SarahT2's Profile
Gaylord's, Beach House, or elsewhere for nice last dinner on Kauai?
Has anyone been to Gaylord's recently? We are thinking of Gaylord's -- where we have never eaten -- for a final (special) meal on this trip. We've eaten at the Beach House on prior visits; we love the view and service there, and like the food, but would like to try somewhere different. Any suggestions for a special place would be welcome. Thank you!
Kauai, where to get great food and fresh fish
Kauai has wonderful farmers markets all over the island, at a different location each day of the week. They call them Sunshine Markets here. They are a wonderful source of fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs. There are also several very good fish markets around the island. We have had fish from the Kilauea Fish Market, Koloa Fish Market, and Hanalei Dophin, and the fish has been fresh and delicious. The Costco in Lihue is also a good source of fresh fish.
Kaua'i Visit - Some Good Grinds
We are on Kauai now, trying to decide between Beach House and Gaylord's for our final dinner out. We've been to Beach House before, liked the food, loved the view . . . thought we'd try something different such as Gaylord's, where we have not eaten before. Any input you can provide about your experience at Gaylord's, Beach House, or another "nicer" type of restaurant?
Casual recs in downtown area
Thank you to all who replied. You made some wonderful recommendations -- just what I was looking for. We now know where we are staying: The Westin on Michigan Avenue. So, if this changes any recommendations or if you have any specific suggestions near the hotel, please let me know. Thanks for your help.
Scared about Salem
In response to your question about where people shop, while you are correct that Salem does not have a TJs or a Whole Foods (and neither is likely to open here soon), we do have a wonderful independent grocery store, Roth's (several locations in the Salem-area and around the Willamette Valley).
Casual recs in downtown area
Thanks to all for the great recommendations. These ideas are just what I was looking for. I will post again closer to our trip, when I will know where we will be staying. I'm looking forward to seeing a bit of Chicago.
Casual recs in downtown area
My 11-year-old and I will be in Chicago for several days in mid-March. We have not made a hotel reservation yet, but we probably will be staying in the downtown area. We are adventurous eaters, and we enjoy all kinds of ethnic food. We would like to sample quintessential Chicago cuisine (and avoid chains, unless they are local/regional chains). Here is the hitch: We will be traveling light and our attire will be limited to jeans/khakis, and not even fancy jeans/khakis at that). Thus, we will need to eat at places that have a very low-key/relaxed dress code. Thank you for any help you can provide with recommendations for lunches and dinners at casual restaurants.
one nice dinner out on north shore Kauai -- where??
Hi all --
I am hoping that you can help me with a recommendation for a restaurant for our one nice dinner out before the end of our vacation. We have been eating all week at "chowhoundish" places -- plate lunch, sandwich/burger/pizza joints, etc., which is our usual style of eating. However, before we leave Kauai, we would like to treat ourselves to a nicer dinner out. We have no dietary restrictions. We like all kinds of cuisines. We are hoping to include some fresh fish in the meal. We're staying in Kilauea, and we're hoping not to drive too far for this dinner, so any recommendations for a "special" place in Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea would be appreciated. Thank you!
Plate lunch recommendations Kailua-area, Oahu
We'll be staying in the Kailua/Lanikai area of Oahu in late June. Can anyone recommend some plate lunch restaurants? Thank you!
'Northwestern Food' in Salem
I would recommend one of the following: (1) the Silver Grille Cafe in Silverton; (2) The Bistro at Wellspring Spa in Woodburn; or (3) Morton's Bistro in West Salem. All of these restaurants emphasize the use of fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and provide a casually elegant atmosphere. With regard to the Silver Grille, I have had the pleasure of eating there a few times, and it would be my top choice. However, on all of those occasions, the owner and outstanding chef, Jeff Nizlek, was still cooking there. He has since moved on to become the chef at The Bistro at Wellspring. I have not been to the Silver Grille since Jeff Nizlek stopped serving as chef there. Several friends have eaten there since that time, and it is their opinion that the quality of the food continues to be outstanding. I have not tried The Bistro at Wellspring yet, so I recommend that based only my past experience with Jeff Nizlek at the Silver Grille. I imagine that any restaurant where he is the chef will be outstanding. Our local paper just published a favorable review of The Bistro. I will attempt to attach the link to the review. If I am unable to do that, you can find the review with a google search.
Here is the link to the Statesman Journal's review of The Bistro:
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070906/ENT03/709050392/1062
Bay House or Blackfish Cafe (Lincoln City OR - area)
Several of my women friends are turning 40 this year. As a treat for ourselves, we're gathering near Gleneden Beach to try the spa at Salishan. We'd also like to have a celebratory dinner out. We're considering Bay House or Blackfish Cafe; none of us have been to either place. If you have thoughts about either of those restaurants, I'd love to hear them. (I've read several good reviews of Blackfish posted on this forum, but have not seen much related to Bay House.) Also, any recommendations for other restaurants in that area that we should consider would be helpful. Thanks!
Portland and Corvallis suggestions
There is a very good bakery in Corvallis: New Morning Bakery. It's located downtown, I think on Second. They serve a lot of breakfast and lunch dishes in addition to awesome desserts and other baked goods. For dinner in Corvallis, I like Intaba's Wood-Fired Eatery. Intaba's uses a lot of good local ingredients.
