Tucked into the panhandle of Northern Idaho sits Lake Coeur d’Alene and at its northern shores the charming town that shares its name.

Coeur d’Alene’s natural beauty is easily it’s most attractive asset, but not the only draw in town.  A world class resort, spas, endless recreational opportunities, golf courses, skiing, restaurants, wine bars, and small town quaint-ness bring in the tourists and inland empire neighbors year round.

I grew up spending summer weekends on the lake at my grandparents cabin, and spent my college summers as a caddy at the Resort Golf Course, so I have plenty of fond memories associated with this place. Liz and I headed over to CDA from Spokane earlier this summer for a Sunday brunch and drive.

We stopped and walked around the resort, boardwalk, and Sherman Street Shopping area, but wound up coming upon a cafe, Le Piastre, that pulled us in. We enjoyed a brunch of rustic potatoes, a crab sandwich, and blt with avacodo.  If I lived in CDA, I’d be a regular here.

After brunch we headed south around the west side of the lake, toward Sun Up and Windy Bay, where we spent the rest of our afternoon with some summertime hefewiezens on the dock.