Over the next few weeks we will be launching a few sites more ore less related to ye olde SFB. In fact, let’s go wild and just launch the first one right now: Only Eat Here.

The concept of the site is simple—every week a few dining spots, be it restaurants or grocery stores, that in one way or other are outstanding will be added to the guide. These places are sometimes off the beaten path, sometimes not, but should all be checked out by locals and visitors alike. Agree or disagree? Comment here on Spokane Food Blog and feel free to suggest your own spots while you’re at it.

The inaugural spots are:

• International Food Store


• Kim’s Korean Restaurant


• Natural Start Bakery


• Sub Division

Now go enjoy Only Eat Here!

And here we are again, the season with too much snow, too much cold weather, and just the right amount of winter seasonals. And as we do every season here at the SFB, we kick it off with Redhook’s offering.

And as we do too often with Red Hook’s seasonals, we feel mildly let down.

Winterhook is not awful, and this year it probably tastes just a wee bit better than last years offering. There are hints of chocolate and a bit of sweetness to the flavor when it hits your tongue, and that flavor isn’t entirely unpleasant.

Problem is, any and all flavors to be found are washed away by a rather dull watered down aftertaste. Now say what you want about previous Winterhooks—and honestly there are many things that can be said—but they have rarely had any issues with being watered down. In that sense, the ‘09/10 Winterhook kind of reminds me of Slim Chance. A light ale. That is not something a dark winter ale should stride for.

A disappointment from Redhook then. Luckily the always pleasing Jubelale stands just next to it in the grocery store, so we will see how that fares at a later date.