Our first impression of our inaugural dinner outing up north to Opa! wasn’t what we’d expected from a north Spokane restaurant tucked in amongst the Newport Highway’s strip mall chaos. The atmosphere was much more genuine, warm, and comfortable than I had imagined. It felt like we’d stumbled into an authentic family run restaurant with a real connection to the Mediterranean.
Being Valentine’s Day, we started off with drinks. The champagne was poured in a glass with ice (perhaps a Greek preference?). They also have New Planet GF beer in case that sounds like a better beverage to wash down a gyro or plate of pizza. While we deliberated over the menu (which doesn’t have GF items marked but, as the server explained, most of their items can be made gluten free) we relaxed and soaked up the intimate atmosphere. The server was cheerful and attentive in a motherly way, making sure that all her customers were happy. The live accordion music was unexpected but amazing (they have regular live music on the weekends).
Once we finally made up our minds and ordered, it wasn’t long before the large portions of thoughtfully seasoned and delicious food arrived.
greek salad
The Greek salad was crisp, fresh, and flavorful. The pizza (with locally made Fusion Flour crust) was by far the best gluten-free pizza I’ve had in Spokane outside my own kitchen. And the gyro, a Fusion Flour gluten-free pita stuffed with rich strips of lamb and fist-drippingly drenched in delicious tasiziki, was reminiscent of the gyro stands we ate at in Greece back before I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. The opportunity to try so many different, flavorful dishes that you can’t find anywhere else in gluten free form in the Spokane area makes Opa! a must try for anyone on a gluten restricted diet.
greek pizza
Our meal at Opa! made for a memorable Valentine’s Day date that we continued to enjoy via leftovers the following day. The food and the experience were nothing short of fantastic.
Check Opa! out at online for a look at their menu, which as of this posting, unfortunately doesn’t indicate which items can or can’t be made gluten free.
