This past weekend my husband and I traveled to Spokane, WA to visit our family, as we do several times throughout the year.  Most trips consist of good ole’ home cooking, but this trip came with an exciting new culinary experience.

The name itself, Sante′ Restaurant and Chareuterie, immediately spiked my culinary interest.  From the moment you walk in, the mood of local, organic and house-made is immediately set.

The ceilings are high and the walls are adorned with Spokane area photography from local artists. The tables are constructed out of wide plank oak with an elegant glossy finish. Atop the tables you won’t find salt or pepper shakers and certainly no Heinz 57 (they make their own ketchup), only a small vase holding an herbal plant growing in rocks and water.

At the top of their menu read: Early Fall Morning, 2009 September. Right there I knew I was in for a treat.

My eyes floated down the menu and settled several times on dishes like:

Crepe Suzette, orange mascarpone, shaved fennel, grand mariner and fennel gastrique – $8

Berkshire pork, terrine style, smoked bacon, tamarind and chipolte BBQ, mustard aioli -$7.

Finally, I my eyes stopped on the Gnocchi, guanciale, wine sauce, fried capers, basil tomato confit, pecorino, baguette – $10.

Let me tell you it was a symphony of flavors, each one playing a subtle role in the masterpiece.  The rest of the table ordered the soup of the day, tomato basil, it was a cup of heaven, silky and rich with a light drizzle of local honey and cream -$6.  WOW for these prices, you won’t find that level of culinary cuisine many places.   However the BLT and Le Parisian sandwiches were not the big hits at the table.

Overall, Sante′ is a great place enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers casually with friends or for a full meal and indulge in their 3 course menu option for only $25.  Or if you just want a nibble of what chef Jeremy L. Hansen creates, you can pick up some house cured meats, zesty mustard, BBQ sauce or rich ketchup to take home with you.

One thing is for sure, when we return to our home away from home, I will make sure to put Sante′ on the menu.

Sante′ 5 out of 5

Image via Wikipedia

I’ve walked by Frank’s Champagne Parlor and Oyster Bar a few times always wondering what it was like.  From the out side it looked like a throw back to  the 40s white leather bar chairs old time writing, and a curtain covering the bottom fourth of the window. The mystique and the name “champagne parlor” …..I was excited when I got a birthday invite to happy hour at Frank’s .

Once on the other side of the door, the 40’s mobster hangout turned into a fight between a 2009 loft and 40’s steak house.

The walls were planked with different shapes and sizes of wood, the chandelier was a dark metal with large round balls, yet the white wing-backed chairs  and antique furniture seemed to fit.

The happy hour menu was a nice mix of cocktails and munchies. We had the steak sliders with a horseradish sauce,  potato skins with fontina and white truffle salt and house chips with a feta dip.  All were delightful for under $6.

The non-happy hour cocktails were just like the décor, a few comebacks from the past mixed with new and intriguing concoctions. I had a “high tea” made from earl grey tea, gin, honey, lemon served in a martini glass with a lemon rind twist….refreshing and delicious.

Duck Soup Inn
50 Duck Soup Ln
Friday Harbor, WA 98250-6929
(360) 378-4878

When approaching the Duck Soup Inn, keep your eyes peeled because the one small sign at the end of the drive way passes quickly.
Once you turn into the drive way the trees and grasses open up to a small pond and a quaint little cabin. Right away this sets the local mood. The inside is all wood with charming paintings hung on the wall. The service is friendly and knowledgeable. They serve a full bar, but have some great options on their cocktail menu. The wine and beer selection isn’t large but well appointed, offering some delicious local wines from San Juan Vineyards. The menu is well rounded and so far the steak diane (tenderloin medallions with shallots sherry and cream), The fillet mignon and the  Cheese soufflé are all winners on the set menu. They have nightly specials such as the Columbia river sturgeon with a cilantro burr blanc, corn relish and balsamic squiggle was executed perfectly. Each meal comes with homemade soup and salad, made fresh everyday.
The prices range from $24-$36 per entrée.
Overall the experience was just what I was looking for, local, fresh, creative and delicious. Chef, Gretchen Allison really puts a personal touch on every plate.