Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! First Burger Located in a little storefront in downtown Albany, First Burger has become one of the busiest stops in town.  Operating from an "always fresh, always fast" attitude, you're guaranteed to get a tasty burger in your basket.  Add in some hand-cut fries and this place means business! Recently taken over by one of the former cooks, First Burger has not let up on any of their founding principles.  It's a tasty little gem in a vibrant and growing downtown.  Heads Up...seating is limited! Recommendations:  Mushroom Burger, The Uncle Sam, Fried Pickles You can check out the menu here ! What are some of your favorite F eating establis...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon!  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Eola Hills Wine Cellars With two locations in the near vicinity (Rickreall and Salem), Eola Hills has a lot to offer its patrons.  While the majority of their offerings are wine (obviously), they do hold a few events that include food.  One of my favorite things that Eola does is Yoga and Wine evenings on the first Monday of the month (1st and 3rd when the weather is nicer).  They have paired with Yoga+Beer , a PNW company that hosts yoga and beer/wine/cider sessions at various breweries/wineries throughout Oregon and Washington, and the event draws dozens of people to the locations. EH Legacy Estates via Made in Oregon Recommendation:  2015 Oregon Pi...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! DaVinci Ristorante In the vicinity of where I currently live, there aren't a ton of "fancier" eating establishments; at least ones that don't take an hour or more to get to.  DaVinci , however, is one of a handful of fine dining restaurants in our state capitol, Salem.  You'll find steak, seafood, pastas, etc on their menu, in addition to an EXTENSIVE wine list .  You will also find much more reasonable prices for the fine dining experience than you would find in larger cities, like Portland.  Via the Statesman Journal DaVinci also offers a pretty great happy hour Monday through Saturday.  The prices are so incredibly reasonable that you could e...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list!   Chowder Bowl at Nye Beach Mmmm...I love a good bowl of chowder.  Or any seafood, really.  But there is something so satisfying about soup and the Chowder Bowl's chowder is pretty stellar.  I mean, they named the restaurant after it!  Of course they offer other fares, but you should go for the chowder and the garlic onion cheese toast.  Drool! Located at Historic Nye Beach in Newport, Oregon, the Chowder Bowl is an institution.  They've been open and operating from the same location since 1980 and there is always a wait to get a table.  While you're waiting, feel free to wander 100 yards down the street to the beach or explo...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Bunk Sandwiches If you're looking for a seriously good sandwich, one that will drip and ooze and make you close your eyes in pure bliss, look no further than Bunk Sandwiches .  Located in a few separate locations throughout Portland, Bunk has made a name for themselves since their humble beginnings in a tiny hole-in-the-wall location on SE Morrison.  Since their debut on an episode of  Diner's, Drive-Ins, and Dives  in 2009, their business has been booming.  But don't let that deter you from going.  Despite their new-found fame, they have stayed true to their roots and continue to deliver outstanding sandwiches.  Recommendati...

Join me for the month of April as I participate in the A-Z Blogging Challenge and share some (I couldn't share all) of my favorite noshing joints in western Oregon.  Hopefully you'll leave the blog a little hungrier than when you arrived...or at least with a new culinary destination on your travel list! Arr' Place Tucked away on a quiet side street in Newport, Oregon, a small town on the central Oregon coast, is this culinary wonder.  Housed in an unassuming cottage and run by a three person team (Aymee, Robert, and Rebeka), most would pass right by and never know the delights within.  However, if you find yourself with the opportunity to step inside, I highly recommend it!  What will you find?  Local, fresh, and seasonal foods including water delights caught that morning.  My first visit to this location was on a complete fluke, but I was absolutely sold.  That trip found me diving...

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl and it's a great way to show what you're loving in list form.  The topic changes every week, so there is always something new to discover! This week's topic is:  Top Ten Books On Your Spring TBR .  Like in the past, my TBR is very fluid and I never really stick to what is on my tentative plan.  In addition, I have been on a kick of ONLY reading books that I currently own...no trips to the library have occurred since January 1st!  I've stuck to this resolution and plan to continue for at least another couple months.  That being said, my TBR for Spring comes from books already in my possession and it will more than likely coincide with the theme of my "bookclub's" next reading challenge (at least the one that currently has the most votes in our FB poll): Reading from A-Z.  Here's what I have: A The Queen of the Big Time   by Adriana Trigiani B The ...