Brewster's Pub (Surrey, B.C., Canada)

October 21, 2020

 Brewster's Pub, 7380 King George Blvd. Surrey B.C. Canada.  www.brewsterspub.ca The first pub that I have added during the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have been here numerous times before the pandemic, so this visit was quite a bit different than normal times.  They have an extensive COVID-19 Safety Plan which is available on their website.  You must use hand sanitizer when you enter and they ensure you use it.  The tables have a card advising if it has been sanitized, so you know it has been looked after.  The staff wears face masks. They have a large island style sit up bar but the seating has been reduced.  numerous tables and chairs have been removed to ensure people are more than 6 feet apart.  They have numerous TV's through out covering most sports.  Denise is the manager here and she is such a breath of fresh air, very friendly and efficient.  she is good at remembering people when they come in and hasn't seen them for a long time.  They have all kinds of specials.  Happy Hour runs 2-5 pm every day and feature for $4.25 sleeves of Molson Canadian and Budweiser beer, highballs and wine. $9.00 Steak Bites, $8.00 Chicken Fingers, Dry Ribs, Thai Chicken and spring rolls.  $7.00 Mac and Cheese Squares and Poutine.  They have over 12 different types of beer on tap with assorted seasonal beer. Some of the different specials through out the day are: Monday Night Football, $8.00 dinner, $6.00 order of wings  (I have had their wings before and they are quite good) and $4.50 pints of Budweiser beer. Roast Beef Wednesday, Saturday Rib Dinner, Sunday $6.00 and $ 10.00 breakfast and Fish and Chips.  When we were there we had the Taco Salad with seasoned ground beef.  Came in a nice tortilla bowl, it was fresh and very good!!!  They have a large out door covered patio area but I am not sure if it is open to the public.  There is also an open air uncovered patio area.  Right beside the Pub it their Liquor Store. I sure hope this Virus gets controlled and life can get back to normal.  Stay safe and follow the rules!!

The Dirty Monkey (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA)

March 13, 2020
The Dirty Monkey 844 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA www.thedirtymonkey.com
They open at 1200 noon and is described as a sports and entertainment bar.They have a large granite L shaped sit-up bar that seats 26 people. The bar is on the second floor and over looks front street.  Over looking Front Street they have 5 tables for 2 and 2 tables for 4, these are great for people watching.  In the back room they have 2 plinko games, 2 shuffleboard games and a medium sized Jenga game.  There is lots of seating in this bar.  There are numerous TV's through out. You must order your drinks from the bar as there is no table service.|For lunch I had the 3 beef tacos, cheese, sour cream and red and green salsa.  they weren't bad but I have had better. My better half had the  Avocado Shrimp Salad.  It was a big portion and lots of decent sized shrimp. She said that it was very good. Their happy hour runs from  3 pm to 7 pm daily, and they have 6 food items running from $10.00 to $13.00.  Well drinks and Mai Tais $6.00- and $2.00 of select wine and draft beer. There is a large whiskey selection. 16 different types ob beer on tap. The staff was friendly and polite.
I don't know what the future holds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 2023 Destroyed by the Lahaina fire.

Ohana Seafood Bar & Grill (Kehei, Maui, Hawaii, USA)

March 11, 2020
Ohana Seafood Bar & Grill 1954 South Kehei  Road, Kehei, Maui, Hawaii, USA  www.ohanaseafoodbarandgrill.com  It doesn't look like much from the front.  The odd thing is the sidewalk patio in front but it belongs to the cafe next door but they use it after 5 pm.  The have a neat but small sit-up bat but it only seats 5 people.  Sometimes they have live music.  There is a covered open air deck in front with 4 tables for 4 and 1 for 2 people.  There is a long single line sit-up bar like seating area that over looks the patio area.  Inside there are 4 booths for 4 and 2 booth for 6 and they are really cool. Across the street is Kalama and a beautiful roller hockey rink for the Maui Inline Hockey Association, who would have thought!!  The beach is next and when we were there there were surfing lessons going on. For lunch I had the Mahi Mahi tacos, you get 2 tacos each with 2 big pieces of Mahi Mahi, avocado coleslaw and aioli drizzle n top and came with house made tortilla chips and  2 kinds of salsa.  One salsa was tropical and the other was a tomato based salsa.  My better half had the Prawn Tacos.  2 tacos and 4 good sized prawns per taco with the same sides.  They were booth good and quite filling.  Ohana's claims to have the best calamari and fish tacos on the island.  They had 20 types of beer available but no draft beer. They have the longest happy hour running from 10 am to 6 pm with $3.00 Mai Tais and Bud light, Bud and Coors beer from 3pm to 6pm it is $2.00 of cocktails, $2.00 off beer, $7.00 wine and $5.00 off appys. 
I don't know what the future holds n store with the COVID-19 pandemic

