Cabela's

On the way home from Art on the Green in CdA, we decided to stop by at Cabala's and see the store people have been talking about. The store opened in Post Falls ID, Nov. 2007, but this was my first time there. It was new too for N and B who were with us.

I had heard a lot about the store because Geo had been there with a friend who was visiting from India, but mostly what I heard about was the incredible animal displays. Our Indian friend had never seen animals like the ones he saw there. They were so out of the ordinary for him that he just could not imagine some of them even being real.

I guess I am jus not into the dead animal scenery because it really ws not that impressive, or at least it was not what the guys made me to imagine as they were telling me their animal tales about Cabela's. Personally I find the idea of taxidermy animals a bit morbid, but if you are interested in seeing animals, it's about the best thing we have to a zoo in this area which is a sad thing to say. There is a lion a rhino, a polar bear a moose wolverines puma warthog zebra moose, bears to name a few. There are also large fish that B. , like our friend from India, thought were not even real. However we went to Cabela's not just to see the animals, but to have a bite to eat.

I have to say, the store is a trip. I wondered around thinking it pretty funny that grown men would get such a kick out of shopping there for costumes to make themselves look like walking bushes and watch videos presented to them by amunition experts on video tape. And I also find the idea of baiting animals so you can shoot them when they come to feed disturbing... This kinda thing is not really "hunting" if you ask me.

They also have a bear trap display on the wall as you leave that we looked at. Those are some strange devices to consider. I have never come face to face with a bear nor had to feel like I needed to trap one, but I suppose they are not always so good to have roaming around in the neighborhood causing trouble for humans. The cruelty factor perplexes me as does the stories of people and other animals that have been known to accidentally get snapped in a hidden bear trap in the woods.

We did not eat at the art festival, because we were looking for the famous New York Sausages but never found them and had to lea e because we were running out of time before we had to be back home. We did find a vegetarian stand we were thinking of eating at but they were right next to a chicken eaters sandwich stand and the two stands, right next to each other was sort of ridiculing the other... one ridiculing the other for eating chickens and one the other for not eating chickens. It was a little unappetizing to have to choose between the two, so off we went....with Cabela's in mind.

Based on what I had heard, I was under the impression that the restaurant would be more than a cafeteria experience but it was not. A cafeteria experience it was, although they call it both a restaurant and a delicatessen. Basically you get in line and either order your selection and watch it being cooked real quick or you can take ready made items from the shelves. You put your stuff on your tray and then pay for it at a cash register in another line, and find a seat. Even B. commented that she felt like she was in a school cafeteria.

I guess you would say the restaurant is unique in that you can order unusual items, like elk, wild boar, Bison, and ostrich. Where else in Spokane can one find such delicacies?

You can order more normal things too like turkey, ham, tuna, roast beef, chicken, hamburgers, pizza, fries and hot dogs. Feeling a little vegetarian that day, I had a small salad and some cole slaw which I got from the shelves. Everything else on the menu seemed like it would be loaded with fat and sodium. The rest of the fam ordered things like: a chili bread bowl, chili fries and a hamburger that looked great. It was tasty, but I do not think I would make a special trip to eat there, unless of course I had a hankerin fer some ostrich or bison, yall know what I mean?

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!