Yes :-) Jennifer's review (Apr 30th 2006)

I better get rolling on Project Spokane. Only eight more months to meet my goal and I’ve only eaten my way to E. E was hard though. Real hard. Originally Ella’s Supper Club was on the project menu. Then there were the reports the jazz club was closing and then more reports the restaurant was staying open. Who knows what will become of Ella’s. After twenty minutes of being completely ignored and shunned Friday evening I know I’m not going back.

In between, Remi and I checked out El Rincon Tapatio in Hillyard after several recommendations. Maybe I’ve been spoiled by more authentic Mexican food, maybe it was the cheese smothered dishes served on Grandma’s finest floral china, but El Rincon Tapatio was far from memorable.

In a final fit of frustration, perhaps desperation, instead of discovering a new favorite I turned to a tried and true downtown spot. Sequestered underneath the railroad trestle on Wall, several blocks from the bustle of Riverside, Europa shares space with the quirky Defunct Books. Inside, the kitchen prepares reliable pasta dishes, pizzas, and salads. Although they seem to be out of tiramisu whenever we visit, the freshly baked breads are always delectable. Europa’s a safe bet when trying to please the palates of both serious gourmands and the Olive Garden crowd.On our latest visit I enjoyed a simple spinach salad with fresh mushrooms, red onions, and salty bacon. The sugar based dressing was a nice contrast. Remi’s chicken and red pepper fettuccine gave off a wonderfully fragrant Parmesan perfume. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon meal.

Yes :-) Remi's review (Jan 12th 2004)

If you have tried a pizza in northern Europe you might have noticed that it’s kind of a mix between the Italian and the American kind. Finding this type of pizza anywhere in the US is difficult, unless you try the Europa. Whenever I feel all nostalgic about pizza (no really, it’s possible), this is where I go. Cool ambiance too, with the interior being made entirely from bricks.

Yes :-) Stefan's review (Apr 30th 2006)

It’s named after a continent I think.

I think Europa Pizzaria is underrated, especially among the 20-somethings of Spokane. Sure their menu hasn’t seen many changes but what’s on it is good.

They seem to have quite a few options on the front of their menu but I have never ordered from that side. When I go to Europa I go with their pizza. In my book they come in a very close 2nd behind David’s Pizza (on Hamilton near GU).

What I like most about Europa is a) their proximity to my favorite used book store and b) their roasted garlic and cheese pizza. The service at Europa is good and the prices are very reasonable (about $12-$15 dollars a person).

What’s the dish?: Europa Pizzaria is a great spot for a weekend lunch or if you are looking for a night off from cooking. If you are looking for American style Italian you won’t be disappointed

Yes :-) Sara's review (Sep 18th 2006)

We went in for an early Sunday dinner, so it was nice and quiet in there, which is always a plus when trying out a new place with a two year old.

I ordered the harvest pear salad with poached salmon and my husband ordered the almond chicken salad. Our daughter got the “bear-shaped” pizza, choosing chicken as a topping.

I thought my salad was really delicious and my husband thought the salad was all right. He did feel full afterward though and he liked the wasabi dressing. However, when he later ate what was left of our daughter’s pizza, he said, “Oh man, I am definitely ordering pizza next time we come. That sauce is great.”

The service was pretty good too and there will definitely be a next time.

Yes :-) Kristine's review (Mar 4th 2007)

Let’s see. Where do I start? For sure order the roasted garlic and cheese pizza, but ask them to make it the old way (they have changed the recipe a tad) and add chicken. Delish! Be sure and get the whole wheat crust. I don’t really like whole wheat, but I love this crust! When you order the house salad, be sure and order the house dressing. It is so good, I buy a pint of it to take home. It is a beautiful atmosphere with soft classical music playing. You can go there for a private nice occasion, but you don’t feel like you have to dress up either. My favorite part is that they serve their full menu until midnight everyday! They also have espresso there. This is one of my favorite restaurants!

No :-( Maire's review (Apr 11th 2007)

I’m confused about why this place is loved. We’ve tried to like it, but our last visit was completely typical of the three previous visits. We arrived for dinner with a reservation and gave the hostess our name. (We made reservations because previously our lack of a reservation seemed irritating to the hostess on duty.) She rolled her eyes at us, disappeared, came back five minutes later with a line of about four parties now behind us, indicated with a head nod that we were to follow and seated us without a word. I believe “surly” is the best description for her behavior. Service was sloooow.(My husband grew up in Europe, and doesn’t mind slow, but we were being ignored).

My husband ordered a fettucine dish—he asked for whole wheat pasta as the menu indicates. The waitress said, “It’s fettucine.” He said, “Yes, I’d like whole wheat.” When she served it she put it down saying, “Here is your whole wheat fettucine.” It was quite obviously not whole wheat. The salmon in my salad was overcooked to the point of being inedible. My daughter’s bear pizza tasted burned (her observation – she’s five). Further the portions were huge on the order of strip-mall chains—not a characteristic of European dining. I noticed that many of the positive reviews were for lunch. I’ve always eaten there for dinner – perhaps things fall apart in the evening. There are good restaurants in Spokane. This isn’t one of them.

No :-( Faith's review (Feb 24th 2008)

We thought we would try this with the kids instead of the usual Red Robin or Old Spaghetti Factory. Very unimpressed. The service was slow. I ordered a drink directly off of their cocktail menu and was brought the wrong one, I was promptly told that I must have ordered incorrectly. Needless to say the drink that was delivered to me was one I had never heard of before. The baked spaghetti was noodles plopped in a dish with two sauces on each side, did not look or taste baked to me. The kids Italian sodas were a whopping $2.75. The kids would not drink them, they tasted like pure soda water with a teaspoon of flavor not enough to make a child want to drink it. The food took so long one of our daughters fell asleep. We definately will not go back for the poor service and whopping $85 this dinner set us back.

Yes :-) savannah 's review (May 17th 2008)

I absolutely love Europa. Wonderful atmosphere, decedent and delicious food. Every time I visit Europa the service was simply outstanding, and I always have a pleasant experience when I am there.

Yes :-) sharon's review (Jun 21st 2008)

this has to be hands down one of my fave spots. first went here when the magic lantern was upstairs… and it has only gotten better!!! the garlic, stuffed shrimp, calzones, fettucine, pogacha bread. Attentive waitstaff, great food and great service. more more more!!!

No :-( kim's review (Jun 24th 2008)

I guess I can’t really say that I liked it for our last attempt at dinner. We were seated toward the back next to a large party, sat there for 20 minutes and were not even brought a glass of water. We left.