I am an eternal optimist albeit a longtime journalist, and am in a hopeful mood with the positive news that has recently seasoned the Spokane food scene. It’s a small step, but I’m relieved that restaurants have once again been allowed to reopen at 25% capacity.

Driving around town on the weekends the restaurant parking lots were busy and it was a very welcome sight. Hopefully we can keep moving forward as we continue to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and socially move away, as restaurants thankfully are cleaner than they’ve likely ever been.

Asian Bistro D’Bali

The Spokane Hospitality Coalition’s first culinary collaboration – between Chef Jeannie Choi’s D’Bali Asian Bistro and Chef Chad White – was a resounding success on two fronts last Thursday: all 80 take-out meals were sold out and dinner was five. dishes were absolutely fabulous. It was my first time at D’Bali, and I can’t come back fast enough.

The exceptional dinner to go: Mama Jeannie’s crispy chicken meatballs and yaki-mandu chives with green papaya salad, Mama Jeannie’s smoked hawker-style Singapore pork chops with egg noodles, bao rolls homemade Mama Jeannie with White beef brisket, White’s udang sambal. Banana Leaf Steamed Shrimp Cake and Mama Jeannie’s Rainbow Agar Jelly and Coconut Cookie. It was a culinary wedding made in heaven.

Speaking of White, the Season 13 “Top Chef” and James Beard Award nominee proposed to his girlfriend, Alexi Sage, over the weekend, and she said yes. Also recently hired: Aaron Fish from Eat Good Group to Mandy Brunner. Fish told me on Saturday morning that they were planning to get married on August 1 at the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center in Post Falls. Congratulations to the happy couples!

And speaking of full, I learned that Outlaw BBQ & Catering Market had sold their 200 desserts for Valentine’s Day, and Bowl of Soul, Cochinito Taqueria’s fundraiser for Second Harvest, far exceeded its goal of 100. sales. Spokane’s support for its restaurants warms my heart on those cold and windy winter days and nights.

Gastropub ban

Before the 25% capacity went into effect, I recently returned to Prohibition Gastropub for Sunday brunch to check out the renovated outdoor patio to see how it would go outside. I was warned to bring a blanket. It wasn’t necessary, and my 9-year-old nephew Shawn still says the cookies and gravy are the best in the world. Now he’s adding Prohibition hot chocolate to that best global list.

Maryhill winery

National Wine Day took place last Thursday, but isn’t it really every day? I love Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Barrister Winery, and Maryhill Winery, and recently stopped by the latter to check out its covered outdoor seating. However, it was so cold that customers were sitting socially distant inside.

For one of the best deals, how not to buy a $ 30 bottle of wine when the $ 20 tasting fee for a seven person flight is subtracted from the bill – yes, do the math, and I’m terrible at it. math – and a little cold cuts and bread don’t hurt anyone. It’s fantastic at Maryhill – I really like that Maryhill has expanded her option to light bites.

Borracho Tacos and Tequileria

In last Wednesday’s Food, Kris Kilduff wrote about places downtown offering Birria, a traditional Mexican stew, and I was at Borracho Tacos & Tequileria the same evening to sample the Birria and Mangonada tacos, as well as a platter. entrees which included chicharrones and quesadillas – and maybe a shot of tequila. One word: delicious. Now, to get to the other five places that have Birria on their menus.

Baba

As you will read in Kilduff in the main story of Food Today, Adam Hegsted on Tuesday opened his Mediterranean restaurant, Baba, in the former Wandering Table space at Kendall Yards. I was invited to a preview brunch on Saturday, and was really impressed and will definitely be going back. Hegsted told me he is delighted to share dishes that he often cooks and eats at home.

Tasty, fresh and delicious Mediterranean brunch: stuffed eggs, fritters with fresh yogurt, braised lamb sandwich, kofta dumplings in a pita, potato latkes with Dungeness crab, mashed potatoes, tahini hummus and sorbetto pomegranate with a baba-haattan, Za’atar Old Façonné and Tamarind Sour.

Restaurants have reopened, love is in the air, and Spokane’s dining scene continues to expand and evolve. Cheers, salud and cin-cin!