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Camas Cellars Opens in Downtown Camas; Ribbon Cutting Wednesday

Camas Cellars is a brand-new boutique wine bar and bottle shop located in downtown Camas that focuses on bringing Pacific NW wines into one place for customers to enjoy and appreciate. 

Located at 602 NE 3rd Avenue, Unit C, in the recently renovated building that also houses Subway, Camas Cellars also showcases unique imports and will be hosting events with winemakers and winery owners. Additionally, they will be hosting frequent tastings and classes.

Debi Dabasinskas, the proprietor of Camas Cellars, announced, “Our inaugural tasting event is set for Friday, December 1st, in collaboration with Santa Margherita USA. We’ll begin by sampling an array of white wines from Alto Adige, then journey to Lombardia to savor Franciacorte, and conclude in the Tuscany Hills with Lamole di Lamole. My goal is to create an intimate and engaging experience. I’m excited to present opportunities for tasting novel wines and to offer new sensory adventures. In January, we will be launching a wine club with a couple of membership levels including a Founders Club, which will include exclusive tastings and events. Additionally, the club plans to feature wine tastings and possibly dinners that incorporate produce from local farms. It promises to be an exciting and enjoyable venture!”

Most customers are coming in to try a new wine, so Camas Cellars offers wine flights — a red flight and a white flight — where wine lovers may taste four different wines. Additional flights are coming in the next few weeks. 

“For example, we can do a Washington reds flight, Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and describe the nuances between them,” said Dabasinskas. “We also offer cheese and charcuterie plates and have fresh flowers for sale from a local master gardener. We also feature art from local artists which are offered for sale and the artists will rotate based on a set calendar.” 

If you would like special orders for the holidays, or any time, Camas Cellars can help with this. 

“Let Camas Cellars be your local wine concierge!,” she said.

On Sunday, November 19th, Dabasinskas is hosting a Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Class. Stop by the shop this week to sign up!

“If you’re looking for a specific wine, I can find it for you,” said Dabasinskas. “For specials we will have 10 percent off bottles “to go” on First Friday. On Holiday Sip N Shop, Camas Cellars will offer 20 percent off wine flights and 10 percent off bottles for 21 and over.”

Dabasinskas worked as a District Manager for a very well known Napa Valley winery with properties in Washington, and has 30 years experience in the industry.  She has many certifications including WSET Level 2. 

For customers who want to try something other than wine, Camas Cellars carries Grains of Wrath in cans,” she said. “Camas Cellars is also available for private parties day and evening.”

Please join Camas Cellars this Wednesday, November 15th for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting from 4-6pm! Camas Cellars is open Wednesday through Saturday from 3-9 pm, and will continue to expand its offerings and changes up the glass list frequently. So, if you’re looking for a quiet escape from the stress of daily life, pay them a visit. Visit www.camascellars.com (it’s under construction). Camas Cellars is a 21 and over establishment. 

Camas Cellars
Camas Cellars
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Downtown Camas November First Friday: ‘Thankful for Pie’ Theme

Downtown Camas will be celebrating gratitude for the season during the “Thankful for Pie!” themed First Friday on November 4. There will be pie raffles and tastings, gratitude activities, s’mores roasting, fall crafts, games, and the fan favorite Pie Walk Dance Party, with a selection of prize pies. This event also includes fall-inspired dining and cocktail specials, after hours shopping and art shows.

The Second Story Gallery, located upstairs at the Camas Library, will unveil the first exhibit from the newly formed Artisans’ Guild of Camas. The Guild strives to inspire enthusiasm for arts and crafts through education and exhibition opportunities, and they often participate in artful community engagement at Downtown Camas First Friday events. This exhibit, titled “The Gift of Art,” will feature 18 local artists in many different 2D and 3D mediums. Event goers can enjoy pie and an artist reception at the gallery from 5 pm-8 pm.

Additional activities include:

  • Pie Raffles in participating Downtown Camas businesses
  • Pie Tastings with the DCAat Fuel Medical building, 314 NE Birch
  • The Pie Walk Dance Party, sponsored by Carla Edwards, local Realtor, starting at 7pm with the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) in Journey Church, 304 NE 4th — win a delicious pie or other treat
  • S’mores Roasting (weather permitting) sponsored by IQ Credit Union
  • Fall Crafts for kids at LiveWell Camas, 417 NE Birch, and inside Journey Church  
  • Fill out the “Gratitude Passport” and be entered to win fall themed prizes from the downtown merchants
  • Art Shows & Receptions at Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th and Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar, in addition to the Second Story Gallery reception listed above.

Pick up your First Friday passport and activity list for the evening at the DCA tables in Journey starting at 5pm.

“This First Friday is such an incredible celebration of both gratitude and pie, and who doesn’t love pie?” says Carrie Schulstad, Executive Director of the Downtown Camas Association. “This event has something for all ages and truly brings people together in a way that they can support local, have fun together, and have tasty treats. We are so appreciative for our community that shops local during the holidays, and this event is a great way to kick that off.”

