Linnie's

Sawasdee!

I love Thai food and I think that this place is growing to be one of our favorites for Thai Food.

It had to be oriental tonight and it was a toss up between Ming Wah and "someplace for Thai." (It had not yet been determined!) MingWah however, was closed for vacation when we arrived, so we went to one place I had wanted to try a few eats ago, but didn't. The funny thing was that I was pleasantly surprised when drove up to it.

I knew I have been there before when I saw it, but before that, I had completely forgotten, and this even though it was already on my blog's restaurant list. When recently I had heard someone say that Linnie's the best Thai restaurant in Spokane, I told Geo we should try it sometime, and he said we had already been there. For whatever reason I could not place it at all. Now I remember it well and I know where it is too, 3rd Avenue and Adams. (1301 W 3rd Ave) also, I have purposed myself to not soon forget, and to return often.

Not only is the food absolutely delicious, but the service is great too. In fact, there is one person who works there that is just a lot of fun every time we are there. Even the cooks are friendly.

We, Beth, Geo and myself, ordered spring rolls as appetizer, a curry, (Gaeng Mussamun Gai,) noodles, (Pad Thai... with Chicken) and our favorite, coconut milk soup, (Thomb Kha Gai.) The three of us eating had quite a little feast! The also bring rice to the table to go with the dinners and it comes in a very cool goblet.

I am still learning to interpret the menu though.

As for the menu....
One thing I really enjoy is saying the names of the various menu items. I kinda thought it would be interesting to send someone a text message with some Thai words on it and see if they could figure out what it was...
for example:

Thomb Yum Goong Gai Pahd Kapao Pra Rum Long Song Nuea Thord Krathiam Prik Thai

Kinda fun to say in English. Well, i had fun anyhow.

Wall Street Diner

The other day I was roaming Spokane and happened to drive down Wall Street. A little restaurant called the Wall Street Diner caught my attention and I thought to myself, "self, look at the neighborhood cafe'. That would be a lovely place to try." I proceeded to take a note of the hours and went on my way. Well, tonight we went to the Wall Street Diner, located on the corner of Wall and Princeton.

I was kinda excited about going there because from the outside it is really pretty. It's a small place in an older Spokane neighborhood, with four outdoor tables with umbrellas surrounded by a lush green and flowery landscape and it looks quaint and cozy from the outside. I was surprised when we drove up that all the outdoor tables were full and the small parking lot nearly full. Not having any idea how big the place was inside, I was pleasantly surprised to see so much seating. There was a long soda fountain type bar inside, and several booths as well. Just what you'd expect in a neighborhood diner, however, being as I am new to the "diner" experience, I thought it was rather neat.

Beth came with us and she hesitated saying yes to the diner as she was hoping for more than grilled cheese sandwiches and soup. I guess she is a little like us, wondering why go out for something you would make at home yourself... but she was lured at the prospect of eating in a restaurant once occupied by one of her movie favs, Johnny Depp.

Beth had a couple of friends tell her that Depp was at this particular restaurant when he made a movie in Spokane and that he had done filming there. She told me the credits to the film, Benny and Joon, note special thanks to the Wall Street Diner. She had seen the film herself, and when we walked in, she lhad ooked at the counter and noted that Depp had been there. (with a bit of a theatrical swoon, I might add.

Geo and Beth had salad, Geo had the Cobb and Beth had a Chicken Caesar;I had fish and chips. I enjoyed my food as it has been a long time since I indulged in fries. George and Beth liked their salad too.

For a little out of the way neighborhood place I thought they were quite busy and I guess perhaps that is why it took the waitress a while to tend our table. I imagine that when you are small like this and busy, some things just take a while. We passed the time waiting reading our menu, making out selections and quizzing one another using the trivia questions we had in a little book on our table. Additionally, I kept asking Beth stuff about Johnny Depp.

Beth makes me laugh... the way she gets all talkative about things like that... movies and movie stars. It was a rather fun thing to get excited about, but then, you have to understand that I do not know who Johnny Depp is... exactly...errr... eh,... Pirates of the Caribbean, (I think) and I have not even seen that movie, or Benny and Joon for that matter, but making a fuss that some movie star had been there once was really kind of fun.

After dinner, I asked the waitress about the history of the diner. She told me that it had been there since 1947. She also said that the owners now were not the original owners, and informed me that that they owned another restaurant in town as well, Europa also located on Wall only more down town. She said that the desserts they serve at the diner are made there. (Ahhhh! Another Restaurant to try!)

