MAX at Mirabeau 1100 N. Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley
12-ounce USDA Prime Peppercorn Steak with a four-pepper crust and brandy demi-glace, served with herb roasted potato and vegetables, paired with a selection from a wine list that has been recognized as the class of the region.
Why you’ll love it
One of the most popular dishes at the award-winning restaurant, it features a blend of four peppercorns and spice, then caramelizes and sears this USDA Prime grade steak to the guest’s specifications. The finish is a French cream demi-glace reduction. The whole nature of the dish is created by a three-day simmering process of roasting veal bones in-house to create an intense, flavorful stock, which gives the base for the finalization of the sauce and the tantalizing overall flavor.
Then there’s the wine. Wine Spectator recognized MAX at Mirabeau with its “Best of Award of Excellence,” the only restaurant in the Inland Northwest to achieve the distinction (four others received Awards of Excellence, one level lower). Featuring wines from Washington, California and Oregon, as well as popular MAX house wines resulting from local partnerships, the Spokane Valley restaurant has become known for an extensive wine list that is the class of the region.
MAX’s wine experience takes center stage on the first Wednesday of month (subject to temporary gathering restrictions put in place to combat COVID-19). On these Wednesdays, a local artist and regional winery are featured for a reception that includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
A complete wine list, menu and information about events is available at maxatmirabeau.com.
This made-to-order specialty is served with a generous portion of turkey and bacon under melty swiss.
Why you’ll love it
This fresh, made-to-order specialty sandwich is exactly what the Xtreme Cheez slogan promises: “grilled and delicious.” It is one of several grilled-to-order specialty sandwiches offered at Xtreme Cheez, from the Pulled Pork and Cheddar, to the Italian, to the ever-changing Specialty Sandwich of the Week.
This culinary creativity is compliments of Fran Stevens, a nine-year Chevron employee and longtime Liberty Lake resident. Every weekday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Liberty Lake Chevron employee moves from behind the register to behind the grill. She feels at home either place.
“The people here are like family,” she said. “I’ve known many of these people for years. Some of them come in showing me their kids’ and grandkids’ pictures, and they even bring their kids and families in. It’s not what you would expect from a gas station.”
Xtreme Cheez is also lovingly known as “Frannie’s Kitchen,” named after the woman who runs it. Fran makes all the sandwiches fresh, usually while visiting with the customer. She uses real butter, hearty meats, real cheese and fresh, store-bought ingredients she hand-selected. Each sandwich is accompanied by a baggie of miniature homemade cookies that Fran bakes fresh each weekend with love.
Touches like the homemade cookies often catch newcomers by surprise, as Liberty Lake Chevron has developed a reputation of having much more to offer than what meets the eye. It’s not just the clean and hearty environment, full of family and fun, but surprising touches like a stunning selection of craft beer. Most are sold individually to allow customers to try them out without committing to a 6-pack. In fact, one of Chevron’s most popular deals is the mix-and-match 6-pack, allowing customers to customize their own at a 10 percent discount.
It’s all part of the team’s commitment to caring about each individual who walks in. Fran says it’s like what one of her regular customers, Mark, likes to say: “It’s like walking into ‘Cheers,’ where everyone knows your name.”
Customers of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District will be required to annually hire a Washington State-certifed Backflow Assembly Tester to verify all residential, multifamily and commercial connections are protecting the customer and community’s water supply.
The importance of backflow plays a vital role in events such as the November 2019 boil order. The District determined that one possible cause was from fall sprinkler blowouts. However, prior to the boil order, LLSWD was in the process of strengthening the existing backflow program to roll out in 2020. The official language was adopted via resolution by the Board of Commissioners in January 2020.
“We have always prided ourselves on being one of the very few non-chlorinated water systems in the area, and we want to remain one,” LLSWD General Manager BiJay Adams said. “In order to do that, we need adequate protections of our system. The main component of that is stringent backflow protection.”
The test itself can only be performed by a Washington State-certified Backflow Assembly Tester, and a list is available on the District website. Many irrigation companies are certified and may include this service as part of a spring system startup. Prices vary, but the average cost is around $45.
Upon receiving a passing test, the certified tester will submit results to the LLSWD. Adams said notices of the testing requirement will be included with monthly bills in April, May and June. If the District doesn’t receive a backflow test report by June 30, the District will shut off water service, which includes a shut-off fee, until a test report is received. The requirements for backflow testing will go into full effect in 2021. This allows one year for customers to install or repair backflow devices.
The hope is not just to avoid another boil order, but protect residents from bacteria, pesticides or any other contaminants entering the customer’s water service or public water system.
“These tests ensure the water system is properly protected and that you and your neighbors continue to receive safe drinking water,” Adams said.
To administer the program and provide education to customers, LLSWD hired Cody Riggs as Cross Connection Control Specialist. With questions, contact the District at backflow@libertylake.org or 922-5443. More information is also available here.
Improvements 2020
ESLLIC PHASE 2 LLSWD consolidated with the East Side Liberty Lake Improvement Club in 2016, and a first phase to bring that water system to standard was completed in 2018. An 83 percent forgivable award of $2.2 million was granted by the Washington State Department of Health in 2019, funding work this year to construct 3,538 feet of water main and improve 37 service connections, mostly along Neyland Avenue. Outside funding sources mean LLSWD customers are not paying for any portion of this project or the Greenridge project below.
GREENRIDGE SYSTEM After LLSWD formalized a water system consolidation with the Greenridge Homeowners Association in 2019, it immediately sought funding to help make improvements to the water system. Phase 1 improvements include a new 141,000-gallon reservoir (constructed in 2019) as well as modifications to the existing booster station and construction of new water main, with work continuing in 2020. The project is being paid for by a $2.7 million grant from the Washington State Department of Health.
