Diverse Dining List

New Year's Eve in Thailand

12/31/2018

Restaurant Name?

Tonight on New Year's Eve, Don and I are at home in Texas... watching TV... remembering a year ago when we dined at a restaurant in Thailand. I cannot remember the name and this photo does not help me. I will call it Cafe on the Canal.

Remembering Our New Year's Eve Feast

Last year, we dined with our daughter-in-law, Chali’s family, while visiting their Bangkok home. The Cafe on the Canal, was just across the street from their house, in a cozy neighborhood, far from the touristy city.

Borrowing the Menu

It was nearly 10 pm when we thought about heading over for dinner. Chali's mom, Linda, wanted to place our order ahead of time. Someone ran over to grab a menu and came back with lammenated sign, showing all the options.

In the States, we've feasted on Linda's fabulous Thai cooking, many times. But when visiting their Thai home, there were so many dining choices, just steps from the house. Linda was eager to order us up a feast, that we could never find in TX!

From the Canal

It was dark when our group headed over for dinner. A few days before, we had seen the restaurant in daylight, while on a canal tour.

We headed past a small dining room first. It looked like it would seat about 10.

Luckily that was just a small inside space. There was ample seating on the deck, on that balmy night.

Tableful of Food

The canal-side deck was fairly quiet at 10 pm. The live music had already finished up and tables were beginning to clear, just as our table began to fill with food.

Cheers

There were a few toasts to the New Year and a special toast for our daughter's fiance. Jamie was not feeling well and he was in bed, across the street..

Then we dug into our feast. It's impossible to remember all the dishes we devoured, but Linda chose well and we did not go hungry. I must have used about 50 tissue-type napkins, from the little dispenser..

Surprise Visits

While finishing up our meal, Chali and Scott got a surprise visit and a wedding gift.

The newlyweds were quite the neighborhood celebrities, since their Thai wedding (a few days before) had pretty much involved the whole neighborhood... starting with a procession in the street.

More Socializing

At some point a grandma appeared, showing off a 2 month old baby. Chali and Linda cooed and took photos. The whole evening felt like we were celebrating in someone's home.

Popcorn Time

After we were finished feasting, we decided it was time for the fish in the canal, to have their own feast. Chali's brother dashed home and came back with the giant (Van Gogh decorated) tub of popcorn, that I had lugged home that day, from a movie theatre in the city.

Happy Fish

Alex was right. The fish did love the popcorn.

I was glad to see the leftover movie snack had not gone to waste.

Post Meal Fun

By 11, the tables were all cleared and floors were being swept, but we weren't ready to head off, quite yet.

Linda and I did some mom photo-posing, first.

Then we moved down a level, to the ping pong table.

With some World Leaders looking on from their portraits, we played quite a few ping pong matches. Luckily Linda had checked ahead of time and discovered no paddles & balls.. She made sure we did some ping pong equipment shopping, earlier that day. We made good use!

Back in Time For Midnight

We finished up the matches, while the staff finished cleaning the dishes. Then we were back at the house in less than a minute. We cheered with champagne at midnight, then headed to the terrace to view the moon, which looked pretty full to me!

Back Again

The Cafe on the Canal, saw us a few more times during our stay. Luckily Jamie's ailment lifted and he was able to feast on the incredible catfish dish that Heidi raved about. I can't remember specifics about the foods I ate, except that they were delicious and plentiful.

I so wish I could snap fingers and be right back there (with the whole bunch) on this quiet, New Year's Eve!

0 Comments

Holman's Bar & Grill

12/30/2018

0 Comments

Portland, OR

Nothing delights me more than a retro neon sign (including the word cocktails) and windows, painted with holiday greetings and clinking martini glasses! Usually, I just take a picture.

Last Summer

This past summer, Don and I spotted this wonderful place. Our daughter and son-in-law had literally just moved to SW Portland, into an apartment around the corner.

The sight of this neighborhood bar might scare some parents. But Don and I didn't worry. Instead, we joined the "newlyweds" and celebrated with drinks.

The Bar

The front door opened to the original bar, which has been serving customers for over 80 years... first, as a lunch counter, then a bootleggers saloon during prohibition. The Holman's sold the bar to the current owners in the 1970's. Last summer the bar stools were empty.

