Dine the Couve: Three Courses for $23 through October 31st

So what are you waiting for. Get out there and dine in Vancouver, Washington. Enjoy discovering Vancouver's culinary scene. For $23 you can certainly try a new restaurant. There are so many delicious options we can't make all that we put on our list.

Last night the Dining Five headed out to the Hilton Hotel in downtown Vancouver for Happy Hour and Dine the Couve. We stopped just inside Gray's at the Park and enjoyed a Happy Hour Glass of wine and the view of the Salmon Run Bell Tower as the weather cleared.

View from Grays at the Park
Esther Short Park, Propstra Square
and the Salmon Run Bell Tower

We then were shown to our comfortable booth and were presented with our choices for the Dine the Couve $23 menu.

Most of our 5 went for the Salad and Top Sirloin. I opted for Salmon (after all, we were across the street from the Salmon Run Bell Tower! The Soup of the Day, chicken tortilla soup was ideal on a damp fall day.

Warming chicken tortilla soup.
Not spicy but warming

Others opted for the green salad

Salmon, asparagus, risotto and corn - Excellent!

What could be better than pie and vanilla ice cream?

We laughed and talked and were there a good two hours. No one rushed us. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend Gray's at the Park.

Dine the Couve runs through the end of the month. Ready, set... dine!

Here's the list of Breweries, Tasting Rooms and Restaurants.
More on Enjoying Downtown Vancouver

Don't Miss Dine the Couve: 3 Courses for $23 in Vancouver, WA

It's Dine the Couve Month all of October. And we've been out sampling the culinary goodness of Vancouver (The Couve) Washington.

This is the first time Vancouver restaurants and drink purveyors have collaborated on an event like Dine the Couve. And it's about time. “Vancouver’s restaurant and brewery scene continues to grow at a rapid pace,” said Kim Bennett, the CEO of Visit Vancouver USA. “Dine the Couve is a celebration of what makes our local culinary and brew scene stand out — quality, affordability and a collaborative spirit.”

So what's it like out there? First, Diner Nancy went to Niche Wine Bar and Bistro. Now, Nancy frequents Niche and often orders their special tarts. But during the month of October, Niche is offering something new. So she ordered it.

Diner Nancy reported back that she loved the pot pie and hopes that it will become a regular menu item at Niche. She highly recommends the special Dine the Couve menu.

Green Salad with Fresh Tomatoes

Chicken Pot Pie

Fondue

And then, it was time for our Dining Foursome to go to La Bottega. It had been awhile. Dine the Couve Month gave us all a great excuse to get together to break bread, without breaking our budgets!

Couve Foodies Unite!

La Bottega offered two choices of salad, three choices of pasta
and topped it off with a light and fluffy Tiramisu dessert.

After just two foodie experiences we all agreed that we needed to continue meeting that way. So we have scheduled weekly Dine the Couve experiences through the end of October.

Tips for Dine the Couve:
 - Some restaurants take reservations and some do not. Make a reservation if they do.
 - You may need to request the special Dine the Couve Menu
 - Spread the word via social media. Post your photos and tweet your delight. Use #dinethecouve

Ready, set... get out there and dine! Here is the list of participating restaurants and brewpubs.

First Annual Vancouver, WA Dining Month Announced: October it's Dine the Couve

I have found some great places to dine in Vancouver, just across the bridge from Portland, Oregon. Among my favs are Willem’s on Main, La Bottega and Niche Wine Bar. They are all offering some wonderful deals during October during Dine the Couve.

Niche Wine Bar on Main
Fine Wines, Small Plates and More

This October, Visit Vancouver USA will present its first annual dining month, Dine the Couve, with 19 participating restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms. Original Vancouver USA eateries will serve three items for $23 (alongside regular menu offerings), while breweries and tasting rooms will have $3 drink specials for the entire month.

“Vancouver USA’s restaurant and brewery scene continues to grow at a rapid pace, providing unique destination assets for both residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Kim Bennett, president and CEO of Visit Vancouver USA. “Dine the Couve is a celebration of what makes our local culinary and brew scene stand out — quality, affordability and a collaborative spirit.”

All participating restaurants will provide diners with a fixed, three-part menu, which may include any combination of soup, salad, appetizer, entree, dessert or craft beverage.

