Scott Poole grew up in north Spokane, but after living on the South Hill with his wife Lisa, he realized he missed his former neighborhood. So this month the couple opened Poole’s Public House on Hastings Road as a way to come back north.
“We’ve wanted our own place forever,” Poole says.
For four years, Poole managed The Q at Northern Quest Casino, so he’s used to running a restaurant and bar, only now he does it for himself.
“I wanted something that is a combination of a neighborhood pub that has good food and cold beer — a comfortable place to sit down and enjoy yourself,” Poole says.
Part of the comfort comes from a reservable couched area with its own big screen, named “Templeton’s Press Box” for the Pooles’ lifelong friends and co-owners of the restaurant.
Poole created a menu full of the sort of items that he likes, cooked how he likes them. It’s all made to order and done without too much reliance on a deep fryer.
The “Upfront Pub Grub” part of the menu has items like stuffed jalapenos ($6) grilled and filled with herb-seasoned cream cheese. We tried the Devils on Horseback ($7.50), an English recipe of dates marinated in soy ginger, stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon. You get a sweet coating of brown sugar on your lips and a satisfying slight crunch with each bite.
Among traditional meal choices are Bangers and Mash ($13) and Myrna’s English Po Boy ($13). The menu continues with steaks, salads, fish tacos and sandwiches.
Poole’s family is originally from England, so to go with some of the English eats there are 10 English brews, including Hobgoblin and Old Speckled Hen. Many Northwest brands can also be found on the lengthy beer list, which features 50 bottles and 12 taps.
The full bar, handmade by a local artist, features curvy alder and black walnut wood that makes up the bar counter. The wood also provides an arty addition of pillars and shelving behind the bar. It’s one of the elements that Poole says he hopes will set his pub apart.
Poole’s Public House • 101 E. Hastings Road • Open Sun-Thu, 11 am-11 pm; Fri-Sat, 11 am-midnight • poolespublichouse.com • 413-1834