The Game Room

The game room with its slanted linoleum floor was practically empty, too. But the walls were full of entertainment!

Garden Patio

Last summer, it was a lovely day when we shared drinks on the patio bar. It didn't look quite as inviting, when we returned on December 26th. But even in the cold drizzle, the little area behind the bar looked a lot better than it did years ago... when it was an old used appliance graveyard. I learned that from some menu trivia.

December 26, 2018

We ended up having lunch at Holman's, on the day after Christmas. We were just finishing a festive holiday celebration with our kids and their spouses in Portland. What better place to dine, before heading to the airport!

The North Dining Room

I tried not to intrude with my camera, but there were quite a few people seated at the dark bar, at 11:30 am. We headed to the dining room, which was added in the '70's. It sort of felt like we were sitting down for a meeting at our round table, with rolling task chairs.

Settling In

As it turns out, we were lucky to get this prized dining spot. Holman's opens at 8 am and Heidi said the table is usually occupied, by older gentleman, when she walks by in the morning.

BYOS

I ordered a BLT with fries. That seemed like the kind of food I might have ordered years ago, at the lunch counter. They would have surely delivered my beverage with a straw, back in 1933. The sign on the table was a reminder that it was 2018 and we were in Portland. (Too bad the metal straws that Santa brought me, were packed!)

Looking Around!

While we chatted and ate our fairly decent meals, I took in all the fun decor. The dining room had once been a Rexall Drugs and I tried to picture that. I doubt the Cigar Man was part of the drug store decor, but the lit up Rudolph and Snowman could have been.

Shoes and Socks

Before noon, the Game Room was very quiet. I checked out the slanted floor again and the pinball machines and the square windows, that let me peek in on the bar. I smiled to see the wooden shoe display, that I remembered. I was glad they had added some felt socks for the holidays!

Meal Wheel

We didn't have time to play Pacman or pinball, but our very nice server did invite us to spin the Meal Wheel, before we paid up. She watched from the bar, while we took turns, hoping to match up the arrows for a free lunch.

Winner!

This photo makes the wheel look like it was spinning crazily fast! It wasn't. Luckily my wimpy attempt was strong enough to make one revolution... before finishing with the red arrows pointing at each other! Free Meal!

My BLT was free and I got to write my name on the Winner's Chalkboard! This was my first dining adventure, involving a free meal!

0 Comments

The Old Hillvilla Restaurant, in Portland

12/28/2018

0 Comments

Now, A Chart House Restaurant

On Christmas Eve we had reservations for dinner, at one of the nearly 30 Chart House restaurants. I wish the lovely hilltop restaurant had its original name. It kind of makes me think of Hillbillies!

At around 7 pm, our Uber driver skillfully zipped up Terwilliger Boulevard, high above Portland. At the top of the hill, we hit a traffic jam of cars, waiting to valet park. Our family of 6, happily exited, before reaching the tangle of cars. The glowing restaurant was buzzing with Christmas Eve energy.

Photo From 1930

Don and I usually avoid chain restaurants, but the Chart House is always a safe choice. We didn't want to risk some lukewarm holiday buffet, when we were feeling ridiculously lucky to be spending Christmas with our kids and their new spouses. Plus this Chart House had some great history. The property, once named Hillvilla, opened in 1921. Owner, R Simmons boasted about The View of a Million Lights. Today, the building doesn't look nearly as quaint as it did 90+ years ago, but it still has the view of lights and Mount Hood!

Busy and Festive

We were told our table wasn't quite ready and that was sort of a relief. We were in no mood to rush. We were in a festive, happy place with our kids. No one had to cook!

Downstairs

When we found 6 open barstools in the downstairs lounge, we were extra ready to relax.

Behind us there was a wall of windows, looking over the twinkling lights of Oregon's biggest city.

In front of us, we watched numerous bartenders (some in Santa hats) dashing, dodging, splashing, shaking and pouring! I kind of liked the cheery, rushed vibe... at least for a while. We had a nice toast, with our French 75 cocktails.

