LOCAL CUISINE


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RESTAURANT REVIEWS DINING GUIDE LIQUID LIBATIONS


for Top Inland Northwest Restaurants


Challenge the Critic Yet I’d be astonished if you agree


by Kevin Finch


The Limits of Culinary Democracy Each November we print our annual


“Best Of” issue. This includes your votes for favorite restaurants. Where these radically democratic awards often fail is in celebrating new places that haven’t yet gathered enough public notice, or highlighting small and wonderful spots. Larger restaurants with bigger market- ing budgets and historic juggernauts like Clinkerdagger dominate reader polls. At times I agree with the restaurants


that win year after year, but in other instances, I’m convinced that familiar- ity leave the best places struggling while mediocre spots make a killing. For this reason I resolved to start out 2011 with my nominations for top restaurants in the categories used in our 2010 ‘Best Of’ issue. I’ve also added a couple categories on a whim; categories like best donuts and best bathroom.


with me on everything. Favorite restaurants are personal. So where you think I’m out-to-lunch, let me know (kevin@spokanecda.com). I’d also like your stories of disastrous meals at places everyone else seems to love. Your input will help shape the restaurants we will review dur- ing the year to come.


Brian Hutchins, and Jeremy Hansen (Santé) and Laurent Zirotti (Fleur de Sel) are still in top form. Moxie remains my favorite spot for


Appetizers in Spokane: Wingate’s killer poké is just the beginning. Yet I must say the Rusty Moose’s creative approach to mozzarella sticks makes them a dark horse contender and the fried pickles at the Post Street Ale House might be the most bizarre. For Dessert I’m going to go with Wild


Sage this year for their coconut cake. Luna wasn’t far behind with their carrot cake. Both are noteworthy since cake is usually the last thing I’ll order. Milford’s gets my Seafood vote in spo-


Kevin’s Picks For Fine Dining Santé and Luna in Spokane along with Fleur de Sel (Post Falls) top my list for the second straight year. Luna has a new chef in


kane and Syringa does in Coeur d’Alene. For Best View it is tough to beat


Anthony’s at the Falls in Spokane and Beverly’s in Coeur d’Alene, but then I’m biased; I grew up on a lake.


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