In general, the "safest" type of brandy you can buy is a Cognac. Go with a VSOP or (even better) an XO and you will be fine. Sure, there are "generic" brandies that are equally good or even better than Cognacs, but to be the Cognac variety you need to go through strict controls and, of course, be from the Cognac region of France. With a Cognac you know what you get. With a "generic" brandy you don't.

There are, however, other varieties of brandy that are bound to regions and go through the same strict controls as the Cognac. In that sense they're equally "safe" to go with, if you like the varieties and if you can find them. Spokane isn't a brandy type of town, so at times the latter can be difficult.

A good Armagnac can easily be as good as a Cognac, and it also comes cheaper. This, I assume, is because it doesn't have the name recognition of the Cognac, even though Armagnac apparently was the first brandy producing region of France. Some will even claim that the Armagnac is better than the Cognac, but more about that in a bit.

Production of Armagnac and Cognac are similar, though the Armagnac is only distilled once as opposed to twice for the Cognac. While you would think this would make the Armagnac harsher, the aging process, which is similar to that used for the Cognac, mellows it and simply makes the flavors a bit different and, to some, more complexthan its more famous cousin.

Grading is nigh identical to Cognac:

• VS: Mix of Armagnacs that are at least two years old.
• VSOP: Aged for at least five years.
• XO: Aged for at least six years.
• Hors d'Age: Aged for at least ten years.

So why do some prefer the Armagnac to the Cognac? There are those who will claim the popularity of Cognac has sent it into a mass-production spiral which makes it dull and predictable. It is true that it is mass-produced, and production is probably modernized to a level an Armagnac producers can't (afford to) get to, but I am unsure if its quality has gone down. Possibly for a VS, but plenty of producers—including big names like Martell, Hennessy and Courvoisier, as well as boutique shops like Hardy and Larsen—make some amazing brandies if you go up to the VSOP and XO.

With that said, from a personal perspective, I can see why some prefer an Armagnac. The single distillation in oak barrels really does work to its benefit in terms of having somewhat more depth to the flavors. And note that a VSOP Cognac is aged for a minimum of four years; a VSOP Armagnac for five. That's a good bang for your bucks.

To add to that, the Armagnac is said to have great heart benefits. A study has shown the aging process of the product is the reason behind this, and the Armagnac region has the lowest amount of heart issues per capita anywhere in the world. True fact.

As for serving Armagnac, there is the age old argument with it as there is with Cognac: What's better, the snifter, the tulip glass or the Champagne flute? The answer is: The argument will keep going for an eternity, go with your personal preference. (I prefer a small snifter.)

Drink the Armagnac like you would a Cognac or any type of brandy. Small sips over a long time. Swirl the Armagnac around your mouth; it's quite pleasant.

Some like a small splash of water or an ice cube in the drink. Personally I prefer it neat, but hey, whatever floats your boat. In the warmth of summer I don't see the issue putting an ice cube in the drink.

There aren't many types to choose from in our caringly controlled Washington liquor stores, but the Leriche VSOP is a good and affordable starting point at around $30 per bottle. It's smooth and has a nice flavor.

Fun fact: When the Armagnac is bottled, it's bottled. Keeping it in the bottle for 15 years isn't going to improve its flavor; opening it isn't going to affect its taste anytime soon. Just drink the damn thing.

We have talked a lot about JB's and so we will talk some more. Because it's awesome.

The storefront looks like that of a minimart, largely because it is. In fact the division of the interiors is quite interesting. On one side you will find your selection of the Natty Ices of the world, where unassuming patrons will discuss their latest baby-mama drama and how their dealer was busted. Truly. It happened last time I was there.

The other half, though, is beer-Nirvana. I swear, every time I go in there the craft brew selection grows. I don't know if it's by magic or not, but I'll take it either way. There are aisles of bombers (22 oz bottles), many which aren't seen any other place in Spokane. The owners head west at regular intervals and bring back some bottles that can be harder to track down on this side of the state. Reserves and special editions are plentiful.

Smaller bottles, of different sizes, and cans are also plentiful, and mix and match six packs are encouraged. 

