The Raven

Even though the image of the raven, if you look at Edgar Allan Poe, is forbidding, The Raven in Prescott is the exact opposite.  A friendly, comfy place, the old building that it is housed in has been made very welcoming.  Old wood, some couches in the window area and a pub atmosphere make it very hospitable.

You order at the counter and the staff is competent and friendly.  The lunch menu had many offerings.  What surprised us was the brochure showing their sustainable practices.  How many facilities have a whole, separate brochure detailing their food sources and sustainable practices?  Not many, that’s for sure!

The Raven - decked out for the holidays

And, it is a locavore’s delight!  Inventive creations like the very creamy tomatillo chicken potato quiche I tried were luscious.  The creamy vegetable soup was hot and hearty with carrots, celery, mushroom, corn and flavor.  On a cold winter day, it was perfect.  The homemade buttered toast – even though I’ve been trying to avoid carbs – was terrific.  Our extensive lunch (my husband tried the Deschutes Obsidian Stout) for two with my husband’s big burger was less than $30.  He said that the free range burger was a tiny bit dry – leanly raised cattle, you know, but it was cooked perfectly.

Dinner has steaks, duck and other goodies, but we can’t talk about that because we were there for lunch only.  However, the menu looked enticing.

There are other restaurants like The Raven in other cities that make unique food that is cooked with fresh ingredients with care, but I haven’t had such good food since – well, another locavore-focused restaurant in Eugene, Oregon.  (See my blog on September 18 on Adam’s Sustainable Table.) Even the herbal tea was unique, with sachets suspended over the tea to steep.

High recommendation!

Gurley St. Grill

Another cozy restaurant in Prescott is Gurley St. Grill, which has been around for a long time.  The current building was rebuilt using some of the old bricks from the original restaurant that burned a century ago.  The restaurant has been there a long time and for good reason.

Gurley St Grill reuses some of the old bricks from their previously burned building and adds some homey touches

Another pub-like place, the welcome is good, the food is great and the prices are reasonable.  Our waiter offered great service and was very personable. (Apologies – I forgot to write his name down.)  He didn’t come back so often that we wanted to tell him to leave us alone, as has been the case of late.  (This seems to be a trend.  Wait staff keep bugging you – you barely get a bite in your mouth and they’re asking you “How is your food tasting?”)  Our waiter got it just right.

When we asked him for some information, he stuck around to answer our questions, but did not rush us so he could “turn the table” and move things along.  Our tip reflected our great experience.

So, the food.  For a pub atmosphere, there were some inventive options on the menu.  I opted for comfort food with a thick, creamy “Sonoran Corn Chowder” to warm me up (it was below freezing and I’m used to Phoenix temperatures).  There was a hint of green chili in the soup, but just the right hint so it was wasn’t overpowering.  More is not always better – especially in a cream soup.  They got it just right.

Homemade garlic bread sticks brought to the table in a basket were another welcoming touch.

My husband had some toasted cheese ravioli in a creamy Alfredo cheese sauce that was very decadent.  (The other option was a marinara sauce.)  It was great – he ate every drop.

My pistachio breaded chicken salad was a filling combination of sweet potato fries, pistachios and very fresh greens with ranch dressing on the side.  The chicken did not have a pistachio taste to it, but the breading was very fine and not greasy.  My only –slight – complaint was that the moistness of the greens made the other ingredients a tiny bit soggy.  I ate every bit, though.

For dessert, we opted to share a deepdish apple pie a la mode.  The warm creation came in a big serving –we were glad we shared – and was very filling.  Not too sweet, but fulfilled our need for a sugar fix.

Gurley St Grill is very family-friendly because we saw some large family groups being served while we were there.

Other restaurants

We’ve previously eaten at The Palace, a saloon-like restaurant on atmospheric Whiskey Row.  Another old time place, the atmosphere IS great, with swinging saloon doors and a real Western look.  We didn’t find the lunch menu very exciting, though.  The dinner menu is extensive, but pricier than the two places we’ve highlighted.  I guess you pay for location.

We know that every taste differs.  For instance, we had a glowing referral to a certain Asian restaurant, but a Prescott native told us she didn’t think they were very good.  The mostly empty parking lot  on a Saturday night told us the story.  We won’t mention the name, since we didn’t try it for ourselves.

