Taproot Lounge and Cafe (Salem, Oregon, U.S.A.)

May 29, 2022

Taproot Lounge and Cafe in downtown Salem at 356 State Street, Salem,  Oregon, U.S.A.  www.taprootloungeandcafe.com. A great find and covers a lot, as it is a coffee shop in front and bar in the back. Sidewalk seating and and numerous tables and chairs inside in the front. Beer, wine and hard liquor served. 12 beer on tap. Happy hour is 3-6 PM and 9-midnight, with $1.00 off Pints, well drinks and tall boys. There are also food specials.   They have a beautiful curved sit-up bar in front made of what looks like split Douglas Fir. This is for coffee and pastries. Towards the back is a beautiful long sit-up bar that also looks like it is made of a split Douglas Fir and seats 15. In the back is a very comfortable area with big couches and split wood tables.  Along the wall is a full sized 22 foot long shuffleboard.  We had a great time playing shuffleboard, it was fast and had a few dips and curves. They serve healthy smoothies in the front and regular booze drinks in back. We did not eat here so can't talk about the food. They are open 8 am daily except when closed every Tursday. They stay open to mostly midnight.  We had a great time and would definitely like to come back again. Something for everyone!!

Brown`s Towne Restaurant and Lounge (Salem, Oregon, U.S.A.)

May 29, 2022

Brown's Towne Restaurant and Lounge  located at 145 Liberty Street NE #101, Salem,  Oregon,  U.S.A. www.brownstownelounge.com. A quirky bar in down town Salem. Open most days  noon to midnight or 1am. Closed Monday and Tuesday. They have several tables and chairs on the sidewalk in front. Inside they have a unique sit-up metal top bar that seats 10 people. Very eclectic inside large long pub high tables, and numerous tables and chairs. There is a wrap around balcony upstairs that is open in the middle. There is an odd tiki bar in the middle of the bar and looks out of place....  Their Happy Hour has well drinks for $3.50, pub beer for $2.00, draft beer for $5.00. Wine is $5.00. They have or suppose to have 16 local beer on tap,  but when we were there they had 8 on tap. They  have a full menu, but we did not eat here. 

W. Wallace Eats and Drinks (Salem, Oregon, U.S.A.)

May 29, 2022

W. Wallace Eats and Drinks located at 383 State Street, Aalem, Oregon,  U.S.A.   www.wwallacebar.com  A cool little bar with a good history. They opened in 2018 but the building goes back in time. The building was originally built in the late 1800's the wood floors and brick walls are from then as is the marble when you enter. It was an Optometrist office through out the years.  In 1923 they did renovations and the present ceiling tiles and a lot of the woodwork is from the  too. The present owners father an Attorney owned the building, so when they opened the bar they named it after his father.  It is a small narrow and cosy bar.  The bar is closed Mondays but open Tuesday to Thursday 3-10 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday noon to 10pm. There is a nice 6 person sit-up bar. There are also 4 tables for 4 and 2 pub high tables for 4 with a couple of side walk tables.  They specialize in numerous cocktails,  4 types of beer on tap with wine available too. We didn't eat here but they have a full menu. A great little cozy bar, great friendly staff!

Gilgamesh Brewing (Salem, Oregon, U.S.A.)

May 27, 2022

We attended  the Gilgamesh Brewing, 2065 Madrona Avenue SE Salem Oregon, U.S.A.  There is a nice 8 person sit-up bar to the right as you enter. There is a 

lot of seating and were easily able to accommodate our group of 8. Service was nice and friendly.  They have 8 of their own brewed beer on tap. Out side is a large very nice covered patio area. For food, here are some of the things that we had. Chicken Cobb Salad, very good and big! Chicken Spinach  Salad, yes very good, big and delicious! Tuna Poke, another hit!!  Gorgonzola Burger, big, two hands required, very good and came with good fries. The Mac n Cheese was really good too!! I had wine, but the beer drinkers really enjoy their selections!

We had an excellent time, good beer and good food! You can`t go wrong coming here!!

The Flying Pig (Olympic Village) (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

 May 25, 2022

The Flying Pig (Olympic Village) 127 W 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada   www.theflyingpigvan.com  It is located in the area of the Olympic Village in Vancouver where the athlete's were housed during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  They have another location in Vancouver in Yaletown area and the 3rd location In Gastown area had a tragic fire in the heritage building it was in and had to be demolished. It is about a 3 minute walk to False Creek and all its beauty.  It is a great area to walk and bike around for miles! There is a very nice 24 person sit-up bar.  Facing the bar is a long bench with several tables for 2 and 4.  This is the bar area, the restaurant area is very nice and has a lot of seating.  The ambiance is good with the beautiful beams and all of the wood.  There are 8 different types of beer on tap, with 2 TVs behind the bar.  I got street parking across the street for $2 for 2 hours which is pretty good.  On 2nd Ave they have a nice side walk patio as well as one on the side street around the corner.  For lunch we shared the Prime Rib Burger and fries also salad.  It was very good and the fries were excellent.  We also had the Chopped House Salad with chicken and blue cheese dressing.  It too was excellent.  The one thing we found was the staff seemed disinterested.  After we ordered, we found out on our own they had a daily lunch special, which we would have ordered.  When we mentioned it to the waiter, he said it is on the board  (which we could not see from where we were sitting and were not made aware of).  There were not many people here when we were and when we left, and walked by the staff, not one thanked us at all.  Having said that it was a very nice place and worth going to! Hope you get friendlier staff when you go.

The Office Tavern (Burlington, Washington, U.S.A.)

