We received this update from Steve asking if we could post it here, after he had seen us accepting contributions from other “outsiders.” Which we gladly accept because it means we don’t have to write!
Dear Spokane Food Blogger!
I have noticed you post many updates from your readers so I hope you will post this one from me! It’s about Taco Bell.
As we all have seen Taco Bell on 3rd street has been closed down for a while because of reconstruction. Every day I have excitedly driven past it and surveyed the progress of the new building. And when it was close to done! Wow! What an architectural marvel! Alongside Arby’s further up the street I think this must be the fanciest looking eatery in Spokane!
And when the doors finally opened and we were let inside. To think that a fast food joint can look this impressive! Sleek lines. Earth tone colors. And the layout! With all added up this doesn’t feel like a taco restaurant on “fast food row” (as my children call it), this is more like a chic European disco!
But this would all be for nought had the food not kept up its Taco Bell reputation of excellence. Would the meat be piping hot? The shells crunchy? Well, let me tell you, the food was the best Taco Bell tacos I ever had tasted! I am guessing they didn’t just change the decoration, but also got fancy new grills and broilers and such. My gordita was as fluffy as a gordita had ever been, and the meat?! A delicate flavor of spice, with a subtle hint of sweetness! What a taco!
Breathe out a sigh of relief, Spokane. Taco Bell is back! And it is better than ever!
As you may or may not know, today is First Friday, and various food-related places around town are doing something to commemorate the monthly occasion.
First, SFB favorite Sante is showing off art from… Actually, I can’t think of his name, nor can I find it anywhere, but he (she?!) is pretty awesome! Plus it’s a good excuse to check
French Quarter, meanwhile, have their monthly wine tasting from 5pm-8pm. Again, if you need an excuse to check out the truffles, this is as good opportunity as any. Plus they’re having a “trunk show” with local artist Bonnie Amistader.
And Barrister Winery—we enjoy Rough Justice—is showing Angelica DiChiara's "Scenes from Tuscany.” Which is probably awesome and all, though I’m more interested in the wine. So shoot me.
Anyway! I don’t know who you all are, but you submit many reviews to Taste Everything Once! New locations Taste and Atilano’s are both receiving mixed reviews. To sum up mine in a sentence: Taste is nice but nothing out of the ordinary, and Atilano’s is a bit bland, though has the advantage of being open late. The “new” Aqua Bistro, meanwhile, is not getting as much love.
Some say the “XO” stands for “eXtra Old,” I say it is an invitation to hug and kiss the cognac.
Martell is definitely a bit different from the other cognac producers. While Courvoisier and Hennessy strive to create a brandy with subtle hints of vanilla and caramel, Martell goes for a more down to earth, straight flavor. Consider other cognacs dainty ladies, while Martell is the mysterious aviator shaded gentleman sitting in the corner with a cigar and an ironic sneer toward toward society. Kinda like Elling.
The issue I’ve had with Martell’s VSOP is that it’s not quite as smooth as its more feminine cousins. This is, as mentioned, by design, and in some ways I suppose only Martell’s XO is meant to be enjoyed neat. And, by all means, if you get the chance to try it out, do so. Because this is good stuff.
When the cognac first hits your tongue you don’t need to look for frou frou hints of rose petals, this tastes like cognac. Pure and honest cognac. Blue collar cognac. Yet, just as you expect the flavor rush to be followed by a chaser of burn in the back of the throat… It doesn’t happen. It goes down smoothly, no differently than, say, a Courvoisier, but with little to no sweet aftertaste. Martell XO is just what it sets out to be; a straight cognac, with a nice strong flavor, and an incredible smoothness. And this makes it pretty heavenly.
A quick check reveals that you can’t buy Martell XO in Washington at the moment. What the hell? I blame the soft Seattleites for this. Expect to pay around $140 in the US for a bottle, which is… Yes, it’s an investment, and all I got to say is bless Dubai duty-free for carrying this.
