The ninth annual mARTi gras benefit for Art on the Edge was a huge success downtown Coeur d’Alene Saturday. The third year for the Cajun Cook-off brought hundreds of revelers through different venues, while tasting the Cajun delicacies prepared by some of the best chefs in north Idaho.

Menu items featured Blackened Sea Scallops with yellow pepper cheese grits by Gabriel Cruz of Cafe Trinity, Sandpoint, Seafood Gumbo by Race Jones of Cricket’s Steakhouse and Oyster Bar, Mardi Gras Sparklers (jumbo prawns blackened and spun in crispy fried magic on a skewer) by Troy Louis Chandler of Bonsai Bistro, Alligator and Andouille Picante over Dirty Rice by Jory Schemling of Eddie’s Bar & Grill, Sundried Tomato Polenta Cake with goat cheese by Angelo Martini of Angelo’s Ristorante, and Pumpkin Chipotle Chili Flan by Colomba Aguilar of Cafe Carambola in Coeur d’Alene.

The winners were: Best Appetizer: Creole shrimp with Jambalaya Rice Cake by Kris McIlvenna and Dennis Woolard of Greenbriar Catering and Events. Best Entree: Seafood Etoufee by Christian Schultz of Moon Time and Best Dessert: King Cake by Debbie Simel of Bakery by the Lake, all of Coeur d’Alene. People’s Choice award went to Adam Hegsted at Brix Restaurant for his Blue Crab Ravioli with Bourbon Cream topped with shaved parmesan amaretti.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort hosted the Kids Carnival free art event ”Artists in the Making” Saturday in the Plaza Shops, and a full weekend of great music with the Coeur d’Alene Blues Festival from the 16th-18th.

The mARTi gras event is a celebration and benefit for Art on the Edge, a free art program for kids. Contact Art on the Edge for more information at 208-676-0917

Wondering where you go just for some fun with the entire family?? Here are some hot spots that are sure to make both you, and your kids happy …

Food:

G.W. Hunters Restaurants and Steakhouse - Post Falls - (208) 777-9388

JB’s Family Restaurant - N. Cd’A - (208) 765-3225

Michael D’s Eatery - Cd’A (208) - 676-9049

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery - Cd’A (208) 667-3095 / Spokane (509)

Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers - Cd’A - (208) 765-5419

Fun:

Bumpers - Spokane - (509) 489-4000 

Chuck E. Cheese Pizza - Spokane - (509) 464-0447

FastKart Indoor Speedway -

J & J Amusement - Cd’A - (208) 664-8410

Lilac Lanes Bowling and Family Fun Center - Spokane - (509) 467-5228

Kyro Ice Arena - Cd’A - (208) 765-4423

Mobius Kids - Spokane - (509) 624-KIDS

North Bowl - Spokane - (509) 328-7090

Riverfront Park - Downtown Spokane

Rockin B Ranch Cowboy Supper Show - Liberty Lake - (509) 891-9016

Silverwood Theme Park & Boulder Beach Water Park - Athol - (208) 683-3400

Splash Down Waterslide - Spokane - (509) 838-0241

Triple Play - Hayden - (208) 762-7529 / (877) 770-PLAY

Virtual Assault Paintball Games - Spokane - (509) 535-6620

Wild Walls - Spokane - (509) 455-9596

Wild Waters-Water Slide Park - Cd’A - (208) 667-6491

Wonderland Family Fun Center - Spokane - (509) 468-4386

 

 

 

 

Many comments are rolling in about Pizza places around Coeur d’Alene and beyond! As our new issue approaches, we are getting ready to declare a winner of our “Fork-in-Cork” Award for Best Pizza in the new issue. Capone’s Pub and Grill of Coeur d’Alene has recently pulled into the lead!! Here are a few of the comments about the current leader::    

Rating: Buono! (Excellent)
The Heartblocker Pizza.  I love spicy pizzas, and this pizza had the right amount of pepperoni, sausage and salami.  And the grilled onions and green peppers add quite a unique flavor. I love the atmosphere; Capone’s has really been a staple as the best sports bar in Cd’A. Tom Capone is usually making his rounds and introducing himself to people, so there’s a sense of community.  — Justin  

Rating: Buono! (Excellent) Thai Chicken Pizza - It’s always good - the crust, the Thai chicken sauce. We’ve had their other pizzas as well, and they are also really good. —  Aaron

Rating: Buono! (Excellent) Pepperoni - It’s the Greatest pizza ever! — Misty

Rating: Buono! (Excellent) Pepperoni - Killer Dude!! — Joseph

and many more!!!

Join in both the joy and mayhem as the 9th annual mARTi gras celebrates in traditional Mardi Gras garb in downtown Coeur d’Alene this coming Sat. Feb. 17th.  

A variety of delicious Cajun cuisine will be prepared by area chefs in a battle for the title and the best Entree, Dessert, or Appetizer. Venues include Brix resaurant, Cricket’s Steak and Seafood, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza shops, and Barrel Room Wine Bar. There will be beads and masks available, live music everywhere, including the Winter Blues Fest at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, great food and costume contests. Dress up and go downtown! Tickets are available at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre box office.

The Following restaurants will be contributing for the event!

• Angelo’s Ristorante
• Bakery by the Lake
• Bambinos
• Bella Rose Cafe
• Bonsai Bistro
• Brix Restaurant
• Cricket’s Steakhouse and Oyster Bar
• Cafe Carambola
• Cafe Trinity
• Eddies Bar and Grill
• Greenbriar Catering
• Moon Time

Proceeds benefit Art on the Edge, a free art program for children. (208) 676-0917

These comments came in from EdTravelsEverywhere’s Ed Townsend about Latah Bistro, south Spokane:

The restaurant was recommended by the concierge at the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane. Ed rated them “Great” on all categories in our survey and noted that there is plentiful free parking, a very welcoming ambiance, excellent food and wine knowledge and a great wine list with top notch service! He felt it was reasonably priced and he eats out frequently! 

His comments::  The atmosphere is clever and comforting. The Trout dish was innovative, rich and fantastic!  Wine list had great variety and value. Our server was one of the best we have ever had.  He recommended a chocolate sampler for dessert and it was delightful. Overall one of the best dining experiences we have had, and we are frequent visitors from New York. We will be back! 

Thanks Ed!