The Black Cypress Chef Dishes on Dining Scenes in Pullman, WA, + Moscow, ID

Courtesy of The Black Cypress

Chef Nick Pitsilionis opened The Black Cypress restaurant on Pullman’s Main Street in 2009. Now, 16 years later, the Mediterranean eatery is a nationally acclaimed institution, and Pitsilionis is heavily involved in the dining scene, having nurtured a constant stream of chefs, bartenders and front-of-house staff, many of whom have gone on to open their own spots in the region. That makes him the perfect person to get recommendations on where to dine in Moscow, ID, and Pullman, WA.

“I’m a talker,” Pitsilionis warns when asked to dish on notable local restaurants, but his enthusiasm for the area’s dining scene is our gain. Keep reading to learn his top restaurant picks.

Chef’s Top 4 Picks in Pullman, WA

When considering his top recommendations for places to eat in Pullman, WA, Tan’s Chinese Restaurant is the first that comes to Pitsilionis’ mind.

“It’s a little hole-in-the-wall Asian joint,” he says, “but if you know what to order, there are some amazing surprises.”

The bare-bones interior includes a white board, upon which specials appear, like Hong Kong roasted duck, taro root and red bean paste steamed buns, and savory stir-fried lamb. Pitsilionis recommends the hot and sour Sichuan-style cabbage.

Another casual spot worth a visit is Rico’s Smokehouse, just across the street from The Black Cypress restaurant, which has outlasted both Prohibition and the Great Depression in its 116-year history.

Rico’s dark wood bar, ceiling-high bookshelves and sidewalk tables give it a vaguely European vibe combined with a classic bar menu – burgers, sandwiches and even Scotch eggs.

Just a block off Main Street is Miss Huddy’s Barbecue, which serves Texas-style smoked meats out of a food truck next to Paradise Creek Brewery.

“They’re very serious about their barbecue,” Pitsilionis says.

Pitmaster Tim Schotzko, a Pullman native, staged at the legendary Goldee’s BBQ in Fort Worth, Texas, to hone his craft. The result is brisket worth waiting hours for – and customers do. There’s always a long line, but Paradise Creek beer and cider make the time pass a bit faster.

Pitsilionis’ final Pullman pick is his upstairs neighbor, Etsi Bravo.

“It’s a beautiful space, and they have records they play in there on a great audio system,” he says.

The changing cocktail menu is accented by a short menu of upscale bar food that also changes with the season and the kitchen’s inspiration, like a fried tofu bánh mì sandwich and seared pork belly tacos.

©Journal Communications/Chiana McInelly

4 Can’t-Miss Moscow, ID, Restaurants

Neighboring Moscow, ID, also boasts exciting bars and eateries.

“Moscow has an extremely elevated scene,” Pitsilionis says. 

Nectar serves what Pitsilionis calls “Pacific Northwest comfort food” – mac and cheese made with Washington State University’s own Cougar Gold cheese; grilled bacon-wrapped meatloaf; pork chops with roasted potatoes; and crispy fried garbanzo beans.

“It’s a very cool vibe,” he says, “They hire people who are very chill and very nice.”

The centerpiece of nearby Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana’s bright and airy dining room is its brick oven, which lurks behind the chef’s counter and cooks wood-fired pizzas at a blistering 900 degrees.

“It’s a wonderful place,” says Pitsilionis, who points out the spot buys many of its ingredients from local farmers and ranchers.

Catty-corner from Maialina is One World Cafe, which Pitsilionis describes as “downtown Moscow’s living room.” With huge windows looking out onto Main Street, a small stage for musicians and an eclectic, old-school coffee shop atmosphere, the space is the perfect low-key spot to grab coffee and a breakfast burrito or a glass of wine with a turkey-brie sandwich.

“You sit down, and retirees are in one corner and undergrads are in another,” he says. “There are people with families and professors. It exemplifies the community.”

Finally, he says, the family-owned La Casa Lopez is one of the most beloved spots in town.

“No matter what demographic, everyone loves Casa,” Pitsilionis says. “They are the quintessential family restaurant in the area.”

The wide-ranging menu hits all the high points of Mexican cuisine – pozole, carnitas, tortas, tacos, tequila and more – in a dining room that evokes a south-of-the-border hacienda, complete with a courtyard fountain and plenty of lush greenery.