Spokane’s Elizabeth Tellessen Tells Us What’s Good in the Neighborhood

Best place to take a client

Clinkerdagger. Wonderful food and a beautiful view of our river.

Favorite watering hole

If forced to pick one, Saranac Public House. Reliable beer selection and knowledgeable staff simplify decision-making.

Favorite sports bar

Jack & Dan’s Bar and Grill, founded by John Stockton’s father, Jack.

Favorite building

Spokane County Court House—the closest thing we have to a castle. 

Best restaurant

Casper Fry, and sister restaurant Durkin’s Liquor Bar, for inventive dishes and craft cocktails. 

Weekend getaway

Sandpoint, Idaho. Skiing at Schweitzer, boating on Lake Pend Oreille, or enjoying the beautiful scenery and downtown.

Favorite historical resident

Bing Crosby.

Favorite historical fact about Spokane

Father’s Day was founded here in 1910.

Favorite historical site in Spokane

Riverfront Park, home of several iconic sites from the 1974 World’s Fair and 11 bridges over the Spokane River’s falls.

Favorite city event

Bloomsday, a 12k road race.

Favorite courthouse perk

Attorney badges that let you skip the security line.

Favorite thing about your office (besides your colleagues)

 The view of Mount Spokane on a sunny day.

Favorite lunch spot

Cochinito Taqueria is relatively new to Spokane, but I cannot imagine lunchtime without it. The finest street tacos and creative Spanish dishes.

Best place to reflect

On a sailboat in the middle of Lake Pend Oreille.

Favorite park

Manito Park in the summer with the roses in bloom.

Go-to sports venue

McCarthey Athletic Center for Gonzaga basketball.

Go-to arts venue

The Bartlett, an intimate venue hosting legends and locals.

Best place for people-watching

Spokane Interstate Fair.

Favorite coffee shop

Madeleine’s Café & Patisserie for cappuccino and homemade biscotti.  

Favorite pizza joint

Republic Pi—thin crust wood-fired pizza, from traditional to funky.

City’s best sports moment(s)

Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII; and, despite the heartbreak at the end, 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game—Gonzaga Bulldogs v. North Carolina Tar Heels.  

Best Late-Night Eats

The Satellite Diner & Lounge. Although I’ve somewhat aged out of the club scene, this late-night dining room has a line at about 2:15 a.m.  Worth the wait, and better than making your Uber driver go through Jack in the Box.