May 17-24, 2013

It was another enjoyable week at Pacific City.  It was Reach the Beach weekend when we arrived, and 3,000 bicyclists hit town.  The restaurants were packed; so, we cooked in on May 18.

We learned that Rockaway Beach was having a kite festival on May 19; so, we took a road trip.  We were rewarded with the most spectacular kite experience I have ever seen.  The winds were constant and brisk; so, large bag kites were in the air the whole time we were there.  A couple of pictures are below.

We wanted to try a restaurant in Rockaway Beach, Karla's Smokehouse.  It was highly rated for smoked seafood.  We found it, but unfortunately it was closed due to the health of the owner.  A large sign stated that neither the restaurant or Karla's name was for sale!  Hopefully, it will be open in August.

I had not tried Fat Freddy's burger joint in Pacific City and decided this was the time to do it.  I had the Swiss Mushroom Burger, and it was excellent!  If you are tired of seafood and hungry for a burger, this is the place to go.

Note, I have added the URL's to Fat Freddy's and The Ribcage to the list of places to dine on the front page.  I still maintain that The Ribcage is the best barbecue in Oregon!

A fun event at the Cottages was Shae Lambert's class on oyster shucking.  Not only did we learn how to do it, but we got to eat the end product!  Thanks for a fun event Shae!

Thus, the sun set on another week at the best little beach town in Oregon.

I am already looking forward to returning in August!

Pacific City on Dwellable

February 2-8, 2013

This was the first time at Pacific City in the winter since Christmas of 2009.  I'd forgotten that many of the restaurants close this time of the year.

However, there were a few notable events.

The Sportsman's Pub & Grub has changed its fish & chips recipe.  The breading on the fish is crunchier and a significant improvement.  Barb & I both thought it was much better.

The Pelican Pub & Brewery introduced a new beer, Keg Monkey.  It's a strange name, but the choice was explained in the Pub's press release, "The entry-level position in a brewpub or craft brewery almost always involves cleaning and filling kegs.  The Keg Monkey.  This beer is dedicated to all who have labored on the keg line: washing, racking and rolling!"

Keg Monkey is described as "a special lager beer inspired by the brewing traditions of Germany, yet faithful to none.  A fusion of the Dortmunder and Pilsner beer eer that styles, and served Zwickel-style (unfiltered), Keg Monkey is a lager beer that crosses style boundaries."

The beer is reminiscent of a hefeweizen, unfiltered wheat beer, but with a clean, much hoppier flavor profile.  I predict it will be gone by the time I return in May, and I feel privileged to have enjoyed a glass with my fish tacos for lunch.

The surprise was the season opening of the Ribcage Smokery on February 7, the day before leaving.  I had to go back for dinner.  Shea, her hubby Shawn & daughter Sophia and I had a great dinner.  I have said that this is the best barbecue I've eaten since moving to Oregon, and the folks at the Ribcage did not disappoint!

So, the week is almost over.  But, I'll be back in May for Reach the Beach!  That is always a fun time.

August 3-10, 2012

I took my iPad to PC this week; so, I did not post updates about our activities.  So, here is a compilation of the week.

The start to my week long vacation was rather dismal.  I was packing my truck and set my Specialized bicycle in front of the garage shielded by my pickup.  In just a few minutes someone came by and stole it!  I was fortunate that the bike shop had a replacement; so, I was able to take a bike to the coast after all!

Friday, August 3: I arrived later than normal due to the stolen bike, police report, buying a new one, etc.  Thus, it was simply a bowl of clam chowder and a pint at the Pelican Pub & Brewery.

Saturday, August 4:  The inland temperatures approached 100, but it was only 74 in PC.  All the  inlanders decided to come to the beach.  I have not ever seen so many people here.  There were so many people on the beach it was like a small city!  Even the locals said it was busier than they had seen.  Jerri cooked a wonderful shrimp and white fish kabob with rice for the happy hour at the concierge office. 

