"We try to go above and beyond our guests' expectations for level of service and food quality," says general... Full Story

What would it take for Spokane to become known as a good restaurant town? C'mon, it's not that far outside the realm of possibility. We love to talk about restaurants here at The Inlander, because, well we're notorious food hounds, but also because we appreciate the atmospheric alchemy that takes place when good... Full Story

"It was a long journey to get back," says owner Marty Hogberg. "We were out of business two years, three months and four days. But people didn't forget... Full Story

So here's the proof: Nothing beats all-you-can-eat fries! Actually, the so-called "home of the smiling burger" winning this category may also have something to do with the great variety Red Robin's kids' menu puts forth. We think too many restaurants trot out the same old... Full Story

The secret's out. Some of us here at The Inlander thought we were the only ones who knew about the DONUT PARADE on North Hamilton. But there it was on Suzanne Stone's ballot for "Best Donuts." Seems she's loved the maple bars at... Full Story

It's no surprise that Clinkerdaggers is Spokane's favorite restaurant for fine dining and place to celebrate special occasions. For the fourth year in a row, the upscale eatery in the historic turn-of-the-century... Full Story

The population density might drop a little on the North Idaho side of State Line, but you'd hardly know it by the looks of all the excellent restaurants over here. And in the microbrewing department, North Idaho is more than holding its own. The Coeur d'Alene Brewing Co. was... Full Story

What makes one espresso hut stand out from the zillion or so others that are out there? Furthermore, how does one such hut manage to repeat the feat year after freaking year? Speed? Great service? Co-owner Paul Jacob says it's no accident. "A lot of it is being conscious of quality, and also the better training of... Full Story

by Pia Hansen
Can you name an attraction that's geared toward both adults and children, considered a great tourist draw (therefore a boon for the local economy) and an exceptional learning tool all at the same time? It's a science center, and we think it's about time Spokane gets its act together and builds one on the newly acquired... Full Story

Always on the lookout for tips on where to go for family fun, we noticed Ron Hall's ballot featured a lot of great local spots, especially in the family category. Full Story

Though many of you answered this question with "grandma," "mom" or "home," the reality is that parents often depend on daycare centers while they are out earning the dough. Among those, KinderCare, which has been in Spokane for 17 years, was a clear winner. The five... Full Story

Even the people who work there admit the pizza is mostly for the adults. The main attraction is Chuck, or Chuck E., as he's known among friends. This giant, friendly, furry mouse has hugged his way through thousands of kids since he opened a restaurant chain in 1978, and he is still going strong. Full Story

Nick Heil is a legend around our office, partly because he was able to keep about five people on the phone at the same time (not a bad skill for a journalist), but mostly because he was part of this outfit since the very beginning, back in 1993.... Full Story

Schweitzer won an undeniable edge over any other resort in our area, and that edge has been sharpened further since the resort came under new ownership. Though downhill skiing is the main draw — along with snowboarding — the resort also has 30 kilometers of daily groomed trails for cross... Full Story

One voter in our balloting had a hard time looking past the artsy North Idaho town of Sandpoint. Tara Lee chose a winner from her hometown in almost every category. The Sandpoint resident loves the area so much that she's willing to commute to her nursing job in Spokane.... Full Story

Timon Behan made the mountain come to him. Combining 33,000 pounds of steel beams, countless sheets of plywood, just as many handholds and 16,000 hand-drilled holes in the wall, he set out to build a 40-foot, indoor mountain at his climbing gym, Wild Walls. He did have some help, and... Full Story

REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) is synonymous with the Pacific Northwest — and it's the first place many professional as well as weekend hikers head for boots, gear and clothing. REI's drive to be the best outfitter there is spills over into the... Full Story

She teaches potential teachers how to teach. That's how Ann Teberg describes her job in the education department at Eastern Washington University. Still, this longtime teacher —and teacher of teachers — isn't sure why she was lifted above the hundreds of... Full Story

Casey Calvary is a name that will not be soon forgotten in Spokane — or around the country, for that matter. This is not because a Gonzaga Bulldog jersey bearing his number hangs in sports stores everywhere, although that doesn't hurt. It's more from his displays... Full Story

Walt Worthy is a businessman first and foremost. But as recent owners of the venerable Davenport Hotel have no doubt admitted, at least to themselves, it takes much more than a nose for numbers to successfully restore a beloved local... Full Story

Since 1990, when this Vancouver, Wash., native first joined the staff at KREM, Nadine Woodward has been a community favorite. Along with bringing the news into your living room every weeknight, Woodward has lent her support to a variety of community... Full Story

