Sunday brunch options just got a little bigger and better with the addition of a new affordable brunch menu at Bon Bon, the tiny bar attached to the Garland Theater. Launched this month, Sunday brunch is offered weekly from 10 am to 2 pm. The initial menu offers a collection of brunch-friendly drinks ranging from $5-$8, including the Mean Green Smoothie ($5) which can be made with a shot of rum for $3 extra. Light morning cocktails — mimosas ($7) and Aperol spritz ($8) — along with a Bloody Mary ($7) and Michelada ($5) bar are served along with nonalcoholic beverages including coffee, tea and fresh fruit juice. On the food side, Bon Bon ups its already excellent bar snack game with a veggie quiche ($6), loaded breakfast burrito ($8), a citrus salad ($6), vegan hash ($9) and pickled red onion deviled eggs ($3/$5). Don't miss the "morning" mac and cheese ($8), topped with a five-cheese sauce, bacon, tomatoes, green onion and a sunny-side-up egg. Now that patio season has begun, get there early for a seat and plan to stay awhile. Maybe even see a movie when you're done. (CHEY SCOTT)
FILL 'ER UP
More than 100 years ago, one could purchase gasoline at any number of places like pharmacies, blacksmith shops and roadside stands. Less than a decade later, the concept had evolved into the filling station: a drive-up place where one could purchase fuel for both their vehicle and self. That's the foundation of the clever play-on-words behind the Filling Station, a downtown Coeur d'Alene place to fuel up your empty 64-ounce growler and your equally empty tummy. For those residing west of Coeur d'Alene, it's good news indeed that the Filling Station has now expanded to Post Falls, just off Interstate 90 (and dang close enough to Post Falls Brewing Co. that you might as well make your trip a two-fer). Try the garlic hummus ($12) at the new location, or the poutine ($7). The adult mac and cheese ($13) had people swooning at 2019's Coeur d'Alene Mac & Cheese Festival. Pop in for a pint of regional craft beer, cider or even kombucha, and feel free to take some home with you in 32 or 64-ounce growlers, which, of course, they also sell on site. (CARRIE SCOZZARO)
FROM BATCH TO MADE WITH LOVE
Early this month came the announcement from Batch Bakeshop owner Mika Maloney that the former storefront and recent pop-up shop has permanently closed. The good news, however, is that the bakery lives on in the form of a new business: Made With Love Bakery. Owner Callie Johnson is planning to open in Batch's former space, at 2023 W. Dean Ave., in June. To do so, she's hoping to crowdfund $15,000 to help purchase equipment, furniture and make minor updates to the space. Find her campaign on IndieGoGo under "Made With Love." As of this writing she had raised 44 percent of her goal. Locals may already recognize Johnson and her brand — she's been selling baked goods at the Emerson-Garfield Farmers Market since 2016, and was also at last year's South Perry Thursday Market. The Gonzaga business administration major has been baking since she was a kid, learning from her mom and grandmother, and ever since then dreaming of opening her own bakery. (CHEY SCOTT) ♦