Up We Go

We were called to our table shortly after getting drinks. As we headed up the stairs I glanced over at the cozy fireplace. I wonder if that was added in 1954, when Ed Palaske bought and modernized Hillvilla.

I wonder what Mr. Palakse would think of the modern decor today. He would probably like the circular art on the wall. I'm guessing that was added when in recent years when the Chart House bought the property.

Table at the Window

When the hostess seated us at a window-side table, I wanted to cheer. We couldn't exactly see Mount Hood and the sun had set hours before, but the city lights below were mighty festive.

Moon

The whole day had been cold and cloudy, so I hadn't hoped for any stargazing. We did however get a good glimpse of the moon, now and then!

Cole

Before we even met our server, I knew this was not the night to bother our waiter with a cookbook. But I did have the 1963 Ford Motor Cookbook in my bag... just in case.

Our server introduced himself as Cole. If he was feeling a little overwhelmed with the holiday crowds, he hid it fairly well. We ordered wine and asked a few menu questions.

The Fine Cookbook

At one point I did share my silly traveling book with others at the table and I managed to get a smile from Cole, who said he had actually seen that illustration before. I asked if they stilled served "Spareribs A La Hillvilla. He said they did serve spareribs, up until a year ago. I was relieved it was no longer on the menu, since I usually feel forced to at least try whatever the cookbook has featured.

Happy

Maybe it was the wine, or the anticipation of Santa, but our gang could not have been happier. There was something so comfy-cozy about our table, as we settled in with wine and a couple baskets of warm bread.

Dining on a holiday meant we shared a little something in common with all the other diners. We were all celebrating. But even the staff seemed to add to the fun mix of energy in the place!

So Many Helpers

On a journey to the restroom, I squeezed past a few large tray-servers and I paused to look at all the foods sizzling on the grill. There were so many people giving up their own family time, to make our night special. I have to stop and appreciate that sometimes.

Food!

I tried not to laugh when I ordered Mac Nut Mahi. I felt a little like I was ordering at the drive-thru. But thoughts of McDonald's disappeared when I tasted my fish with warm peanut sauce, mango relish, soy glaze, mango sticky rice and Asian green beans!

My chopped salad with hearts of palm, cucumber, red onion... balsamic vinaigrette was a meal in itself, so I'm glad I saved room. No room for dessert, though. We were all happy and full by the time our empty plates were taken away.

Family Pic

While waiting on our Uber, I took advantage of a brief moment when the area near the tree was empty. A very cheery hostess offered to take our pic. This turned out to be the only photo of the 6 of us during our holidays together. Yay for family photos!

Totem Pole

Before our ride arrived, I rushed out to get one more peek of the exterior. The 2 valet guys had a brief lull in activity, so I shared the cookbook with them. They seemed amused by the old watercolor image... or they pretended well. I dashed off to the side, to see if the shape of the of the building matched the illustration. It was too dark to tell, but I did see a 50-foot totem pole. If there had been a spotlight, I could have snapped a photo of the dramatic carving, that Palaske added in 1959!

We may have dined at a chain restaurant, but the yummy food and curious history, made for a dining adventure. Maybe next time we'll catch a sunset!

0 Comments

Jam on Hawthorne in Portland, OR

12/28/2018

0 Comments

Christmas Eve Brunch

Don and I spent Christmas with our kids and their spouses, in Portland. Our daughter and son-in-law picked Jam on Hawthorne, as a good bet for Christmas Eve brunch.

We weren't the only ones with that idea.

Warming Up Inside

They don't take reservations, so we waited for a table, along with lots of other people. We were outside for a while and then found space inside, under paper snowflakes!

The Bar

There was a festive bar, serving at least 7 kinds of Bloody Mary cocktails and at least 12 flavors of Mimosa. I was happy with the free coffee, set up on the sidewalk.

White Tree and Snowflakes!

The small room just inside the door, was entertaining while we waited. We watched the bustling servers and the happy crowd, out on the sidewalk.

But when we were called to our table, I was thrilled to be in the larger room with the crazy white tree, nearby. There must have been 100 paper snowflakes and I was curious to know who made them all.

