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Signature Dish Picabu Bistro
Relationship
Picabu Bistro’s Curry Bowl
by Cara Strickland photo by David Crary
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f you’ve ever been to Picabu Neighborhood Bistro, located on the lower South Hill of Spokane, right next to Rosauers, you’ve likely experienced a feeling of stepping into a spot that feels a lot like the neighborhood in which it is located: eclectic and friendly. As I visited with Jane Edwards, Picabu’s owner, over a Curry Bowl, I began to understand more about where that vibe comes from. Jane started Picabu with her brother over nine years ago. They grew up with a mother who was an excellent cook, according to Jane. She started out by helping her mother around the house, married young and began to trip the light fantastic in her own kitchen. The legacy of good food seems to have been passed on to the next generation, since both of Jane’s children work at the restaurant. Although he’s no longer involved with Picabu, Jane’s brother was the original mastermind behind the (very eclectic) menu. Always the creative type, he spent years going to restaurants, trying dishes he liked and then experimenting to make them unique, interesting and of excellent quality. This is how Jane explains how the Curry Bowl, gyro, pad Thai, a Reuben and Kung Pao beef have all ended up on the same menu (and those dishes are just the tip of this multi-faceted iceberg). However it got there, it’s clear that the clientele of Picabu is glad to have the Curry Bowl. Jane tells me that the numbers suggest that this dish runs neck in neck with the Fire Pasta, the other most popular dish on the menu. Interestingly, these are also two of the spiciest items on offer.
There is something extremely comforting about the Curry Bowl, which comes complete with a rice pyramid, a generous helping of chicken or tofu and zucchini, red onion, mushrooms and peppers in a curry-peanut sauce, sprinkled with fresh cilantro. Consistency is a value for Jane, so the only thing that changes about the Curry Bowl is the curry, which comes directly from Taiwan and varies in heat throughout the year. Like many items on the menu, the dish can be served vegan and gluten-free. Dietary restrictions are part of Jane’s family dynamic and she’s used to cooking for varying specifications. Everything on the menu is made from scratch. All of her servers have access to the recipes for each dish and she routinely asks them to help with prep so that they have a holistic understanding of how everything comes together. At the heart of Picabu, you’ll find relationship. It’s truly a neighborhood meeting place, the sort of restaurant where you’ll find that people know your name and what you usually order. Jane shared several stories about regular customers who have become friends with her and her servers. It’s clear that she’s tried to create an environment for conversation and connection over food. “Food is about fellowship,” she says. “It’s not about where we go, it’s about who I’m with.” You might just find that it’s a little bit about where you go, after all, because there’s nothing quite like the Curry Bowl you’ll find at Picabu Bistro. Picabu Neighborhood Bistro is located at 901 W. 14th, in Spokane, and is open Monday-Saturday 11am - 9pm. (509)624-2464, picabubistro.com.
Spokanecda.com • May • 2014
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