tofu with sesame seeds and lemon soy -- well-matched and refreshing flavors. Dinner at Oishii lives up to delicious expectations. 116 N. First Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, (208) 263-1406 (CS)





REFLECTIONS KAFFEE HAUS AND EATERY


Though Reflections occupies part of an almost-new building, it has the feel of an old deli, with big glass display cases showing off sandwiches and sweets from Just American Desserts and Sweetwater Bakery. There's even a game shelf from which you can grab a board game and play while you eat. My favorite sandwich is the Italian hero panini ($6.45) with ham, salami, pork, Gruy & egrave;re cheese, fire-roasted red peppers, red onion, tomato, baby arugula and a chipotle sauce. We're also fond of the pesto chicken panini ($6.45), which has many of the same non-meat ingredients as the Italian, with thinly sliced chicken breast in place of the other meats. You can order a bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut ($6) or a schnitzel sandwich ($8). Reflections also has a breakfast menu, offering pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos, bagels and panini. 618 W. Riverside Ave., Skywalk Level, 456-2323 (DN)





MADELEINE'S


Madeleine's is somehow light and airy and cozy simultaneously, with periwinkle walls, sun-gold trim and massive picture windows that look out on a busy street corner. The superbly balanced Doma espresso never misses a beat. At dinner (served Thursday-Saturday), the appetizers and entr & eacute;es are basically French comfort food, and it's all affordable luxury. The cheese plate ($9) surprised us with its scope and size -- apples, cured meats, four or five cheeses, fig jam and bread. The Steak au Poivre ($15) served steak filets on skewers atop a mound of frites, accompanied by an intensely rich gravy that perfectly highlighted the lean but flavorful beef. Each entr & eacute;e came with a proper little side salad of organic garden greens, lightly dressed. Desserts and baked goods are unrivaled in their freshness. Madeleine's really delivers that laid-back caf & eacute; experience. 707 W. Main Ave., 624-2253 (SN)





HANGAR 57


The Hangar features airplanes over moth-eaten jerseys or pennants, and frontlines its 57 martinis over keg nights, but it's definitely a sports bar. The menu's focus is the stone-roasted pizza -- make your own or pick from the menu, with options like margherita and Hawaiian, or more adventurous ones, like El Taco. The Buffalo chicken pizza, with slices of tender chicken bathed in Frank's Red Hot atop a thin crust slice, balanced piquant and vinegary hot sauce against the cheese and the agreeable crust. The grinder -- that's a sub sandwich -- with sausage and sweet cherry peppers was exceptional. And Hangar 57 has a pretty decent selection of rotating handles. Martinis and beer pong? Zucchini and prosciutto grinders? Frat boys and highbrows? Somehow Hangar 57 pulls it off. 2911 E. 57th Ave., 448-5707 (JS)





THE BEACON


Peering through the Beacon's floor-to-ceiling windows onto Sherman Avenue is a bit like watching television with the sound turned down. We contemplated healthy choices, like the Sunshine Salad -- shredded romaine, cotija cheese, fried plantains (OK, mostly healthy), spiced almonds, avocado and mango vinaigrette ($5) -- but opted for the lightly crispy jalape & ntilde;o-cream cheese wontons, with just the right amount of pepper heat ($7.50). Eight draft beers, from Guinness to Bud Light to local Laughing Dog, and 22 bottled choices gave a casual beer consumer like me plenty of options. The moist and flaky beer-battered fish and chips is easily the most affordable in North Idaho -- $8 for three and a half large chunks of fish -- and the tartar was sweet and bold with a hint of capers. The Beacon is a hip locale for tasty pub grub that's reasonably priced. 325 Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene, (208) 665-7407 (CS)