A Place to Play

The white Christmas tree wasn't the only special thing nearby. There was an elevated stage, with lots of toys and a play kitchen. Heidi and Chali could have leaned over and grabbed something to play with while we waited for food. Restaurants never had fun play areas when I was a kid... or a young parent!

Menu Options

The menu was colorful on the outside, with creative selections on the inside. Maybe that's why they call it a cafe and arthouse. Actually the art part was all over the walls. If it had been less crowded, I would have roamed and enjoyed.

Food!

A lot of amazing foods came to our table. For sweet stuff, we had Maddie Cakes (lemon-ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote) and Grand Marnier French Toast. I was tempted to get the Maple Cashew Granola, but the spinach and mushrooms in Ed's Scramble won out. At least mine came with toast, so I got to sample Jam's homemade jam! I also snuck a bite of some amazing biscuits and gravy!

Good Food Good Service

Heidi and Jamie picked well. The food was worth waiting for. Once seated, the service was speedy, without feeling rushed.

Festive Memories

I hope to come again, on another visit to Portland. Although, I may have a hard time adjusting to the atmosphere without the glowing tree and 4 kids, eager for Christmas!

Some say the anticipation isn't as fun when the kids are grown. But when your kids are old enough to drink Christmas mimosas, the holidays have a whole new feel. Yay for Christmas Eve Brunch!

0 Comments

Rock Creek Tavern in Hillsboro, OR

12/25/2018

0 Comments

Lunch at a McMenamins Tavern

Don and I came upon the Rock Creek Tavern in Hillsboro, over the Christmas holidays. The old barn west of Portland, looked quaint and cozy.

Out of a Book

As we approached, I felt like I was a character in a fairytale. Weathered boards, red & green painted windows, rock chimney and moss covered roof! It looked like something the 3 Pigs might have constructed, together! There was even a curious mushroom decoration, posing like an umbrella near the porch.

Fun Stuff

When we stepped inside, my eyes went straight up from the bar, to the fine deer head, with antlers and no fur. Then my eyes settled on twin, glowing mushrooms. Oh how the place would have tickled me 50 years ago, when I was 11, doodling polka-dotted mushrooms on every piece of paper I could find.

History

I was so excited to learn the history of the tavern, when I noticed a framed picture from the 1940's.

I read later the tavern had opened as a store in the 1920's. The building was later replaced with an old blacksmith shop and became a popular store and tavern, adored by the locals. Much later in the 1990's, the tavern was bought by the McMenamin brothers, who have always known how how to bring fun and celebration to their properties!

Fireplace... and Fire

Luckily the McMenamin spirit was positive, even after the barn burned to the ground in 2002. I'm not sure where the fire began, but only the fireplace was left when they began to rebuild, with repurposed materials and old boards from local barns.

Cozy Corner

So when Don and I sat in our cozy corner on our church pew seats, we didn't know the tavern was a rebuild. We thought we were in the historic barn, where locals gathered to shoot pool and drink beer and listen to local musicians, for 80+ years. Actually, only the walls just changed. I guess we were still sitting in the space where folks celebrated for decades!

We studied the menu, while the fire crackled nearby. It was fun to see our server stop by to throw on a few extra logs before taking our order. Later I spotted a wood burning stove in the back of the barn. The tavern was toasty cozy!

In the Loft

I heard laughter and the crack of pool balls from above. I took a quick trip upstairs while waiting on food.

View!

It was fun looking down on the diners from above. I could spy on Don. He appeared to be praying... or glancing at his phone.

One More Mushroom

I was right. There was a pool game in progress. There was also an incredibly long shuffleboard. Best of all there was a mushroom lamp that seemed to grow up from the floorboards. The mushroom's light was glowing down on a yummy looking order that was ready to be served. I hurried back down.

Heading Down

I dashed down the stairs, absorbing the fun atmosphere with carpets and white lights.

Food!

There were at least 10 McMenamin beers on tap, so we got one to share. The menu looked pretty familiar, since we've dined at a lot of McMenamin properties. But that can be a good thing if you love their Cajun Tots and Caesar Salad and Dilly Tuna sandwich.

Cozy Spots

After we finished up, we headed for the side exit that took us to the elevated patio. One table had just left, so I got a pick of the cute little space tucked under the slanted ceiling with a colorful light fixture. The table was covered in dishes or it would have shown the oddly shaped slab of polished cedar.