Charley's Restaurant & Saloon (Paia, Maui, Hawaii, USA)

March 11, 2020
Charley's Restaurant & Saloon 142 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, Hawaii, USA  www.charleysmaui.com
Charley's is a cool place that has been around since 1969 on the site of a former sugar plantation.  Famous singer Willie NELSON is good friends with the owners comes here and plays 2 to 3 times a year. There is a big stage in the back of the bar.  The day we were there there was an artist on stage doing paintings.  Charley's is very much a western theme, with big swinging saloon doors on the side to the parking lot.  They have a 10 foot high  guitar as a tribute to Willie NELSON and a lot of other Willie NELSON memorabilia throughout. The sit-up bar is fairly long and seats 14 people, 11 on swivel chairs and 3 on on non-swivel chairs.  down the middle are 5 pub high tables for 2.  They have 8 booths for for or 6 people.  there are several tables for 4 and 3 TV's.  For lunch I had the Chicken Burger which is on a brioche bun, grilled chicken breast, avocado, tomato, pickles, onions, cheese and lettuce and came with fries.  It was pretty good!  My better half had the Greek Salad with grilled chicken breast which was sliced up.  She said that it was very good.  As for drinks, the house drinks which are mostly Hawaiian and run $ 12 to $14.  Happy hour runs from 2pm to 6pm and Wine is $4.00, select draft beer in $5 and domestic bottle beer in $4.00, and well drinks are $4.00.  We really enjoyed it here and look forward to coming back!!
I don't know what is in store for the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Captain Jack's Island Grill (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA))

Captain Jack's Island Grill 672 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A.   www.captainjacksmaui.com  Located across from the marina where all the tours and charters run out of.  Located n the second floor and is all open air.  We sat in the bar side with a great view over looking Front Street.  Great people watching!  They have an 11 person "L" shaped sit-up bar. The end of the bar is a surfboard.  Happy Hour is 2-5 pm, well drinks and house wine are $4.00, Margaritas and Mai Tai's are $5.00, $1.00 off draft and domestic bottles. For happy Hour food they have: Tacos, Calamari, BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, Sliders and fries, Coconut Shrimp, Fish and Chips, Shrimp Cocktail and Crab Cakes.  I had the Coconut  Shrimp (2 orders) cause it was so good.  It is a busy place and lots of fun.  When we were there a nice breeze blew through keeping you cool. We both really enjoyed our selves here and the food it good!

November 2022

We are back again. Happy Hour runs 2pm to 5pm. $5 well drinks, house wine, $6 House Maitais and Margaritas,  $1 off all Drafts and Domestic beer. No more food for happy hour. Still a great place over looking Front Street and close to where all the charter boats dock.well we had the Coconut Prawns and Chips and Guacamole.  Both were awesome, but those butterflies Coconut Prawns are simply amazing and invented sgaiwe had to get a 2nd order. Yes we will be back again!

August 2023 Destroyed by the Lahaina fire.

Aloha Mixed Plate (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA))

March 9th, 2020
Aloha Mixed Plate 1285 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A.   www.alohamixedplate.com  Located right on the Ocean with great views and Island of Lanai.  They have a 7 person sit-up bar that is farthest away from the ocean.  We had a table by the waters edge with an unobstructed view.  Hawaiian cocktails ran $8-10.  Maui Brewing beer is $6.00, Imported beer is $5.00 with domestic beer running $4.50. Wine is $9.00 for a 6 oz glass. Hawaiian and Asian food style.  My better half and I both had the Chow Fun:  Fresh Chow Funn noodles with ground pork, bean sprouts and green onions, Maui count Fair style. This was fabulous and was only $10.00.  I would for sure order it again!!   It is all open here with it being covered from the sun.  Good atmosphere and service.  We really enjoyed it here and can't wait to come back.
I don't know what the future holds with the COVID-19 pandemic going on now.

