Recently Reviewed

by Inlander Staff & r & Liberty Caf & eacute; -- This haven in the Liberty Building fills the bill quite nicely for sustenance when shopping in downtown Spokane. Homemade chicken soup (dumplings and all at $2.50 a cup) is savory and reminiscent of Grandma's with an Asian hint. The vegetable curry with chicken ($8) is an aromatic and nicely spicy dish. Don't pass up dessert. Fudgy brownies, macadamia cookies and many other pastries and baked goods will satisfy your sweet tooth. 404 W. Main St., 747-6449. (Reviewed 12/22/05, SH)





Caf & eacute; Marron -- From the folks behind Luna, Cafe Marron took over the little spot in Browne's Addition previously occupied by the Cannon Street Grill. The name means "brown" in Spanish -- probably a reference to "Browne's" Addition. It's nice to see a wide price range -- three gourmet sandwich offerings check in at the $10 mark. For dinner, I had the Duck Confit ($19), which was served on a bed of lentils, with a neat little green apple-celery relish and just a hint of mint. And the linguine with cherry tomatoes and squash ($12) was a warm and garlicky delight. 144 S. Cannon St., 456-8660 (Reviewed 12/8/05, LM)





La Katrina -- You know a Mexican restaurant's the real deal when the menu features brain and tongue on its first page. The rest of the menu at La Katrina is more standard fare, but with one difference -- it's long. The seafood selection goes beyond one dish dubiously labeled Mariscos a la whatever. Instead, you get salmon tacos and tiger prawns with mushrooms. The gastronomes who crowd the restaurant's spacious front dining room every day at lunch would attest that it's a neighborhood favorite. 510 S. Freya St., 535-4263 (Reviewed 12/1/05, JPS)





Wall Street Diner -- Just north of the Garland District, the Wall Street Diner delivers with comfort food in a cozy, upscale atmosphere. The hot turkey sandwich is reminiscent of a day-after-Thanksgiving meal. House-roasted turkey, honest-to-goodness mashed potatoes and savory gravy make this a meal not to miss. Milkshakes and malts are the real thing, starting with thick ice cream and ending with a cherry on top. Desserts from the Europa Bakery are a definite indulgence -- fresh-baked pies and cobblers oozing with fruit. 4428 N. Wall, 325-4730 (Reviewed 11/17/05, SH)


the first quarter and then just sit there for the rest of the game. You graze throughout. Get the Pitcher's Mound - a stack of nachos the size of a large, sleeping cat - and you'll never go hungry again. 1221 N. Howard St., 327-9790. (Reviewed 11/10/05, JPS)





A Taste of Thai -- In a colorfully decorated storefront next to Calvary Chapel in the Fairwood Shopping Center, A Taste of Thai (open for 10 years, but under new management) serves Asian food that passes the Pad Thai test: These noodles were garnished with seven fresh ingredients. The spring rolls, moreover, were flaky and fine. Try the Goong Obe Woon Sen (stir-fried prawns) and the Gaeng Garee Gai (chicken cooked in a light yellow curry sauce along with coconut milk and potatoes), both in the $9-$10 range. 419 W. Hastings Road, 466-3335. (Reviewed 10/13/05, MB)





Java on Sherman -- This Sherman icon has anchored the downtown district for 11 years now, and its renaissance d & eacute;cor and comfy couch give it a cozy feel. You can get lunch and breakfast here, with the Java Benedict (a bagel with ham, eggs, Hollandaise sauce and cracked pepper) and Java huevos (two steamed eggs with cheese served over beans, with sides of salsa, sour cream and tortillas) being the local favorites. And don't miss the Bowl of Soul -- a blend of coffee, espresso, Mexican chocolate and steamed milk. 324 Sherman Ave., CdA, (208) 667-0010. (Reviewed 10/13/05, SH)