Happy New Year, everyone!  We hope you travel as much as you like and like where you travel!

Please visit our SHOP and find some memories to keep.

Next week:  A visit to the breath-taking Granite Dells.

We had originally planned to stay in Corvallis for only one day, but decided to stay two and arrived a day early.  We’re so glad we did!

By arriving on Friday, we had the opportunity to visit the Visitors Bureau, stop at the Chamber of Commerce and check out the town.  We loved what we saw.

Playing in the fountain

While a bit atypical since Oregon State University was in recess, we found a friendly atmosphere and a very evolved town.

Willamette River near 1st Street

The Chamber of Commerce staff we met greeted us like we were old friends.  The charming downtown reminded my husband of Charlottesville, Virginia, a great compliment on his part.  He really likes Charlottesville.

We stopped first at Block 15 Restaurant/Microbrewery (see our blog on October 23), where we had a great meal in a fun place. 

Driving around town, we quickly figured out the street system. (There are some one-way streets, but unlike some cities, they are easy to get around).

Corvallis has a population of about 55,000, but the brainpower and environment are much larger than the size of the community.  Their farmer’s market was larger than bigger communities we have seen.  They have major corporations like Hewlett Packard that have major numbers of patents registered.

Corvallis Farmer's Market

Instead of giant shopping malls, shopping is in smaller clusters scattered about several major corridors.  One of our indicators for shopping is whether the community has a Trader Joe’s.  They were building one that looked near completion. It may sound crass to evaluate a community by what name brand stores it attracts, but we know what we like.

The user-friendly Corvallis Library

Another of our indicators for whether we like a community is the library. We thought the Corvallis Public Library was a terrific place.  They had a reading room that was like a clubby old boys club with comfy, armchairs, but for anyone to use.  A two-story building, the library is well-used, well-organized and obviously respected.  The librarian was friendly and welcoming: Great library – and a good indicator of what a town values.

We also loved the local shops, their wares and the friendliness of the staff.  In general, we gave more 20% tips for good service at restaurants in Oregon than anywhere we have ever traveled.  Except for one local chain restaurant in Corvallis, that held true everywhere for the City. 

Recycling is very much part of the culture, as we saw supermarkets with regular receptacles for cans, bottles and other recyclables.  The environment is a major consideration, as even the public trash containers on the main streets have flowers tucked into little containers by the lid. 

Flowers tucked into trash receptacles

Come back – We found out about a unique event called “Rhapsody in the Vineyard,” that we’ll tell you about on Tuesday.  On Monday, we’ll show you some of the Oregon State University campus.

Don’t get me wrong, I think those big draft horses are impressive, but big breweries don’t necessarily mean the best beer, or the only beer.McMenamins

Opening their first Portland, Oregon pub in 1983, the McMenamin brothers have expanded substantially over the last 26 years. Their branding calls them “A place for family & friends.” But the last time I checked, brewpubs were not exactly the place to bring your family. But McMenamins is more than just brewpubs.

Seven historic hotels, brewpub/restaurants throughout Oregon, Washington and the Portland metro area, music venues and even movie theaters are now apart of the McMenamins portfolio.

OLD SCHOOL

I don’t ever recall that I or anyone I have ever heard of actually say, “I wish I could stay here (at school) all night!”

From 1915 to 1975, Kennedy Elementary School graduated classes onto the next level of education until the school board finally said, this place is falling apart and we need to close.

Along came the McMenamin brothers with a plan.A massive renovation produced 35 guestrooms crafted from the former classrooms. You will get all of the amenities that you never saw when you went to school: private bath, telephone, and a modem. What you will remember is the chalkboard and cloakroom that is still there to haunt you!

Throughout the halls are historical photographs and artwork. There is a movie theatre, multiple bars, a soaking pool and of course the brewery which works just fine with the Brewmaster substituting for the Principal.

Kennedy School is a little disconcerting to find in the dark as it is located in an older neighborhood just East of downtown Portland. The streets in the vicinity are the narrower variety that you find in older neighborhoods and not overly lit.

I was there for the food and the Courtyard restaurant was packed, as it was Saturday night. If you’re just looking for a bar, you have your choice of the Boiler Room, Detention, or if you’re if you were one of those “straight A” students, the Honors Bar.