CLOSED.  NOW THE STAR NOODLE, apparently new owners but different menu.

August 2023  survived the Lahaina fire but has been a different place for a while called Star Noodle.

Burger Shack (Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii USA))

March 8, 2020
Burger Shack, 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii U.S.A. Probably best to reach it by going to the D.T. Fleming Beach Park in Honaluhau Bay, parking there and walking a very short distance.  It is part of the Ritz Carlton Kapalua.  Located over looking the beach with an amazing view.  If you are looking for cheap food and drinks, this is not the place to go.  They have a nice little open area covered sit-up bar that seats 7.  The seats on the end are both swings and I have never seen that before.  We had a table for 2 over looking the beach where you can enjoy watching the ocean, surfers and swimmers. They have 4 beer on tap from Maui Brewing for $9.00 a pint.  Wine was mostly 187 ml (6.3 fl oz) and ran $14 to $19.  For lunch I had the D.T. Fleming Beach Burger, it was huge and came with yam fries.  It was quite good.  They  also have homemade ketchup! My better half had the Mahi Mahi fish tacos and she said they were very good.   It was so relaxing here and the service was very good, polite and friendly.
With the COVID-19 pandemic I don't know what the future holds.

November 2022

We are back! Great place as usual.  Not a cheap place to go. Wine$16-$18 5-6 oz glass. Draft $9.  Margaritas $20. Hamburger $28. Kids hotdog $16.  Only open 11-4 pm. Gone is the swing at the bar, replaced by stools. Still great views and close to the beach. Enjoyed our visit here!

Kimo's Maui (Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA)

March 6, 2020
Kimo's Maui, 845 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii USA.  www.kimosmaui.com.  Located right on the water looking the the island of Lanai. In the middle is their Lanai bar which is a very nice rectangular sit-up bar that seats 20. I recommend sitting here as it a great way to meet people and talk with the bartender.  She gave great tourist info too! Decent selection of beer on tap. They have hard drinks and wine too. Happy Hour or as they call it Aloha hour is 3pm to 5pm in the Lanai bar. The place is open air but has a roof to keep you out of the direct sun. We met several people and they have been coming for a long time and hit happy hour here once or twice a week. To eat I had the Coconut Shrimp with cider honey mustard sauce. They were awesome!! My Happy Hour partner had the Chop Chicken Salad that consists of: grilled chicken, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, tomatoes, corn, edamame, Kalamata olives, Asian pear chickpeas with a buttermilk dressing.  It was very very good and would have it again. People recommend the Prime Rib and they have it often. Their specialty is their famous Hula Pie. There is a bar on top but is open 8pm to 10pm. This is a must try and for sure you must sit up at the bar. We loved it here!!

August 2023 Destroyed by the Lahaina fire.

The Hook Seafood Broiler & Spirits (Edmonds, Washington USA)

March 2, 2020
The Hook Seafood Broiler and Spirits 18521-76 Avenue Edmonds, Washington U.S.A.  on the far north side of Edmonds. As you walk in the front door the bar area is to the right and is 21 years and older. The family side is to the left. The bar side accounts for about 3/4 of the floor area. They have a 20 person horse shoe bar in the middle. To the far side there are 7 pub high tables for 5 and one for 2. On the near side there is one pub high table for 6 and 6 standard tables for 4. There are 7 TVs in the bar area. Lots of locals frequent this place. They open 1100 to 1000 pm except Friday and Saturday and they are open until 1100 pm. Happy Hour is 4pm to 6pm and 9pm onwards. They have 11 different beers on tap as well as 2 more on rotating taps.  They serve hard liquor and wine too.  Happy hour wine is $5.50. For food on the regular menu features burgers, gyros, pasta, steak, seafood, salads and flat breads. For happy hour they.have a happy hour menu, which we.ordered off.  We had the Pepper Jack Cheese Sticks with house made marinara sauce. There were 3 good sized sticks and it was very good. From there we had the Hummus and pitas which came with olives, tomatoes and cucumbers.  That too was quite good. Our friends who recommend this place said the fish and chips were really good. Service was very good and friendly too. There was a good ambiance here and we really enjoyed our selves here. Yes we will be back.

