Chaps Coffee Company

Chaps is located 4237 S Cheney Spokane Rd. a bit south west of the city center area.  It's a bakery, and restaurant/coffee house, and a fine one at that.  I had not heard of the place before so  I didn't know what to expect until we got there. My friend had only told me about it that day and said she had heard that this was a good spot to go.  Ready to give it a try, we then headed out to have lunch together at Chaps. 

You can tell a lot of thought has gone into the decor as well as the fare. The atmosphere is eclectic, airy, warm and rustic and more than a restaurant the place is a bakery.  I never would have thought!  Not only that, they are open as a restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

As is often the case, I read the webpage on this restaurant AFTER going there...  and I can only say, that if you want to get a flavor for this restaurant, who is behind it and what they offer, visit their website. I think it's a good reflection of the kind of thought, and  attention to detail I observed and even felt while I was at this restaurant. 

My friend and I had fun just looking around the place at the decor.
Come to find out, this little restaurant began with a little old farmhouse that was bought and placed right here on this little spot!  (see the photos in the gallery on the restaurant's website.)

 

But on to the food.....





For lunch we went to the counter and ordered, then after being seated, the food was brought to our table by our server.  We were seated at a rustic table with a lovely view out the window into the courtyard. I would say this place is rather casual, a sort of come on in and make yourself at home kinda place.  You can tell... especially when your water cup is an old mason jar, I think.
 

 I have to say that is was hard to choose what to order because it all looked interesting. I ordered the Monte Christo.   After ordering and sitting at our table, , I took another look at the menu and decided  to try the corned beef and sauerkraut next time!  They do not call it a Ruben, but the man behind the counter had told me it was like a Ruben.  I was thinking that it will be good to compare it to the other Rubens I have had.  Today it would be the Monte Christo.... a sort of french toast sandwich.

I opted for the Monte Christo because I do not see it offered very often and ever since reading the book, the Count of Monte Christo a few years ago, I just kinda like eating a sandwich of the same name and fame. 

Here it is... served with salad.








My friend ordered fish. 


I am not positive, but I think that it was the Salmon and Brie s(open faced) sandwich.  I thought it looked great, Salmon being, a Pacific Northwest favorite kind of thing   She liked it.








Both of our lunches were served with our "side" of choice that day, the Chaps Signature Salad, which is a sweet vinaigrette salad with lots of greens, cranberries, feta and nuts, perfect for the holiday season if you ask me.

We had a look-see at the baked goods, but didn't eat any.  The kitchen was right in the same room basically.  There were pies, muffins, cookies and all sorts of treats,  We also learned they serve something called "Bouzie Bread" and learned that  Bouzie's is a local bakery.... on South Perry Street.


I love learning new and interesting stuff about the people and places of Spokane.  

So, this was my first visit to Chaps...  I will probably visit again.

 They are proud to announce that it rated as one of Spokane's Best... and I didn't even know it "existed" until today!  Well, now I do, and so do you! I enjoyed my lunch here with a friend.  (BTW, great suggestion Jan!)
But wait.... there is more!




In more of my exploration of their webpage I discovered also that they have a band play, usually on Friday nights.  The current band is a local group called SaveLefty. I can hardly wait to go an hear them play in person on a Friday evening while sippin' some coffee with Geo.  I am also hoping my brother will come and visit soon so we can hit the local Spokane music scene and check out more places around town that have local music like this. 


(That is an invitation Frank!)


Till next time.....