Seizing the opportunity to talk to this busy person, I also asked the waitress about Johnny Depp. I told her that I had heard he was in here once, filming a movie. She knew nothing about it.

She scampered off however to tell her co-workers in the kitchen that some customer was asking about a movie being filmed at this restaurant before and returned a few minutes late to inform me that the year was 1992 and the movie was, Benny and Joon. It was news to her, but Ha! I already knew that... (Beth is so smart!)

So we ate at the Wall Street Diner. It was kinda cool, one of those place to stop for amilk shake and fried with a friend and even sit at an old fountain soda type bar. that;s what I want to do next time, just like they do in those old movies. The food was good, the atmosphere friendly, the service was good and on top of it all we now have memories of eating at one of several little diners in Spokane WA, once visited by the movie star, Johnny Depp!

Wall Street Diner is located at 4428 N Wall St, Spokane!

 

Sundance Bistro

My friend Tam is right...it's a great place for lunch! It almost made me want to be a golfer.  I think this is one of my favorite Italian food places. I am not a golfer, but, I can claim to be Italian... and this is no doubt, one of the best restaurants in Spokane..Bob, ( you know who you are Bob) even seconded that opinion, and this of  his own free will too! 

Anyhow, today several of us ladies went to lunch together and we were a fairly large group... ten or twelve of us.   Jane and I shared a turkey wrap and we each ordered our own side salad. She had a Garden Salad and I had the Spinach, (which I have had before) I think there is just something nice about a Spinach Salad.... anyhow, I think the turkey wrap was the best wrap sandwich I ever have had. I didn't talk too much about food with the other ladies there, but everyone seemed to enjoy their meal as I did.

Not only that, I got to see some other friends who were there. My friend Andrew was there! He was having lunch by himself, taking a break from school or something. It was fun to surprise him and say hello. He told me about his sandwich that was specially made to his specifications, and he told me it was good too. It sounded really good...although I cannot remember what it was exactly. Walt has a way with food, as does the baker, Victoria.

See what others say about this restaurant at: Click on the urbanspoon link.

What do I like?  I like the atmosphere... and the food is good.  I like the view of the golf course too, which is very pleasant no matter the season. I also like the Italian music that plays while you dine, and I think the meals are offered at a reasonable  prices.  Another reason I like the restaurant is that I know that  Walt and Victoria they believe in only using the freshest, most natural ingredients and I appreciate that too. ( Click here: http://www.sundancegc.com/Sundance_restaurant_page.htm) to see what the golf course webpage says about the restaurant.

I say, "Squisito!"

He re are some of their menu offerings:
  Lasagna

Fettuccine Alfredo

Calzone

We ordered two appetizers also... the Onion Crisps and Bruchetta.

The Chalet

This restaurant is interesting because a lot of people were there when we were there. It was as if it's one of Spokane's favorites. Located on the South Hill, its kinda like a Denny's. Sherry's or Perkins atmosphere and menu, and it feels like the 70's to me. We had almost tried this place once before, but got sidetracked by a little Chinese spot nearby instead.

The people were friend\ly and the food was pleasant, but nothing spectacular, just good. Geo had the Cobb Salad and I had just a side salad because I had already eaten a little bit before meeting him for dinner. We both had coffee, which was served by the potful.

With a name like Chalet, you can imagine how quaint the place is. It looks like a ski chalet, or swiss alps type of place. It was pleasant, but rather 70's... except the music. I actually kinda liked it as the last place was Chinese food that had oldies music playing. It was a strange combination, (but not as strange as eating Taco at Taco Del Mar to the music of a carousel.) I mean, how often does one get to listen to old favorites like "Home on the Range?" (only in Spokane at the Chalet, I am sure.)

I did spend a lot of time re-decorating the place with skis, snowboards and snowflakes in my mind and wondering if I painted it blue, what kinds of music I would pipe in for the guests. We even talked to the manager about it. He said he's working on it, so I trust he is. In the meantime it's a fine little place, just a little dated. The food was good, the service excellent and the customers in side seemed happy and we are glad we tried it.

Tungloon Garden

The SinKing Room Restaurant. 

What can I say... we like Chinese food and this was a good place to eat.  It was full of things that made it interesting too and I may just tell about them....

First of all, we went here on the Fourth of July, and only after driving around trying to find someplace that was open. We had been here before, but not for a while and we do love Chinese food, so we decided this was going to be the place for us... even though we had been here before.