May 18, 2022 

The Office Tavern located a 112 N Cherry Street, Burlington Washington, U.S.A.  Previously it was the Varsity Inn.  It has been sold and completely renovated.  There is nothing that resembles the old place.   Check their web site out at www.theofficetavern.com   They have done a great job on the renovation and opened in 2020, must have been tough at COVID-19, had just hit.  They have a nice long L Shaped sit-up bar that seats 24 people. Along the left wall there is a L shaped bench (padded) that runs about 3/4 the length of the building with about 6 or 7 tables for 4.  At the far end of the tavern there are several pub high tables for 3-6.  6 TV's through out the tavern and also a shuffle board. The bar is painted in dark colours and it looks great.  Out back is a beautiful covered patio area and ample parking in the back. The washrooms are very nice and clean, not like the old troughs they had before. For the beer drinkers there are 12 different types of beer on tap.  Wine and hard liquor is available too.  Happy Hour is 2-5 pm, Monday to Friday.  Their normal hours are Monday-Thursday 11 am to 11 pm. Saturday 9 am to 12 am with brunch running 9 am to noon.  Sunday 9 am to 9 pm and brunch 9 am to 12 noon.  For lunch I had the Crispy Fried Chicken sandwich with fries.  It was very good, there was a mountain of fries. The others with me had, Patty Melt and fries, very good too.   Fish and Chips, came with several pieces of fish and was very good.  The last person had the Office Burger which is a double patty and all the fixings, he too really enjoyed.  All 4 of us really liked it here and we will be back for sure. I give it 2 thumbs up!!

The Bine Beer & Food (Bothell, (Washington, U.S.A.)

11 May, 2022

The Bine Beer & Food. 10127 Main Street,  Bothell, Washington,  U.S.A.  www.thebinebothell.com Located on Main Street where they have closed it off to vehicle traffic and made it pedestrian only. This is an awesome find! It has a very cozy feel to it. As we entered a patron who was exiting told us that we had to order the Brussel Sprouts as they were awesome.  On the right wall as you enter they list all 27 beer they have on tap. There is a nice long 18 person. Sit-up bar. Four tables along the wall seating 4 across from the bar. In the front, left of the door when you enter is an 8 person pub high table. On the right side is a picnic table. Both have windows opening to the side walk. There is seating on the side walk in front. 2 TVs, which is enough. Children are allowed. Happy Hour runs 3-6 PM. With $2 off all draft beer, house wine and small plates of food. Hard liqour is not served here. To start off to eat we had the Truffle Popcorn: garlic butter, truffle oil & salt, parmesan and parsley.  Quite possibly the best we have ever eaten! Then I had the Mac & Chese:  Sauce Mornay, white cheddar, Gruyere. Parmesan & breadcrumbs. Baked in a cast iron. dish. Very, very good! My wife had the Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar: Abgordolce Onion, Caesar Dressing. Parmesan dressing and house croutons. She loved it, it was really good!! The place got busy, the staff were very good. They were friendly and prompt. Food came up quickly! We had a great time and can't wait to come back for sure. Definitely 2 thumbs up!👍👍

Twin Peaks Tukwila (Tukwila, Washington, U.S.A.)

May 11, 2022

Twin Peaks at 17920 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, Washington, U.S.A.  Just south of Seattle in the Southcenter shopping district. The first thing that we noticed was how the waitress attire has changed. The outfits have gotten skimpier than they used to be. (If that is possible) They were basically tiny black thong bikini bottoms and tiny black bikini tops, black mesh stockings and garters  This place is huge! The large rectangular bar seats around 35-40 people. There are 15 booths along the wall, each seating 4 and each booth has it's own TV.  5 pub high tables for 4. Numerous tables for 4 and the chairs all are made to look, as if they are made from tree branches. There is a large L shaped covered patio area with over 40 tables for 4. My wife loves this place because the beer is 29.4 F and served in big tall frozen mugs. Happy Hour runs 3-6 PM.  They open daily at 11 am and close between 69, 10 11. PM. There are over 40 TVs through out not counting the booths. The food was excellent.  I had the Blackened fish tacos, there were 3. One had crunchy beef tacos (3), another had the fish and chips with 4 decent sized pieces of fish. The 4th person had the pulled pork, sandwich, tons of meat. Everyone said their food was fantastic. There is lots of free parking. All the staff was frie fly and helpful.  We all had a great time and we keep coming back!!

Drumlin (Shoreline, Washington U.S.A.)

May 6, 2022

We tried out the Drumlin, 522 NE 165 Street, Shoreline,  Washington U.S.A  www.drumlin.pub What a great find. It is the second half of the Ridgecrest Public House, and opened to the east side in the same building. Ridgecrest is 21 years old and above, Drumlin, kids are allowed. Since kids are allowed, they had to have a kitchen and serve food.  The food is limited and includes a charcuterie board and 3 kinds of popcorn.  Our group ordered 2 big bowls of the truffle parmesan cheese popcorn. Made fresh in house. Everyone loved it. They have a 5 person sit-up bar. There are 2 semi circular booths and numerous tables of 2 and you can rearrange to included more. They were more than happy to let us seat 10 people all together. Great atmosphere in side. They have around 30 different beer on tap. Interestingly, the Ridgecrest serves beer from north of Seattle and the Drumlin serves beer from south of Seattle. They also have wine and cider. There is a sidewalk patio in front as well as a covered patio out back. Drumlin opens at 3 PM which is 1 hour earlier than the Ridgecrest.  On Sunday from 8am to 1 PM they serve brunch. Drumlin and Ridgecrest  are owned by the same owners.  We had a great ti e and our group was clambering to go back for more, especially the popcorn! Every day there is a different food truck out fro t starting g at 4 PM. Great place/ places! We will be back very soon!