Did you hear the one about the rocket? It's out of this world

Episode 2: Rocket Market

      Did you ever go out to dinner, have a nice meal, and when you got in the car regret not ordering dessert? Have you ever went out for something sweet and tasty just to find that you need to also go grocery shopping? Did you ever want to brag that you've eaten cheesecake at a gas station? Well, the first two might be a yes, but after you go to the Rocket Market you'll be glad that you updated your Facebook status to include gluten free caramel cheesecake and a bottle of cool Perrier.
     Located a stone's throw away from the illustrious Manito Country Club and only minutes away from some of the best restaurants the South Hill has to offer, Rocket Market is a foodie's dream come true. Supplying some of the best organic produce, grocery specialties, wine, entertainment and of course dessert, you'll be glad that you made the detour. I can honestly say that this place is one of my driving passions when it comes to food and food culture and much of my inspiration.

The store sign, now you've made it

     When you drive up you'll notice the large glass windows to the left probably filled with a mixture of college students studying, friends reminiscing over a glass of wine, and the occasional  good-date-gone-better. The reason behind such a unique mixture of patrons comes from the unique mixture of themes that Rocket Market provides. Rocket Market is home to one of the largest selections of independent beer and wine that comes with a convenient twist.

Love letters galore

At the bottom of each selection you will find a few notes about the particular wine, oil, tea, or anything really worth of value. This is very useful when deciding on the drink to match dinner, dessert, or mood and yes they will open the bottle there and give you some glasses. It makes you feel as though they built in a self-serve Sommelier. It must make you wonder who had time to drink that many bottles of wine? Well, there's an event for that! Each week Rocket Market hosts a wine tasting evening that is filled with tasting, food, and delicious company all at a reasonable cost. Space is extremely limited, but you can go into the store, get on their newsletter, and get first dibs for an entire date night. If you miss your opportunity you can still pop in for a little slice of happiness. Or you can rent out your very own wine cubby that will get filled eat month with a premier wine of the month.

Dessert Case at the front of the store

     If I were to add all the time I've spent over the years staring at dessert case at Rocket Market I could easily have written a book or two. Each week the case is filled with different delectable treats from cinnamon poached apple tart that makes you feel like you're living in heartland America to their simplistic lemon tart that puts you in a cafe in Paris you will find the dessert for you. Their Cascade Coffee and chocolate cake will give you the caffeine and chocolate craving you've been needing to fulfill. The sponge on their red velvet has been known to fill the dinner's mind with thoughts of delight and happiness. They always have several cheesecakes. After three years of sporadic encounters I have only seen a basic New York style cheesecake once. Other than that, I have had my share of key-lime, pumpkin, caramel, cherry, apple-crumble, tangerine, lemon, pineapple, coconut, toffee crunch, Neapolitan, chocolate, and of course huckleberry with a hint of lemon. There are plenty more that I've had to decline, but there is always something new. There are a few consistencies such as their Nanimo bars. Beware, their Nanimo bars are extremely delicious and rich. You might try and share one just to find yourself eating the whole thing! If you are of the diabetic or celiac persuasion fear not, because they have low sugar and gluten free choices. Just don't forget to find a unique drink for the occasion. I usually pick up a Huberts lemonade or limeade, but I also like my sugar to go with something sweeter.

Honey by the comb

      The last feature I wanted to mention was their magnificent grocery. To the left you can see only one of the honey by the comb selections which make breakfast an event to look forward to. They also sell unique items such as blue cheese powder, organic and certified local produce, a wide variety of teas, pickles, chips, flavored bitters, and of course independent beers by the bottle. Considering the size of the establishment it's a wonder how they can fit so much into such a tiny space, but it's no wonder why it will take you so long to look through all the goodies and treasures. I have picked up my fair share of bacon flavored chocolate bars with chicken and waffles chips just to say that I've tried each. They may seem as though the are a specialty shop catered to rich health nuts, but I assure you their prices are just as competitive as Fred Meyers, Rosauers, or Huckleberrys but with the added bonus of fresh dessert by the slice with an espresso. You'll be glad that you did some of your grocery shopping here.

     I wanted to end this post by giving my thanks to the wonderful people that work at Rocket Market everyday to make the world little brighter. If you drop in for one of their free concert series this summer be sure to tip them for me. I also wanted to thank the owners Shanda and Alan Shepherd who have continued to provide a haven for us foodie types. I also wanted to thank the websites below for their contributions. Every little bit counts and you are sure to find all sorts of little bits at Rocket Market.

