6 minute read
Save room for Pie! Dining out and around the Fjord
RACHEL HANSEN, EDITOR
Who doesn't love a fresh baked pie? Especially when it is warmed with a generous dollop of ice cream? Well, actually there's a few that skip pie, but for those that don't, Brinnon's Halfway House has a great rotating selection on their board. Zach and I stopped in last week and were happy to take a few pieces off their hand. The Halfway House serves up daily lunch and dinner specials as well – but for us it was pie.
Farther afield from Shelton check out Lake Nahwatzel Resort Restaurant near Matlock. Two decades ago (when I still went on dates) this was one of the places you went for a dinner out. With great views and steak on the menu, they checked all the boxes. Now with weekly live music and variety of specials, this family-friendly restaurant is re-establishing its destination status and make a great stop to or from Matlock.
Allyn On Case Inlet
Allyn has a few great dining choices open year round.
The waterfront Boat House Restaurant serves great fish and chips and local oysters. The outdoor patio is available for walk-ins and has views overlooking Case Inlet.
Just up State Route 3, with "hand cut fries and shakes since 1966," Big Bubba’s also has a famous burger, a monster-sized 1lb beast of Black Angus beef with bacon and cheese on a Kaiser bread roll which was recently named one of the top 25 burgers in the state. Grab your food and head over to Allyn's nearby Waterfront Park to enjoy it!
The Bistro at Lakeland Village is in the community center of the golf course just above Allyn. The Bistro offers daily specials, a great Sunday brunch and is in a beautiful location overlooking the lake.
UNION HAS VIEWS & GREAT FOOD
Looking for views with your food? The waterfront at Alderbrook Resort & Spa makes the restaurant a destination in itself, The outdoor patio is open during the summer months, often with live music. Enjoy local seafood (the Dungeness Mac and Cheese is pretty tasty!) a varied menu as well as wines and cocktails. Nearby, the Hook and Fork is a year-round community gathering space within a working marina. With live music, outdoor dining and chef-inspired events, this spot make a great canalside destination.
Next to the Marina, 2 Maragaritas offers traditional Mexican with views of the fjord and an outdoor patio abutting the beach.
On the hill above Union, you don’t have to be finishing a round of golf to enjoy Alderbrook Golf Restaurant's view. On your way, stop by the Union Square Deli for live music along with pizza, sandwiches, coffee, beer, wine and everyone’s favorite, Olympic Mountain Ice Cream.
One of our top Union hangouts for live music and great food and drink is Hood Canalé. Enjoy wood-fired Napolitano style pizza, soups and salads.
Owners John and Jolica take good food and drink seriously and constantly endeavor to provide a warm and welcoming place for guests to spend a time enjoying community. August 15 through October 15 Hood Canalé hosts open mic every Wednesday, live music every Thursday and Saturday along with presenting new pizzas, salads and desserts every season. Follow Hood Canalé's website for updates on bands and menu changes.
LOBSTER ON THE WEST COAST?
It's worth the drive from Union to visit Wise Guys Italian in Belfair next to White Barn Decor (a fun shopping spot). The family-owned food truck serves pasta dishes, meatball subs, clam chowder bread bowls, as well as, yes, fresh lobster shipped directly from Maine! Looking for breakfast in Belfair? Head over to Burger Claim & More, simple and predictable, this is a full service restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Across the Canal in Hoodsport, the late and very great chef, Xinh Dwelley was the inspiration behind the Fjord Oyster Bank. Xinh's Clam and Oyster House in Shelton was a renown destination and famous people magnet for over two decades. Special occasions invariably happened at Xinh's where she would come out from the kitchen between orders to share laughter, tears, and generally making everyone not only love her food but her as well.
It wasn't just local families that adored Xinh. When she wasn't hosting the likes of Julie Child, Anthony Bourdain, or Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, she served up culinary delights like no other at Governor's inaugurations and state fundraisers.
Xinh's genius was the drive behind the menu at the Fjord Oyster Bank. Her passion to pass on these treasures was celebrated not just by her loyal followers who were able to share one more story, hug and dinner with her but also by the new fans who happened to stop by in Hoodsport while she presided over the kitchen. Every day that Xinh was able to be in the Oyster Bank was a cherished gift to those that visited.
Our culinary tour now does a full circle back to the Tides north of Hoodsport. The Tides Restaurant was established in 2001 by Linda Chappell and her family. They serve breakfast all day and are known for hand battered Alaskan cod and hand cut fries. Open seven days a week, the Tides offers beer, wine and cocktails, featuring craft cocktails made with locally sourced Hardware Distillery spirits. Also featured are local favorites Hama Hama Oysters and Olympic Mountain Ice Cream – two more reasons to stop in.
Talking of oysters, don't miss a stop at Hama Hama in Lilliwaup. This outdoor eatery and farm-to-table restaurant focuses on shellfish grown and harvested on site.
Open year round, be sure to check their website for Saloon hours as it changes in the fall. The A-frame structures overlooking the farm and Canal have gained their own following (see cover)call ahead to reserve these. If the Oyster Saloon is closed there is hot food and cold picnic items in the farm store which is open daily.
Just down the road past Brinnon and the memorable pie selection at the Halfway House, check in at the Crows Nest Bistro & Cafe at Pleasant HarborMarina. Their menu has recently had an overhaul with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many come in for the pizza but our favorite is the salmon fillet sandwich served on a brioche bun.
For more information of area restaurants visit explorehoodcanal.com and select "dining" from the drop down menu.