Oooh, nothing beats that "new furniture smell." Especially if it means your tattered, threadbare, dated, dog-haunted sectional is long gone, and in its place is a sleek, stylish leather couch or a gorgeous new sofa in the sophisticated new neutrals. If you're... Full Story

Let us be among the first to announce it: The official grand opening of the MAC will be Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001! And here in the Inland Northwest, we can't wait. The museum began the renovation process in June, 1999, making way for 43,300 square feet of new space and a $28 million capital expansion project.... Full Story

Jack Phillips has a one-track mind. He voted for the CIVIC THEATRE in the categories of "Best Customer Service," "Best Place to Meet Singles" and "Best Place to Meet Your Blind Date." Phillips, by the way, has been the executive director of the Civic for the past... Full Story

The Lorinda Knight Gallery is the kind of place Spokane has always needed, but we didn't know it until we saw how vital and accessible a contemporary arts gallery could be. And artist Lorinda Knight certainly didn't plan to become a gallery owner, at least not until a chance line in a newspaper article caught her... Full Story

It came and went just more than a year ago, but people are still talking about it. Phantom of the Opera, the Andrew Lloyd Webber, synthesizer-heavy, Beauty and the Beast tale of doomed love, stayed here a record five weeks. While the... Full Story

Ever since the Texas trio of Martie Seidel, Emily Robison and Natalie Maines hit the big-time scene, country music has never been the same. Their June 9 concert in the Spokane Arena last summer sold out weeks in advance, and the fact that the... Full Story

Like something plucked from an old Chicago neighborhood and plopped randomly in Coeur d'Alene, CAPONE'S (the No. 1 bar and live music club in North Idaho, as far as our readers are concerned), is perfectly out of place. It sits in a corner lot on North Fourth Street secluded from the tourist-infested... Full Story

Once again, the plush AMC 20 in River Park Square with its great sound, big screens and stadium seating you can stretch out in (heck, lie down in) gets to walk the runway with the crown for best movie house. Second placer, the NorthTown Regal... Full Story

Sure, it's cramped, dark and smoky. And it does get a might loud. But Ichabod's is a rock club, damn it. It's not pretty, but then again, it's not pretentious either. And it's one place where you'll never have to worry about running into your mom. Full Story

Jeff Johns is a no nonsense kind of guy. The 25-year-old's ballot responses were to the point, but showed a wry sense of humor. His vote for "Best Philanthropist": THAT GUY WHO BOUGHT A ROUND LAST NIGHT. Spokane's "Best Hot New Nightspot": THERE IS NOTHING NEW HERE.... Full Story

I pity the fool that got stuck counting this category. And though some responded to this one by claiming that there is no "best" karaoke in the area, many more must think otherwise — as witnessed by the four pages packed with votes for more than 70 different bars, taverns and restaurants. Still, one joint had to rise to the top.... Full Story

Derek Hall is a little embarrassed. When asked how it feels to be named "Best Bartender" by Inlander readers, he ducks his head slightly. "I find that to be funny. There's a lot of good bartenders out there. I could name a good 10 of them — guys that work a lot harder than I do." Full Story

This category we did get a few smart answers, like "in my back yard" and "from my deck," but we're not sure you'd like all of Spokane to hang out in your back yard every night. Some suggested "from my bedroom" and others simply said "outdoors" (duh!). As for High Drive being the premier... Full Story

Okay, so there are a lot of wisecracks that leap to mind when thinking about going to church to meet that special someone. And there are probably plenty of people out there recovering from an overly strict religious upbringing who cannot imagine darkening the doors of any religious... Full Story

During the loud and festive atmosphere at the Spokane Chiefs games, you won't only hear the score called out over the loudspeakers. A lot of people, as it turns out, like to propose marriage to their significant other during the games. Actually, so many would like to do... Full Story

Starbucks won with pretty close to a landslide as the best place for that scary, first, make-it-or-break-it date. There are certain advantages to meeting at a coffee house, such as the ability to quickly sneak out without ever making contact (that's kind'a hard to do if you invite your... Full Story

In this category, the winner along with the second and third place choices, are not exactly the most creative outbursts we've ever heard. For crying out loud, even the checker at Safeway says 'How you doin'?" while you unload your gallon of milk and five pounds of potatoes — does... Full Story

Back in the mid-1910s, when Spokane was booming and civic pride was bursting forth, city fathers hired the now-legendary firm of the Olmstead Brothers to plan a park system for the city. It was the same firm responsible for the "Emerald Necklace" of parks in Boston and... Full Story

People may put up with a lot to live here — potholes, Nazis, low-wage jobs, that meth lab next door — but there's a reason for the sacrifices we make. Primarily, people are proud to call this crazy... Full Story