Welcome to the third installment of our Spokane restaurants blog, dedicated to help you home-in on tasty destinations that are within walking distance of Stay Alfred at M Apartments. In keeping with installments one and two, we’ll be moving right along in an alphabetical fashion.
Tucked away in a small Howard Street location, Soulful Soups & Spirits (just “Soulful Soups” if you’re a local) does all manner of their signature dish right. Fresh made and hearty, their soups make an especially nice treat on a cold winter’s day. They also bake their own super-moist beer bread that’s served with fresh butter. Salads? Yep. Delicious. As are their “kitchen sink” cookies, stuffed full with macadamia nuts , coconut and white and milk chocolate chips. You’ll also find a great selection of beers and wines, along with a full bar. It’s a cozy little spot.
117 N Howard Street
509.459.1190
Located in an industrial space that, up until the mid-1980s, burned coal to provide steam heat for all of downtown Spokane, Steam Plant is visually stunning. Enormous boilers have been converted into rooms (pictured, but doesn’t even begin to do it justice). Miles of pipes and valves wind their way throughout the interior. One of the facility’s giant smokestacks has been opened up, presenting a unique pinhole view of the sky, high above. Have kids? Or an inner child that full of wonder and curiosity? This place is a must. The food’s good, too! My favorite item on the menu is their beer cheese soup, made with IPA, cheddar, roasted jalapeno and topped with a bacon lardon. It comes on both a cup and a bowl, and I’d recommend choosing the latter. The establishment is also one of Spokane’s many high-quality breweries. It’s truly a good time to visit Washington, isn’t it?
159 S Lincoln Street
509.777.3900
Here’s another great place that’s right across the street from Stay Alfred at M Apartments. Steelhead’s “Casual dining. Northwest flair.” tagline sums it up pretty well, and while downtown, I’l often pop in for their blue cheese fries, topped with bacon and green onion, along with a beer or an Old Fashioned. It’s a pub-like vibe here (but absolutely family friendly, too), with food that far-and-away better than your average pub grub.
218 N Howard Street
1-minute walk (If that)
509.747.1303 (Note: They don’t take reservations.)
The funny thing about this establishment that many folks consider to offer some of the city’s better sushi? They don’t own the URL. Weird, right? But the name is certainly easy to remember, and the place is always hopping. Fresh fish is flown in daily, and, in addition to sushi, you can find dishes like teriyaki, sukiyaki, and classics like miso soup.
430 West Main Avenue
509.838.0630
Craving something sweet? Sweet Frostings specializes in delicious cupcakes of all (50+) flavors, piled high with… sweet frosting, of course. They do a wonderful cinnamon roll, too, along with cookies (including macarons), cakes, cheesecakes and other delights. Their pastel-colored sugary base of operations is about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, as is their packaging, and delivering a cellophane-wrapped rack of cupcakes to anyone whose mood you’d like to sweeten is a sure-fire hit.
15 S Washington Street
509.242.3845
We in the hospitality industry have to share the love with others in the industry, don’t we? Table 13 is the house restaurant at the Davenport Grand – the newest of Spokane’s homegrown Davenport collection of hotels. Its emphasis is on delicious small plates. See short ribs on the menu? Get ‘em! Like whiskey? Their list of offerings is beyond extensive.
333 W Spokane Falls Boulevard
509.598.4300
Are we there yet? Because I simply cannot wait to have a plate of Yukon Taquitos – a unique invention of theirs that finds creamy potatoes happily mingling with lime, and just waiting to be dipped in a Sriracha-based sauce. They’re out-of-this-world amazing, and it’s difficult to be reminded of their existence without having them present. Wild Sage consistently tops Spokane’s “best of” lists, and their steaks, seafood and salads – not to mention their cocktails and wine selection – are all top notch. As for me, there’s nothing quite like trout served with crispy skin. Followed by a nice creme brulee, of course. And maybe an espresso martini for a little extra pep on the walk home.
916 W 2nd Avenue
509.456.7575
Taking over a space once occupied by longtime Spokane favorite Herbal Essence, Wiley’s carries on its predecessor’s tradition of fine American food. From their signature cocktails to their truly excellent wedge salad to short ribs sprinkled with green peppercorns to their dessert du jour, everything I’ve ordered here has been an absolute hit. Chef and owner Michael Wiley, who seems to live at the restaurant, makes guest feel absolutely welcome, and this has been one of my go-to places since its opening.
115 N Washington Street
509.838.4600
That’s it for Stay Alfred’s final installment of walkable Spokane restaurants. But be sure to check back. We’ll be updating it as we hit more long-time establishments and discover new temptations.
In the meantime, take a look at our ever-expanding selection of travel apartments that are now available in 32 U.S. cities and counting.
