We’ll be the first to admit it: The strike of discomfort we felt when we discovered that Natural Start was closing was something reserved for Dario Argento movies. Kind of like this…
Sunday will, indeed, be the last day for Natural Start as we know it, with new owners taking over soon. The new spot will, from what we have heard, be very different.
Natural Start was, of course, a great player in the locavorism movement in Spokane, with a large portion of their ingredients coming from within a 30 mile radius, paired with DOMA coffee. There was definitely a reason we included the spot over at Only Eat Here.
The re-imagined Natural Start—and we don’t know if it will keep the name—will apparently not be focused on much of anything local, and the odds of them serving DOMA coffee are slim. DOMA is now confirmed! Woo! Not that we’re ready to judge the place yet (it might end up being a good spot for all we know), but when it is set to be redone as a “cool college hangout spot…” Well, let’s just say we’ll wait and see. The original’s awesome empanadas and creamcheese muffins will be missed at any rate.
As for co-owner Marc Gauthier, you might (note the emphasis there) see him working to some degree with another coffee spot in town, Coffee Social.
We highly recommend checking out Natural Start’s awesome baked goods while you still have the chance. And when they’re gone, go to Coffee Social—they deserve your support.
Q. Do know how to sell out a unique event in Spokane hosted on a Monday night?
A. Call the Spokane Vegans.
Last night, vegan cookbook author Sarah Kramer joined the Spokane Vegans at One World along with Chef Tony from Mizuna for a $20/ticket sold out event. Over 40 people were served a delicious meal prepared and served by the Spokane Vegans and friends (yes, that does include Spokane Food Blog). Chef Tony volunteered to make an amazing pumpkin soup and the main course of polenta with white beans, braised kale and roasted pears.
Here is my estimated demographic breakdown of the event: – 20% Male – 80% Female – 75% people over the age of 40 – 5% people under the of 16
Wish you would have been there? Well, this Sunday you can join the monthly Vegan potluck that will be hosted at the Really, Really Free Market from 2-3PM at the Peaceful Valley Community Center 214 N Cedar Spokane, WA 99201.
Seeing the success of the Spokane Vegan dinner, I think to concept of Jack’s: An Occasional Restaurant located in Brooklyn, NY would be well attended in Spokane. The restaurant is open one evening a month at a community art venue with commercial kitchen. It is great that One World was able to open their doors to Spokane Vegans to run their event.
Of course some Spokane restaurants already host special events like Jack’s in their own facility. Latah Bistro provided an amazing vegetarian event, Sante hosts movies nights, speakers, and collaborates with local vendors for events, One World hosts their own guest chef nights, Eat Spokane potlucks, and Olive It Cafe hosts book reading events. I appreciate all of these groups taking on the risk to create these successful events in Spokane.
Riverside State Park Equestrian Area is perfect for horses (obviously) but it is also great for strollers. It has wide trails and very few hills. While you are out and about you can pack one of Spokane Valley’s own vegan, organic, and gluten free Bumble Bars to munch on.
If your name is Sam (or a version of that name) and you have always wanted to connect with another Sam, well, you are in luck. My globe trotting, computer nerd, outdoors extremist, friend Sam is looking for you. That’s right, Sam is looking for a lady also named Sam. So if you think it would be fun to meet Portland, OR based Sam, send an email or check out his profile here.
De Leon is a fantastic Mexican deli, but frankly, the selfish part of me wants more awesome Mexican goodness in town. And that might just be happening on the corner of Ruby and Nora, where Mercado del(?) Pueblo is opening. (I might have the “del” part wrong, my memory is rather rusty.)
With promises of freshly baked goods and tamales, I think there is reason to get a bit excited here.
Q. Do know how to sell out a unique event in Spokane hosted on a Monday night?
Riverside State Park Equestrian Area is perfect for horses (obviously) but it is also great for strollers. It has wide trails and very few hills. While you are out and about you can pack one of Spokane Valley’s own vegan, organic, and gluten free 