Bountiful Beautiful: America’s Inland Northwest
Warren and I have always wanted to visit eastern Washington and northern Idaho. So off we went, on a 300- mile culinary odyssey through “the Inland Northwest.” Our agenda – exploring, feasting, and wine tasting.
We started in beautiful Spokane, then drove into northern Idaho, where the golden wheat fields, elegant mountains, and sparkling lakes awed us. We picked fresh apples, posed for photos with mammoth pumpkins, and feasted on tangy huckleberries. At family-owned wineries, we tasted nectar of the gods. Talented chefs served us smoked trout, roasted quail, rosemary foccacia, filet mignon, and sweet peach pie. Farmers waxed poetic over lentils, wheat, and heirloom tomatoes. Everything from farm to table was delicious, grown and prepared with love.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Our culinary tour began in Spokane, known for its historic architecture, spectacular scenery, and as Bing Crosby’s birthplace. We dined at three very special restaurants: Sante, Masselow’s, and Latah Bistro.
Sante is a chic bustling café that serves organic gourmet fare. The specialty of the house is charcuterie: duck prosciutto, Spanish chorizo, and chicken liver pate. We breakfasted royally on gravlox with pears, French toast with anise syrup, and gnocchi with bacon. An artfully presented fresh fruit plate could have been painted by Cezanne.
Masselow’s is one of 14 restaurants within eastern Washington’s only AAA Four Diamond casino resort, the stunning Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Chef Robert Rogers delights diners with seared scallops in lemon-roasted cauliflower sauce, Washington beef sirloin with wild berry glace, and butternut squash soufflé with maple sauce. The sophisticated dining room is adorned by Native American tribal portraits, including a powerful image of Chief Masselow.
Chef David Blaine’s Latah Bistro is a wonder of regional fare. His goal is making everyday eating healthy and delicious. We were treated to locally farmed chickpeas, lentils, and wild mushrooms on pizza, spinach salad with organic chicken, and jumbo blackberries. As I nibbled on the best rosemary focaccia of my life, I was introduced to farmer Read Smith, who said he grew the wheat that made the flour the focaccia was made from. Now that’s farm to table, a way of life in The Inland Northwest.
Leaving gorgeous Washington State and driving into northern Idaho, we rev up for more culinary treats at Pend Oreille Winery/Bistro Rouge Café, Beverly’s Restaurant, and Nectar. Northern Idaho is a marvel of sparkling lakes, perfect for sailing and fishing, and undulating mountains, home to elk, deer, wild turkeys, and huckleberry-eating bears. Idaho lays claim to the most whitewater rapids in the contiguous United States, and boasts 43 wineries.
Pend Oreille Winery/Bistro Rouge Café is in charming Sandpoint, recently named the “Most Beautiful Small Town in America” by USA Today and Rand McNally. Located on 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, this picturesque town deserves its accolades. We enjoyed a peaceful cruise on the lake aboard the Shawnodese Yacht while we photographed bald eagles and learned about the lake’s history and geology. We look forward to returning to Sandpoint for fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, art galleries, fine dining, and seaplane tours over the mountains.
More gorgeous views greeted us at breakfast at Beverly’s Restaurant inside the fabulous Coeur d’Alene Resort. Executive Chef Rodney Jessick served poached eggs topped with trout and hollandaise, grilled zucchini, homemade sausage, and tangy huckleberries. We hope to return soon to taste Chef Jessick’s firecracker prawns in Cajun spices and baked Alaska.
FAMILY-OWNED WINERIES
The Inland Northwest boasts 25 wineries, family-owned businesses that hand-craft Syrah, Ligonier, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling wines.
Visitors are welcome for wine tastings. Our favorites were the 2008 Cabernet Franc from Barrister Winery; 2008 Barbera from Trezzi Farm, 2008 Primitivo from Pend d’Oreille, and the 2009 Riesling from Arbor Crest. The Arbor Crest Estate is popular for weddings and special events, as it is located atop a 450-foot cliff with exquisite views of Spokane. The estate boasts a three-story Florentine mansion, a sunken rose garden, and a life-size checkerboard.
MORE DELICIOUS TOURS
We also enjoyed visiting Green Bluff Growers, just 15 minutes north of Spokane in Colbert, Washington. You could spend the whole day in this gorgeous rural area, ambling through three dozen farms offering 100+ varieties of fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade pastries, pies, lavender, jams, candy, and gifts. There are strawberry, cherry, peach, and apple festivals throughout the year.
Another great stop was in Pullman, Washington to watch students and faculty at the Washington State University creamery making Cougar Cheese. This flavorful cheese can be ordered online in unusual flavors like sweet basil, smoky cheddar, and jalapeno pepper.
BOUNTIFUL BEAUTIFUL
Throughout our culinary odyssey around the Inland Northwest, we were inspired by the passion and creativity of farmers, chefs, and winemakers who devote their lives to creating food and wine that satisfies not just the palate, but the soul. One multigenerational farmer told me, “My grandfather homesteaded here. I still farm here because this is home.”
Classic red barns and graceful golden fields frame peacefully grazing picture-perfect cows and horses. As we drove away, I looked out the window and understood why all who live here treasure this bountiful beautiful land.
IF YOU GO
We enjoyed these delightful hotels:
The Davenport Hotel and Tower
Spokane, Washington
1-800-899-1482
Northern Quest Resort & Casino
Airway Heights, Washington
1-877-871-6772
Coeur d’Alene Resort
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
1-800-365-8338
The Bungalows at Dover Bay
Sandpoint, Idaho
1-208-265-1597
Tours:
Framework Meetings and Destinations
1-509-230-4554
Tourism Info:
Idaho Dept. of Commerce
1-800-847-4843
Spokane Regional CVB
1-888-Spokane
