The Sandpoint Bypass? (2009, county, town)

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

CFF, there seem to be more and more resturants in Sandpoint that are leaning towards "trendy" and overpriced, with small portions. Not that they aren't nice, but for a working stiff, I tend to look for good value for what I spend.

I do need to get out in town more, we need to try the "Old Connies" spot, thanks for the tip. I also like Slates, Jalapeno's and 2nd Ave Pizza. I also hear the Hydra has come a long ways in the last few years.

I'm still looking for that good order of Buffalo wings though...

[Sandpointian]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Got a question for you Sandpoint people: We're coming up in June to play with dirt on our property , and we plan to stay a couple of days in Sandpoint. We've thought of the Edgewater Best Western, but we know they're constructing the new bypass right along Sand Creek --so does anyone know if the Edgewater right now is a construction nightmare? And how do you feel about the bypass? At first we were so upset that they would do this to the history and beauty of your town, but we realize that Sandpoint really can't handle the heavy traffic through its city streets.

By the way, the lake looks beautiful this morning! (Sigh)

On Bypass, Feelings: very conflicted, but relieved and hopeful. Conflicted because I think a freeway bordering along our most accessible patch of Lake made me wonder; worried about exactly how Sand Creek would be filled in; wondering about how 1st will seem looking over the Creek right at a freeway; wondering whether the design from I believe the 1960s would only be a temporary solution and that we would have to face a widening before too long.

Relieved in that traffic, especially during the summer, simply became untenable. Relieved in that the bulk of funding is coming from taxpayers down south . Relieved in that with the economy in such bad straits these types of public projects usually get axed or put on indefinite hold.

Hopeful in that if done well, many of my apprehensions and anxieties about the project will fade; Hopeful in regaining part of our town that becomes avoidable and kind of dangerous due to traffic. Hopeful that some arguments against the project will never really materialize. Hopeful that our downtown will offer more diversity and less chintz after completion than before.

S.
P.S. If stimulus money really does rebuild the Dover Bridge, then it will be rather miraculous to have two of the three traffic choke holds in/out of SP resolved while I am still young to enjoy its benefits. That would be really something and just not that easy to do in an area without the huge funding options of other places. The third, Long Bridge/95, will be less of a problem and perhaps even tolerable.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Sandpointian,
After 7 visits (so far!) to SP in 5 years I can see exactly what you mean. I think most SP residents have suppressed the anxieties in favor of finally getting rid of the semis going through town; knowing about the accidents that happen, and the delays, I can see why. I took a look at the official website with the link to the artist's concept and the aerial view, Idaho Transportation Department, and it does make some sense, if the bypass is lined by trees on both sides. And, selfishly, I'm thinking about all the times in the future where we need to get to and from Clark Fork--it'll come in handy for us, too . I just hope that it will not have a withering effect on downtown, and the traffic noise and whole "busy-busy" feel of a major road will not ruin it for the City Beach ambiance--love that place! It will probably mean a huge advantage for Ponderay businesses--I hope there's a city plan in place!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

CFF, there seem to be more and more resturants in Sandpoint that are leaning towards "trendy" and overpriced, with small portions. Not that they aren't nice, but for a working stiff, I tend to look for good value for what I spend.

I do need to get out in town more, we need to try the "Old Connies" spot, thanks for the tip. I also like Slates, Jalapeno's and 2nd Ave Pizza. I also hear the Hydra has come a long ways in the last few years.

Toyman, you know where we had the best breakfast this time? The Hoot Owl! We'd heard about it, but it just didn't look that great from the outside. But we got over that, and the service was friendly, the menu was great, and the bacon was crispy ! We had dinner at Slates, and the food was good, but it was a little too noisy for my taste, with multiple games going on at the same time on the flat screens.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Toyman, you know where we had the best breakfast this time? The Hoot Owl! We'd heard about it, but it just didn't look that great from the outside. But we got over that, and the service was friendly, the menu was great, and the bacon was crispy ! We had dinner at Slates, and the food was good, but it was a little too noisy for my taste, with multiple games going on at the same time on the flat screens.

The Hoot Owl is a landmark, very good breakfasts. The building is tiny, and things get pretty crowded and noisy on weekends, but the food is great and the waitresses and cooks keep the wait down in spite of the crowd. And your right, from the outside it doesn't look that appealing...looks can be deceiving.