Sunday, August 5:  I went to church, and Barb arrived in the afternoon.  Per her wishes, dinner was my seafood stew.  Ling cod was not available; so, I used halibut with the bay scallops, and it turned out well!  A nice salad and a baguette from the Grateful Bread made it an excellent dinner.  We were socked in with fog most of the day (the only foggy day of the week).

Monday, August 6:  Barb and I spent the day walking the beach, biking around town, and generally relaxing.  Lunch was grilled fish tacos at BJ's Burgers & Tacos.  It is a must do at least once for us!  While at the concierge office happy hour, we saw whales out in the kelp beds in front of Haystack Rock.  It was the first time we have seen whales in Pacific City!  What a sight!

Tuesday, August 7:  We biked to breakfast at the Grateful Bread.  I decided to try the bay shrimp omelette with spinach and feta cheese.  Wow!  I now have a new favorite for breakfast!  Dinner was fish and chips at the Sportsman Pub & Grub.  They were closed in May due to renovations, and I missed getting the best fish & chips in Oregon!  As usual, we were not disappointed!

Wednesday, August 8:  The Fish Peddler continues their all you can eat fried, grilled or sauteed oysters on Wednesday nights.  So, we were off to Bay City for dinner.  We were surprised to find out they still had some of the special Widmer Cloyster Stout that was made especially for them.  What a treat!

Thursday, August 9:  We tried two new to us restaurants today.  I had wanted to try Los Caporales Mexican Restaurant since finding Pacific City.  We decided to bike to town and have lunch there.  It was excellent!  I had Chili Colorado, and Barb had a beef enchilada.  We were both pleased!  Their salsa is homemade and well worth the trip in itself!      The owners of Twist Wines had opened a new BBQ joint, The Rib Cage, since we were there in May.  They were doing their first $3 Thursday, beer, quarter pound of pulled pork, 2 tri-tip tacos or a BBQ beef slider for $3 each.  We split an order of tacos and a half pound of pulled pork with a beer.  It was so good we decided to try a pound of ribs.  They were absolutely perfect, pork ribs with no fat.  The meat fell off the bone, and the dry rub and sauce were outstanding.  Boy oh boy, we will be back next year!

Friday, August 10:  With a sense of sadness, we packed our bags and headed out to the Grateful Bread for our last meal, another bay shrimp omelette for me and a farmer's omelette for Barb.  It was another wonderful week, and I am already looking forward to returning in 2013!

Final Reach the Beach 2012 Post

Barb had not been to the Pelican Pub & Brewery; so, we went there for lunch Monday.  We went with non-seafood lunches for some reason & were not disappointed.  Barb went for the Scottish Style Ale and Dijon mustard marinated, panko encrusted pork cutlet sandwich served on a ciabatta bun.  A bed of apple cole slaw goes on the bottom of the bun with the cutlet on top.  The flavors were outstanding!  I went with the green chili pork stew and Navajo fry bread.  A new seasonal brew, Our Precious, is a very hoppy IPA made with three types of hops, one of which is from New Zealand.  In fact, some folks from the 666 Brewery in NZ came to help in the brewing!


Barb left Tuesday and Russ & Wendy arrived Wednesday.  Wednesday night is the all you can eat grilled or fried oysters at the Fish Peddler restaurant at the Pacific Oyster Company in Bay City, OR.  So, off we went.  What a surprise when we arrived!  They had added sauteed oysters to the mix.  They are served in a very delicate broth that is well seasoned.  We asked for French bread which we dipped in the broth then topped with an oyster making an open faced sandwich.  Oh my God, what a taste experience.


They had also received a beer/wine license since my last visit, and had been visited by the Widmer Brewing Company in Portland.  Widmer took some oysters and 25 gallons of oyster liquor back to Portland and brewed up 6 barrels of oyster beer called Cloyster Beer.  Again, oh my God, what a great flavor!


