Recently Reviewed

The Inlander Staff & r & & r & The Viking Tavern & lt;BR & & lt;BR & Whether you want classic breakfast or something from the lunch menu, the Viking aims to please with its new Saturday morning breakfast lineup. The breakfast menu consists of four items -- meat (bacon or sausage) and eggs, a breakfast sandwich, a breakfast burrito or an omelet, priced at $4 with additional ingredients available for $1 each. It's basic, it's breakfast, and it's at a bar -- and sometimes that's all you really need. But you can also order off the regular lunch menu, greatly expanding the available offerings. The sandwiches ($6-$10) are big and just as good at breakfast as at lunch. And if they've got bacon cheeseburger chowder, go for it. Service is prompt, friendly and comfortable without being pushy. As befits the general comfort level at the Viking, we lingered long after our meals were done. 1221 N. Stevens St., 326-2942 (AC)





Nosworthy's


The glossy laminated menu warns, "VERY, VERY LARGE PORTIONS!" above the breakfast listings, and it's truth in advertising. The Breakfast Special ($5.45) is one of the smaller combos -- two pancakes, two slices of bacon and two eggs -- and it sounds manageable, but these cakes are substantial, the size of hubcaps, made with a rich eggy batter. The fancy hashbrowns ($3.50), topped with smoky bacon, tangy cheddar and colorful green onion, are a delight. All of the omelets begin with three eggs -- except the Logger Four-Egg. The Blitz omelet ($8.75) fills those three eggs with German sausage, mushrooms, tomato and "Swiss" cheese, all topped with avocado and sour cream. This exact omelet with actual Swiss -- or lacking cheese at all -- would have been damn near perfect. Nosworthy's doesn't take plastic, so be prepared to pay cash for all that food. 4045 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, (208) 664-6161 (AC)





SOULFUL SOUPS


This cozy downtown eatery has it all -- comforting soups, salad bar, sandwiches and beverages ensconced in an historic building with a contemporary interior. Soulful Soups offers a variety of homemade soups, making return trips necessary. The potato chowder is a riot of flavor -- with sweet potato and Indian spices in a creamy base. Don't pass up the tasty house-made beer bread. Owner Makayla Hamilton offers up to six soups daily: Chicken noodle, split pea, clam chowder and cheesy broccoli are comforting favorites, while taco, pizza, Italian sausage tortellini, cioppino and mulligatawny offer international flair. Shrimp bisque, smoked salmon chowder, meatball goulash and cheesy potato asparagus are different takes on more familiar soups. Service is cafeteria-style, quick and efficient. But get there early for a soulful bowlful -- often the restaurant runs out of soup before closing at 3 pm. 117 N. Howard St., 459-1190. (SH)





PERCY'S CAF & Eacute; AMERICANA


An inviting atmosphere, good food and fast service make this locally owned Spokane Valley restaurant a perennial favorite. Weekend three-course dinners for two ($32) feature special dishes, like medallions of beef with cabernet wild-mushroom demi-glace. Homestyle bread (from dill to orange-spice) plus soup or salads accompany entrees. The Broadway pea salad is a wonderful blend of flavors and textures. Iron-grilled salmon ($16) is tender and accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes (the real thing) and crunchy saut & eacute;ed veggies. Penne pasta with chicken and roasted garlic cream is flavorful and light. Choose from a variety of wines by the glass or bottle. And don't forget dessert -- moist carrot cake or indulgent mud pie. 10502 E. Sprague, 924-6022 (SH)