Spokane, WA

Summer is finally here—like the long-awaited arrival of an old, out-of-touch friend. And knowing that the time will come far too soon to say goodbye once again, I make a vow to enjoy every glorious minute of it. This means when dining out, finding the best restaurant patio-seating Spokane has to offer, which leads us to the Italian Kitchen at 113 N Bernard, just south of the INB Performing Arts Center. We meet up with our friends and settle into a delightful balmy night of good spirits, food, and Italian music.

So their patio isn’t amidst hanging fauna and pots spilling over with flora, and doesn’t have a breathtaking view of the skyline or water or anything really. Yet it’s comfortable and gives the diner the chance to be amidst the downtown hustle and bustle, and at the same time support its local owners, Bryce & Lindsay Kerr, who—for all you old Luigi’s fans—have all but replicated its design and atmosphere since the fire of 1998.

Although a bit pricy ($8-$25 appetizers, $16-$35 dinners) for the overall experience, the food is top-notch and consistent, reminiscent of days spent on the Italian Riviera. Hence, the bestowed award of “Best Italian Food” by The Inlander, for four years running. Not too shabby.

So after a couple hours of this, we’re ready for that, informing our friends that going home after dinner is absolutely out of the question. The reason?—the relatively-new sweet spot, ZOLA, 22 W. Main, on downtown’s hip and happenin’ East End, where plenty of things have been happening lately. However, misinformed at the time, we set out in the opposite direction, through the midst of Downtown, where realizing our misguidance (ok, my misguidance), found we needed directional assistance. But it was all good. The stroll was lovely and much needed after our engorgement, looping us back around to the Italian Kitchen to which we wave in passing, and we finally arrive at the brilliantly illuminated salvage-yard chic-ness called ZOLA. The party can begin.

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Owner, William Webster, who also owns Isabella’s Restaurant & Gin Joint across the street, concocted this wonderfully recycled, retro-mod brain-child and found himself on a pedestal, to which all who patronize the night-life haven bow to. From the reclaimed, teal Tilt-a-Whirl seats lining the second floor from which patrons playfully peek, to the old license plate-shingled walls, to the antique windows and doors defining cozy seating and a mezzanine soon to be a card room, there’s never a dull aesthetic. Then there’s the artwork of old helmets, next to the touching dedication of an entire display window to a Steve McQueen-designed racing helmet. Yes, Webster has his own unique design ideas and the masses seem to adore it. I obviously do.

We soon find our spot holding up a post on the dance floor and sip with delight our New Castle’s from tap, as we easily find our groove listening to the sexy, soulful sounds of the R&B/funk band, Rough Congress. Another nice surprise—an old friend from college days is their amazing guitar player, and watching him, I find it almost impossible to believe that those long-ago, carefree days were longer ago than last year. Where did the time go? But like the interior of ZOLA, distant memories can be reclaimed, taking you deliciously back, if only for fleeting moments, before reminding you to live every glorious minute now. And as I check my cell phone for messages from the babysitter and we once again emerge into the sweet, warm air of summer, I rejoice in the knowledge that a Spokane entrepreneur gets that.