Lunch Suggestions in Sisters OR
If you haven't already been to Sisters, Seasons Deli is a really nice spot. They make good sandwiches and salads, and you can sit at a picnic table in the back yard with a stream gurgling next to you.
Columbia River Gorge/Carson/Stevenson
I really like El Rio Cafe (casual Mexican restaurant) in Stevenson. Not too far from Stevenson is a gorgeous winery -- Wind River Cellars -- that has a deck with one of the best views of Mt. Hood I've ever seen. It is a nice place to have a glass of wine and a picnic.
Cave Junction (OR) -- any recommendations?
I'm not holding out huge hope for this, but we will be staying at Treesort (a funky treehouse community) for three nights in July. Treesort is close to Cave Junction. Are there any decent eating spots there? Thanks!
Salem, OR Recommendations and Reviews?
You have already found many of the places I would recommend here in Salem. I also still have not found good Chinese here -- although it must exist. I have not done much searching outside of Kwan's (and I agree with your assessment). For authentic Mexican, there is a Mexican grocery store in north Salem that also serves really great food from a counter. It's called Salvador's. It also has a good bakery and a butcher/cheese department. I also like the following: Court Street Dairy lunch for a greasy burger-type lunch; Busick Court for breakfast; and Christo's for pizza.
Kid-friendly, cheap eats downtown SEA
My family will be visiting Seattle for three days in June. We'll be staying downtown (Paramount Hotel). Can you recommend some good restaurants in the downtown area (can include Pike Place Mkt) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are not too expensive and that would easily accommodate a well-behaved 9-year-old boy who is an adventurous eater?
Polish food in PDX or Willamette Valley?
Thanks for all of these great recommendations. My 4th grader son is studying Poland and I'd like to be able to introduce him to the cuisine.
Polish food in PDX or Willamette Valley?
Does anyone know of any restaurants in the Portland area or in the Willamette Valley that serve Polish food?
Salem (help!)
Here are a few suggestions: If you are looking for a lunch place, I would recommend Wild Pear (either downtown or on River Road South) or Amadeus Cafe. If you are looking for a dinner place, I would recommend Wild Pear (the River Road South location only; downtown closes at 2:00), Amadeus Cafe, J. James, DaVinci's, Old Europe Inn, or Morton's Bistro. Salem is not devoid of good food options -- we just have far fewer non-chain/good/independent choices than other cities of comparable size. Good luck!
Tres Leches Cake
The original Salvador's is in Woodburn. There is a second location now in Salem. Salvador's is a Mexican bakery (many Mexican pastries for sale in addition to tres leches cake). The one in Salem also has a small restaurant counter and a large butcher counter.
Tres Leches Cake
South of Portland in Woodburn and Salem, really good tres leche cake is available at Salvador's.
Sushi in Salem
Fuji Rice Time on High Street (near the Elsinore Theater) does a fine job.
Any recommendations for a good quick lunch in Roseburg OR?
I have to travel to Roseburg for a mid-morning meeting next week. Are there any good spots for a quick lunch there before I head to Eugene for a mid-afternoon meeting? If not, I'll head to Eugene for lunch, but my preference is to eat in Roseburg.
I like just about anything food-wise.
Need a new place in Salem, OR
I echo the comments of the people who have already responded. I would add the following to the list of recommended restaurants: Morton's Bistro in West Salem (for an upscale dinner); Wild Pear (two locations: downtown for lunch; on River Road South -- a very pretty drive -- for lunch or dinner). For a diner style meal (definitely not fancy or upscale, but good, basic food), Court Street Dairy Lunch or Busick Court Restaurant (incredible breakfasts) are good choices. I have been to these places for breakfast and lunch only. For Mexican, I like La Hacienda Real, especially their fresh, homemade tortillas. I like Thai Beer Restaurant for Thai food in Salem.
Finally, if you want a scenic drive, there are a couple of good restaurants in Silverton (about 20 minutes from Willamette University) that are worth the drive: Silver Grille (upscale bistro, with fantastic food, service and ambiance -- I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough) and Red Thai Room (fun atmosphere, good food and service, not traditional Thai food). There is also a good traditional family-run Thai restaurant in Silverton. It is across the street from the movie theater, but I can't recall the name -- good food, not fancy.
Willaby's catering (or other catering biz in/around Portland)
I live in Salem, where Willamette Valley Vineyards hosts a lot of receptions (all of which are required to be catered by Willaby's). I have not been to any events at which a full meal was served. However, I have been to many events at which heavy finger foods were served. I have been very unimpressed. Willamette Valley Vineyards is a beautiful setting, so I hate to tell you to go elsewhere because of the food, but if it were my wedding, I would want to use a different caterer. I don't think you will HATE the food, but I think you'll feel the food could have been better.
If you decide to have the wedding elsewhere (there are many beautiful settings in the Salem area), I highly recommend Wild Pear's catering (wildpearcatering.com), both for the quality of food as well as for the quality of service. (And their cakes -- including wedding cakes -- are divine.)