The food was good. I am still learning about Chow dishes and ordered Chow Mein without the noodles, which I think is called Chop Suey. We also ordered a Korean favorite, Bolgoki and a hot spicy beef noodle soup (another favorite) they call Special J or Super J, here... difference between the two is how many veggies are in your bowl.  (Very interesting!)

Okay, so there we were... eating good Chinese and Korean cooking, and we were listening to American Oldies on a radio station being played in the restaurant while we ate our food. Too funny if you ask me, or maybe it is "interesting."  Chinese music would have been more the ambiance if you ask me, but I didn't mind the oldies. Nate did however. He doesn't really care for anything that might be labeled, "rock and "or "oldies." I am not sure why several Chinese restaurants we have been at play this kind of music... rather than amplify the flavor of the food, but these kinds of things is what makes each place unique.... or rather,   uniquely "interesting."

Afterward we went to Riverfront Park downtown Spokane to enjoy the fireworks and I had to laugh when the band across the river was playing oldies rock... remember the band Chicago? Poor Nate.(16)  He looked at me and said, "I thought it was bad enough I had to listen to oldies while we ate Chinese food, and now I have to listen to this."  I didn't mind either the oldies in the restaurant or the  park myself.

And since we aretalking about interesting things:

From an English speaking perspective, I take note that this restaurant boasts of it's Sin King Room, although it might be a Sinking Room... (I think it is Sin King) and I am just guessing, but I think it refers to their lounge. Whether it is sinking or sin king, I kinda think (IMHO) the name fits a room intended for drinking booze.

I also found this particularly humorous as I went to the lounge area and read a sign that said,

"IT IS ILLEGAL FOR ANY PERSON APPARENTLY UNDER THE THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL TO PURCHASE OR CONSUME ALCOHOL ON THESE PREMISES."

Probably every drinking establishment as a disclaimer of sorts, but since I do not frequent drinking establishments this was a new sign to me, and not only that it was in the SINKING ROOM to boot!

My thought:
This is a bar, a drinking of alcohol establishment, and once a person is served a drink and consumes an alcoholic beverage, isn't that person "apparently under the influence of alcohol"?

I know, I am naive....

My friends who can drink a bit before showing signs of intoxication, or who are responsible for serving Alcoholic drinks to people in restaurants, would think me to be so... ( naive.) Some of them even tell me, I think way too much... In fact they probably understand this sign and its intent, I could too if my thinking were not thinking the way it is... and it did strike me in a funny way, mostly... probably.... because I am unfamiliar with such a sign. I read it to say, "Buying and drinking more than one drink here is illegal," or maybe, "we serve alcohol and we know it is bad to be drunk, but we serve it anyhow, however we do so responsibly." I think there is a little bit of irony in it myself.

So, I will add Tunloon Garden to our list of Chinese eating establishments. Geo, really liked it, I thought it was "okay" Chop Suey, bean spout style, is probably not my favorite., but it was good! And Nate.. didn't like the music, but he liked the food.

Pizza Hut

Well, we did visit Pizza Hut on the weekend. Its remarkable to me that this restaurant has been in business so long, and no wonder, it's yummy food. We had a stuff crust pizza. Beth loves it, but it is not my favorite. We had pizza and salad, to which I want to say we always enjoy their salad bar, even though the size of the plate that they give you for a salad leaves a little bit to be desired. I remember when they used to give you those oval ones..... you know, where the food did not fall off on your way to the table.

While we were eating, we were discussing the new remodeling that has been done at one of the local fast food places, which I will not mention, except to say that although we have enjoyed their food and their prices, we do not like to eat at any more because of their often vulgar or "dark" commercials; but we were talking and found it interesting that through all the years Pizza Hut has pretty much stayed the same. I mean, little, if anything has changed in their decor, at least the Pizza Huts that I have been to in my long life. It makes me kind of happy in an ever-changing world to have something that is stable, predictable and even a bit nostalgic.

And I also would applaud Pizza Hut for sponsoring the Book It reading program that our family has done for years. They really do reward kids with FREE pizza for learning to read and practicing their reading skills. It can be used in schools by teachers, or even by homeschoolers. Like everything else, the program has a definite er...a... political flavor in how it is marketed, especially to the public schools, (I see that now they are even going GREEN...) but they do help you give your kids incentive to read... and the servers at Pizza Hut, applauding kids for reading is really awesome too. Reading is important.

If you want to know more about the Book It program see:
http://www.bookitprogram.com/.