There were other tiny eating nooks, but I didn't want to snap photos and alarm diners!

Patio

A lit torch seemed to invite guests to the patio, but it was too chilly. I can only imagine how fun this space is on a summer's evening. But where was the floating dance floor? I heard there was one somewhere!

Good-bye Moss

We don't have much moss in Texas, so I had to take this fine pic from the parking lot. What a lucky find this was, for a quick lunch on the road! Next time we visit Portland, we'll have to make this a destination. At night, with live music and a floating dance floor...next time!

0 Comments

Panchos Backyard in Cozumel, Mexico

12/11/2018

0 Comments

Oasis on the Island

Don and I found the entrance to this restaurant, inside Los Cinco Soles, a large gift shop. That's usually a touristy thing... gift shops with restaurants. But this lovely place was a little piece of quiet heaven, on an October afternoon.

Marimba Duo

There were no other diners, which can also be a bad thing. But we were happy to have a pick of any table, inside or out. We chose a spot, directly in front of the father/son musicians. That again, could have been a bad thing. But they were a sweet pair, playing as many old Frank Sinatra hits as Mexican favorites.

Menu with History

Our wooden menus gave us some good food options, along with some history.

The building was once part of a warehouse, that stored and shipped bales of dried resin. In the late 1940's, the building found new purpose, since a few travelers began coming to the island.

The warehouse was transformed into a hotel, with gardens and a pool. I would love to step back in time and see the kinds of folks who ventured to Cozumel, back then.

Inside and Out

I loved our table, looking out on the garden. The open air interior felt cool and breezy on an October day.

Picture Time

We just couldn't resist having some gigantic beverages with our meal. Ferdinando, our gracious server, took this photo of us with our feast.

The Food

Don's shrimp with garlic was perfecto. My Tamales Yucatecos, was equally tasty. Steamed tamales, served on a banana leaf, with a cute mound of rice. There was a touch of sweet that made me feel like I was on vacation. Well...I was.

The Two Ferds

Ferdinando was a delight. He never made us feel awkward for being the only diners in the restaurant. He "intruded" just enough. He also seemed pretty pleased to know that Don's middle name was Ferd. Don has never loved his middle name, but Don didn't share that.

Our dining adventure ended with a very nice photo of The Two Ferds!

0 Comments

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar in Portland, OR

12/6/2018

0 Comments

Smiles & Oysters

When you get smiles this big, you know you've had a successful dining/cookbook adventure. I love this picture of Michelle holding our "traveling cookbook" while her son Kai, holds the oyster shucking tool!

Since 1906

Last August, Don and I visited the landmark seafood restaurant in Portland. We stayed at a downtown hotel, not far from the 132-year-old building, that houses the restaurant. It was before 11, when we walked over to Old Town, so we hung out on Ankeny Alley and pondered the past... until opening time.

Dan Louis Oyster Bar

Don and I knew about the Dan Louis Oyster Bar, because it was featured in our 1950's cookbook. We peeked at the vintage book while we waited.

I studied the super mod illustration of the restaurant's dining room. What a curious boat-like counter!

I also looked over the recipe for oyster stew. As I studied the text, I wondered about the name. Who was Dan?The old cookbook made it looked like Dan, was Louis' first name. But today there is an AND, between the names.

Louis Building

The plaque on the building's corner, told us about Louis Wachsmuth. In 1906. Louis began selling gunnysacks of live oysters, for 50-cents a bag. Before long, Louis and his family were running a busy seafood business and restaurant inside the 2-story building.

We later learned that Dan was Louis' son, who died of influenza at the age of 27. Dan's name was added to the business, as a memorial. So there is a very sweet reason for the name Dan, in the restaurant's name. The Wachsmuth family still runs the business today.

Window Shopping

While Don and I waited, we peered in the window as the oyster display was being prepped. The visual was quite a sight! I tried to work up an appetite for oysters at 11 am, while I inhaled the sweet smells of Voodoo Doughnuts, a block away!

Open at 11

Young Kai (Louis Kai Wachsmuth) turned the sign and opened the door at 11. We entered the cozy space, where Kai's great, great grandfather sold seafood, over 100 years ago.