The Loft Cafe & Courtyard (Edmonds, Washington USA)

Feburuary 12 2020
The Loft Cafe & Courtyard  515 Main Street, Edmonds, Washington USA.  www.theloftlounge.com  We were recommend this place by family and friends. Right in the vibrant heart of Edmonds. This place looks cool and inviting on the outside. The inside does not disappoint.  It kind of looks like a ski lodge bar with the big exposed beams and timbers. They have a cozy 5 person marble topped sit-up bar. Facing the bar is a long bench along the wall with one table for 3 a pub high table for 4 and another table for 2. You could squeeze people in in the bench. Just past the bar is a stair case up to the small cozy dinning room  with about 7 tables. Out back is the court yard, with live bamboo along the east side and a out door bar. I imagine this hops in the nice weather. Out front there is a small sidewalk patio area with 3 tables for 3 or so all facing the side walk. Very reminiscent of the European way.  They open at 4 pm, 3pm on Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday during the winter.  As for their Happy Hour it runs 4pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Happy hour offers food $6 to $10, $5 well drinks, $6 wine and $1 off other wine. They have 4 beer on tap. For food we had the Gnocchi, house made Ricotta gnocchi, crisp bacon and spicy pesto (was not too spicy at all, thank goodness) it was very very good! We also had the Kobe Beef Sliders and fries which comes with 2 sliders. Made with Wagyu beef, Brioche bun,  garlic Aioli, bacon jam, Arugula,  tomatoes and cheddar cheese.  These too were very good. They have very nice back ground music, not too loud and just right. We met Nico the owner who advised they have been here for 12 years. He was great and also the bartender. Between making drinks, dealing with everything else  he has time to talk to us and was so nice! We had a very good vibe here and look forward to coming back soon!!!

Kingston Ale House (Kingston, Washington USA)

February 11 2020
The Kingston Ale House  11225 NE Washington State Route 104 USA or just off the Kingston/ Edmonds ferry.  www.thekingstonalehouse.busnieas.site.  It is right on the corner and you can't miss it. This place is an absolute gem and a fabulous find. The owners have had it for 4 years and it is located in an old heritage building. As you enter in the right is the beautiful 8 person sit-up bar and a very neat and well displayed bar. They have 20 different types of beer on tap and some are rotating. Only 21 years of age and over at the bar area. They have great cocktails  too!  Happy hour runs 4 pm to 7 pm, $1.00 of wine, draft and well drinks as well as good prices applies. There is a long bench down one wall and hangs a right to make an L shape. It has several tables for 2 and 4. There are also 2 one sides pub high tables that are narrow and face the bar. They have a 4 person bar by the window in front. In back is the small dinningroom. The hall to the dinningroom is open to the kitchen and there is nothing to hide! Out back is the patio area that overlooks the water. When you go there, you must be there when Allie is bartending! She is awesome and very knowledgeable.  Sooo friendly and helpful!  She knows her drinks well and makes them even better. We would go back just to have her bartend for us. We didn't eat there but the menu was very good, hand cut steaks, salads, burgers, sandwiches and seafood. We met one of the owners Kim and she was wonderful. She told us about various events they have and things to watch for. She and the Chef were very proud of the fact they finished in 2 and place by 9 votes for best seafood chowder in the Edmonds Seafood Chowder competition. I am looking forward to trying it out.  This is truly worth going to and trying out! Take the Edmonds Ferry to Kingston and it is right there in the left! I guarentee we will be back and it will be soon! 2 thumbs up for sure!!!

