Yes :-) Remi's review (Dec 8th 2004)

This is a pretty decent little cafe where I had a very good avocado and humus sandwich. One thing that ruined the general impression was that the chips were just plain Lay’s, served in the bag. Yeah, there’s nothing like having to open a bag of superbly generic chips while eating a fairly gourmet-like sandwich.

Still, the sandwich was good and the large aquarium is a nice touch to the interiors.

Yes :-) altitudeaddict's review (May 6th 2006)

Very good, small space, fun fishtank to watch. I think I had a blue cheese stuffed steak which was tasty. My date had salmon, also good. We ran into some friends who swear by this restaurant and eat there frequently.

Yes :-) barman's review (Dec 3rd 2006)

OK, so Mrs. Barman decided tonight we dine out. Fine. We’ve got a gift cert from last Christmas from good friends, which we haven’t spent, which expires in a couple of weeks. I say, no way we get in, but we call, table for 2, your time, no problem.

We show up a bit early. No problem, have a seat. We get menus, and things take a while, but we’re early, right? Waiter asks us what, we order the whole thing, cocktails, appetizer, salads, entree, and sorta place a notion on wine.

Cocktails take a while. But, once there, dandy. Behind me is a table for several, there before we got there, still not ordered. Appetizer shows up. Crab cakes. Not really in the Baltimore fashion, more down bay, toastier, more crab, less binder, with a sauce which may or may not be locally traditional in the Chesapeake, but frankly drives us both nuts, could we please lick the plate, etc.

Salad and bread, well plated, very very tasty and fresh, about as good as a salad gets in early December. The bread thing around it was really cool.

Our waiter asks if we wish another cocktail, I note our entree orders, ask if he has a suggestion. He brings a dandy Shiraz. Not the most expensive on the list, mind you, but a really good one. It helps to dress like you’re homeless pricewise I guess. It was a perfect selection.

The folks behind us are apoplectic, over nearing time for their entertainment. Yeah, well, they ordered after us, but frankly, if you want a terrific meal at a restaurant prior to the symphony, a book signing, the theatre, or the opening of anything else, you need to ask when you make your reservation if they can make it…give folks a chance, please.

Anyway, some drama behind us, some words…way too much stress. We descend into our own conversation.

We’ve ordered weird entrees, that one hasn’t seen for some time. Me, it’s small birds. Mrs. Barman has beef wellington. Ok, restaurateurs, make these come up at the same time.. a bit more difficult than PR and Filet, eh?

Up they come, wonderful. I haven’t had quail like that ever. Killed and/or cooked myself or not, and the beef was perfect, the potatoes were great, the veggies were dandy. I am unable to come up with a critical statement. Maybe the swirl on the potatoes was just a bit too perfect. How’s that? Portion size, just right.

Big drama behind us, off they went. Lots of language, a swirl of camel hair, many promises and threats, lots of emotion, etc.

Me and Mrs. Barman received a really tasty parfait. She enjoyed it, I’m partial to post dinner drinks and coffee while she eats sweets. Still, I had some. Well balanced, outstanding flavor.

The bill comes. Y’all gotta be joking. Did they charge us for all of this? I give them the gift cert, write a check for some more, and feel like I stole the meal.

Without question, the best meal I’ve had outside of Vancouver or San Francisco in decades.

If you have to go to a hockey game, or need a massage, maybe don’t do this one without asking them when to come. If you want a wonderful, unusual and very well prepared meal, prepared and served by folks who are into it, this is your place. I haven’t had a better value around here, and there are some really good spots here. I had a really nice evening.

I’ll be back. With friends.

Yes :-) Kristi's review (Dec 11th 2006)

I have only been to Herbal Essence for lunch, but it was very good. I had the Gorgonzola Chicken Wrap which was excellent. The nice waiter let me look at the dinner menu, which also looks very intriguing. It is quite different from the lunch menu. The chips I was served were Tim’s Cascade rather than Lays, but plain old potato chips nonetheless.

Yes :-) Vince's review (Dec 12th 2006)

Was up in Spokane for the day with my wife and decided to give this place a try based on what I had read on this site. Glad we did, we had a great lunch, I had the blackened halibut and she had the Santa Fe chicken wrap. Everything was excellent, the staff was very friendly and the price reasonable.

Yes :-) Heather's review (Oct 15th 2007)

I had never heard of Herbal Essence, though apparently it’s been there for five years. My mother took my husband and I there for my birthday dinner, and now that I know this little treasure is tucked away in downtown Spokane, I’ll definitely be back.

Service was great, food was spectacular, atmosphere was intimate and comfortable. Their 3-course “twilight” meal is a great value. Presentation was impeccable, food was fresh and fabulous, and the cappuccino mousse I had for dessert was to die for.

This was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Spokane (and I’ve lived here my whole life), and the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food. There are a lot of restaurants in Spokane that charge more for food that’s not nearly as good.