Walls Covered in History

There was a lot to absorb in the first room, with its nautical theme and collections of maritime objects. Michelle guided us to a table in a dining area, off to the right.

Oysters in the Morning

Don and I were the first diners that day. We settled in, with a sampling of Washington oysters. The Eld Inlet tasted mild and creamy. Kamamoto was buttery and Totten Inlet tasted more fishy and salty. I'm no oyster connoisseur, but I liked the Eld oysters best.

Digging In

As we dug into our oysters, Michelle came to check on us. When I found out she was part of the Wachsmuth family, I just had to pull out the old cookbook. Michelle grinned when she saw it. She said she had never seen the book, but recently someone had sent her a photo of that very page. "It's still the same ouster stew recipe that we use today!"

Soups

Don's smoked salmon chowder was rich and chunky, with a peppery flavor. Don loves his pepper. I of course had to give the original oyster stew a try. The broth was buttery smooth and the oysters were gigantic. I will admit, I'm a little timid about big plump oysters, but I was thrilled to eat the stew that has been served for over 100 years.

The Tour

Arriving early, meant Michelle was free to chat. She was also able to give us a tour. She walked us past Kai's oyster shucking station, towards some of the older dining rooms.

Oyster Cart

We turned the corner at one point and almost ran into a huge cart, carrying bags of oysters.

Michelle carried on a bit with the white haired man who was pushing the big load.

He was nice enough to pause for a photo, before he wheeled the fresh catch towards the kitchen.

Oyster Family

We continued through the maze of rooms and came upon a smiling group. "This is our oyster family!" Michelle laughed and the two boys giggled. I'm not sure how this all works and what their relation was, with the man pushing the cart. But I do know there was a wonderful rapport between Michelle and the folks we kept bumping into as we traveled through the numerous rooms.

The Big Dining Room

We moved into the large dining room, with cozy wood walls and a ceiling that looked like a ship's hull. The walls were covered in old plates and more nautical decor.

The Boat

I laughed when I saw the boat-like counter, with portholes on the side. I recognized the image from the kind of kooky illustration in the book. Michelle shook her head and chuckled, when I asked about the boat. "Half of that boat is in my garage right now."

Pine Walls and Round Plates

I couldn't get enough of all the wall decor! We didn't get a chance to meet Michelle's husband, Keoni. If we had, I would have asked about some of the memorabilia.

Keoni (Kai's dad) is 4th generation, so I'm guessing he must have spent a lot of his youth in these rooms. If I had grown up in that world, I would have wanted to play hide and seek in all those rooms. I would have probably spent a good amount of time counting all those plates, too!

The Kitchen

The kitchen area has been renovated and opened up, in recent years. It's always a good thing when a food business is happy to let customers see the food being prepared!

Cozy Dining

Next time, I think I'd like to sit in this tiny dining space, surrounded by painted, wood walls and ceiling.

Or maybe I'd like to sit beside the knotty pine and find out what MV Aspen means.

I believe this is the original dining room. This might be my favorite room. I can picture the Wachsmuth family gathering around this table.

Thanks!

Don and I had a whirlwind visit to Dan & Louis. We had a parking meter running back at the hotel and a drive to Seattle ahead of us. Next time we will come and rush less. We'll enjoy more of the menu and hopefully more of the family! What a fun place!

0 Comments

La Floresta in Playa del Carmen

12/1/2018

0 Comments

Lunch, Away From Tourists

Don and I got to enjoy a lunch outing with a dear friend who lives not far from Playa del Carmen.

Brenda picked us up after we came across on the ferry, from Cozumel. She said she'd take us to one of her favorite places.

White and Red

We parked in a gravel lot and walked towards the white, cement block structure. There was a sink near the wall where we could wash up before eating.

Order Window

We headed for the order window and let Brenda order for us. The waiter recognized her and didn't need to be told that she wanted a Coke and a half avocado with her meal.

Open Air Dining

It was such an adventure dining in a restaurant where no tourists would think to go. There was no beach nearby. Just the sound of traffic on the road. Some would think we shouldn't have ventured away from the tourist areas. But I've always trusted Brenda. Not only was she a wonderful piano teacher to my children, but she happened to be a police officer as well.

