drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas* 

drink.well.American Pub, 207 East 53^rd Street, Austin, Texas

http://www.drinkwellaustin.com/

drink.well. is an American pub opening soon in Austin, Texas. Proprietors Michael and Jessica Sanders believe that bars exist to serve people, not drinks, so stellar service will be priority #1 for their staff. They will feature craft beers, wines and spirits from across the United States and will provide a menu of sharable pub food.

drink well  American Pub, Austin, Texas - Proprietors Jessica and Michael Sanders with Architect Rick Price of Red Arc One

Their location is 207 E. 53rd Street. It's a great area with a few stops in walking distance of one another: Tigress, Foreign & Domestic, Epoch Coffee.

We stopped by the check out the location and were surprise to see the parking lot full. It is not scheduled to be open for another week. As luck would have it there was a special Spirits tasting hosted by Tim Master of Frederick Wildman and Sons. Good timing on our part. We especially enjoyed the Chartreuse liqueur Green with its intensely floral and herbal, and myriad of aromas and flavors attack the senses: cloves, fennel, citrus, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, mace, pine...

Architects Rick Price of Red Arc One and Rick and Cindy Black created a modern space, which is both warm and whimsical. From the mural to the unique reused wheels used as standing tables.

drink well  American Pub, Austin, Texas - Architect Rick Price of Red Arc One

Great space, owners and staff, can’t wait for the opening…

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas 

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas

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drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Michael Sanders Proprietor*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Janet with Chef Roble Ali of the Bravo Chanel*

Janet and Chef Roble Ali of the Bravo Chanel talking about Janet’s Cookbook, the diversity of Bechamel Sauce and the fun of home cooking…

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Michael and Jessica Sanders Proprietors*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Chartreuse liqueur Green*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas - Fireman’s 4*

drink.well. American Pub Austin, Texas – Janet and Jerry of Food, Wine, Travel and Dining Out Blog*

*HipstaPrint Photos by R. Price

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Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards Tasting Event at Wicked Cellars – Plus Visits to Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Lake Stevens

Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards tasting at Wicked Cellars hosted by Jeff Boyer from Small Lot/CBC Distributing.

Woodinville's Hollywood Hill Vineyards Tasting Event at Wicked Cellars
( With a friend of Wicked Cellars)

Hollywood Hill Vineyards Steve and Becky Snyder started their family-owned winery in Woodinville in 2005, with a vision to produce small lots of elegant, balanced wines. They currently produce 1200 cases of Rhone-inspired and Estate Grown wines in their renovated, detached garage and barn.

Their winery, located on Hollywood Hill in Woodinville, is surrounded by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards. They source grapes from several other sites in the Puget Sound AVA as well as premier vineyards in Red Mountain, the Wahluke Slope, the Horse Heaven Hills and the Rattlesnake Hills in the Columbia Valley.

Their Tasting House is open on the weekends and is located just down the hill from their winery in the old brick Hollywood Hill School House.

2010 Horse Heaven Hills Roussanne***+ pineapple, coconut, long

2009 Puget Sound Regent**+ Fruit, tar

2008 Cabernet Franc, Portteus Vineyard, Rattlesnake Hills**+ dark cherries, blackberry

2009 F-Stop Aperture Red Wine***+ dark red fruit, chocolate

2009 Horse Heaven Grenache*** strawberry, hint of pomegranate

2009 DIst83 Blend**** berries, candy, black fruit

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Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - The Restaurant

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - The Lounge

This was our first visit to Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant. The have been located in Lake Stevens for approximately seven years. Lucky Dragon offers Szechwan, Human and Mandarian cuisine.

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - BBQ Pork

Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant Lake Stevens - Deep Fried Prawns

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Washington Wine Tasting - Bonny Doon Vineyards

Wine Tasting - Bonny Doon Vineyards
with Ray Bloom of Vinum Wines

Saturday wine tasting with Ray Bloom

 Based in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California's Central Coast, Bonny Doon Vineyard was founded by Randall Grahm in 1983. It was among the first Californian wineries to embrace Rhone varietals and earned Grahm status as a founding "Rhone Ranger."