The juxtaposition of run-down minimart hell and craft brew heaven makes JB's one of the more interesting stores in town. It also has the largest beer selection up north, and possibly in town.

Excellent store.

Make that score a bit lower if you're going for the food. Go for the beer selection, though, and Waddell's is pretty glorious.

I'm not too into strip mall eateries, but hat off to Waddell's for actually giving the feeling of being in a real sport bar with focus on ales. Basically this is what kicking boy Post St Ale House should be. More than 20 handles, often rotated, all pouring quality ales.

I tried Ninkasi's Believer—one of two Ninkasis available on tap at the time—and good it was during a World Cup game. And this is a good place to watch the World Cup. Waddell's feels like a mix of a British pub and American bar, and both come together well. Sit at the bar, a booth, or regular table, and you should always have one of their many widescreens in view. All while drinking good beer.

The food isn't quite as awesome. My spicy chicken sandwich wasn't particularly spicy and the pasta salad was drenched in its dressing. Not cool. I wouldn't go here for the food alone, though I'm sure the appetizers would go well with the ales.

Waddell's, then, is a great place for a beer. Go there for that.

You can shout and you can beg, but there's no escape: The World Cup starts tomorrow, marking the one month every four years America halfway pays attention to something the rest of the world cares about sports-wise. I mean with pearls like this about Drogba's broken arm…

The level of football would only diminish with his loss. I haven't watched enough EPL this year to know whether he is a whiner or diver, but I know that he is a great goal scorer and hope he makes it.

… it is obvious that football fever is sweeping the nation. For the uninitiated, Drogba is a douche with a douche-y haircut playing for the Premier League's douchiest team.

My point here is that if you care about the game, then gloating in the face of injured players isn't just recommended, it's required.

And now I will step down from my pedestal.

There are plenty of places to watch the games, and most of them include good food and drinks.

Tomorrow's opener starts at 7am and features a talented but flawed Mexico taking on an unproven South Africa. It should be an entertaining match, and here are a few spots showing it:

• Heroes & Legends will be serving breakfast burritos and Bloody Marys. Frankly, what better way watching Mexico is there when you throw De Leon into the mix? Doors open at 6:30am.
• The Checkerboard is, of course, part of the "International District" World Cup extravaganza, and will kick it off with "International District blend coffee, Breakfast sandwiches, Bagel & cream cheese, breakfast burritos, Orange juice, V-8 juice, beer with Clamato, $7 pitchers." Doors also open at 6:30am.
• The Satellite will open their lounge for a World Cup "breakfast club" at 7am. (I'm assuming doors open a bit before that.)
• The Blue Spark has $3 Carlsberg, which, as a sponsor of Liverpool, I'm not OK with. Go for the $3 mimosas instead.

Most of these these spots will have events going for the majority of the games.

The US plays its first game on Saturday at 11:30am against an English side that might be the most talented team in the tournament, but also the one with the biggest egos. Hence why '66 likely won't happen again, and the US stands a good chance at beating them.

Sometimes you need some good "fast pizza." You know the type; the Pizza Ritas or Pipelines of the world. The problem with the aforementioned chains, locas as they may be, is that there's preciously little that elevates them from, say, Pizza Hut. That's not a good thing. And that's where Lalo's comes in.

Lalo's takes the "fast pizza" concept and makes it feel just a bit fresher. You have the choice of multiple sauces, many of which you'd more expect to find at spots like Bennidito's, and the toppings taste just a bit fresher than average. Not that you'd mistake it for a fully organic pie or anything, but then again, why would you?

The crust, too, is decidedly above average quality. It has a nice bite to it, as well as a good flavor.

You can eat in store, or carry out both fully cooked pizzas or go for the take and bake style.

I like Lalo's. It's not going to blow South Perry Pizza or Bennidito's off the map, but it has its place. It might be a bit more expensive than Rita, but for what you get, it's worth it. Definitely a spot that should be vetted.

Now this was a pleasant little South Hill surprise; "little" here being used in the literal sense.

Hidden behind a Starbucks anchored stripmall is The Hop Shop, a name that would indicate a bar with emphasis on beer. (It might also indicate it was an actual shop, which it is not.) The spot features nine taps, which, while not a large number, is highly respectable when all their choices are quite excellent. Craft brewers like Dogfish Head and Avery are represented, as is local lager champ, Golden Hills. If you're in the mood for something different, there's also Yakima Craft Brewing Co., which has a rather good IPA available.