The Courtyard restaurant was the former cafeteria now open for all three meals a day. In nice weather a courtyard is available for dining and it must have been nice, because it too was packed with diners/drinkers.

And yes, it is the usual suspects for a brewpub menu: salads, burgers, pizza and specialty items (steak, salmon, pasta …)

There’s even a little treat from the appetizer/starters section for those of you that are still re-living your elementary school days …Tater Tots! $5.25

Remembering my challenging days in elementary school I opted for the

The Principal’s Special Pizza

I’m not sure whether I was hoping to take revenge on old memories, or I just liked the combination of toppings (Canadian bacon, pepperoni, fennel sausage, onions, & black olives (8-inch $8.25 / 16-inch $25.25), but I opted out of the black olives and still had a good time, something I couldn’t always say about Elementary School …

There is one thing that sets this former school location apart from 99.9% of others brewpubs. If you get Hammered by the Hammerhead (Ale), or Terminated by the Terminator (Ale), you can always get a classroom near the principal’s office and sleep it off!

HOTEL

Rooms: $109 – $130 per night
Packages Available

RESTAURANT

Hours: Daily 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.

No Reservations
Non-smoking establishment

Kennedy School
5736 NE 33rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon

McMenamins
Various locations throughout Oregon and Washington
www.mcmenamins.com

Come back Monday for another Portland brewpub: We’re going Rogue!

After a two and a half hour drive over the Cascade Mountains on a road (U.S. 20) that wouldn’t win any awards for staying in a straight line, I arrived in Corvallis, Oregon. Most people will probably say, WHERE?

Although near Eugene, Albany, Salem and, ultimately, Portland, Corvallis is not the most well known of cities in the Willamette Valley. While the aforementioned cities have a common trait (they are all next to I-5 traveling north and south through Oregon), Corvallis is just a bit off the beaten track (8 miles west of the interstate highway.) Not so much a tourist destination as a sports and education destination, Corvallis is home to Oregon State University. GO BEAVS!Now, just what do the words “College Town” and “BEER” have in common? If you don’t know the answer to that one you need to rent “Animal House” on DVD (which, by the way, was filmed just down the road in Eugene and Cottage Grove, Oregon.)

After you finish the movie, it’s time hop in your car and cruise on down to 300 SW Jefferson in Corvallis. That’s where you’ll find…

Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery -

one of the newest brewpubs in Oregon. Opening its doors at the end of February 2008, Block 15 is only a short distance from Oregon State University. The brewpub took over a 1926 building that was originally built for the local Gazette-Times newspaper.

With over 12 of their own craft brews on tap at any time, you can order Ridgeback Red, Glo, Golden Ale, Nebula Oatmeal Stout, Alpha IPA, and Printmaster’s Pale which use Northwest grown hops and organic base malt combined with imported specialty malts.

But, it was lunchtime and I was also there for the food.

Block 15 from the upper level

Soups and salads, sandwiches, pastas, fish and my favorite …

HAND-SPANKED BURGERS (Painted Hills Beef, Fossil, Oregon)

But, in their own insidious way, the brewers have issued: The Brewers Challenge Burger $13.50

There before your eyes are two … TWO hand-spanked beef patties, TWO slices of Tillamook cheddar cheese, a layer of thick sliced bacon, FRIED jalapeños AND your choice of two sides.YOUR CHALLENGE:

Clean your plate like your mother always told you to do, and she’ll give you your first pint of beer for free!

Well, maybe your mother didn’t offer you a free beer, but the brewers at Block 15 will make up for her inattention to detail by granting  that promise.

If you want your lunch cooked in some hops and barley, then try the House Beer Sausage.

From just up the road in Albany, Pepper Tree Beer Sausage is grilled in Block 15 Glo, Golden Ale, and topped with stone ground mustard, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.
$8.25

I opted for the Grilled Turkey and Cheddar.
Turkey breast, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and honey mustard on grilled sourdough bread.
$7.75

I didn’t complain. But I did have to complain about my inability to try one of the craft beers. You see, I was driving and the State Police, no matter where you are, seem to have a rule about mixing those two activities. (That’s why it’s a good thing Block 15 is only a few blocks from the University.)

