Michael D's reviewed by Karen Ouren

Michael D’s Eatery, 203 E Coeur d’Alene Lake Dr, Coeur d’Alene, 676-9049

Karen Ouren is a stylist at Lather Salon on 4th Street. Her husband Ron Ouren, an icon in the banking industry, is the VP/SR Relationship Service Officer with Panhandle State Bank. They are both enjoying their six grandchildren after raising their three children here in Coeur d’Alene.

Between her work, her passion for cancer programs (especially Pancreatic because she lost a sister), community activities, love of cooking, and the time she finds to exercise, every now and then she sneaks a breakfast out.

Karen loves to cook, so she is very fussy and critical about where she eats and likes to go to places where the food is really good. “Breakfast is one of my favorite meals”, and her favorite place for breakfast is Michael D’s. “The food is always consistent and there is plenty of it! The service is good, the food is always excellent, and it’s a fun place to see lots of local faces.” Because both she and Ron are health conscious, the menu items they choose are healthy. Karen chooses the Veggie Omelet.  “It’s   “excellent, very healthy, and they’ll serve fruit instead of hash-browns.”  And it’s always oatmeal for Ron.

Michael D’s is owned by Michael DePasquale who was born in Warren, Rhode Island in 1960, the fourth son of Margherita & Phillip DePasquale. Michael showed his calling, asking Santa for a Suzie Homemaker Oven at an age his peers were playing with G.I. Joe and dirt bikes. While still wet behind the ears Michael showed his interest in chickens, adopting a magnificent Rhode Island Red which he taught to chase Frisbees and cackle on cue. Michael and Big Red left home to seek their fame and fortune and ended up in Coeur d’Alene where he opened Michael D’s on November 8th, 1998.

Michael D’s  serves breakfast all day and features omelet’s with names like Seclusion, Adventurous, Bashful, Yawner, and Shameless, too name a few, along with the usual breakfast fare. Lunch features several sandwich options and a variety of salads to choose from. One of the salads is appropriately named “The Rhode Island Red”. 

About Michael D’s Eatery

After years of work the dream of Michael D’s Eatery was hatched (no pun intended!) This year they will celebrate their 11 year anniversary. They are open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week from 6am to 2pm.

Karen Ouren

Who is Karen Ouren?
Karen Ouren has been a stylist for 40 years as well as a local business owner. A resident of Coeur d’Alene for 45 years, she and husband Ron have raised two daughters (both of them are stylists) and one son.

Fort Ground Grill reviewed by Dustin Ainsworth

Fort Ground Grill, 705 W River Ave, Coeur d’Alene, 664-6186

Mixing business with pleasure is a common mantra for many professionals lucky enough to call North Idaho home. Dustin Ainsworth, Marketing Representative is no exception. Since his arrival to Coeur d’Alene in 1993, Dustin has enjoyed the four seasons to their fullest. Many of Dustin’s clients have become friends and join him snowmobiling, fishing, golfing and wake boarding.

The fact that the owners of Fort Ground Grill are clients of Dustin’s make it even better that it’s one of his favorite establishments. Some may recall this location was formerly known as the Fort Ground Tavern, where for decades the Gray family served up a mean cheeseburger, but many like Dustin are just as enamored with the new digs that reopened as The Fort Ground Grill in 2006.

The interior design is warm yet modern and still authentic to its historic past displaying historical city of Coeur d’Alene photos and art pieces. 
Dustin said, “It’s a great place for a business lunch or with friends. An Arnold Palmer (half lemonade and half ice tea) along with the Cougar Bay salad, a combo of mixed greens, candied walnuts, pears, cranberry raisins, feta and maple vinaigrette topped with chicken breast, is one of the best lunches in town and worth checking out.“

Big screen televisions add another element to this upscale pub where, according to Dustin, “with clients or with friends, one of the best servers anywhere, Diane, always makes the experience a pleasure.  She also makes a great red-beer on Sunday mornings during football season.”

This blend of elegance, casual fare and versatile family to sports bar atmosphere make it much more than your average grill.

About Fort Ground Grill:
Open at 7 a.m. daily and located on River Avenue in the historic Fort Ground District adjacent to the North Idaho College Campus, Fort Ground Grill offers a full service bar, breakfast daily until 3 p.m. and a breakfast, lunch and dinner children’s menu.

Dustin Ainsworth

Who is Dustin Ainsworth?
Dustin is a Marketing Representative for Kootenai Title Company. He is a founding member of The Coeur Group, Coeur d’Alene Public Library Foundation, Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors and an Elder Help board member, A Rotarian and Kroc Center Street Team member.