It is obvious the people behind the Hop Shop truly care about beer. This isn't a placed where "ice cold" is considered a good thing, and our ales seem to have been served at the right temperatures. They also carry a small but good selection of bottles, and we did not see any of the Coors Lights of the world. This is a good thing.

The interiors of the bar felt contemporary without being trendy. A comfortable setting, though it could easily get a bit too crowded. Other than the bar, there is limited seating. The patrons seem to come from all walks of life, and some were obviously more wine people. Good, then, that the Hop Shop carries a nice selection of local wines also. 

The guy behind the bar mentioned they were looking into putting in three more taps, and that the rotation was pretty speedy. The Golden Hills tap will stick around, which is a good way to support a local brewery. 

There aren't many downsides to neighborhood spots like the Hop Shop. It's a highly recommended ale house if you live in the area, and even worth the trip for anyone else. 

PS: Actually, one downside: Top That was carded but I was not. What a slap in the face!

You like Pop-Up. You like Doma. I mean, of course you do, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. And therefore you probably want to head over to Post Falls this weekend to sample omelets, scones, and, of course, coffee from Doma. It's all local and/or organic, but really, most importantly, it will be delicious. Of course it will; it's Pop-Up and Doma. How can it fail? Head over to 6240 E Seltice Way in Post Falls on Saturday, 9am-noon, to experience it yourself.

Then, on the way back, stop by Pool World in the Valley for their "BBQ Cookoff!" Going from 11am-5pm—which seems like a long time for a barbecue—you will see the people behind Chicken 'n More, Sante, and Crazy G's face off in a deadly BBQ-off. This is definitely an interesting contest, as the three come from very different backgrounds and all do great food in very different ways.

On Sunday, however, you may do whatever you feel like.

The Tomb of Sammun-Mak is the second episode of Sam & Max season three, The Devil's Playhouse. If that means absolutely nothing for you, here's the lowdown: Sam & Max is a comic book series with a, shall we say, rather bizarre style of humor. It was later turned into a tamer Saturday morning cartoon, and has over the past five years been turned into episodic series of video games, now in its third season. They're adventure games, meaning they're focused on story, dialogue and puzzle-solving instead of action. Think fully interactive movie. Got it? Good!

With episode one, The Penal Zone, the duo rid the world of a power mad space gorilla, and Tomb… starts where the previous game ended. Surprising to some, maybe, this game barely involves Sam and Max, but is rather an "origin" story where you play their grandfathers in search of the Devil's Toybox. Yes. It's all probably a bit odd, and when you throw in Molemen, a Twilight Zone style narrator, a  Eurotrash vampire, and a pre-Santa-gig Kringle, who's a psychotic sweatshop toy factory owner… "Bizarre" might be a better word to describe it.

It's a good type of bizarre, however. The game is hilarious, with excellent dialogue and great locations. It's hard to fully explain the humor, but if you like the quirky non-sequitur style of, say, Monty Python, then you should be good with Sam & Max.

Recommended beer pairing A strange game requires a strange beer. Dogfish's Raison D'extra definitely goes well with the humor.

The episode takes roughly five hours to play through, which is comprable with the first game in the season. Some of the puzzles can be tricky, but there are always amusing dialogue options and background interaction to play around with while thinking.

I found The Tomb of Sammun-Mak to be another hilarious entry in the ever-growing Sam & Max saga. The season is around $35, and is available in digital format for the PC, Mac, PS3, and iPad, with the second episode being released some time today.

And if a video explains it better than I can, the trailer might make sense.

Yes, we have written about Sante before; yes, we will write about them again. This is as good time as any to remind you to head back to what we feel is the best restaurant in Spokane.

It might sound like a hyperbole, but while Sante was amazing when it opened it has just gotten better. Back of the house has been fine tuned to a team that prepares outstanding dishes, from amuse-bouche to dulce. The ever changing menu currently features some of the best gnocchi I've ever had. Perfectly prepared, served in a sherry butter sauce with mushrooms and herbs. It's what dreams are made of.