First Fridays are Art, Activities, Dining, and After Hours Shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and bring the community together. For all the information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/november-first-friday-thankful-for-pie  and www.facebook.com/camasfirstfriday

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2 Rivers Bar & Grill Revamps Summer Menu w/ Amazing New Dishes

Washougal, WA — 2 Rivers Bar and Grill has completely revamped their summer menu, which includes some amazing small plates, pastas, entrees and greens. Chef Max Whitmore, under the director of owner Michelle Ford, has worked with his team to create some delicious dining options that will please your palate, and ensure many returns.

“I shut down the restaurant for a month to rethink how we did everything; we shook things up,” said Ford. “We’re committed to being part of this great community.”

Whitmore was the chef at 360 Pizzeria and he brought several new ideas to 2 Rivers. 

Lacamas Magazine sampled several dishes, all of which had new twists on traditional cuisine, along with some pleasant surprises.

Small Plates

2 Rivers offers 10 appetizers that are great to eat alone or share. You could even order several and make a fun night with small plates. I sampled the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Clam Chowder, and Charred Carrots. 

The shrimp plate is served in a bowl, can almost be eaten like a soup, and has a little bite to it. After you’re done eating the delicious shrimp, you can soak up the sauce-like broth with the toasted baguette that complements the plate.

The Clam Chowder comes with fresh clams, bacon lardon, and jalapeño, and it was a surprising and different take on a traditional soup. We’ll go back and have that again for sure.

One to love vegetables, I had to have the Charred Carrots, which comes with whipped cream, spiced green sauce, and walnuts. Delicious!

Pastas

2 Rivers offers five pasta options, of which I sampled the Fennel Sausage Ragu.

The Fennel Sausage Ragu is presented quite nicely with housemade fennel sausage, roasted red peppers, fettuccini, oregano and parmesan. There’s enough yummies on this plate to share.

2 Rivers
Ragu and Fried Chicken.

Entrees

Six new entree options are available, and I sampled the Fried Chicken, which is served with housemate jalapeño cheddar cornbread, along with collard greens and guajilo honey. It’s total comfort food. 

I also sampled the Cast Iron Flank Steak, which comes with horseradish yogurt, roasted beets, fresh herbs and olive oil. The meat is prepared to perfection.

They also offer a full bar with an assortment of wines, beer and speciality cocktails. 

Located at 1700 Main Street in the heart of downtown Washougal at Washougal Town Square, 2 Rivers opens at 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. They close at 8 pm Tuesday through Thursday and at 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays.

2 Rivers

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Key Tips for Starting a Successful Pizza Shop

Opening any business is a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a pain if you start on the right foot. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having the right information. Read on to explore seven key tips for starting a successful pizza shop so you can get your shop up and running before you know it!

Design Your Menu

Have a solid menu to start with. Consider menu items that you know they will love and that you’re passionate about making. All your food must complement each other and work to have a general theme.

Have a Business Model

Before you open, you’re going to need a business plan so that you can know what is coming in and going out financially. You’ll need to keep track of your finances of how much you pay everyone, what inventory will cost you, rent for the property, taxes, etc. Once you have these aspects figured out, you will be well on your way to starting that pizzeria of your dreams.

Make a Brand

The key to any successful restaurant is in the name and logo, as these allow people to visualize your restaurant and remember your brand. Some companies even go so far as to have personal mascots!

Choose a Good Location

Location is everything with any business, but especially restaurants. Talk to any entrepreneur, and they will tell you the same thing. If you have a location with heavy traffic, you will know that locals will see you. If it’s not a friendly environment, people may not give you a chance. Your location must strike a balance between the right place and the right price before you deciding to invest.

Purchase Your Equipment

You will need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment to successfully run your pizzeria, such as a proper oven, inventory shelving, a walk-in cooler, etc. If you want to get food out quickly, consider investing in machinery too. For example, you can rapidly achieve the perfect pizza crust with a dough press machine. Planetary mixers and dough sheeters also allow you to get delicious food in front of your customers faster.

Employee Quality Staff

Another factor to be mindful of is who you hire. You’ll want to put potential candidates through the proper vetting process to ensure that you have the right staff. Your team is everything when you first start a business.

Sell and Market

The last thing left to do after you open is to sell and advertise your food. You might put your contact information on the napkins you give out or create business cards that you put on the front desk where people come to pay. You could even pay for extra advertisement methods to really get your name out there.

Starting a successful pizza shop takes plenty of hard work, but for those who love what they do, the process is often worth it. Follow this guide to get you started with the restaurant of your dreams!

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Camas Boutique Hotel Partners With Natalia’s Cafe For Breakfasts

Camas, WA — The Camas Boutique Hotel and Natalia’s Cafe, two iconic destinations in downtown Camas, have created a new partnership that blends the best of both enterprises, and provides customers a greater downtown Camas experience.

