(SpoCOOL) A Spokane Blog

"Old Apple" is a Norwegian cocktail, and as you well know, nobody does it better than the Norwegians. True. Fact.

For those not familiar with akevitt, it's an herbed spirit, which comes in vaguely different varities throughout Scandinavia. The Norwegian version follows Cognac and Champagne, with strict, EU enforced rules for what can be called "Norwegian akevitt" (bummer for an Oregon distillery producing something using that jargon).

The advantage of this kind of naming law is, of course, that you know what you'll get when buying "Norwegian akevitt," because lord knows there's some crap out there.

Traditionally akevitt is paired with beer -- most often lager, despite that not being used in this recipe -- and "Old Apple" brings the two together in one glorious cocktail:

• 4 cl akevitt
• 2 cl apple juice (make sure it's pure)
• 4 cl witbier (Avery's White Rascal is a good choice)
• Optionally Sprite

Fill a whiskey glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour in akevitt, apple juice and beer. Stir. Add more ice cubes until glass is full, and optionally top with Sprite.

This recipe has a hidden kick to it, so take it slow!

I've mentioned it a few times before: Burgers don't really excite me, largely because they tend to be a bit... Dull. It might be a Spokane thing, a smaller city where Red Robin is considered a holy house, and really, many don't want much out of the ordinary. Hence the focus on making dull burgers.

Sante has had various burgers on the menu over the years, though the first one I've actually decided to bother with is the foie gras one currently on the brunch menu. I say "bother" because, really, if I'm going to spend twenty bucks on something, a burger isn't on top of my list.

This time, however, I'd heard good things and hence I went wild and crazy and ordered a burger. It's how I roll.

Was it worth it? Definitely. Really, really, definitely. This is really nothing less than a great meal. A high-end steak-quality patty, covered with foie and cheese served on a bun that actually isn't from Franz (very quaint and different for this area)? This just makes so much sense you can all of a sudden see the reason why people like hamburgers. Not those kind of burgers. Sante burgers.

It is served with the house ketchup on the side, but why you'd want to use it is beyond me here. The foie is your new burger condiment, it's how you live your life now. 

Many nicer restaurants in town have attempted to do a high-end burger, but how often have you been excited by one? This is one that should be celebrated. And also the reason why I probably can't order a burger anywhere else in town ever again.

Note: This is the hot wing review, not the full review of Bennidito's.

I think the word "average" is underrated in many cases. Duran Duran, for example, is, in my mind, pretty average, but I still enjoy their music just fine. It's not something I'd turn off when they're played on the radio, yet I wouldn't pay $150 to see them live either. "Average" can merely mean "safe and dependable" and sometimes that is just OK.

Bennidito's hot wings are average in that Duran Duran sense of the word. These aren't wings you'd write haikus about, but they can be enjoyed for what they are, then swiftly forgotten about until you all of a sudden have a craving for them once again.

Duran Duran actually makes a living off that kind of craving.

There is no spiciness level to choose from here. (For the wings, that is, not Duran Duran.) You get the wings as they are, and they're actually not too bad flavor wise. Not that they're difficult to eat, not even remotely, but there's a tingle of spice to them. The consistency is fine, in the sense that the texture isn't mushy, yet without much of a bite either.

As opposed to some, the sauce nicely coats the wings, without dripping off.

And at $6 for eight of them, they're a good deal for what really is a full meal in itself. Bonus point for using blue cheese instead of ranch dressing.

Average wings, then, aren't bad. Bennidito's wings can safely be ordered and enjoyed, but the impact won't be a lasting one.

You can't buy this Groupon deal yet, but if you haven't signed up for the service and thus won't receive the e-mails, the "$5 for $10 Worth of Bistro Fare at Jupiter Bistro in Rocket Market" might just be enough for you to consider signing up.

The Deal Planet, meanwhile, is running a $7 for $14 deal for Opa! if that's more your thing. Both Groupon and Deal Planet are excellent services, and often have good deals on food. Hence you should probably sign up.

Ciao Mambo has opened downtown, so let us know how you like their Italian nachos. (How do they compare to the Tex-Mex variety?!) 

Ginger has opened a northside location, dubbed "Wasabi Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar." Find it at 10208 N Division.