by Inlander Staff
HuHot Mongolian Grill -- HuHot takes the Mongolian Grill concept to new heights, putting diners in charge of selecting ingredients. The centerpiece of the dining room is a big circular grill where white-toqued grillmasters await your orders. Dinners ($11) include soup or salad and as many trips through the grill line as you care to make. Fill up a colorful bowl with uncooked ingredients (meats, vegetables and noodles) and a myriad of sauces, and the chefs-in-waiting will cook up your creations. Service is pleasant but inexper-ienced and there are a few cleanliness issues to address. 11703 E. Sprague. Call: 891-871. (Reviewed 5/19/05, LM)
Latah Bistro -- Just south of town along Hwy 95 is where you'll find the Latah Bistro, a new neighborhood restaurant located in a strip mall across from a Tidyman's. The interior is surprisingly comfortable and chic. And 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)
Kim Do Vietnamese Restaurant -- Kim Do makes it easy to enjoy authentically prepared Vietnamese dishes -- and great service, too. The family-run restaurant is cheerful, very tidy and spotlessly clean. Menu items include appetizers, noodle soups, rice dishes, noodle dishes and can be ordered by number. The fresh spring rolls (2 for $2.50) are terrific, translucent rolls filled with shrimp, noodles and vegetables and served with peanut sauce. The Pho Ga noodle soup ($5.50) is satisfying, but the real slam dunk may be the bun thit nu'ong cha gio ($6), a diverse rice vermicelli noodle dish with grilled sliced pork, deep-fried egg rolls, bean sprouts and lettuce. 2018 N. Hamilton St. Call: 487-7700 (9/2/04, MC)
Northern Lights -- The Northern Lights brewpub's d & eacute;cor is spacious and inviting. The menu offers traditional pub grub with a sophisticated spin and some of the cleanest-tasting microbrewed beer in the Northwest brewed right on-site. The Andouille sausage and mushroom fettuccini ($9.95) was excellent and festive with lean, flavorful sausage slices in a creamy sauce that was rich but not overdone, while the Hellfire Burger ($7.95) featured a full 1/3-pound lean Angus beef patty with provolone cheese, caramelized onions, fresh red onions, tomato and lettuce on an onion bun. It was substantial and very, very spicy. 1003 E. Trent Ave. Call 242-2739. (MC)
Publication date: 05/26/05