So back in Spokane on another east Washington adventure with the pup for a couple days. Always like to check in with my Yelp compadres to choose dining spots. Never have been let down.
Honestly, this is a tough place for me to rate. For those that regularly read my rankings, you know over the years I've come to withhold my 5 star ratings for places that elevate food to an art and provide commensurate service and surroundings. This is not that place, however I realized tonight I have this bias, which is 100% mine, so for those that follow me, go beyond my star-ratings, there is much good to be found in 3-4 stars.
I was honestly disappointed when I arrived. I had expectations of perusing a vast wine list and savoring pairings with incredible food that's been transformed from its lowly beginning to something that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. I arrived at Elliot's in middle of a block with a serious "BAR" on the corner and no dedicated parking. At first I thought the bar was Elliot's and I thought about leaving. But there was a street parking spot in middle of block on opposite side so I pushed myself to get out of my comfort zone and check it out. It wasn't the bar, 2 doors down, dimly lit. The "seat yourself" magic marker sign told me all I needed to know. I realized at that moment I had a bias to be a food snob. I was walking through front door with a negative attitude from expectations not delivered.
Less than 20 people in whole place counting patrons and staff. Ok I said, won't have to watch all the phonies taking selfies tonight and looking around to see who's noticing them. Check. Opted for 4 top table across from bar and TV as I gleely noted no sports ... a cooking show. Took a bit for my server to actually stop at my table. And my hackles went up. Then I notices there were 15 patrons in Elliotts and he was only staff. Never seen any restaurant where things were running well with 15 people per server!! Perused the menu and was ready when he came over and glumly asked "just 1"?
I was ready ... do you have a Hefeweizen beer on tap? No ... ok, I'll take a Bluemoon. And I'll take a cup of the chicken and pasta soup, a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette and the steak frites medium rare. After I ordered, sat back and nursed my Bluemoon and took in Elliott's. It's a neighborhood Pub ++. Fully stocked bar dominates the place. Rest is open with tables, 4 top and up. So now I understood my servers reaction to "just 1"? No problem, I'm blown away by patrons. Local looking folks having fun, NO ONE HAD THEIR PHONE OUT. Too busy enjoying the pub ++ food, drink, and relaxed/community vibe.
Out comes my food ... all at the same time, no staging. Soup, salad, entree. Here it is, all at once. Made decision to eat soup first, then steak frites, then salad. Soup is great. Hot and salt balance just right for me. 12 oz rib eye was good, not great (a bit too fatty for me), and accompanying steak frites (potato wedges) well seasoned, could have been crispier. Green salad a mess of green and red lettuce, 2 tomato slices and 2 cucumber slices. Balsamic vinegar was as expected, good not great.
The manager/owner came by my table to see if I needed anything. I was wanting to hang a bit so I ordered a Pecan Old Fashioned I had seen on craft cocktail menu. Wow, wow, wow! A seriously good drink. House infused bourbon with roasted pecans, and maple syrup and bitters. Damn if it didn't have a Luxardo cherry and an artfully carved orange rind. Owner came by and I told him how much I liked the cocktail, and there is so much pride in his face and voice telling me about it!!
Finished the meal up with a piece of flourless chocolate cake. Perfect.
All that food with the beer and 2 mixed drinks, only $78. A pretty good value these days.
As I'm happily walking out (yeah, some of that is the 2 Old Fashioned's), I'm thinking ... that was middle of road food, some interesting menu items ... ok service, decent value, but I'm totally relaxed and smiling ... so a good dining experience. I think this is exactly the experience the ownership would say they are striving for. This is an honest place, executing pretty well. Give it a try. read more