 Known for its wildly untraditional labels, including illustrations by Ralph Steadman, Grady McFerrin, and Gary Taxali, the winery continues to innovate by embracing lesser known Italian varietals, screw caps, and biodynamic production.

 2010 Vin Gris Cigare Rosé***+  strawberry, apple, watermelon

 2009 Cigare Blanc***+ pear, lavender,silky

 2010 Clos de Gilroy***:-) fruity, spice

 2009 Contra*** black fruit, current

 2008 Syrah "Le Pousseur"*** black cherry, red current

 2007 Cigar Volant**** red fruit, herbs, earth

Don’t forget their appetizers

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Orcas Island - Revisited

It has been a year since we spent a few days on Orcas Island. We wanted to share again our experience of Orcas Island in the off season…

Cascade Bay Orcas Island, Washington

Orcas Island

Ferry Terminal Anacortes, Washington

Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island with a stop at Shaw Island, then on to Rosario’s.

Moran Mansion at Rosario

Rosario Resort and Spa***+ 1400 Rosario Road
Eastsound, WA 98245
(360) 376-2222
http://www.rosarioresort.com

Music Room at Moran Mansion

Moran Mansion

Moran Mansion at Rosario is like stepping back in time. Built between 1906-1909 by Seattle Shipbuilder and Mayor Robert Moran, the mansion features original photographs from the late 1800's and early 1900's, original furnishings and fixtures, and an extensive display of the ships built by the Moran Brothers Company in Seattle.

Moran Mansion

Rosario Resort's guest rooms are surrounded by beauty of the San Juan Islands with views of East Sound and Cascade Bay on Orcas Island. We stayed in the Bayside Rooms located in the Skagit Building, a short walk from the Moran Mansion and Rosario Marina. Our room featured one king bed with sliding-glass doors that open onto a balcony with island views. The room has a television, small refrigerator, wireless internet (free) coffeemakers and private bathrooms, but no microwave. We enjoyed the room very much. The room was serviced daily even though we did not leave at the crack of dawn. 

View from our room

Visitor

After checking in and getting settled it was off to Eastsound, Washington for lunch.
Eastsound is the population center for Orcas Island, the second-most populated and physically largest of the San Juan Islands. Eastsound consists of a few hotels and several restaurants, numerous gift stores, a large downtown grocery store, natural food store, hardware store, pharmacy, airport, and several churches. There is a public park that hosts events including the farmers market.

Lower Tavern Eastsound Orcas Island

We choose to have lunch at Lower Tavern, were they say they has “The Best Hamburger on the Island” you know what? It may be! It was the best we have had in a long time. Those fries were dynamite…

Lower Tavern**+
46 Prune Alley
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.4848

Cheeseburger and Fries at Lower Tavern Eastsound

The Madrona Bar & Grill***+ 310 Main Street, Ste. 105
PO Box 127
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.7171

The Madrona Bar and Gril

Madrona Bar and Grill Eastsound, Washington

View from Madrona Bar and Grill



The Bar at Madrona Bar and Grill

The Restaurant at Madrona Bar and Grill

Dinner was at The Madrona Bar and Grill where we started of with Bruschetta**+, Flat Iron steak****, with Blue Cheese, Potatoes Confit and Sliced Tomatoes and Coho Grilled Salmon****, with Roasted Yams, Broccolini.