Rocket Market
Food: Dessert, wine, beer, delicatessen, specialty
Atmosphere: The cafe around the corner
Price: $4-$25 and your weeks worth of groceries

726 E 43rd Ave, Spokane, WA 99203

For a spot in their weekly wine club or concert information call: (509) 343-2253

 If you try Rocket Market because of this blog please comment below!

Contributors:
sunpeopledrygoods.com
sipofspokane.com
chocolateandpizza.blogspot.com
travelingfeast.net

Fly me to the moon and let me stay for dessert

Episode 1: Luna

Main Banquet/dinning room

     You can tell everything you need to know about a restaurant before you even look at the menu. The smells of fresh baked breads and cakes can set your taste-buds into a salivating frenzy. The beauty of fresh cut seasonal flowers will fill you with a sense of calming serenity as you peer around the room and anticipate the curiosities you may find on the menu. Though you have yet to hear the specials, you have of course let your mind wander and rudely you stare out at others entrees with amazement and delight. You can and will find this atmosphere at Luna. Located at 5620 S Perry St in Spokane this is my favorite place because they cover the three major areas of dinning out and then some.
   There is a process that everyone goes through when we decide to eat out. At the very basic level we look for and think about restaurants based on what meal we wish to be projected into our lives within the near future. Everyone has their breakfast place, their lunch place, and of course their dinner place, but very rarely can any one establishment fulfill a palette request that would demand all three meals. Luna succeeds where many others try and fail and because of this accomplishment I am going to provide a short breakdown of each meal.
    Valentines Day is quickly approaching. While it may seem a bit curt to plan out a month in advance remember that reservations are a limited commodity.However, if you don't manage to find that perfect dinner spot consider an alternative. Imagine a bright and flourishing morning filled with sunshine and an entire day filled with small romantic ventures dedicated to spending time with the person that puts a smile on your face. The question that should come to mind: where do we start?

Freshly baked breads which you can buy and take home

  I suggest Luna for a well inclined Sunday brunch. As you sit to a warm inviting environment make sure you try a complimentary sweet roll. If I could, and I definitely could, have a meal of just some sweet rolls and butter with a mimosa I would be in heaven once a week, but then I wouldn't get to try any of the amazing breakfast items. The richness of the hollandaise sauce poured over a set of perfectly medium poached eggs, fresh baked english muffins, and ham will make you forget that the day should be focused on each other and not your taste-buds. If you ever wondered what the difference is between light, medium, and heavy poached eggs this is the place that knows how to show you. It is safe to say they know their eggs. Many dishes are served along with crispy rosemary red potatoes and which have the right amount of crunch to size ratio that you deserve in a starch. I dislike potatoes, but require this side dish at least four or five times a year. If you wondered if they make a scramble that showcases these freshly fried fingerlings they do! Better still, the scramble is filled with my favorite Spanish Sausage, chorizo. Once you're done you will have enough energy to take on the day and then some.
     If you are interested in a less hearty way to start your day try the eggs florentine, fiber-filled
steel cut oats with candied walnuts and cranberry compote, or try a sweet a tasty beignet of course covered in whipped cream. With whatever you choose to will be sure to feel full without feeling sluggish. I usually like to have a light brunch if I know I'm getting cupcakes and tea in the afternoon! If you do decide to do a V-day brunch here you will be glad that you can share a sweet roll with your sweetie. Head over to the Manito Conservatory for that extra touch of beauty or head downtown for a productive afternoon of paint your own pottery for a relaxing date day.

#1 Best Wine selection in the Inlander year after year

    Life is not always about sleeping in and having brunch every Sunday that's why God invented good dinner wines. If you were hoping to get out on a Friday or Saturday night with that special someone make sure you make reservations or cross your fingers if you plan on going to Luna. If you are a person that hesitates about sitting at the bar, as opposed to waiting thirty minutes to an hour for a table, don't! You will appreciate the knowledgeable bar tender and the extensive chalk art that surrounds you. You can still order, share, and steal bites with the person you are with. Sit back and have an antipasti appetizer loaded with goodies of different cheeses nuts and jalapeno jam or sit back and enjoy the salted butter and house made bread or in my case both. Their dinner menu has it all from unique pizzas like the Yukon potato, to the more fragrant butternut squash and goat cheese ravioli, to the more manly new your strip or fillet Mignon both cooked to a picky eaters preference. If you ever thought that the Inland Northwest could use with a touch of Paris you've come to the right place. Try the Idaho trout with risotto and a lemon caper sauce or the Luna burger with local potato fries and a side of sauteed brussel sprouts in a browned butter sauce. My favorite item to order is the Pizza Bianca that has black forest ham, arugula, mushrooms, and a white truffle oil. Don't forget to ask for an egg in the middle! A picture of my last visit is down below. If I didn't like sharing so much I wouldn't, but it is tempting when it comes to my white truffle oil!

