Six and a half years ago when I first moved into this small town Spokane on the eastern side of Washington (from a city of over 7 million in India), one of my biggest disappointments was the food scene. One of my first observations of my new city was the big- chain, fast-food culture which was front and center. At least on the surface. It was a big departure from what I was used to in India where mom & pop businesses and small local eateries far out number the fast food chains.
It has taken me a good number of years in this town (I’m ashamed to say) to really even start to notice the little local gems here.They have probably always been right under my nose the whole time, but without as much of an online presence and as someone who doesn’t know a whole lot of people (I am a true introvert) in town I was oblivious to them. In the last year or two so I have noticed more of an online foodie community through Instagram and Facebook and I’m excited to be uncovering a whole lot more to the Spokane food scene than what meets the eye. There has been a lot more events in the form of farmers markets, food trucks events and culinary events like Crave and Restaurant Wars which was just last night. And it was great!
18 local restaurants competed and showcased a small plate dish in three different categories: Meat Rations, Vegetarian & Gastropub. Hosted at the Avista Baseball stadium, the event was well planned and executed and attendees could buy tickets to sample which ever categories they wanted. The dishes were complex, well thought out and well executed given their working conditions of a little tent & limited equipment in a stadium on a windy fall day. It’ was a great way to sample all the local restaurants and scope out ones you’d want to go to in town. And I did just that. Here’s a look at all 18 Restaurants and what they were serving up at Restaurant Wars II. The winners in each category were- Casper fry (Meat Rations), Tortilla Union (Vegetarian) and Palouse Grill(Gastropub)! Getting exposure to a whole new bunch of restaurants I would love to try was the true win in my books. Which one’s were your favorites?
Meat Rations: CLOVER
Meat Rations: Casper Fry – Braised Pork Cheek, smoked cheddar heirloom grits, pickled peach, nectarine puree, asparagus, radish & micro greens
Meat Rations: Gilded Unicorn- Brisket Pot Pie Empanadas with roasted root veg in a creamy herb sauce and green onion creme
Meat Rations: CHAPS- Pork Loin Fritter with garlic cream sauce crimini mushrooms and rainbow carrots.
Meat Rations: MAX at Mirabeau
Meat Rations: Brunchonette – Chicken Fried Steak topped with scratch made Country Gravy on a Green onion cheddar Cheese biscuit
Vegetarian: Tortilla Union- Smoked watermelon, shaved jicama, cucumber ribbon, burnt scallion puree, lime gel, toasted pepita and arbol essence
Vegetarian: Wasabi Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar – Asian Taco, Fresh mixed veggies sauted in ginger-garlic in a corn tortilla with Pad Thai sauce, avocado aoli, fresh queso fresco, cilantro & radish
Vegetarian: The Wandering Table – Jackfruit and lentil empanadas with cilantro avocado cream
Vegetarian: Durkins Liquor Bar
Vegetarian: Zona Blanca- Heirloom Tomato sald, salsa verde, smoked queso fresco, radish, tostada crumble & mustard greens
Vegetarian: Fouty-One South- Sweet potato pierogi
Gastropub : The Onion- Handpressed ground chuck slider with 3 cheese gourmet bacon mac & cheese
Gastropub: Palouse Bar & Grill : Coffee Rubbed Pork Belly, White dragon fruit, cantaloupe, firestix, purple orchids & cider gastrique
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Print Recipe
Looks irresistible! I would love some right now!