You have to check out the big "O"

Spokane + Washington + Community College + One of the best restaurants around +Accommodating+  Customer focused + Bakery + Good parking +Vegan friendly = Orlando's

It's 11:30, Wednesday morning.  I have an appointment with three other people.  Where am I going?  I know Spokane.  Very well.  I drive on the streets everyday.  In fact, I know most of the pot holes intimately.

I look at my calendar, am I at the correct place?  I am in the parking lot of Community Colleges of Spokane.  Parking meters, just like downtown...nothing new.  I plug my meter and walk inside. Takes me back to my high school days at West Valley.  Classes are just getting out (I can hear the bell ring).  Then, there it is...the beautiful smell of baked bread, fresh cookies and pastries out of the oven.  I walk inside...take a peek.  The friendly students say hello and ask if I would like something.  I quickly respond, "Oh, I'll be back."  I exit and there it is across the hall....Orlando's.

Is it beef tartar on the menu?  No, it's beet tartar.  I tell them I am vegan.  "No problem!"  Joshua Newkirk rocks - a student at CCCS.

No mushrooms (like Clinkerdagger's).  Remember, I don't like fungi. One hour later...one of the best lemon tofu beauties I've ever eaten.

The service was fabulous.  The students kind.  Whether they are in the hospitality program or the culinary program...these students know how to do it right.  Award winning I say.  Award winning.

So, if you have have a little more time over lunch.  Check it out.  You'll love the big O!


http://www.scc.spokane.edu/?culorl

Why Blog?

So, I asked myself, why blog? Two reasons:  I started writing a book about my grandmother in 2008 (may she rest in peace) and the laptop in which I had 55 pages written, was stolen in 2009.  So, I thought, if I begin a blog, I have a back up to recreate my book of thoughts and I can write about other things too that may or may not have relevance to the virtual world.
A little about me without giving too much, I am a vegan. I love to eat. I love challenging restaurants to find something on their menus or in the kitchens for me to eat. And, my grandmother was my best friend.
My entries will most likely be about four things:  my life with my grandmother, my life without my grandmother, the funny experiences I've encountered in restaurants here and afar and the fascinating conversations I've had with people.   Once in awhile, you may learn about my two furry kids - Frankie and Cooper; two cats that have made me laugh everyday since I've had them.  I picked them up at Spokanimal - Frankie is a year and a half old and Cooper is 5 months old.
One last thing, I have some hobbies people question me about:  mountain climbing, cycling, golfing, running, hiking, interior decorating and the latest event I signed up for...a triathalon (this one is actually quite funny because I don't know how to swim...yet.)