As a busy attorney, husband and father, Peter Smith likes to keep things simple. The Oval Office in Post Falls fits the bill, especially for “date nights” with his wife, Anna in the cozy and warm ambiance. The Oval Office Bistro and Martini Bar is a spin-off from the wildly popular White House Grill, sharing an owner, Raci Erdem, but not the level of garlic as used by the White House.

Peter lists his favorite appetizer as the sweet potato fries ... crinkle cut slabs of soft sweet potatoes. He enjoys the Moroccan Spinach Salad with the cinnamon undertone in the balsamic vinaigrette. The marinated Naughty Sea bass is slightly spicy and topped with a caramelized frangelico-walnut sauce. “Awesome,” Peter declares.

Although the dinner menu is expansive ... from steaks, lamb chops, seafood, chicken and pasta, it’s the appetizer or tapas menu that is popular with the after-work crowd. The Honey Brie is served in phyllo cups and topped with spicy basil honey; Skinny Secretaries are grilled asparagus topped with lemon olive oil and parmesan cheese. The FuFu Pizza is homemade pesto, feta and parmesan with sun-dried tomatoes baked on a pita.

But the star of the show at the Oval Office is served in a stemmed glass. With two dozen different martinis to choose from, there’s something for everyone. The presidential-inspired names are inspired, as well. Peter recommends his favorite, the Ronald Reagan. “For the scotch lover, it’s the Oval Office’s Rob Roy made with Dewars Scotch,” he notes. Other martinis worth trying are the “Marilyn Monroe” - made with red raspberry pucker,  “The Intern” -Godiva white and dark chocolate and Absolut and the “Woodward and Bernstein” - another dessert choice with Frengelico and Kahlua and Stohli Vanilla.

Peter has no trouble marking his ballot when he visits the Oval Office, “we can always find something that we’re craving.”