Teinei is the Japanese word for "with care and politeness". Teinei in Seattle's South Lake Union area could also add "carefully prepared, delicious, and healing". Upon entering Teinei we received a gentle Japanese greeting from the chefs. From our table we watched the white-coated chefs prepare their delectable foods; these white-coated chefs are really medical people, preparing healing broths, vegetables, legumes, and meats that soothe and satisfy souls. It's not just the food that's healing at Teinei, it's the respectful manner you are greeted and treated, and how the staff moves with a tai chi effect. The retro and funk music also seeps into your cells. We finished our meal with a dessert called Zenzai - a sweet red bean and mochi dish served warm. White coats in the medical field usually have stethoscopes around their necks, but at Teinie, these healers wore timers, where food is prepared with "care and politeness".  Teinei Seattle

Have you ever headed out with a friend for grub not knowing where you'll end up? Well my buddy Charlie and I drove from Spokane's South Hill across the tracks to Hillyard. We randomly picked a street and ended up at the Station House Bar and Grill. The Station House atmosphere is biker-family friendly with a pool table in the garage out back.  We were seated out back at a large round spool-table (a repurposed cable spool) and ordered our food. The friendly and hard-working owner, Lora Corners knew her food had sizzle. Charlie ordered the ribs and I ordered a burger sided with divine onion rings. A glass of Kokanee beer - and a smack-fest ensued . While munching, one of locals (who was in the Navy 35 years ago) talked about his youthful travels to Hong Kong and Japan and what it's like to sleep on an aircraft carrier during spooky 30-foot swells. We left with smiles and a hankering for more of Lora's grub.

Italy is a passionate country where people are demonstrative in their speech and food, evoking a feeling of neighborhood and tribe. In Spokane, Washington, Ferrante's Marketplace Cafe brings those elements together. The family run restaurant has the vibe and tribe of Italy, with a large assortment of fresh gelato to seal the relationship of food and pleasure. One only has to remember to order at the counter and listen for your name to be yelled out - "...ahhh, now that's Italian!" Hopefully the food pictures will be worth a thousand words! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ferrantesmarketplace">Here is their FaceBook</a>.

Atticus Coffee and Gifts in Spokane, Washington is an eclectic and electric place to shop and peruse unique mugs, clocks, cards, etc. The back of the shop has an excellent coffee bar and plenty of seating. The triple, eggnog latte had plenty of mojo to match the freshly baked lemon bar. If you're in downtown Spokane and need to duck into a pure positive place - Atticus has your vibe.