Filling Station Tavern (Kingston, Washington USA)

February 11 2020
Filling Station Tavern 11200 Washington State Route 104. If you take the Edmonds ferry to Kingston it is 2 blocks up on the right. Great ferry ride by the way and not expensive at all. It has been here since 1980. This is unique, the sit-up bar has 2 sit-up bars one right in front of the other. This may be the first time I have ever seen this. The front and main one sits 11 and the 2nd one which is right behind it seats 8. Another very interesting feature is, all the table tops and bat tops are made from old shuffleboard tops and bowling alley lanes wood. They have 7 pub high tables for 4 and 4 booths for 6 as well as a round cement table around the fire pit, which is cool. There is a separate room for the pool table. They have 22 different types of beer on and numerous ones are rotating. They have wine and spirits to. 2 TVs if you are interested.  Out front is an al year around street level patio. They have a higher patio/ deck that faces the water and is open in good weather.  For lunch I had the Cobb Salad, it was big, fresh and the chicken was awesome. I couldn't finish it. My lunch partner had the soup and salad and in this case was the Washington Apple Salad and a clear mushroom soup.  The salad was very good but the soup was a little too salty. It is a cool place for sure!! Walk on the ferry in Edmonds and short walk and you are there!

Bar Dojo (Edmonds, Washington USA)

January 30 2020
Bar Dojo 8404 Bowdoin Way Edmonds Washington USA  www.bardojo.com. Located in a small nondescript building part of a small strip mall. Don't let the bland exterior deter you, it is much nicer and upscale in side. It is mostly a restaurant but in the back is the 11 person sit-up bar and must be 21 years or older in this area.  Very popular at Happy Hour which runs 4pm to 6pm and 9pm to close. Monday it is all night and Tuesday is 1/2 price wine. Happy Hour is $6 wine and $1 off draft beer and well drinks. 4 different beer on tap. Some higher end spirits as well. The bar area has a pony wall that separates it from the restaurant area. The bartender was Kelsyn who was very good, friendly and well organized! He also made great food and drink suggestions. To describe their food I will use the description from their website. Modern Asian with local ingredients, a melting pot and focusing on Chino Latino.
We did appys and this is what we had. Beef Satay Skewers, grilled marinated flat iron steak, peanut sauce and jicama slaw. It was very good and very tender. Pork Dumplings, Kurobuta pork, house chili oil, scallions and garlic They were steamed and amazing, probably my favorite! Coconut prawns, shaved coconut,  mustard seed, orange chili sauce. These too were good. And lastly we had the Prawn and vegetable tempura. It was fresh and tasty.  Every thursday at 7 pm they have a guitarist who plays back ground music. The prices are slightly on the higher side but well worth it as everything is fresh, local and made in house. If you want the bar area get here early. People are friendly too! We really enjoyed it here and can't wait to come back!!

E-pu-lo Bistro (Edmonds Washington USA)

February 26,2022

The new location for E-pu-lo Bistro 190 Sunset Ave W, Edmonds, Washington U.S.A.  wwwepulobistro.com  It is right beside the BNSF, Amtrak, Sounder train station and a very short walk to the Edmonds/ Kingston Ferry.  As you enter, the bar is in the back of the location and you go through the restaurant.   All of the food in both the main menu and the happy hour menu is available in the bar area. The happy hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm Sunday to Thursday and 3-5 pm Friday and Saturday. They are closed on Tuesday The sit-up barn seats about 6 to 8 but if you are sitting at the bar directly behind you is a very long narrow table that seats around 12-14 in a communal fashion.  The wine is nicely displayed along the wall.  There is also a large covered patio area on the south side. It is open air in the summer with a large sail cover. All the staff are dressed in black button shirts with the Epulo logo on the front. The staff was friendly and helpful  too! Everything was neat and tidy and well organized. They still have some of our favorite appys: Truffle Popcorn, Fire Roasted Cauliflower Grana Padano, Short Rib Pappardelle which is Short rib meat in a shallot cream sauce, arugula  and Parmesan cheese and pasta noodles. 4  of us had dinner there and had:  Boneless Braised Beef Short Rib - Demi-Glace, Garlic Whipped Potato, Arugula, Local Manilla Clams – Fennel Saffron Brodo, Grilled Bread, *#Petite New York Steak – 8oz Grilled USDA Prime Beef. Creamy Garlic Whipped Potato, Cauliflower, Salsa di Bistecca and the last was the Salmon Special. These were absolutely amazing! This place is on the classier side and a great place for a first date, or any other time! Hahaha! It didn't take long for this place to get packed and I can see why, it is excellent  and we can't wait to come back soon!!

