This Mystical Washington Restaurant Beneath A Historic Hotel Feels Unlike Anything Else

Sometimes, you just need to disappear. I found my escape under the floorboards of a grand, historic hotel, descending into a world where unicorns graze on walls and the drinks are poured with a dash of alchemy.

It’s cozy and it’s undeniably the most unique atmosphere I’ve encountered in all of Washington. Dining here feels like being an accomplice in a beautiful, delicious crime against the ordinary.

Every corner of this subterranean hideaway tells a story, and I am itching to share the details with you Some restaurants are just places to eat. This place is something else entirely.

A Setting That Feels Straight Out Of A Storybook

Not every restaurant makes you stop at the entrance just to take it all in. The Gilded Unicorn, located at 110 South Monroe Street in Spokane, Washington, sits beneath the historic Montvale Hotel and carries every bit of that building’s storied character inside its walls.

Brick and stone walls wrap the dining room in a warm, old-world embrace. Original artwork dots every surface, and rich, deep colors give the space a feeling that is equal parts cozy and theatrical.

Antique wood accents add texture and warmth without feeling stuffy. The lighting hits just right, creating that golden glow that makes everything look a little more magical.

It feels like stepping into a place that has been keeping secrets for a hundred years, and honestly, you kind of love it for that.

The Historic Montvale Hotel Connection

Buildings with history have a way of adding flavor to everything inside them. The Montvale Hotel opened in the early 1900s and quickly became one of Spokane’s most distinguished addresses, hosting travelers and locals who appreciated a bit of grandeur.

The Gilded Unicorn was born from that same spirit. Sitting beneath such a landmark gives the restaurant an instant sense of place and prestige that no amount of trendy decor could manufacture. You feel the history the moment you walk down those steps.

Spokane itself has a fascinating downtown core, and the Montvale sits right in the middle of it all. Knowing you are dining in a space that has been part of this city’s fabric for over a century genuinely changes how the meal feels.

History makes everything taste better, and this place proves it with style.

Tater Tot Casserole Worth Every Single Bite

There is something deeply satisfying about a dish that takes a childhood comfort food and turns it into something you would genuinely brag about to your friends. The Tater Tot Casserole at The Gilded Unicorn does exactly that, and it is every bit as glorious as it sounds.

Crispy tater tots sit beneath a generous layer of slow-cooked pot roast, a blend of melted cheeses, grilled onions, pickled jalapeños, and a peppercorn gravy that ties everything together with serious confidence. Each bite delivers crunch, richness, and a little heat that keeps you reaching back in.

I sat at the table genuinely debating whether to order a second one before finishing the first. Spoiler: the answer was yes, and I have zero regrets.

This dish alone is worth the trip downtown, and it perfectly captures the restaurant’s talent for making familiar things feel extraordinary.

Loaded Deviled Eggs That Redefine A Classic

Deviled eggs have shown up at every family gathering since the beginning of time, but The Gilded Unicorn’s version makes all those other versions feel a little underdressed. These are loaded deviled eggs, and they mean business.

Each one arrives topped with crispy bacon, a drizzle of chipotle ranch, fresh chives, and a parmesan crisp that adds a satisfying crunch to the whole affair. The smoky heat from the chipotle plays beautifully against the creamy, tangy filling underneath.

Appetizers like this set the tone for an entire meal. When the first course already has you leaning forward in your seat, you know the kitchen is paying attention to every detail. A friend who joined me on a visit called these the best deviled eggs she had ever eaten, and she has strong opinions about deviled eggs.

High praise, fully deserved.

Bocce Rolls: Simple, Warm, And Absolutely Addictive

Good bread before a meal is one of life’s simple pleasures, but Bocce Rolls take that pleasure and amplify it considerably. These fresh oven-baked rolls are stuffed with gooey mozzarella and garlic confit, and they arrive at the table warm enough to make you forget everything else you ordered.

Garlic confit is garlic that has been slowly cooked in oil until it becomes soft, sweet, and deeply mellow. Paired with stretchy melted mozzarella inside a pillowy roll, it creates something that is honestly hard to stop eating. Sharing them requires real willpower.

