Comfort Food under the shadow of the Clark Fork Gorge

I think this column is going to be entitled "Not Acknowledging Valentines Day"

Nope, this is about comfort food and a hug that you can take to the bank, from Tenacia-artist and chef extradordinaire. The setting? Well it all comes courtesy of a little cafe that turns home cooking into a labor of love.

Its one of those treasures, that once you discover it, you never want to leave.

Ever.

Its sorta Like Finding your way back to Home Room-for adults.

"The Squeeze Inn"- located on the main drag in delightfully quirky Clark Fork, Idaho is one of a kind. Within a stone's throw of the Montana Line, hanging on the edge of Idaho/Montana Highway 200, it's just far enough from Sandpoint not to be ruined by all the Hollywood types that have suddenly "discovered" the Idaho panhandle. Yeah, this is the land of almost Mountain Time Zone, and about finding perfection in unlikely places. No attitude, just embrace those plastic lawn chairs, particle boarded walls, lit to the nines with rope lights. They're just one art piece short of a full-on, full monty exhibition. But that's ok, because you know someone is working on something to fill that space. And whatever it is, it'll be perfect.

The place reminds me of Sandpoint's equally infamous Eichart's-before it became a little more attitude and a lot less down home. Still, in defense of Eichart's there's no place better to play board games than upstairs above the bar, hopefully with a side of full moon and spitting flurries, the view is always just one eye blink beyond its a wonderful life. Ok, so I ain't given up on the place-just learned to avoid it when the Schweitzer Ski Crowd is in full obnoxious bloom.

But, the Squeeze-well its just never gonna get like that. Its funky bright red walls, and all those Christmas lights in February?-You just know its a little too down home and comfortable for anyone who doesn't miss summers on the front porch catching up with someone they just met. I've never had a disappointing meal at the Squeeze. Walk in the place, it's all smiles and hugs, and just enough conversation without obligation to let you know you've been missed. Sure they'll tell you the "all you can eat, served family style" special's mighty good- but everything's good, so you can't go wrong. Make sure you try Tenacia's Truffles, cus its her new thing and damn if she's not onto something. Anyone for Chocolate Amaretto Macademia Nut?

This winter the Squeeze is open, Wednesday through Saturday, 5pm to 8pm. They don't take credit cards. But they take checks. From anywhere.