Bruschetta - The Madrona Bar and Grill

Iron steak, with Blue Cheese, Potatoes Confit and Sliced Tomatoes - The Madrona Bar and Grill

Salmon, with Roasted Yams, Broccolini - The Madrona Bar and Grill 

The Madrona Bar and Grill

Then off to fine some place for an after dinner drink. We found a place next door called Vern’s Bayside Restaurant, we choose the Lounge…

Vern's Bayside Lounge **+
246 Main Street
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.2231

Bayside Restaurant Eastsound Orcas Island

Vern’s Bayside Restaurant Eastsound Orcas Island  

Day Two – Orcas Island

Mia’s Eastsound, Washington

Mia’s Eastsound, Washington

Mia's***+
Eastsound Square
109 North Beach Road #A2
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.6427

Hot Cabana Sandwich - Mia’s Eastsound, Washington

Lunch time, we found a place called Mia’s. It’s a small breakfast and lunch only cafe. What a great place! The serves was right on and the sandwiches, very delicious. We both had the Hot Cabana Sandwich***+ on a baguette, with Ham, Salami, Jarlsberg, Kocher dill, mustard and coleslaw. Great use of coarse ground mustard, on the sandwich and in the coleslaw. 

After lunch we visited Kathryn Taylor Chocolates to fine some Artisan chocolate to with our wine. Kathryn Taylor Chocolates is an intimate space with quiet corners enjoy an elegant desserts os baked goods, coffee, espresso, chocolates or teas.

Kathryn Taylor Chocolates - Eastsound Washington

Kathryn Taylor Chocolates***
109 N Beach Rd, Suite D101
Eastsound Village Square
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.1030
http://www.ktchocolates.com/

Chimayo Restaurant, Eastsound Washington

Chimayo Restaurant****
Our House Mall
North Beach Road
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.6394

Chimayo Restaurant, Eastsound Washington

Diner time found us at Chimayo. Chimayo’s is an interesting place, Mexican restaurant by day and Italian restaurant by night. We started our meal with a wonderful appetizer of mussels. Cozze Siciliano***+ the mussels were prepared in a tomato base broth with onions, celery with a touch of red pepper flacks. Carrot Ginger Soup*** was next. For the main course we had Lamb Ragu**** Risotto with roasted fresh vegetables and Flank Steak**** Marsala demi glace with risotto and roasted fresh vegetables

Cozze Siciliano - Chimayo Restaurant

Carrot Ginger Soup - Chimayo Restaurant

Lamb Ragu - Chimayo Restaurant

Flank Steak - Chimayo Restaurant

Day Three – Orcas Island

Vern's Bayside Restaurant and Lounge

Restaurant and Lounge**+
246 Main Street
Eastsound, WA 98245
360.376.2231

View From Vern's Bayside Restaurant and Lounge

Vern's Bayside Restaurant

Bacon and Eggs - Bayside Restaurant

Fried Clam Strips - Bayside Restaurant

Lunch time on Orcas Island. Today we went to Vern’s Bayside Restaurant, nice decor and what a view. I love breakfast for lunch and since they were still serving breakfast I had their Bacon and Eggs*** with hash browns, they eggs were fresh and cooked perfectly. We also tried their Fried Clam Strips**, they had great portions.

Bilbo's Festivo - Eastsound Washington

Bilbo's Festivo****
310 A Street

Eastsound, WA 98245

Phone: 360-376-4728

Bilbo's Festivo - Eastsound Washington

Bilbo's Festivo - Eastsound Washington

For dinner we tried Bildo’s Festivo. What great decor both outside and in. Bildo’s reminded me of great TexMex restaurant’s in Austin, Texas. They food was the best I have had in the state in some time. We had Chili Relleno****+ stuff with jack cheese, zucchini, chopped Spanish onion, and toasted pine nuts, with Spanish rice and refried beans, the chili was coated in a wonderful tasting coating and Crab Enchiladas*** with seafood sauce, rice and beans. Great place, great food, service was a bit to efficient for a evening meal.

Bilbo's Festivo - Chili Relleno

Bilbo's Festivo - Crab Enchiladas

Day Four – Orcas Island

Orcas Island to Anacortes Ferry

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