Fried Shrimp

We followed Brenda's lead and ordered fried shrimp.

The fish came piping hot and super crispy!

Brenda chopped up the avocado and used a little mayo and lime. The tacos were perfect and just the right amount. Such a simple little meal and so good!

Catching Up

The combo of fish tacos and Coke and good conversation was wonderful. Back when Brenda taught our children piano, we always ended up lingering after lessons. The subject we talked most about was travel. Here we were in Mexico, where Brenda and her husband now has a home!

Smile For the Camera!

I tried to sneak one more photo before we left. This fun couple seemed pretty amused and gave me a big smile.

What a simple lunch with a sweet glimpse of real Mexico. Thanks Brenda!

0 Comments

Union Hotel in Occidental, CA

11/29/2018

0 Comments

Italian Feast at Noon

Don and I don't usually eat big lunches, especially when we're traveling. But when we saw Occidental on the roadmap, we knew we needed to add it to our route... and prepare for a little feasting.

As we headed into the 5-block town, we tried to remember the name of the place where we'd had an amazing Italian meal, about 38 years ago!

Since 1879

We spotted a couple of Italian restaurants in the small town. We weren't absolutely sure if the old Union Hotel was the place we remembered, but it was open and it looked pretty charming.

Quiet Patio

We parked and headed towards the gate with the Union Hotel clock. The patio area looked lovely on a September day, but it didn't seem to be open.

Lots of Doors

We headed towards the 2-story hotel. I loved the words up near the roof.

"1879... Union Hotel... Italian Dinners"

I liked everything about those words. I love old restaurants and I love old hotels. Sadly, I don't believe there are hotel rooms upstairs anymore.

The Saloon

I believe the saloon is the original structure from 1879. It began as a general store and meeting house. Then it became a saloon and eventually a hotel and restaurant. I was tempted to ask the bartender, since he had no customers. But he didn't look like he was up for a talking history. We moved on down the hall.

Hallway Entrance

It was an adventure searching for the dining room. I loved the stairway with the funny little "baby gate" thing. There must have been 50 coats of brown paint on the stairs and railing.

I later learned a little history about those brown stairs. A man named Carlo Pannizera, bought the building in 1925. He reopened the saloon as a rooming house and restaurant. One day he ran to the rescue when his waitress, Mary fell down the stairs.

Carlo carried Mary to the doctor and before long, they were married. Their descendants own and run the Union Hotel today!

Half-Door

I don't know if there's any history about this swinging half door, with a shelf.

It was doing a good job holding a wine glass, when we passed by.

I love stories about the families behind historic restaurants and hotels.

The Main Dining Room

I had to grin when I saw the red and white checked curtains and table cloths in the dining room.

Candlelight!

I grinned even bigger when I saw the classic, wax-covered Chianti bottles on all the tables.

Better yet, the candles were lit at the tables where there were diners.

I can't think of the last time I had lunch by candlelight. I know that breaks some kind of dining etiquette rule. I'm all for breaking that rule.

Family Style

Our server (Terry, I think) was wonderful. She seemed excited to know we were from Texas, since she'd lived there a while herself. She gave us some ordering suggestions and then the food started coming... family style!

Before the Main Course

The bread and oil arrived first. A plate of salami and cheese came next, with serving bowls of minestrone and salad and kidney beans.

Lasagna and Ravioli

We had to order a little Chianti to go along with our lasagna and ravioli. Don looks happy about that. But actually we were just happy about the fun of this cozy place, where the food kept coming.

Don and I love to eat, but neither of us can actually eat all that much. It's sort of embarrassing sometimes. But, Terry was happy to wrap up about all our leftovers. Usually that doesn't work well when we're traveling, but we actually microwaved them for dinner, in our hotel room that night.

My Kind of Cozy

I had a great view from my chair of the cozy dining room. There is just nothing better than comfort food in a comfy-cozy setting. Not all people love the red & white checked look, or even the dark wood paneling, but this is my idea of comfort dining.

