In movies (and life, too?), organized groups reach a point where they are exasperated with each other and the everydayness they have reached, and so they need new people —they call them "young blood." As in, "We need some young blood in this meeting" or "There comes the young blood" (cue a raised eyebrow or a menacing coming together of finger tips). There is something carnivorous, cannibalistic in this description. These preexisting groups tend to lean that ways anyways: wall street executives, fraternities/sororities, corrupt government in-crowds, graduate programs in creative writing.
From time to time, I need "young blood," too, but now that I'm older, I don't seek this in friends or relationships, but in restaurants. I find as I get older that I seek adventure in less self-harming ways, like food and furniture re-arranging. Boring, I know, but it's where I am and if you can't be honest on blog you imagine you write to a synthesized version of all your best friends ever, then where can you be honest?
So when a new restaurant comes out, I know that my couch positioning is safe that week. We heard about Common Crumb from a few people who had also never been there. I have actually still not met anyone who has been there, but everyone tells me I should go. Now I, too, am telling you that you should go. But I've actually been there, so you can trust me.
From time to time, I need "young blood," too, but now that I'm older, I don't seek this in friends or relationships, but in restaurants. I find as I get older that I seek adventure in less self-harming ways, like food and furniture re-arranging. Boring, I know, but it's where I am and if you can't be honest on blog you imagine you write to a synthesized version of all your best friends ever, then where can you be honest?
So when a new restaurant comes out, I know that my couch positioning is safe that week. We heard about Common Crumb from a few people who had also never been there. I have actually still not met anyone who has been there, but everyone tells me I should go. Now I, too, am telling you that you should go. But I've actually been there, so you can trust me.
But wait. Don't go just yet. I have to warn you about a couple of things. One, see that sign above and how it has two companies listed? Well, that's because you can't just go to Common Crumb, you also have to go to Black Label Brewing Company, Mediterrano, Cafe Affagato, and, eventually, Sun People Dry Goods. I stopped linking all of those because you can read about the grouping of businesses here. It's called Saranac Commons.
We were a little confused when we got there because you enter into an open area with a bunch of little businesses set up. Like an indoor market area. Like, a mall. A really, really, really, really nice mall with a fireplace and rustic wood beams and skylights and exposed plumbing, but essentially, a mall. And it took us a little bit to get over that, and I have still not totally made my minds up about it. Despite the fact that everyone in there and everyone working there was about ten degrees cooler than your average Spokanite, it seemed, essentially, like a mall food court for fancy people. But hey, fancy people need food courts, too. Or, do they? I'm not sure. It seemed to cut the charm of a bunch of really delicious and inventive businesses. That said, I can imagine how one might think it ups the charm level. Especially when you note that there is an open thoroughfare over to Merlyns (you can see it in the photo above).
We grabbed an americano from Cafe Affagato and a chocolate chip cookie and chocolate croissant from Common Crumb. Despite the fact that the croissant had obviously been sitting there for a while, it was the second best croissant I've had in Spokane (first place goes to Petite Chat, but that could be because of the freshness factor). You could taste the butter through the (slightly too hard) crisp on the outside and the chocolate inside was dark and smooth, in two narrow bars, French-style. And the cookie was perfect—the outsides were crisp enough for proper coffee dunking and the insides were a soft and slightly gooey, a perfect last bite.
Since this first visit, I've bought a baguette and had a sandwich, and so far, that is where they shine. Thinly sliced bread with minimal toppings that are so flavorful (crafted mostly at Sante) that you wouldn't want more. They spread them with butter and pop them in the oven until the cheese gets a toasty melt on, then add a fresh tomato and baby arugula dressed lightly in a high quality olive oil on the side. If I worked downtown with a downtown salary, it would be my go-to.
I'd like to try some of there fancier treats, but we were keeping on a budget and although I don't think $2.50 is too much to pay for a one bite macaroon, objectively, it is for us at this point. Someday down the road, I can imagine getting one or a friend (or even myself, if I'm being particularly awesome that day) as a decadent treat.
Despite the mall atmosphere and the pricey sweets, I will go back for a sandwich in a heartbeat, and I'll have a beer next time, too. On payday, of course. And, since it's payday, maybe we'll pick up my next installment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and go see a movie at the Magic Lantern, too.
Where have you been lately? You know, for the next time I'm in need of some young blood.
Since this first visit, I've bought a baguette and had a sandwich, and so far, that is where they shine. Thinly sliced bread with minimal toppings that are so flavorful (crafted mostly at Sante) that you wouldn't want more. They spread them with butter and pop them in the oven until the cheese gets a toasty melt on, then add a fresh tomato and baby arugula dressed lightly in a high quality olive oil on the side. If I worked downtown with a downtown salary, it would be my go-to.
I'd like to try some of there fancier treats, but we were keeping on a budget and although I don't think $2.50 is too much to pay for a one bite macaroon, objectively, it is for us at this point. Someday down the road, I can imagine getting one or a friend (or even myself, if I'm being particularly awesome that day) as a decadent treat.
Despite the mall atmosphere and the pricey sweets, I will go back for a sandwich in a heartbeat, and I'll have a beer next time, too. On payday, of course. And, since it's payday, maybe we'll pick up my next installment of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and go see a movie at the Magic Lantern, too.
Where have you been lately? You know, for the next time I'm in need of some young blood.