• 3rd June
    2012
  • 03

If it seems that all I do is blog and eat, you are mostly correct. However, in between I do try to get some exercise in. I promise! This post probably doesn’t help my case though.

There’s a great local market called Huckleberry’s. Think of it as your local Whole Foods, a little bigger than Trader Joes. They carry lots of great local wines, pastries, produce and the price is not bad either. They also have a pretty impressive deli/cafe section. On Fridays and Saturdays they have a very popular Pasta Bar, where they make fresh pastas of your choice. The line was pretty long but my gluten-free pasta with pesto and mushrooms was delish. It paired well with a local bottle of wine we chose. I didn’t know you could bust open wine and beer at the grocery store, but apparently their eating section allows for that. Cool! For dessert, we did a to-die-for (read: we have vowed to go back for it once a month) chocolate hazelnut gluten-free cake. Delish!

Also on weekends, they do an Omelette Bar. You can get a punch card good for both the Pasta and Omelette Bar- bonus. I also tried out their juice bar recently and it made my first green juice a very tasty experience (I did a “Mermaid” with apple, pineapple and spirulina).

And yes, they also meet my minimum requirements: coffee and free wi-fi!

  • 1st June
    2012
  • 01
  • 27th May
    2012
  • 27
  • 22nd May
    2012
  • 22
  • 19th May
    2012
  • 19
  • 18th May
    2012
  • 18

My assumptions were incorrect- there is Filipino food in Spokane. But it’s just one restaurant- oh well, I’ll take it! I stopped by Lalang’s Kitchen on the way home from work and ordered a couple things to go. While I was waiting, the Pinoy hospitality sure kicked in.

The cook of the family owned restaurant said he’d just made some fresh lumpia so he insisted I try one. Sure! Then he said he just made some fresh dinuguan (pork blood stew) and that I should try that as well. I’ve never been a huge fan, though I will eat it occasionally. Apparently, this was that occasion as he very much insisted I try it. Not wanting to offend the cook, I also had a cup of dinuguan which was quite tasty. Then when I thought all the sampling was done, I was brought a cup of Arroz Caldo- Filipino chicken soup with rice. Also yummy!

Before I could ruin my dinner appetite any more, my carry out order of lechon (roast pork) and BBQ chicken arrived. They urged me to come back on the weekends when they do all you can eat buffet style meals. At least now I have a place to take the family when they’re in town and want some quick Filipino food!

  • 18th May
    2012
  • 18
  • 16th May
    2012
  • 16

Turns out I live just minutes away from a gorgeous park that sees thousands of visitors every year. Manito Park is 90 acres of lush gardens (5 to be exact, including a Japanese zen garden), a conservatory and a duck pond. We’ve recently been getting some gorgeous spring weather, so I took advantage and had a lovely stroll through the park. I like that each part of the park allows for different occasions. You can come to sunbathe, read a book and enjoy the quiet, have a big family bbq or picnic and run around with the kids, or take your dog and run the trails or hike the hills. There’s also a cafe that opens up during the summer time for coffee and sandwiches (Washingtonians just love their coffee). I recently learned Spokane is the Lilac City (in fact, the Lilac Parade is next weekend), so they also have a lilac garden. I can’t wait to get a dog to take him up here on the weekends to enjoy some sunshine together!

  • 14th May
    2012
  • 14
I told you the Northwest loves their coffee! They’re also pretty good at having healthy options that are gluten, dairy and sugar free. Had a delicious gluten free muffin and soy latte with Nina at Java in Couer D’Alene. We enjoyed some tasty treats and sunshine out on the patio before a walk by the lake. What a lovely way to spend a a sunny spring morning!

I told you the Northwest loves their coffee! They’re also pretty good at having healthy options that are gluten, dairy and sugar free. Had a delicious gluten free muffin and soy latte with Nina at Java in Couer D’Alene. We enjoyed some tasty treats and sunshine out on the patio before a walk by the lake. What a lovely way to spend a a sunny spring morning!

  • 13th May
    2012
  • 13

Spokane is just 20 miles from the Idaho border, so Nina and I went for a 45 minute drive to Couer D’Alene lake in Idaho. It is a gorgeous lake resort town with plenty of restaurants, pubs and shops to keep you occupied outside of the water. It’s definitely a popular summer destination. I can’t wait to come back on summer weekends to get on the lake!