Bloglander

Not that Spokane needs any validation from outsiders — really! we don't! — but it's always nice when someone from outside the region recognizes the inherent awesomeness of the Inland Northwest.

Case in point: this new feature on Food & Wine magazine's website about the wonders of our food and beer scene. The writer, David Landsel, hems and haws a bit about the city's rough reputation before getting to the good stuff and pointing out that the food and drink scene is "so much better than most visitors will be expecting."

"You'll find a great little scene in Spokane," Landsel writes. "Plenty of source-conscious, farm-to-table dining, great farmers markets, not to mention a whole slew of the sort of coffee shops, craft breweries and urban wineries you'd hope to find in this part of the world."

He goes on to name-check Steel Barrel Taproom, the Wandering Table and Barrister Winery, among other Spokane spots.

You can read the entire piece here.