The local

with Trish Gannon

At Connie’s Cafe on Cedar Street, Benny Baker has started up “Benny on the Deck,” every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m, where he hosts different musical guests to liven up your evening libations. But wait... where IS the deck?! Never fear, it’s being rebuilt, and the owners have reassured ‘fans’ that the tree will remain. When the deck was demolished, they said, there was “a bit of historic synchronicity: the truck driver that hauled away the old concrete was Conrad’s (Connie) son. The only treasure we found was a 1972 half-dollar.” Don’t forget, every Friday night, the restaurant still offers its clam chowder, or prime rib dinner.

For the third time, Evans Brothers Coffee (524 Church St.) has received the distinction of a Good Foods Award in the food and beverage industry, and have now won this award more times than any other roaster in the Pacific Northwest. The recognition is in honor of their Costa Rica Finca Calle Lajas Natural coffee, which was produced by Las Lajas Micromill, a partner with Evans Brothers for seven years. “This is the award we covet every year,” said Randy Evans, who owns the local roasting company with his brother, Rick. “The vetting process is intense for this award [so it’s] validation for the hard work that our team of roasters puts into our craft.”

Evans Brothers’ team of talented baristas creates a new menu of hand-crafted drinks every season. Look for their summer menu to come out around June 1.

Matchwood Brewing Company, 513 Oak St., won a gold medal for their Paradise Peaches and Cream Ale at the Best of Craft Beer awards. Their taproom keeps around a dozen craft beers on tap, including “Save the Sled Hill”, brewed to support Kaniksu Land Trust’s fundraising efforts to purchase and reopen one of our area’s favorite recreation spots. Recently hired head chef Katie Freeman will be overseeing the new summer menu, which comes out early June—but house favorites will still be around! Enjoy the new items inside or on the sunny patio and accompanied, as always, by a long list of events, including a music series. Finally, the brewery has added Ester, a tiny tap truck available for rental both on and off site, so renters can bring the brews to their own special event.

Katie Adams at Heart Bowls (102 S. First Ave. Ste 100) learned last summer that tourist season can get busy. “We get

eats+ drinks

so much tourist traffic in the summer that it is hard for locals and regulars to come in and wait in line,” she said, “and so this summer I really want to urge our locals and regulars to skip the line by ordering online.” Online order placement reserves your place in the queue, so you can pop in and pick it up (and eat on the patio if you like) without spending your lunch hour waiting in line. Deliveries can also be scheduled, at www.heartbowls.com.

Chad and Meggie Foust at Sweet Lou’s (477272 Hwy. 95 N.) have been doing a little bit of traveling and “are currently working on some exciting new dishes—brought to our attention and stomachs after some fun travel,” said Meggie. Although the recipes they’re working on weren’t ready to announce at press time, she did give a little hint: “Think Louisiana and Chicago.” A lot of good food has come out of those two cities, so look for it this summer on your plates right here in Idaho.

The Elks Club on Hwy 200 now features a new restaurant, Tracks at the Elks. Follow them on Facebook @SandpointElksLodge#1376.

They’re raising (and replacing) the roof at the former Panhandler Pies restaurant in order to make way for Savory, a new pub and grill downtown. Owner Jerry Dicker said on their Facebook page that, when opened, “We [will] have all your neighborhood grill favorites, minus the hassle. Quick, easy, fresh, and convenient.” A construction highlight: when the roof came off, old signage from when the place was BJ’s Burgers back in the ’80s was revealed.

Evans Brothers Coffee

524 Church St. Located in downtown Sandpoint’s historic Granary Arts District. Enjoy exceptional coffees and espresso, including the popular Headwall Espresso Blend. Locally baked pastries, breakfast burritos and more. Open daily. 208-265-5553 www.evansbrotherscoffee.com

in Sandpoint

HEART BOWLS

At the corner of First and Pine in downtown Sandpoint. Superfood cafe serves 100 percent vegan and gluten-free Acai + smoothie bowls, baked goods, rice bowls, drinks and coffee, plus a kids’ menu. 208304-7631. www.heartbowls.com

1326 Baldy Mtn. Rd. Wholesome goodness with a selection of fine deli meats and cheeses, bulk food items, pie fillings, fresh-baked pies, breads, and pastries—plus soup and sandwiches, take-home dinners, and soft-serve ice cream. Open Monday through Friday. 208-263-9446 www. millerscountrystoresandpoint.com

Winter Ridge

NATURAL FOODS

703 Lake St. A natural foods grocery store with in-house deli, bakery, meat department, organic produce department, a juice and espresso bar, and hot food bar with indoor seating. Open daily. 208-265-8135 www.winterridgefoods.com

CLARK FORK PANTRY 03

10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Enjoy a fresh Evans Brothers espresso and treat your sweet tooth to a warm scone. Freshbaked pastries, breakfast burritos and lunch specials. Fine selection of beer and wine. 208-255-3037 www.schweitzer.com

204 E. 4th St., Clark Fork. All-natural, made-from-scratch baked goods, homemade soups and sandwiches, on freshly baked bread, made to order from the deli. Wide selection of bulk foods, snacks, spices, and gift items. Open Monday through Saturday. 208-266-1300 www.clarkforkpantry.com