Fork-in-Cork Award-Winners: North Idaho - LOCALISM
Idaho Cuisine magazine has recently published their "Fork-in-Cork Award-Winners" for the North Idaho Edition. This coveted award is given to area restaurants, bistros, coffee houses and wine bars that stand out with great service, great food and great atmosphere.
And, because Kevin and I have dinned in some of the best restaurants in the country and entertain clients about 2-3 times a week at local area restaurants, bistros, coffee houses and wine bars, I feel I am qualified to render my opinion on the local offerings.
My fav from the list (excuse the quality of the photo, I only had my cell phone):
Syringa Japanese Cafe & Sushi
Ask for Katsuo (pronounced: Cat-so) and Madai (pronounced: Mud-eye, roll the "d")
Ok, here we go...
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Award
Restaurant, Location
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My Thoughts
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Cozy Romantic Dinner for Two
Wine Cellar, Downtown CdA
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Good food and wine list. Good music and ambiance. Menu never changes.
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Pulling-out-the-Unlimited-Bank-Card Special Occasion
Beverly's, Downtown CdA
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Where my husband proposed 15 years ago. Need I say more?
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Enjoyable for the Entire Family
Michael D's Eatery, East CdA
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Eat there 1-2 times per week. Family style diner. Love it!
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Favorite Newcomer this Past Year
Ciao Mambo, Hayden
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Good pizza. Menu is a la carte, can add up.
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A Coffee Shop that Soothes the Jitters
Calypsos Coffee Company, Downtown CdA
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Kevin's business group meets there every Wednesday morning. I take Gabby 1-2 times per week. They have a great section with toys for the kids and another for parents to enjoy live music. Great location. Great Mexican Mocha!
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Party Place Food or Not
Iron Horse, Downtown CdA
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AKA: "Iron Lung" - need I say more?
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When Nothing but a Place with a View Will Do
Tony's on the Lake, Lake CdA
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AMAZING!!!
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Meet-a-Friend-for-Lunch Place
Café Carambola, Downtown CdA
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Used to have office next door. GREAT food! GREAT people! A must for local Latin dinning! Don't think Mexican - think Latin!
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For the Best Sandwich Anywhere
Daanen's Delicatessen, Hayden
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Best bread in town! Makes a good sandwich. Egg salad is my favorite, but order ½ sandy, whole is too big.
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Power Lunch for Making Deals
Bonsai Bistro & Sushi Bar, Downtown CdA
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Think P.F. Chang's on smaller scale. Great Mojito! Orange Peel Chicken is my favorite.
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Alive at 5! Fun Happy Hour
Moose Market Lounge, Downtown CdA
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Just introduced the other night. Good music, but too loud. Good service. Good beer.
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Finest Pub Food and a Brew
Moon Time, East CdA
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One of my favorites, even though I prefer their sister restaurant ("The Porch" in Hayden Lake) casual enough to take kids. Corn-pasta salad is AWESOME!!!
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For a Cocktail and a Bite to Eat
315 Martinis & Tapas at the Greenbriar Inn, CdA
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Sadly, never been. Kevin's business group used to meet there, but moved to new location before she opened the restaurant.
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Favorite Wine List
Beverly's, Downtown CdA
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Meet there once a month with the girls for wine. Can't beat their domestic selection - except at the French Laundry in Napa Valley.
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For the Love of Food ... A Chef with Style!
Viljo Basso, Syringa Japanese Café & Sushi, CdA
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Mind-blowing!!! Great food. Great conversation. Great service. Great everything!!! SEE PHOTOS ABOVE!
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Virtual Pizza Cook-off Winner
Capone's Pub & Grill, Midtown CdA
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Best pizza in town, hands down. My favorite? Roasted Garlic Chicken.
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Martini Bar that Shakes it Up!
Oval Office, Post Falls
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Ok. But, Brix Downtown CdA makes a better Lemon Drop.
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The Must-Try New Place on the Block
Le Piastre, Downtown CdA
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Fresh, local ingredients. Small servings.
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Wine Bar with Pizzazz!
Coeur d'Alene Cellars Barrel Room No. 6, Downtown CdA
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Popular and trendy. Good wine.
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Looking back at this I am just awe-struck! First, I eat out A LOT (maybe I should consider a career as a food critic)!!! Second, Coeur d'Alene is blessed to not only be a beautiful place to live, but we are blessed with great local restaurants to fill the tummy and the senses!
Happy dining!
Maryellen Garasky
Mortgage Broker
KMG Mortgage Group
(208) 664-3600
(509) 638-3455
www.kmgmortgagegroup.com
;)
;)
Like you, I, too, have been to far too many of these restaurants! Your insights are very good. I found myself agreeing with you on many of them.