In February of 2020, chef, restaurateur and Spokane-native Chad White was named as a semifinalist by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific for his first local restaurant, Zona Blanca Ceviche. For the Top Chef-alum, it was the exclamation point on 2019 which saw him open TT’s Old Iron Brewery and Barbecue with local brewer Travis Thosath in Spokane Valley and two locations of High Tide Lobster Bar. In the weeks following the nomination, White’s momentum was stopped as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered restaurants. Now, as he looks to relaunch Zona Blanca in its new Downtown Spokane location, we check in with White on the year that wasn’t, his work with the Spokane Hospitality Coalition and what is to come for him and the region.
Category: Bars, Restaurants & Bakeries
From South Korea to the West Plains: Mama Jeannie & d’bali Asian Bistro
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jeannie Choi grew up in a family of restaurateurs. In college, she stepped away from food to study Korean literature. After working for a large Korean hotel chain, Choi moved to Spokane in 2005.
In 2018 “Mamma Jeannie” opened D’bali Asian Bistro in Airway Heights and has been serving new and loyal customers ever since!
Palouse Products Shine with the Flavors of Ethiopia at Spokane’s Queen of Sheba
For many immigrants, finding the flavors, ingredients and dishes they were raised on in their adopted home countries can be difficult. But the Inland Northwest offers Almaz Ainuu, owner of Spokane’s Queen of Sheba, a unique link to her native Ethiopia: teff.
Fery Haghighi has been Catering Persian Specialties to Spokane for Almost 40 years
After settling in Spokane following the Iranian Revolution, Fery Haghighi has been a part of the local food landscape for almost 40 years.
“When we came here, there were only chain restaurants…Spokane has come such a long way since then.”
Canned Cocktails are the newest act performing at Pullman’s Etsi Bravo
Pullman’s Etsi Bravo turns to canning and builds a new kitchen in order to stay open during Washington’s Covid shutdown restrictions.
Cheese and Pastry are showcased at Spokane’s Rind and Wheat
After years as a pastry chef and consultant, Ricky Webster used COVID-19 to make himself the client. The result is his Browne’s Addition bakery & cheese shop, Rind and Wheat.
Sweet Deliveries around Spokane
No stockings hung by the chimney? Who cares?! These local businesses will bring goodies to your door whether you’ve been naughty or nice.
Sourdough Goes Viral: Lucky Lady Bread shares her starter during COVID-19 crisis
When the stay at home order first came down, yeast was among the first staples to fly off of store shelves.
But many in Spokane tried their hand at baking with a start from Carl and Lucky Lady Bread.
