Recently Reviewed

by Inlander Staff & r & & r & Hills' Restaurant and Lounge


The same neighborly attitude and atmosphere that made Hills' first restaurant a local classic has been transported to a new, airier home across from Auntie's Bookstore. Hills' still serves some of Spokane's most satisfying salads, including the succulent Southern Fried Chicken Salad ($9) with chunks of crunchy-breaded bird enlivened by a zingy mustard dressing. Chips made from local (Olsen Farm) potatoes can accompany any one of the 10 burgers or sandwiches, but the restaurant's premium offerings are the steaks. Serving Brandt True Natural Beef, Hills' offers diners a choice of six steak cuts ($10-$25) and 14 freshly made sauces ($1.50-$6) ranging from bistro (Gorgonzola) to cuisine (B & eacute;arnaise). And if the day's menu includes fresh sorbets or ice creams, save room -- Hills' makes them from scratch. 401 W. Main Ave., 747-3946 (MD)





Anthony's Midtown Bistro


Small is the new big at Coeur d'Alene's hot spot for tapas, with selections reminiscent of Barcelona: vegetables, like saut & eacute;ed mushrooms; seafood, such as grilled prawns; and meat, including beef tenderloin. Our coconut prawns ($10) were plump, lightly fried and accompanied by a vinegary-tart minted, fire-onion relish. The pan-fried oysters ($6) were topped with crispy pancetta for a hint of smoke and pepper, and the seared salmon steak ($8) was melt-in-your-mouth fresh, but the jalapeno guacamole topping was overpowering. And the lamb chops ($3) alone were worth the trip: Succulent chops coated in stone-ground mustard and crushed pistachio and cooked medium-rare. The cr & egrave;me brul & eacute;e trio (vanilla, creamy chocolate, and raspberry) is served in individual espresso cups ($6), and there's always cheesecake served New York style -- firm, creamy, a hint of lemon -- with cr & egrave;me en glaise and raspberry puree. 315 E. Walnut Ave., Coeur d'Alene, (208) 765-7723 (CS)





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), one of the smaller combos -- two pancakes, two slices of bacon and two eggs -- sounds manageable, but these cakes are the size of hubcaps and made with a rich eggy batter. The fancy hashbrowns ($3.50), topped with smoky bacon, tangy cheddar and colorful green onion, are a delight. The Blitz omelet ($8.75) combines German sausage, mushrooms, tomato and "Swiss" cheese, all topped with avocado and sour cream. 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)





P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO


The signature Chang's chicken in soothing lettuce wraps ($8) appetizer gave us hearty coarsely chopped chicken, water chestnuts, onions and mushrooms in a pleasantly sweet, dark sauce, wrapped in cool, crunchy iceberg lettuce, a perfect complement. The Cantonese roasted duck ($15) had just a bit of somewhat crisp skin left on; it could have been a little more moist, but the flavor was delightful. The Singapore street noodles ($9), al dente rice noodles with shrimp and chicken in a curry sauce, had a welcome spiciness and a fresh, airy quality. The Great Wall of Chocolate ($8) is a rich, six-layer cake sporting lots of silky chocolate frosting, an ample puddle of raspberry sauce -- and a waistband-popping 2,240 calories. Good thing we shared. 801 W. Main Ave., 456-2166 (LM)