dining guide
June
2013
Suggestions for Dining Guide additions or corrections can be sent to blythe@spokanecda.com. Categories: Asian and Indian, Barbecue, Bistros, Breakfast and Lunch Specialties, Burgers, Casual Dining, Fine Dining, Italian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, Mexican, Pizza, Pub Fare, Steak Houses, Other
ASIAN AND INDIAN Aloha Island Grill. Hawaiian. Signature Dish in March 2011. Operating out of two former Taco John shacks on Monroe and West Francis, Patrick and Lori Keegan are serving up fresh, tender Teriyaki Chicken “plates” that will keep you coming back even without much inside seating. Based on family recipes from the islands and plenty more than just teriyaki, both spots offer a student discount and the Francis location serves an amazing breakfast concoction called Loco Moco. Order it the way “Huff” (Patrick’s nickname) gets his. Open daily. 1724 North Monroe (509-3274270) and 1220 West Francis (509-413-2029). www. alohagrindz.com. $-$$ Bangkok Thai. Thai. A relative newcomer to Spokane, Bangkok Thai took over there former Linnie’s Thai location on Grand Avenue and the former Riverview Thai location near Gonzaga. The South Hill location offers combination lunch plates that allow you smaller portions of several popular Thai dishes for one price and the Gonzaga location has the best Thai lunch buffet in town for $12 a person. 1325 S Grand Blvd (509-838-8424) and 1003 E Trent Avenue (509-3258370). Mon – Thur 11 – 9, Fri 11 – 10, Sat 12 – 10, Sun 12 – 9. $$ Beyond Belt Sushi & Roll. Japanese. Reopened in September of 2010 to offer conveyor belt sushi plates as well as a full off-the-belt menu, Beyond Belt Sushi & Roll offers great lunch specials and a lessslick, homier feel than Maru downtown but offers the same advatages of kaiten-zushi: healthy food fast (sit down and start to eat), reasonable prices, and a visual introduction to one of the great cuisines of the world. 11 am – 3 pm for lunch; 5 pm – 9 pm for dinner. Saturday 11 – 10. Sunday noon – 8. 7458 North Division in Spokane. (509) 483-4000. $-$$
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Cathay Inn. Chinese. The Cathay Inn, basked in neon glory, stands out among the string of other Chinese establishments on Division for more than its roofline. Established in 1950 at its present location by Tom Eng, the Cathay Inn has rebuilt and expanded over the years, still run by the Engs. Our sources tell us that among the combos, #6 is king, offering the Cathay’s special chow mein, almond fried chicken, prawns, barbeque pork, and fried rice. Strong mentions are also given to the almond chicken and Cathay’s version of beef and broccoli. Plan to arrive for dinner near 8 p.m. and you might get the additional treat of seeing the koi fish leap out of the water in the aquarium for their dinner while you eat yours. 3714 N Division Street. Sun-Thurs 11-10, Fri & Sat until Midnight. (509) 326-2226. $$ China Garden. Chinese. With no shortage of bad Chinese food in Spokane, China Garden is a brilliant and refreshing departure hidden in a strip mall on the South Hill. Chef/owner Raymond Kong takes great care with sauces, all based on a special pork stock. The vegetables in each dish, which are fresh and flash-cooked with a wonderful crunch, almost steal the show, and the kitchen uses no MSG. Show up regularly and you end up treated like family. While the Cashew Chicken, Honey Walnut Prawns, and the Moo Shu Pork are not to be missed, we’ve never had a disappointing dish at the Garden. 4410 S Regal. Seven days, 11-10. (509) 448-6282. $$-$$$ Ding How. Specializing in Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Korean dishes, Ding How has plenty of variety. After being open only 15 months, this restaurant has already become the place for sushi and other Asian cuisine with regular customers coming from Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and other areas. Ding How offers or 100 sushi items including their special Lobster Roll and Yellowstone Roll. 1332 N Liberty Lake Rd, Liberty Lake. Lunch Mon-Fri 11-2:30, Dinner Mon-Thurs 4-9, Fri 4-10, Sat 12-9, Sun 12-9. (509) 921-1901. $-$$
Mustard Seed. The Mustard Seed is an amalgam of several Asian and Pacific cuisines, which derives from the background of the owners, Betty and Nancy Tokumoto, who grew up in Okinawa, Bangkok, and Hawaii, successively. The somewhat eclectic yet harmonious blending of fresh, clean, mild flavors in the dishes that spring from this mix of culinary origins is what has made the Mustard Seed a perennial favorite with Spokane diners. Over the years, our favorites have consistently been Bong-Bong Chicken, chunks of breast and vegetables stir-fried in wine, and Chicken (or Shrimp) Osaka, sautéed in butter, ginger, and lemon, served with a mustard sauce. We also enjoy their zippy take-out and delivery service. The Mustard Seed owners also serve quality quick-serve Asian out of a number of Noodle Express outlets around the NW. Northtown Mall: Mon-Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10, Sun Noon-8, (509) 483-1500. $$ Sushi.com. Japanese. We still think the name is about as cheesy as you can get for a sushi bar and Japanese restaurant, but the food transcends the curious dot.com label over the door. Sit at the sushi bar and enjoy what is fresh or take a table and explore the menu that also includes plenty of excellent options if raw fish still makes you nervous. Some of our favorites are the super white tuna and the house tempura. 11 am – 9:30 pm weekdays. Noon – 9 Sat. Noon – 8 Sun. 430 West Main, Spokane. (509) 8380630. $-$$$ Taste of India. A family-owned restaurant on the Division hill offering authentic cuisine emphasizing northern Indian flavors. Taste of India boasts a casual atmosphere with a soundtrack of traditional music and a popular lunch buffet during the week. Try Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Curry, or Vegetarian Samasa. MonThur 11-9:30, Fri and Sat 11-10, Sun 11-9. 3110 N Division in Spokane. (509) 327-7313. $-$$