The closest I could get to a beer was the house brewed Root Beer. It was a “busy” concoction made with sassafras, wintergreen, licorice root, vanilla, organic cane and brown sugars, & local wildflower honey.
$3.00 (No Refills)

SUSTAINABILITY

Throughout Oregon in both restaurants and brewpubs you will hear the word “Sustainability.” Simply put, we are talking environmentally friendly and the use of locally grown products. Block 15 sets high standards for itself in this category in both the brewing of its beer and the restaurant side of the business.

Whether you’re there for a weekend of one of the many sports played on campus, or just passing through, Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery is definitely worth the stop. Hopefully, you won’t be driving.

Block 15 Restaurant & Brewery
300 SW Jefferson
Corvallis, Oregon

11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday
11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday

Happy Hour Menu: 3-6 p.m.
Late Night Menu: 10 p.m. to close

Free WiFi

www.block15.com

On a recent trip to Oregon, I decided to try out some of the bigger names in the micro-brewery and brewpub business, as well as one of the smaller and newest entries into the business.

Let’s start by saying “bigger” in this type of business does not always mean large. With a plethora of one-off location brewers, only a few have transitioned into regional or, even more rare, international status. The entrepreneurs involved in craft brewing might have just two stainless steel tanks visible through a glass window in their “down on the corner” establishment. The rarer instance is to actually have a full blown, off the premises brewery, that distributes throughout a specified region of the U.S., or possibly internationally.

So just what is a Brewpub, a Microbrewery, or a Regional Craft Brewery?

First, you fall into a category of “limited” production. You certainly don’t have hundreds of semis rolling down the road with your logo splashed all over the trailer, and you probably don’t have any big horses pulling wagons …

“Limited production” is an iffy number depending upon who you talk to, but according to the Brewers Association located in Boulder, Colorado the number of barrels is roughly 15,000 per year for a Microbrewery. But, it also stipulates that over 75% of sales have to be sold off the premises.

A Brewpub sells at least 25% of its production on the premises. You eat at their restaurant and drink their beer dispensed from their custom-made tap handles. They may have one location or many throughout several states.

A regional craft brewery produces between 15,000 to 2,000,000 barrels per year.

By comparison, a large brewery will have a production of over 2,000,000 barrels.

BEND

My first stop was downtown Bend, the home of Deschutes Brewery & Public House. As with most brewpubs, its history is relatively short (in comparison to say a 300-year-old English Pub). Established in 1988, they have since opened their second unit in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon.

Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR

What sets Deschutes apart from just a two-pub operation is their off-premise brewery that distributes product in thirteen western states making them a regional brewery.

Award winning Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale are featured along with such brews as Obsidian Stout, Cascade Ale, and Bachelor Bitter (obviously named for Mt. Bachelor not far from the city.)

The food side of pubs has many of the “usual suspects” categories for the drinking crowd. There are appetizers, burgers, specialty sandwiches and Spent Grain Pizzas (pizza dough flavored with Spent Barley Malt from the brewery).

There is also what seems to be on every menu in Oregon in some form or another … Mac & Cheese. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with Brewery Fish & Chips.

So that’s why I went with the elk burger …

The sandwich featured a natural elk patty from a local purveyor, Pine Mountain Ranch. It was topped with Tillamook Smoked Cheddar and a sauce of Yamhill County Mushrooms and roasted shallots ($10.50).

For those of you who have never had Elk, and I hadn’t for many years, I was surprised that it surpassed one of my favorites, Buffalo/Bison, with more Protein, less fat and less calories.

And NO, it doesn’t taste like chicken!

1044 NW Bond Street
Bend, Oregon

Deschutes Brewery
901 SW Simpson Avenue
Bend, Oregon

If you’re looking for an interesting observation into the manufacturing of craft beer, a stop at the Deschutes Brewery will get you a free, guided tour and a stop at the Tasting Room.

Tours:

Monday – Sunday
1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
(Tours start on the hour)
Note: Tours are limited to 15 guests

www.deschutesbrewery.com

www.brewersassociation.org

On Monday: We visit Bend and a very unusual restaurant.

NEXT WEEK: A stop in Corvallis, Oregon at the newest brewpub near the campus of Oregon State University. Later on,  we’ll stop in Portland, Oregon and go Rogue along with a look at McMennamin’s, a multi-state, brewpub, entertainment and hospitality company.