From Doors to Barrels

I loved the kitchen door with its little square window, balancing on point. I loved the barrel supported shelf, holding pumpkins, flowers and the Virgin Mary.

Off to Explore

Don took care of the bill and I told him I was heading to the restroom. He knows those words actually mean, "I'm going exploring... with my camera."

The retro pink bathroom was worthy of a photo. I love pink tile.

Bocce Ballroom

I took a little peek into the Bocce Ballroom with its own bar and raised stage. Flowers and decorations told me a wedding had been celebrated recently.

The Dining Room

From the Bocce Ballroom, I looked back at the dining room. The dining room was actually built in the 1940's to connect the original Union Hotel and the Bocce Ballroom.

As I looked at the candles and lights strung from the ceiling, it made me hope to return sometime for a dinner, at night. I'd love to see the place filled with families and romantic couples... and maybe a little Italian music!

0 Comments

The Bryant House in Vermont

11/24/2018

0 Comments

Weston, Vermont

This cute little red house with curtains in the window, could have lured me to lunch anywhere. But, there was a lot more than food happening around The Bryant House Restaurant.

Vermont Country Store

Sitting about 50 feet from the restaurant, was the original Vermont Country Store. I've never known much about the business, but I've gotten plenty of those funny, little Vermont Store catalogues over the years.

Mildred and Vrest Orton opened their store in 1946, selling Vermont cheddar and real maple syrup. Customers came from far away and they started selling food. Today the store and Bryant House Restaurant, are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation Ortons.

Floors in the Bryant House

After doing some fun browsing at the old store, Don and I got hungry and headed over to the restaurant.

Just looking down at the floors, made it easy to believe we were in a 190-year-old house. The home had belonged to the Bryant family until 1959, when the Ortons purchased the property.

Bar in the Back

The "Eating Rooms" in the front of the house were full, so we headed to the pub in the back. No, we didn't know the man with the broken arm, sitting at the old bar, but he posed nicely.

Curious Stuff

Don and I managed to get a table near the window. It took a while to get a menu, but there was lots to look at. The soda fountain from 1878 was pretty amazing.

The complicated looking thing was crafted with silver and Italian marble and ebony. But really the more interesting thing, was the wooden, label creation that listed the available flavors. I liked the soda flavor, "I Don't Care".

Lots to Read

We also had a lot of reading entertainment at our table. We had a store catalogue and lots of news clippings and photos and even a telegram, shellacked right onto the table top.

Cozy Table

We enjoyed our meal on our cushioned captain's chairs, using cloth napkins. I'm sure all can be purchased in the store.

We made sure to order some good Vermont foods. Don had a wonderful grilled cheese sandwich with Vermont cheese.

My Plate

I loved my plate of comfort foods. My salad was the healthy thing and my New England clam chowder (with homemade crackers) was the Vermont thing. My Johnnycake with butter, was the totally fun thing.

Why Hello There!

At one point we looked up and there was my sister Jennifer and her wife, Kate. They were sitting at the old bar. That would have been a mighty strange thing, since they live in Oregon. But we were actually traveling with them. We were just on slightly different shopping and eating schedules. So we finished up, while they started and we of course we snapped pics of each other.

Nap After Lunch

After we finished lunch, our waiter encouraged us to head up the stairs to see the Bryant's lovely bedroom. The couple's bedroom set (purchased at the Philidelphia World's Fair) was set up like a little museum. So I guess you can say we ate lunch in a museum. If it hadn't been roped off, I might have taken a nap after my lunch.

Gliding Time

Before leaving the grounds, my sister and I had to try out the glider & table creation! It was tempting to buy an ice cream sundae from Mildred's Dairy Bar, a few feet away. We could have really tested out the whole rocking/dining set up! Or we could have bought the whole creation for $1,512.00. Maybe next time.

0 Comments

<<Previous

New Year's Eve in Thailand

Holman's Bar & Grill

The Old Hillvilla Restaurant, in Portland

Jam on Hawthorne in Portland, OR

Rock Creek Tavern in Hillsboro, OR

Panchos Backyard in Cozumel, Mexico

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar in Portland, OR

La Floresta in Playa del Carmen

Union Hotel in Occidental, CA

The Bryant House in Vermont

Archives

Categories