Pizza Bianca

  If you want to know how good dessert at Luna is go down to Huckleberry's and pick up some. Yes, they are so good that a grocery store provides slices of coconut and pineapple heaven without the need to make reservations. The perfect way to end an evening out at Luna is their one of a kind, famous, absolutely apart-of-your-last-meal-on-earth Coconut Cake with a glass of Prosecco. The vanilla creme frosting and bubbles from the Italian Champagne alone will have you bursting out into Fred Astaire's version of "Heaven". When you ask nicely, and you will after I mention you should, you can have them heat up your slice and drizzle a bit of real maple syrup. Sugar comatose comes to mind with each surreal bite of frosting, sponge, and pineapple compote.

Coconut Cake

  I know that I have rambled on-and-on about food and date ideas, but I wanted to mention something about my credibility as a food critic. I have none. Everything I mention I have ordered myself at one point or another, but I am by no means a chef or a sommelier or a marriage counselor. I am a person who loves food and more importantly loves sharing. If you try one of my suggestions and don't like it then I'm sorry. However, I urge you to try again and try not to judge too hastily. 
  I wanted to finish this premier post by saying thank you to the men and women of Luna for making it such a special place. Their wonderful attitudes and dedication make the Spokane community such a joy to live in and be take part. Thank you to the owner whose personal flare and leadership drive the success of the establishment. They show the true purpose of a restaurant which is to make people happy. You can have the worst day in the world mean nothing if you end it with a slice of coconut cake.

You will be looking for this building

Luna
Food: Pizza, Brunch, traditional with a flare
Atmosphere: Warm, home like, Parisian
Price: $30-$100+ for two, $20 sharing a pizza

5620 S Perry St, Spokane, WA 99223

For Reservations: (509) 448-2383

If you try Luna because of this post please comment down below and write down what you had!

An adventure begins...

     The word "adventure" has become a notoriously overused buzzword in our culture similar to the word "opportunity" or "enthusiastic". We hear these words and don't give them much thought. A job posting with the words "Career Opportunity" usually mean that they would like to scam you. Ask anyone who has read a resume within the last year and they will tell you that everyone has their fair share of "enthusiasm". The word adventure is no different.
     The word is attached to movies, video games, books, ads for cruises, ads for mini-golf, role-playing games, and even online dating. Marketing employees have become lazy and comfortable using the same language repetitively to describe a menagerie of different life experiences all of which have nothing in common with one another and most of which have nothing to do with the adjective at all. It is my hope to change, in some small way, others perceptions about a simple night out to make it an "adventure".
     We live in the height of the Inland Empire. While Business Week has declared Spokane the #1 worst place to find a job in the U.S. we still hold the world record for the most restaurants on one street. What does this tell you? We still know how to eat and have a good time. Over the years I have wined and dined in more area eateries, pubs, grilles, public houses, fine and not so fine dining. I have had ridiculous amounts of teas, coffees, Italian sodas, fruity summer drinks, cocktails, beers, wines, and other random assortments of liquid delight. I am by all means a hipster of the food scene in Spokane. I have been out countless times and continued to strive to try the best that this area could offer. I never held back in trying different menu items and still refuse to make any modifications. My enthusiasm, and to use that buzzword appropriately, for food has and will be the cornerstone of my motivation for a good time. My belief is that good food breeds good conversation and in turn good memories.
    Over this next year be prepared to get excited, to get salivating, and to get an open mind about food because you will be in for an adventure. If you live in the area I hope you trust my advice and get out there and try the places that are phenomenal. Try the places that you would have never tried. The most important thing is to have fun!

Every week I will attempt to post one of my themed date nights, or a good place to eat, or an activity in the area. NOTE: to those that worry about my finances note that I am building off previous experiences, I am in no way going out to Spencers, Anthony's, Luna, and Mizuna all in one month (though that would be really cool). So please enjoy yourself and I hope you like reading this as much as I hope to enjoy writing this. My first adventure begins tonight.