I Discovered a New Coffee Shop.

I’ve long been a huge supporter of Full City Coffee and I still am. I like the coffee and the owner.
But I have found a new coffee shop that makes an amazing cup of coffee.
“Brails Espresso” shop is owned by the same people who own “Brails Restaurant” in Eugene and the new shop sits right next door. It used to be a beer making supply shop.
Three guys run the place, Brian, Evan and Sky. They are into excellent coffee. Brails is like a European Style coffee shop and a cappuccino is not just something to drink it’s an experience.
A lot of coffee shops get sloppy with their coffee. They slap it together and it looks and tastes like it. Not at Brails. This is fine coffee and not priced any higher than the other guys.
My office is next door to Full City and I still like the flavor of the coffee they serve. But if I want something fancy that’s over the top good I will head to Brails and you should give it try.

Empire Cafe: Coos Bay’s Place to Eat

Empire Café

525 Newmark Ave.                                                                     541-808-0808

Coos Bay, OR 97420

Review by: Kathy Dancer

A wonderful surprise! Found the Empire Cafe a few years ago. Each year we visit the Coos Bay area for a trip down memory lane….we lived here many years ago when first married. The Empire Cafe is a great addition and another reason we look forward to our annual trip. 
Where to begin… the food, the service, the baked goods, the warm welcoming atmosphere all play into what makes this cafe so special. Their menu is full of great seasonal choices including some amazing home made soups. A nice selection of wines to go along with your meal. The Empire Cafe is delightful, we are so glad we found them, you will be too!

New Brew Pub Coming to Springfield.

It’s not often I get to break a news story. I used to love doing that when I worked in the News Business. I guess that is the one and only thing I miss about working in Television News. I digress.

Back to the “Breaking News.”

I just got back from talking with Bart Caridio, one of the owners of Sam Bonds in Eugene and the Axe and Fiddle in Cottage Grove.

Bart told me he’s signed the papers and plans to put in a brewpub called “Plank Town Brewing Company” in Downtown Springfield.

The pub will be in the old Odd Fellows building. Ruthie B’s used to be located in the spot.

He’s hired a local brewer and the city told him two of the downtown topless dance clubs have lost their lease so the neighborhood is cleaning itself up.

Bart is a great guy. Can you imagine what this could mean for Downtown Springfield? The Hawthorne Café is a nice addition to the area but a brewpub would help define downtown.

Bart hopes to have it open and serving beer this Fall. We’ll keep you posted.

Pelican Pub: Great Beer…Food? Not so much.

Pelican Pub & Brewery

33180 Cape Kiwanda Dr.                                                  503-965-7007

Pacific City, OR 97135                                                      pelicanbrewery.com

Review by: Kathy Dancer

Sitting down at Pelican Pub’s bar enjoying a great beer is fun. Add an order of “Tower of Rings”, a stack of beer battered onion rings, and you’ve got a winning combination! In mild weather, sitting outside on their beachside porch watching the sunset over Cape Kiwanda is something you don’t want to miss. 
But let’s talk about the food, one word comes to mind, “overrated”. I’m sure it’s been said before and it is very true. The food and the price don’t match. It’s average and for the price you pay it’s just not special. If your visiting for the first time, you probably want to try it. It is the cutest place in town with a great ambience. They incorporate Pelican beer into their recipes, so try it but just know the price is high for what you get. Then if you are ready for something a little more laid back check out the tavern in town…..great food at a great price!

Grains & Chains: Now that’s a “honkin” Pretzel

Grains & Chains: Now that’s a “honkin” Pretzel

I went to grab a bowl of soup at “Not Your Mom’s Sandwich Shop” and found a new Bakery. When I say new I mean today is their first day. I actually met Matt Brown, McKenzie Davie and Nicolai Otte getting ready to deliver their first Pretzels to bars and restaurants around town.

Matt used to work at Eugene City Bakery, but like a lot of us, decided enough already I want to create my own product.

“Grains & Chains Bakery” also makes its own mustards and sauces. The red one is actually “beet based.”

This company is so new it doesn’t have a website yet or I’d send you there but Matt gave me his phone number in case you are a business that needs some high quality pretzels to feed your patrons.

541 221 2901

Sportsman Pub-N-Grub (Pacific City)

Sportsman Pub-N-Grub

34975 Brooten Rd.

Pacific City, OR 97135               503-956-9991

Great things do come in hidden packages

Reviewed by: Kathy Dancer

We’ve been visiting Pacific City for over 4 decades, that’s right, my husband’s family has a cabin here but it took a local recently to tell us about this town hangout. Affectionately known as “the Sporty”, it dates back to 1947 and not much has changed in all these years. As you walk through the door, you quickly realize there are no strangers here; everyone is welcome and greeted warmly. I must say, we’d been missing out on some local charm and wonderful food.

Oh there is the newer more showy place in town, sure go try it, but once you have you’ll appreciate the Sporty even more. We did.

The Sportsman has a large selection of beers on tap, full bar and some wine. The atmosphere is your typical old style tavern with a couple of pool tables. But let’s get to what makes them stand out…THE FOOD, yep, who’d of thought you’d find the best fresh seafood, steak, or prime rib at the local tavern. And all for a very affordable meal! We have tried the fish and chips, they are amazing, the prime rib is huge and excellent too.

Can’t go without talking about the great laid back service, I did mention there are no strangers here, from the first step in you are acknowledged and welcomed and often called “Hon”, and who doesn’t love that!

Great things do come in hidden packages, we love “the Sporty”, it will be our new hangout in Pacific City from now on!

That is my Prime Rib that was a huge slab of meat and the cost $12.99

I had fish and chips and the fish is fresh, caught by the father of Kirty Wenrick, our son’s girlfriend.