Thursday it was back to BJ's Burgers & Tacos for a couple of grilled fish tacos (Russ and 3 and 1/2) for lunch then back to the Pelican Pub for the grand unveiling of their summer beers.  That is always a treat.


Today was a quick breakfast at the Grateful Bread and a safe drive home.  Now, I just have fond memories until my return in August!

Reach the Beach 2012

Barb & I arrived in Pacific City two days ago.  Yesterday was Reach the Beach with 2,400 bicyclists completing the 100 mile Portland to Pacific City fundraiser for the American Lung Association.  That's 2,400 bicyclists arriving at a town of 900 people!  The photo opportunities were even better this year as there was much more color!


We had dinner Saturday night at The Bistro.  While I have had some excellent meals there, the fish tacos and fish & chips were average.  However, the seafood chowder was truly excellent.  Don't discount the restaurant, just don't go for fish & chips or fish tacos.


We had lunch yesterday at BJ's Burgers & Tacos on the beach.  Barb ordered Baja (fried) fish tacos, and I went for the grilled.  She liked the Baja and I preferred the grilled.  My suggestion is to go with a friend, order each and share them as we did so you can decide for yourself.  We do recommend these tacos highly!


Breakfast this AM after church was at The Grateful Bread of course, a must do!  More later!

Final Days

The last days of the trip were so jammed packed with fun that it was impossible to update the blog. Susan and Sam left on August 9, and my friend Barb arrived that afternoon. August 10 we dined at the Pacific Seafood Company in Bay City with the Davis family taking advantage of the all you can eat grilled or fried oysters. Barb and I opted for a few oysters on the half shell followed by three of their baked oyster dishes. All were delicious!

Thursday Barb and I took a road trip to Lincoln City and Depot Bay. We lunched at Kyllo's in Lincoln City ordering two appetizers and a beer each. We had their bucket of clams cooked in butter, beer and garlic and crab and shrimp stuffed won-tons. Both were excellent!

After lunch we drove to Depot Bay, walked the town, visited the Yaquina Head lighthouse, and flew my kite on a wonderfully windy beach! The most interesting shop in Depot Bay & a must visit is Things Rich and Strange. The shop features custom jewelry, crystal and art and other "objects of wonder and imagination for your magical life".

Dinner was at a new to us restaurant, Tidal Raves in Depot Bay. This is a "must do" restaurant and reservations are required or you will have an hour wait. I ordered the Rave Pasta, linguine pasta with clams, shrimp, crab and fin fish with your choice of sauce. I went with creamy pesto. Barb ordered the Crab Casserole, crab with penne pasta, Alfredo sauce and white cheddar cheese. We both sampled each others' plate and thought both were outstanding with a slight edge to the casserole. The crab cake appetizers were also killer. The Tidal Raves was voted best seafood restaurant on the Oregon coast by the UrbanSpoon readers, and I certainly understand why!

So, the final trip to the coast for 2011 is concluded. I will have new adventures on the central Oregon coast in 2012. Stay tuned!

Lincoln City on Dwellable

Depoe Bay on Dwellable

Bumming Around the Central Coast

Susan, Sam & I bummed around Pacific City and Lincoln City today. We did breakfast in the condo then hit BJ's Burgers and Tacos in Pacific City for fish tacos (Sam had the chicken and thought it was great). Susan ordered the grilled fish tacos, and I had the Baja fish tacos. You get 2 per order, and Susan and I split our orders so we could each try both types. We agreed that while the grilled fish tacos were good, the Baja fish tacos were more flavorful. Either way, I think you will be pleased!

After an afternoon exploring Lincoln City, we were off to the Sportsman's Pub and Grub in Pacific City for the freshest fish and chips in Oregon. The fish was fresh off the Dory Boats this morning. And, it was the best fish and chips I have had anywhere. Plus, you get to soak up the local flavor at the only tavern in Pacific City. It is a must do!