The Gilded Unicorn uses these rolls as a reminder that great ingredients treated with care will always win. Nothing about this dish is complicated, yet it feels indulgent and thoughtful at the same time.

Order them first, order extras, and thank yourself later when the table is fighting over the last one.

Gnocchi That Makes You Want To Slow Down And Savor

Pasta dishes can easily become predictable, but asiago-stuffed gnocchi in a parmesan and sage cream sauce is anything but ordinary. This dish is the kind of thing that makes you put your fork down mid-bite just to appreciate what is happening.

Each pillow of gnocchi is stuffed with sharp, nutty asiago cheese that melts into the sage cream sauce in the most satisfying way. Crispy bacon bits and sun-dried tomatoes sit on top, adding texture and a pop of bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the richness beautifully.

Sage cream sauces can sometimes feel heavy, but this one finds a balance that keeps you eating without feeling weighed down.

The portion size is generous without being overwhelming. If there is one dish at The Gilded Unicorn that I would call a must-order for anyone who appreciates thoughtfully built pasta, this is the one to choose without hesitation.

A Modern American Menu With Real Personality

The Gilded Unicorn draws heavy inspiration from 1950s and 1960s American cuisine, then gives every dish a confident modern twist that keeps things exciting. This is not nostalgia for its own sake. It is a kitchen that understands its roots and builds something new on top of them.

The menu reads like it was written by someone who genuinely loves food and has strong opinions about what works. Familiar ingredients show up in unexpected combinations, and the results consistently land. Nothing feels random or thrown together.

What stands out most is the range. From approachable comfort food to more refined pasta dishes, the menu has room for everyone at the table to find something that excites them.

That kind of thoughtful breadth is harder to pull off than it looks, and the kitchen here manages it with what feels like genuine enthusiasm. Every dish carries a point of view, and that makes all the difference.

An Atmosphere That Works For Any Occasion

Some places feel right for date nights but wrong for everything else. The Gilded Unicorn somehow avoids that trap entirely. The space is romantic enough for a special evening, relaxed enough for a casual dinner with friends, and interesting enough to impress anyone you bring along for the first time.

The underground setting creates a natural sense of intimacy without feeling cramped. Conversations stay at a comfortable volume, the lighting flatters everyone, and the overall vibe is one of unhurried enjoyment rather than rushed turnover.

A friend of mine brought her parents here during a visit to Spokane, expecting them to find it a little too trendy for their taste. By the end of the meal, her dad was asking if they could come back the next night.

That is the kind of universal appeal this place carries. It reads differently to different people, but it works for all of them, which is genuinely rare in any dining scene.

Location That Puts You Right In The Heart Of Downtown Spokane

110 South Monroe Street is a genuinely great address to have a restaurant. Downtown Spokane has a lot going on, and The Gilded Unicorn sits right in the middle of it all, making it easy to build an entire evening around a visit here.

Before dinner, you can walk along the Spokane River or explore the shops and galleries nearby. After dinner, the neighborhood gives you plenty of options to keep the night moving if you are feeling that way. The location makes spontaneous visits just as easy as planned ones.

Parking is available nearby, and the walk from most downtown spots is short and pleasant. For visitors staying in the area, the convenience factor is a real bonus.

Being tucked beneath the Montvale Hotel also means that for anyone staying there, the best restaurant in the neighborhood is literally one floor below. That is the definition of a good situation.

Why The Gilded Unicorn Deserves A Spot On Your Spokane List

Spokane has no shortage of places to eat, but very few of them offer this particular combination of history, atmosphere, and culinary creativity all in one room. The Gilded Unicorn earns its reputation not through gimmicks but through consistent quality and genuine character.

The kitchen clearly takes pride in what it sends out. The space clearly took thought and care to build. The hours are generous, the happy hour is real, and the menu gives you plenty of reasons to come back and try something new each time.

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, so it is worth booking ahead at gildedunicorn.com or calling before you show up hoping for a table. Trust me, you do not want to end up peering through the door wishing you had planned ahead.

Book the table, show up hungry, and let The Gilded Unicorn do the rest. It is one of those rare places that lives up to every bit of the hype surrounding it.