House of Brunch’s beignets are now being served in CdA.
Young Kwak photo
For Idahoans who’ve had to travel across state lines to find new bites or visit their favorite Spokane-based restaurants, you can now save yourself a trip. This year, food businesses have increasingly set sights on Coeur d’Alene, expanding or opening concepts that cover breakfast to dinner.
EXPANSIONS
House of Brunch’s original downtown Spokane location has filled many a stomach with bottomless mimosas and its elevated brunch menu. Now, downtown Coeur d’Alene residents can get their fill with the restaurant’s second location (formerly Emran Restaurant) that opened July 9 at 309 E. Lakeside Ave.
Gluten-free waffle shop People’s Waffle also debuted its second location in May in Coeur d’Alene at 400 N. Fourth St. Along with sweet classics, the eatery also touts savory waffle toppings and sandwiches.
Making the lakeside city’s breakfast scene even sweeter, Old European Express is slated to open its third Idaho spot sometime this summer at 3112 N. Government Way. Unlike the Old European Restaurant in Post Falls or Pullman, the new building will take shape as a drive-thru stand to offer its Scandinavian breakfast specialties on the go.
For a year, El Jefe’s Grill Mexican BBQ has been serving Sinaloa-style barbecue at 405 E. Best Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. Now, those in Post Falls can experience the same bites at Jefe’s Tacos and Tequila that opened at the beginning of July at 761 N. Idaho St.
OPENINGS
On June 15, Coyol Cocina & Tequila held its grand opening at 482 W. Sunset Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. The traditional Mexican restaurant touts recipes that have been passed down through owner Luis Pelayo’s family for generations.
When Danny and Celine Griffin decided to open a brunch spot called Coral Cafe in Coeur d’Alene, in the back of their minds was his grandparents’ three-decade legacy as operators of a diner of the same name in California. The Idaho husband-wife duo opened the botanical-themed restaurant on June 11, replacing what was once Schmidty’s Burgers at 1524 E. Sherman Ave. and offering scratch-made breakfast classics.
For a fork twirl of authentic Italian cuisine, Giuseppe’s Pasta Posto Osteria opened its doors in downtown Coeur d’Alene at the beginning of the year in a space formerly occupied by Collective Kitchen at 501 Sherman Ave. The new restaurant is already racking up accolades, like this year’s chef award at the city’s Mac & Cheese Festival. All of the eatery’s pasta is made by hand, and reservations at pastapostocda.com are strongly recommended due to limited seating.
EVENTS
Benefiting the Panhandle Kiwanis, the annual Taste of Coeur d’Alene festival is coming July 31-Aug. 2 at Coeur d’Alene City Park. The event features over a hundred vendors, including 25 serving up a range of food. That weekend is host to two other big summer events, with the Downtown Coeur d’Alene Street Fair taking over Sherman Avenue and Art on the Green featuring art vendors, music and food options at nearby North Idaho College.
Soak in summer at Post Falls’ newest waterfront Riverside Market at Marina 33 (414 E. First Ave.) on the second Sunday each month until Sept. 13. There, peruse over 40 vendors and enjoy live music, food and cocktails.
UPDATES
Budd Gould, founder and chairman of the Pacific Northwest-based, seafood-centric Anthony’s Restaurants, died on July 5. Hailing from Seattle, Gould opened the first Anthony’s in 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. Now, the family-owned group runs 26 locations in the region, including in downtown Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.
His daughter, Amy Burns, has helmed the family business since 2023 as its president and CEO.
“While we grieve this loss, we also celebrate the incredible legacy he built and the countless lives he touched. He took great pride in the team and community we’ve built, and we will continue moving forward with the same passion and dedication he brought every day,” Burns stated in a press release. “Above all else, I will miss my Dad, he was my everything. He was my friend, soccer coach, math tutor, ski buddy, sounding board, and was always my first call (sorry mom).”
Dining and Cooking