Go for anything on the charcuterie menu, too, and you can not go wrong. You can't; you won't! The duck prosciutto is decadent, and so is the terrine. Even if you're a vegetarian, they have a menu for you. Not bad for a restaurant with  'charcuterie' in its name. And if you're into buying local and organic (you probably should be) then Sante is definitely what one would consider a true Spokavore spot. 

Front of house has also steadily improved. The service here is stellar; friendly and knowledgeable, and not at all stuck up. For fun, play some food-Russian-Roulette and have the staff pick your courses. You won't be disappointed.

The list goes on… Five course meals, seven course, and now even ten course. Events like the upcoming 15 is definitely something new for this town. Great selection of wine and beer. 

What's not to love? If you don't love Sante you're probably dead to us. In fact, we are so into this place, we want to send you there. Over to Top That:

To make a long story short: My Catholic Guilt will result in one of you winning a $16 gift-card to Sante! So, what do you have to do to win? Send ten reasons you love Sante or ten reasons you have not been there yet, but want to go.  Team SpoCool will select the winner after 24 hours of this post.  If you have played Apples to Apples, you many be onto a great strategy. Send your entries to team@spocool.com.

To inspire you, here are our top tens:

Top That

1. Philosophy about ingredients
2. Taste
3. Selection of meals I would not succeed at making on my own
4. Staff
5. Some foods I have not tried before
6. Conscience detail in every dish
7. Every gnocchi and soup offering
8. Atmosphere
9. Watching the many ways people parallel park
10. Presentation

Mack Salmon (a 2009 vintage top 10)

1. The food is out of this world. I mean, it’s as simple as that. The food is consistently great, and always creative.
2. The portion sizes are just right. I’m tired of plates filled with food you won’t eat anyway. Sante serves true portions.
3. It’s affordable. And surprisingly affordable at that. Grab some brunch and we’re talking something close to diner prices. Dinner, too, is a lot cheaper than you’d expect from a place that—pretty literally—makes everything from scratch. Even the ketchup.
4. They have a to-go charcuterie menu. Grab some of their duck prosciutto and put it in your pasta or with your steak—I did both. (This isn’t the dumbed down prosciutto you might be used to, though, this is the real, super-salty, Better Taster stuff.)
5. The coffee is awesome. Four Seasons, and brewed really quite well. I admit to enjoying an espresso con panna.
6. Vegetarian/vegan options. Even I have ordered from the vegetarian menu. That’s just how I roll.
7. Best waiter in Spokane. Go during dinner service and you can experience what I consider to be the best waiter in Spokane. This guy really puts pride into his job, and watching him work is poetry in motion.
8. The ambiance. Hey, feels just like a Southern European cafe. Plus being inside a bookstore is just kind of cool.
9. Best gnocchi in town. Not that the competition is stiff, but the gnocchi is what dreams are made of.
10. No really, it’s just really, really, really good. I mean, I hate ketchup, but I’d eat their homemade stuff by itself. Gourmet ketchup? I’ve heard the word used, but here it’s actually true.

OK, so "URM" isn't exactly what one would call "sexy" or "mindblowing" or even "exciting." You won't see your wannabe hipster friends clamoring for a membership there. That's fine, really, particularly since you don't need a membership to shop at URM. A perfect excuse to tear up that COSTCO card, in fact.

URM is about bulk, but not necessarily the crazy sizes the Sam's Clubs of the world carry. They feature some local products and the prices are good. Selection wise, too, there are many things to like about URM. I might have a one track mind, but the beer aisle here is excellent, and you can find the cheapest six packs of Deschutes in town. As low as $5? That's a good thing.

They also have a good pick of packaged and boxed items, and even a large selection of hot sauces. I kid you not. Cheap too. There's also an office supply section that holds a high quality.

URM, in a sense, is Rosauers on steroids. Heck, URM owns them, so yeah, keep in mind that this is a local business. Not a local business that gets much love, but a local business none the less.

There's a lack of organic products and you can forget about finding any fresh goods. That's not really the point of the place either, and I don't think anyone would argue URM would be a one stop shop. But it's good for what it is.