Hailing from Santa Fe, I?m privileged to enjoy the excellence of the city?s restaurants. Never thought I?d be jealous of another town?s culinary offerings until a recent Spokane vacation found me dining at the Wild Sage American Bistro. The service was impeccable ? courteous, informed and prompt. What?s not to love? And the food! It took my breath away. The restaurant supports local purveyors, highlighting the best of what?s in season and it shows; everything was farm fresh and bursting with favor. We started with cocktails infused with anything from quince, to basil to blueberries. The balance of savory, sweet and tart was the perfect primer for the gastronomic education that followed. Appetizers were fried green heirloom tomatoes, robust spreads and house-made breads and crackers and marinated vegetables. I can still recall the delight of crunching into a perfectly pickled green bean with undertones of chili peppers. The butters, whipped up with honey and herbs, were exquisite. And how is it that crackers can taste so good? You know you?re in for a treat when even the simplest fare is sublime. Then we dug into the entries, a brilliant take on traditional dishes. The familiar was expertly married with bold new tastes, elevating each dish to something beyond individual components. Although the velvety line-caught halibut with macadamia nut melted in my mouth, I could not help but envy my companion?s lobster-ginger masterpiece; it was a revelation in flavors and textures. For desert, the sweet, ethereal nature of the coconut cream layer cake was accentuated by an intense, tart infusion of Hawaiian lilikoi sauce and the chocolate tart, Belgian dark chocolate with a sugar crisp cap and fresh whipped cream, were to die for. The perfect end to a perfect meal. Bravo!
Pros: service, ambience and of course the brilliant food
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