Enjoy the view from Warehouse '23

Participating restaurants include:

•          Beaches Restaurant

•          Frontier Public House

•          Gray’s at the Park

•          The Grocery Cocktail & Social

•          Heathen Feral Public House

•          Jorge’s Tequila Factory

•          La Bottega

•          LUXE

•          Main Event Sports Grill - Downtown

•          Niche Wine Bar & Bistro

•          Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro

•          WareHouse ‘23

•          Willem’s on Main

Participating breweries and tasting rooms include:

•          Doomsday Brewing Safe House

•          Loowit Brewing

•          Old Ivy Taproom

•          Thirsty Sasquatch

•          Trap Door Brewing

•          Trusty Brewing

Just Added: Veraison Wine is offering a 3 for $23 deal that includes two glasses of wine and charcuterie board

Menus for Dine the Couve will be posted online by Oct. 1 at VisitVancouverUSA.com/DineTheCouve. Use #DineTheCouve to share dining experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Vancouver's WareHouse '23 Opens to the Delight of Vancouverites

Vancouver, Washington (you know, the city across the Columbia River from Portland) is up to big things.

Vancouver’s historic waterfront will soon be home to jobs, restaurants, shops, housing, a hotel and a park as new development reconnects 35 acres along the Columbia River to the city’s historic core. The Waterfront Development Project began with demolition of part of the Red Lion and the building of streets through the area linking with downtown.

In the hallway were posted old photos of the original port.

Yesterday, we experienced part of the development. Where the aging Red Lion at the Quay once welcomed travelers, a new restaurant and night spot, WareHouse '23 had opened at Terminal 1. The motel was still being re-purposed by the Port of Vancouver. 

 

The new WareHouse '23

The management of Beaches Restaurant, a riverside restaurant farther east, revamped the old Quay restaurant. After opening for dinner last week, WareHouse ’23 is now open 11 a.m. to midnight every day, with plans to add a Sunday brunch starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 7th. Minors are allowed before 9 p.m. (Source: Columbian)

 

There are still things you'll remember from the old Quay

There are still nautical vestiges of the old Quay. The mast and sails still loom over the bar. But the look is more simple and the menu, certainly an upgrade.

Simple decor and great views

We went for lunch. The vibe was fresh and new with a more bar-like feel. The view of the Columbia River and the I-5 Bridge was certainly the draw as diners asked for window tables. The restaurant, even though new, was full by noon. We arrived at 11:30 and were seated right away by the attentive staff.

 

Intriguing take on chowder

I wanted to try their Northwest-inspired cuisine so noticed a chowder. But this was different... it was a "Kife and Fork Chowder." It sounded hearty so I didn't add a salad. When the dish arrived, it was nicely presented in a bowl. Not the usual chowder, the bowl contained fried deep sea clams, yukon gratin and cured bacon in a creamy lobster sauce. The crisp clam strips were plated over small cubed vegetables. I couldn't really taste the bacon and the chowder was only lightly spiced but it was delicious and different. That dish alone was filling as a lunch option.

My friends enjoyed sampling the rich Double Baked Sweet Potato, the unique 1923 Fries, the Quinoa Kale Salad and the Shrimp Banh Mi sandwich. 

 

Kale Salad

Shrimp Banh Mi

Sweet Sweet Potato

1923 Fries

We concluded that the offerings were intriguing, delicious and filling. The pricing was reasonable.  The view was wonderful (how can you not love the mighty Columbia) and the staff did an excellent job. Perhaps a bit more zip to the sauces would enhance the dishes for those yearning for a more stimulating experience.

We're pleased that WareHouse '23 is open and decided to return one evening for a drink and appetizers and to watch the boats on the river and the traffic on the bridge. And, as WareHouse '23 moves forward, I'd love to see music during Happy Hour. I'm just not a late night person when it comes to entertainment!

A great step in the development of the waterfront area!

When You Go

Website
Phone: 360-750-7256
Address: 100 Columbia St., Vancouver, WA 98661

The Trendy Restaurant Chair Rant - Found! A Comfortable Chair

A very comfortable restaurant chair

Last night I had the pleasure of attending an Italian wine dinner hosted by La Bottega in Vancouver Washington. It was actually held at Charlie's Bistro and so the credit for the comfortable seating should go to Charlie's.

The wine dinner lasted several hours. The food was excellent, locally sourced cuisine... much of which came from the Vancouver Farmer's Market. The courses were paired with Italian wines from small estate vineyards in Italy. These selections were presented by Small Vineyards.

I was pleased to spend the evening on a comfortable chair! This modern wood, straight back chair had a slightly padded leather or faux leather seat. It made all the difference.

Good going La Bottega in your choice of seating for an excellent wine dinner.

Rating: 4/5