I can see what you mean about Slates, a little too much focus on being a sports bar. It would be nice if the sports bar/TVs and dining area were a bit seperated.

If you like pizza, you might want to try 2nd Ave Pizza out. They are a touch pricer than some of the chains, but really good. Plus they have a few microbrews on tap-what's pizza without good beer? Kind of hard to find though, it's tucked in off the main drag. I get there 2-3 times a year and sometimes still circle the block looking for it.

[pimit2]

I don't know how we let this thread move from the SP Bypass to where to eat, but you guys know me - I'm happy about the pending bypass, but I really enjoy eating!

I used to eat breakfast at the Hoot Owl on Highway 200 in Ponderay, but I have not been happy with the food the last couple of times. Now, the newly re-opened Connie's Restaurant in downtown SP rates high for breakfast with me. Good service, excellent bacon, and beautiful omelets....my favorite so far is the Farmer's Omelet, chock-full of veggies. Eventually, I'll try them all.

The new Slate's Restaurant, north of WalMart on Highway 95, is a bit busy for me too, but the food is much better than the old Slate's location IMO. I like a good burger (you already knew that) and the Slate's burger menu is extensive, and GOOD! Slate's rustic, log structure is also very nice inside and out. On the downside, the service is only fair.


pimit2 (Bob)

[mistyriverranch]

We just ate at the new Slates last weekend and the service was slow and the salads were not so great...especially for the price tag. What was normally on a Cobb Salad was not on Slates Cobb.
I don;t think the new Connie's is as good as teh last couple of incarnations of Connie's. Jalapeno's is good and the Thai restaurant is always dependably good too. I've never been a huge Hydra fan but Eichardt's food has always been good for us. I love that place though we haven't frequented it as much as we used to. Kinda far from Priest river.
Speaking of Priest River....we went back to the wine bar again (Noni) and it really is a great place. Priest River may be a little more country than Sandpoint, bu tthe people are WAY friendlier on average. The new establishments here are booming. Amazing.

[mistyriverranch]

Spuds is usually pretty dependable too but we ate there on Saturday and sat on the deck as usual. Only now you get a lovely view of the bypass construction. Yuck.

[Sandpointian]

Originally Posted by pimit2

I don't know how we let this thread move from the SP Bypass to where to eat, but you guys know me - I'm happy about the pending bypass, but I really enjoy eating!

I used to eat breakfast at the Hoot Owl on Highway 200 in Ponderay, but I have not been happy with the food the last couple of times. Now, the newly re-opened Connie's Restaurant in downtown SP rates high for breakfast with me. Good service, excellent bacon, and beautiful omelets....my favorite so far is the Farmer's Omelet, chock-full of veggies. Eventually, I'll try them all.

The new Slate's Restaurant, north of WalMart on Highway 95, is a bit busy for me too, but the food is much better than the old Slate's location IMO. I like a good burger (you already knew that) and the Slate's burger menu is extensive, and GOOD! Slate's rustic, log structure is also very nice inside and out. On the downside, the service is only fair.


pimit2 (Bob)

LOL!! My growing gut seconds that sentiment! Good food is always worthy of serious passion!

[Sandpointian]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

Sandpointian,
After 7 visits (so far!) to SP in 5 years I can see exactly what you mean. I think most SP residents have suppressed the anxieties in favor of finally getting rid of the semis going through town; knowing about the accidents that happen, and the delays, I can see why. I took a look at the official website with the link to the artist's concept and the aerial view, Idaho Transportation Department, and it does make some sense, if the bypass is lined by trees on both sides. And, selfishly, I'm thinking about all the times in the future where we need to get to and from Clark Fork--it'll come in handy for us, too . I just hope that it will not have a withering effect on downtown, and the traffic noise and whole "busy-busy" feel of a major road will not ruin it for the City Beach ambiance--love that place! It will probably mean a huge advantage for Ponderay businesses--I hope there's a city plan in place!

CFF, it is like many projects. If done right, it has the possibility of doing good things. But in the end , the choice is ours what we make of this. I am confident as we have a strong affinity for common sense, at least on the individual level...

S.