While downtown Coeur d'Alene is arguably one of the most magical places during the holiday season, a little pocket of the lakeside city just got even more whimsical. Crafted Taphouse + Kitchen on Sherman Avenue recently unveiled a special seasonal seating arrangement on its expansive patio: four transparent, outdoor "igloo" domes complete with twinkling lights, heating and enough space to seat eight guests.
Public response to the restaurant's social media posts about the igloos has been overwhelming, and as such Crafted recently posted an FAQ about the temporary feature. Guests can reserve an entire igloo for an hour and a half for $80 ($10/person), or a table for four or fewer for $40, and can order anything from the restaurant and bar's full food and drink menus. The spaces are open to all ages, but no animals are allowed inside. Reservations for the popular feature opened on Nov. 20, but the tables inside will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for no reservation fee if not already in use or reserved.
BEAN & PIE'S SPOKANE POP-UP
You've seen them at local farmers markets, now in time for holiday feasting, Coeur d'Alene-based Bean & Pie is offering a seasonal pop-up inside the new Wonder Market in downtown Spokane, inside the historic Wonder Building at 835 N. Post St. While the biggest pie holiday may have just passed (depending on when you're reading this), the local bakery is hosting weekly pop-ups at the Wonder Market through the end of the year where customers can purchase pickup orders placed online (beanandpie.com) and a limited number of unreserved pies. Coeur d'Alene customers can pick up their Thanksgiving pie preorders and try their luck at a last-minute, ready-made pie at a pickup inside Evans Brothers Coffee (504 E. Sherman Ave.) from 7-10 am on Thanksgiving Day.
HELP LAUNCH KITTY CANTINA CAT CAFE
Spokane's first cat cafe, slated to open in the first quarter of 2020, is seeking the community's help to get started. Owners Justyn and Tori Cozza recently launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter seeking $12,500 to help build out and furnish the cafe space in North Spokane. As of this writing, there are two weeks left (the campaign closes at 8:30 pm on Dec. 11) to support the cafe, plans for which were announced in mid-2019.
The cat cafe will be a haven for cat lovers to sip coffee, tea, beer, wine and cider while enjoying baked goods and other snacks served in a separate area that's in view of the cat room, called the "Kitty Lounge."
Food and drink can be brought into the lounge, too, for those seeking kitty snuggles from the adoptable felines that come by way of a partnership with SpokAnimal animal rescue. While the Cozzas plan to offer walk-in availability for the Kitty Lounge, the safety of both cats and guests means reservations will be visitors' best bet to get playtime with the cats once the cafe opens.
For more details on what to expect when Kitty Cantina opens, and to support the first-of-its-kind business model in the Inland Northwest, visit kck.st/36R6c50 or search "Kitty Cantina" on Kickstarter. Backer rewards range from gift cards to T-shirts, and mugs to private parties. ♦
