315 Martinis and Tapas Located in the historic Greenbriar Inn, 315 Martinis and Tapas is an elegant yet casual answer to fine dining. Open at 3:15 pm Tuesday through Saturday, small plates feature everything from sesame-encrusted yellowfin tuna to coconut curry shrimp and a bruschetta that's hard to beat. In the summer, the outdoor seating is the place to be. The cold months mean snuggling up for bites by the fireplace — not a bad option, either. 315 Wallace Ave., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-667-9660
Beverly's Beverly's unparalleled, panoramic views of Lake Coeur d'Alene, combined with cosmopolitan décor, attentive service and a wine cellar boasting more than 14,000 bottles, make for an elegant dining experience worthy of a special celebration. The half-dozen fresh shucked oysters are an amazing prelude to dinner or companion to drinks. 115 S. Second St., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 800-688-4142
The Black Cypress The Black Cypress is dream-like, filled with mirrors and Edison lights, funky recycled metal fixtures against 100-year-old exposed brick. The menu tightropes between old world and new, reflecting the agricultural bounty of the Palouse while maintaining decidedly Mediterranean roots. With Greek-style meat sauce and mizithra cheese, the Kima is divinely aromatic. The Pasta pomodoro is light with fresh tomatoes and basil, olive oil and Parmesan. 215 E. Main St., Pullman • Wash. • 334-5800
The Cellar Adam Hegsted is back at the helm of The Cellar, not just as a chef, but now as the owner. Hegsted quickly revamped the menu toward shared plates, similar to The Wandering Table, his popular Kendall Yards eatery. Bites and Tastes are designed to share. Order dishes like Honey Roasted Chicken Confit or Northwest Paella. Or better yet, opt for the chef's tasting menu. Tell the chef how much you'd like to spend per person, and then let him guide your meal. 317 E. Sherman Ave., Coeur d'Alene • Idaho • 208-664-9463"
Clover The quaint location in a refurbished, turn-of-the-century Craftsman bungalow is enough to draw diners inside, but the award-winning cocktails and a menu of local ingredients will keep them coming back again. Herbs are grown in an on-site greenhouse, and almost everything is made from scratch, including the bread used in all of Clover's dishes. Bakery items are also offered for purchase to savor at home. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are highlighted on the ever-changing menu depending on the time of year, but for dessert you really should try the melt-in-your-mouth orangesicle cake. 913 E. Sharp Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 487-2937
Fleur de Sel Expect exquisite French cuisine, without exorbitant prices or snooty service, at this gracious restaurant perched above Post Falls. Chef and co-owner Laurent Zirotti went to cooking school in the French Alps, but after living here for 20 years, some Northwest influences shine through in his cooking. Fleur de Sel changes its menus seasonally, but the best time to visit is in the summer when you can dine on their cozy, sun-drenched patio with views of the Highlands golf course and the surrounding mountains. 4365 E. Inverness Dr., Post Falls • Idaho • 208-777-7600
Hay J's Bistro While the exterior of Hay J's may not inspire romantic fantasies, once you're inside, you'll see why we suggest that Hay J's makes it into your rotation of date-night restaurants. This intimate bistro with low lights and flickering candles has a wine list that boasts approximately 100 choices and a menu that features steaks, lamb, pasta and risottos, but seafood remains the most popular genre. 21706 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake • Wash. • 926-2310
Luna Up on the far southern edge of Spokane's South Hill, Luna hides in a mostly residential pocket off 57th Street, but don't let its lower visibility keep you from finding this gem. The natural-light-filled restaurant offers a seasonal, scratch-made and local-ingredient-focused menu, not unlike its regional counterparts. Though it offers favorites like wood-fired pizza made in an oven imported from Naples, Italy, Luna also caters to those with gluten sensitivities. In the summer, don't miss the chance to sit on Luna's beautifully shaded patio. 5620 S. Perry St., Spokane • Wash. • 448-2383
Max at Mirabeau Date night in the Spokane Valley often means a trip to Max at Mirabeau, the Valley's answer to fine dining. They pride themselves on creating innovative cuisine with the freshest locally sourced ingredients they can find. For that, Max at Mirabeau has been awarded with a slew of awards at Epicurean Delight and has earned a faithful following that extends well beyond Spokane Valley. 1100 N. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley • Wash. • 922-6252
Mizuna Sit underneath the twinkly lights in Mizuna's urban courtyard framed by old brick buildings, and you can almost pretend you're dining in an outdoor café in Paris. Originally a vegetarian restaurant, Mizuna now meets the needs of vegans and omnivores with a creative menu full of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. 214 N. Howard St., Spokane • Wash. • 747-2004
Palm Court Grille What's more romantic than basking in the palatial grandeur of the historic Davenport hotel? Enjoy a table for two by the fireplace in the lobby or enjoy the intimacy of the tall, private booths inside the Palm Court Grill. Their signature Crab Louis was created and made famous more than a century ago for hotelier Louis Davenport. Expect a traditional fine-dining menu of steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. The Historic Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St., Spokane • Wash. • 789-6848
Scratch Dining out at Scratch is a delightfully metropolitan experience. The long, narrow restaurant is flanked by exposed brick walls adorned with abstract art. White linen tablecloths and low light add to the ambiance. The cuisine is contemporary Northwest with a splash of Asian fusion. On a cold winter night, you can never go wrong with the Hot Pot: scallops, prawns, clams, fresh fish, andouille sausage, red peppers, onions and fingerling potatoes in a savory, spicy tomato broth. 1007 W. First Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 456-5656
Wild Sage American Bistro At Wild Sage, Executive Chef Charlie Connor wants everyone to be able to enjoy the restaurant's delicious dishes, and for diners to feel good about their choices from a health perspective, too. Connor is gluten-intolerant himself, so anyone with sensitivities can trust they'll be taken care of on that front. Aside from that, the creative, diverse and always-local menu ranges from coconut curry pasta to steaks and burgers. The one item at Wild Sage that you really must try at least once is the incredibly savory and creamy Yukon gold potato taquitos. 916 W. Second Ave., Spokane • Wash. • 456-7575
Safari Room The little sibling of the Davenport's Peacock Room, the Safari Room mimics the Gilded Age splendor of the original while projecting a Hemingway-style masculinity. The drink menu is huge; the top-shelf selection is extensive. The food offerings span breakfast, lunch and dinner; as you'd expect from The Davenport, the quality is exceptional. The Davenport Hotel, 111 S. Post St., Spokane • Wash. • 789-6800
