Recently Reviewed

The Inlander Staff & r & & r & OLIVE OILZ & r & & r & The d & eacute;cor at Olive Oilz doesn't scream Italian -- it's more Americana -- but the menu is all Mediterranean, from Spanish paella ($25) to pasta and a dozen enticing antipasti (appetizers). The soups are outstanding -- the creamy tomato vegetable soup with Gorgonzola and the rich creamy curried lentil alone are worth a visit. Among entr & eacute;es, the orzo pasta with chicken featured tender chunks of chicken in a lemon-basil cream sauce ($18). The New York strip steak with wild-mushroom Gorgonzola sauce ($22) arrived in bite-size pieces, and it was almost melt-in-your-mouth tender. The pasta with large prawns ($18) -- angel hair pasta in a tomato-saffron sauce with Italian sausage and prawns -- was amazing and popular. The homestyle crab cakes shared a plate with a small lettuce salad ($15), both topped with a subtle sun-dried tomato pesto. Two breads, baked in-house, accompanied the meal. We finished with a hopped-up, piece-of-pie-shaped brownie ($6.50), moist, with a crumbly top layer, drizzled chocolate frosting and chocolate shavings. From bread to dessert, Olive Oilz is friendly, cozy and comfortable. 2812 E. 30th Ave., 535-3104 (DN)





BARDENAY


Moist, fragrant and meaty "Wild Turkey Bourbon" pork loin chops came with deliciously sweet and smoky cider-glazed apples and onions, garlic mashed potatoes and chef's vegetable ($13). Our Bardenay Club sandwich ($8.50) was three inches of house-roasted turkey breast, ham and thick, peppery bacon with fresh lettuce on toasted, cracked-wheat sourdough ($8.50). The apricot-walnut couscous side was a delight of tastes and textures -- firm couscous with little chunks of apricot, golden raisin and walnut. Bardenay takes its beverage service seriously, extolling nuances like using pure fruit liqueurs, freezing its gin, and replacing dry Vermouth with Lillet Blanc, a French aperitif. The Lavender martini ($6.25), made with Hpnotiq vodka-liqueur, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and Zardetto Prosecco sparkling wine promised spring against the backdrop of falling snow outside. 1710 Riverstone Dr., Coeur d'Alene, (208) 765-1540 (CS)





REFLECTIONS KAFFEE HAUS AND EATERY


Though Reflections occupies part of an almost-new building, it has some of the feel of an old deli, with its big glass display cases showing off sandwiches and sweets from Just American Desserts and the Sweetwater Bakery. My favorite sandwich is the Italian hero panini ($6.45) with ham, salami, pork, Gruy & egrave;re cheese, fire-roasted red peppers, red onion, tomato, baby arugula and a chipotle sauce. The pesto chicken panini ($6.45) is a close second. You can order a bratwurst sandwich with sauerkraut ($6) or a schnitzel sandwich ($8). 618 W. Riverside Ave., Skywalk Level, 456-2323 (DN)





LOVITT RESTAURANT


Dinner at Lovitt is comfortable, with fresh local ingredients put together into simple, hearty dishes. The menu is relatively small, changing as the many locally sourced foods move in and out of season, with salads and soups offered a la carte. The Caesar ($5) features crunchy Romaine lettuce dressed with real Caesar dressing -- mild on the garlic and anchovy, but rich with the flavor and unforgettable texture of farm-fresh eggs -- and garnished with wafer-thin crisps from the complimentary French rolls. The Lovitt burger ($9), a patty of grass-finished beef topped with Cougar Gold cheddar, caramelized onions, tomato and lettuce, comes with crisply roasted potato wedges. The special combined made-from-scratch tagliatelle pasta with a beef ragout has tender chunks of beef in a hearty sauce of beef broth, demi-glace, red wine and tomato ($15). The chocolate bonbons ($6) make a light dessert that's easy to share. Lovitt Restaurant delivers superb dining in a refreshing get-out-of-town setting. 149 Hwy. 395 S, Colville, Wash., (509) 684-5444. (AC)