April 2022

Back again and this time we were there for happy hour and sat in the bar area. There are also several tables for 2 that can be pushed to gather to accommodate more people. This time we tried the Octopus with herb fried potatoes and tzatziki.  It was fantastic, my wife would not try ot at first. When she did, she loved it. Also had the Short Rib Pappardelle, in Shallot cream sauce, Arugula,  and Grana Padano, this is amazing too! Truffle popcorn too, soooooo good! My wife ordered the Little Gem Salad,  Prosciutto, Grana Padano, Pangrattato, Shalllt vinaigrette.  She said it was very good. Just love this place and will be back soon!

Church Key Pub (Edmonds Washington USA)

January 27 2020
Church Key Pub 108- 4th Avenue N, Edmonds, Washington USA. www.churchkeypub.com cool little irish pub just off the main drag. Smaller pub with a 10 person straight situp bar. In the middle there is a pub high 10 person table. Behind that is a long church pew with 2 tables each seating 4 people. Beside that is another pew with 2 tables of 4 and bythe 2 dart boards is another pew with a table and that seats 6. As you enter the pub on the left by the window for 4 and on the right is a little room by the window with 2 pews and seats 7 or so. We sat at the bar and the staff was great. Happy hour runs 4 on to 6 pm with $1.00 off wine, draft beer, well drink is and all food. They have 16 different types of beer on rotating taps.  3 of the 4 smaller tvs were working. They have a good assortment of speciality cocktails. For food we had the corned beef sliders (2, sliced corned beef topped off with Dubliner cheese and pale ale aioli on a pretzel bun. They were fantastic and lots if corned beef. We also had the Beet Salad, roasted seasonal beets in arugula with house lemon and olive oil dressing, chervi cheese and candied walnuts. That was quite good too. The atmosphere was good and for a Monday it was packed.  People were very friendly too!! Lots of very old sports pictures on the dark walls. Great spot and we will be back for sure!

Demetris Woodstone Taverna ( Edmonds, Washington U.S.A.)

January 2, 2020
Demetris Woodstone Taverna 101 Main Street, Edmonds, Washington U.S.A.  www.kafeneowoodstonegroup.com and click on the Demetris location. It is the last place on Main Street in the north side. Go any further and you will drive on to the Edmonds / Kingston Ferry. There is the dining room side and the bar side. I will only be dealing with the bar side. There is a 10 person reverse L sit-up bar. There are 7 pub high tables for 2 that can easily be put together for 4 or more. There is a pub high bench with 3 round tables and you can have 2 to 3 at a table. There is 1 or 2 lower tables. Also gas fire place and 2 TV's. They have a fantastic happy hour and it runs from 3pm to  6pm.  Assorted beer on tap, full bar and wine. The happy hour has a large food menu and so far everything we have eaten is amazing. The first time there we had the Harissa Hummus with pita bread, with out a doubt the best hummus we have ever eaten bar none! I had the Kobe Beef Sliders and they to were very good. My dining partner had the Chicken Ceasar Salad and said it was very good!  Our last visit again we had the Hummus and still taste it the same, Awesome! We shared the trio of Artichoke bottoms filled with Dungeness Crab and topped with parmesan cheese. Wow, were they ever good! To wrap it off we shared a bowl of the Bacon and Ham Chowder.  I can't say enough about how good it was and the bowl was nice and big!  Service is fantastic and very helpful. They come around to check and see if you want to order anything before happy hour runs out. The feeling and vibe in here is very good. Customers are very friendly and willing to share their favorite food comments. We will be be back very soon! One of the best Happy Hours I have been too!!!

April 2022

Back again and still very good. Happy hour runs 2-5 PM. Kobe beef sliders (3) very good! One of our diners had the Grilled Fish Tacos, King Salmon, Aho Tuna or Cod, sriracha aioli, mango salsa, & roasted jalapeno on corn tortillas.  He had the Coc and said it was very good!