Salty Dog -- At the Salty Dog in Deer Park, the Quonset hut exterior belies a warm, wood-paneled sports bar inside, and the fried fish is some of the best around. It's a straightforward pub menu -- fish and chips, popcorn shrimp, burgers, steaks -- with extra care and attention to detail. During fishing season, they use fresh halibut, hand-cut and dipped in a light batter, then served with tartar sauce made fresh on the premises. The burgers are hand-formed with extra lean ground beef from Eggers Meats. The atmosphere can be vaguely David Lynchean, but, hey, sometimes lunch should be more than just lunch. 718 S. Main, Deer Park, 276-1990 (Reviewed 10/27/05, AC)





Chic A Ria -- Located at Five Mile Shopping Center, Chic A Ria has a large menu with a bunch of home-style faves -- Sauerbraten, Jaeger schnitzel and a whole lot of pork. Chic A Ria has a friendliness that's infectious. From babies and children to older folks looking forward to a good chicken-fried steak, Chic A Ria has something to appeal to every palate. 812 W. Francis, 326-2214 (Reviewed 10/13/05, LM)





Ferguson's -- This little diner next door to the famed Milk Bottle on Garland brings in all kinds of people -- bottle-eyed tourists on an afternoon stroll, gushing teen girls looking to sit right where Johnny Depp did during the filming of Benny & amp; Joon, locals looking to cash in on the diner's self-proclaimed "best breakfast in Spokane." All are rewarded, but none more than the latter. Ferguson's fixes up a mean smoked sausage omelet. The biscuits and gravy alone warrant return visits. They do lunch, too. But nothing beats a quiet, weekday morning at one of Garland Avenue's fave eateries. 804 W. Garland, 325-3482. (Reviewed 10/13/05, JS)





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 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 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 4/7/05, MC)





Empyrean Coffee Shop and Caf & eacute; -- Featuring Shop coffee, Fery's food and Sweetwater breads Empyrean (in the old Luminaria space) serves quick foods and beverages in a sophisticated yet warm and inviting atmosphere. The sandwiches are $5.50, salads, $3.95. There are mini pizza bagels (with pepperoni, sausage or veggie) for $2.50 and a selection of amazing-looking desserts. The sausage-and-cheese-stuffed bagel pocket was heated panini-style and served with Fery's famous chicken and spinach pasta salad. 154 S. Madison St. Call: 456-3676 (Reviewed 6/23/05, MC)


Latah Bistro -- Just south of town along Hwy 95 is where you'll find the Latah Bistro, a new neighborhood restaurant featuring the appetizers, salads, pizzas and pastas are anything but ordinary. The entrees include salmon and a pork tenderloin grilled brochettes over lemon-oregano risotto, feta cheese and spinach ($19). The pan-roasted duck breast with roasted cabbage, mashed potatoes and pomegranate puree ($21) was delightful. 4241 S. Cheney-Spokane Road Call: 838-8338. (Reviewed 4/28/05, LM)





El Gallo Giro -- El Gallo Giro is fast food in the only way you want food to be fast -- that is, rapidly prepared. You sacrifice nothing in terms of quality or authenticity. Lots of choices and cheerful service, too. The Gallo Giro tacos (in a rice and beans combo for $6.50) are terrific: tender seasoned meat (your choice) in delicate white corn tortillas with a squirt of lime and a drizzle of freshly made hot sauce. The carne asada burrito ($4.50) is big, dusted with cheese and bathed in a rich red enchilada sauce. 305 S. Thor St. 535-0142 (Reviewed 4/21/05, MC)





the Globe Bar and Grill -- The Globe's pub grub is a cut above with a menu featuring French, Jamaican, Greek, American, Spanish and Italian dishes along with a good selection of good ol' Northwest microbrews. The menu has seven salads, from Caesar to Ginger Peach Shrimp. Four creamy pasta dishes. A page and a half of sandwiches (the French Dip, the Jamaican Jerk Pork) and burgers. The muffuletta sandwich ($9.25) was big, stacked thick with ham and spicy salami along with a little tomato and lettuce to wet the palate and slathered all over with an exquisite olive tapenade on thick, lightly toasted foccaccia. Divine. 204 N. Division. Call: 744-0438 (reviewed 4/14/05, JS)