Sandpoint, ID

There was a time, before our daughter was born, my husband and I went out to dinner once a week. Our date night was something to look forward to at the end of the work-week. Now, with a one-and-a-half year old, eating out isn’t so relaxing! But that’s why I love getting dinner from Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine. Don’t let the modest exterior fool you. This quaint little store is chock full of surprises. And the best surprise, in my opinion, are the carry-out dinners.

The complete meals are the perfect start to a date night in the making. The meal, which is just $10 for a “dinner for two,” includes fresh pasta, a pasta sauce, salad with dressing, and a sourdough baguette. In a mix-and-match fashion, you get to choose from a selection the pasta you want, the sauce you want, and the salad dressing you want. And, if you wish, there is plenty of wine to choose from (sold separately from the dinner).

My husband and I love to get dinner from here, because it’s extremely affordable, easy, and requires very little effort from us – hardly any kitchen clean up! We use this ready-made dinner as kick start to our “at home” date night. We usually put our daughter to bed early, light the candles, enjoy our meal, then pour another glass of wine and sit back to watch a movie. I don’t know what’s better – that I don’t have to do that much work or that it’s an inexpensive way to spend time together or that my daughter is soundly sleeping or that the meal was so delicious or that…well, I could go on and on about Pend Oreille Pasta.

Besides getting dinners for our little date nights, we always purchase a meal when we have out-of-town company. You can get the dinners for 4 or 6, which is great for company or gatherings with friends. I once ordered two “dinner for 6” meals when my entire family came for Christmas. Everyone loved the pasta!

What better way to spend time together – whether it’s with a significant other or a group of friends – than around the kitchen table, enjoying fresh pasta that tastes almost too good to be true? So if you’re looking for an inexpensive date night or group gathering, stop by Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine. You won’t be disappointed.

Oh, and P.S. I highly recommend the three cheese sauce.

P.P.S. There is a HUGE wine selection, as well as artisan cheeses, olive bar, and much more to complement your meal.

For more information, visit their website at pendoreillepasta.com or call (208) 263-1352.

Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine is located next door to Subway in Ponderay, in the shopping center across from Yokes.