“We are now providing complimentary breakfast to Camas Boutique Hotel guests,” said Erica Slothower, owner of Natalia’s Cafe. “Hotel guests have several options marked ‘CBH’ on our menu. They just have to bring in their meal voucher, which is provided by the hotel, from 7-9 am daily and they’ll get a complimentary breakfast when they order anything from the menu marked ‘CBH’.”

“CBH” options include the following menu items:

  • CBH Morning Breakfast: Two eggs any style, served with hash browns and toast. $9 value.
  • CBH Mini Breakfast: One egg any style, alongside two strips of bacon or one sausage link, served with hash browns and one slice of toast. $9 value.
  • CBH Four Plain Crepes. $8 value. Add strawberries or blueberries, or raspberries and chocolate, or bananas and Nutella (add $4).
  • CBH Cinnamon Roll French Toast: 1 slice. $7 value

“We’re happy to partner with Natalia’s Cafe,” said Prashant Gupta, co-owner of the Camas Boutique Hotel. “They make excellent food and provide quality customer service, and Erica is the most hospitable and passionate partner.”

Gupta says this new partnership is part of ensuring each Camas Boutique Hotel guest has an optimum experience. He and business partner, Bobby Sachdeva, purchased the hotel a few months ago and continue to make improvements to the historic venue. 

“We want our guests to absolutely enjoy their time with us,” said Gupta. “We know they’ll love the food at Natalia’s Cafe.”

To learn more about the hotel, visit www.camasboutiquehotel.com

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Tifi’s Sweet Treats: 12 Year-Old Baker Goes Into Business

Camas, WA — Twelve-year-old Camas resident Stephanie Gonzales loves to bake so much she’s turned baking into a business. It’s called Tifi’s Sweet Treats.

The middle schooler has been baking for several years, and focuses on cupcakes, scones, cheesecake cupcakes, pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread), muffins, banana bread, and corn bread. 

“I’ve loved baking for the past few years,” she said. “People just tell me what they want and I make it. My mom taught me, and I’ve learned a lot on YouTube with shows like Natasha’s Kitchen, Domestic Geek, and Stay at Home Chef.”

For now, Stephanie’s sweet treat baking business can be reached at @tifissweetreats on Instagram.

“My aunt calls Tifi so that’s why we named the site Tifi’s Sweet Treats,” she said. 

She wants to start a website.

Her favorites are scones: strawberry and carrot. Her cheesecake cupcakes come in vanilla and chocolate, and she also loves making Funfetti cupcake. Her muffins are available in blueberry, banana, and chocolate chip.

To place your order just send her a DM via Instagram.

Sweet Treats
Pan dulce conchas.
Sweet Treats
Cupcakes by Tifi’s Sweet Treats.
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The Cove, Specializing in Seafood, Opens Its Doors Today

Vancouver, WA — The owners of The Hammond Kitchen and Craft Bar have done it again! This time, it’s called The Cove and the restaurant specializes in seafood. They’ve really done a remarkable job!

At Thursday’s sneak preview, we got to visit this exciting new venue, located at Vancouver’s Tidewater Cove (5731 SE Columbia Way) along the Columbia River, sampling their delicious cuisine while receiving impeccable service.

The modern style restaurant sits right at the Tidewater Cove marina and has stellar views.

Diners may select dishes from the raw bar, which features sushi, crab and shrimp towers, poki, fresh oysters and jumbo peel and eat shrimp.

I started off with their heirloom tomato Ceasar salad (arugula, fresh mozzarella, ceaser dressing, herb pesto, and grated reggiano parmesan). I really enjoyed it. The shrimp tower is exquisite (chopped poached shrimp, seasoned rice, avocado, mango, pickled ginger and aioli).

My entree the wood grilled ora king salmon (charred corn, spinach, asparagus pesto, chimichurri, and warm tomato salad). It’s excellent! 

There’s also a sophisticated wine list, delightful cocktails and beer on draft, along with soft drinks.

The Hammond’s Executive Chef is taking their reins at The Cove, and you will see some familiar faces there, as well. The food is excellent, and the location is a nice escape!

The Cove is open 3-9 Tuesday-Sunday.

Lunch isn’t offered at this time. Stay tuned for changes to the hours.

The Cove
King Orca Salmon.
The Cove
Heirloom Tomato Caesar salad.

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Tommy O’s At The Camas Hotel Offers New Year’s Brunch — 2 Days Only

Camas, WA — The team at Tommy O’s at the Camas Hotel invites you to ring in the New Year with some delicious brunch options — available this weekend only.

For two days, Friday Jan 1st and Saturday Jan 2nd, from 10 am-2 pm, Tommy O’s is offering six dishes, and four speciality drinks to help you celebrate 2021.

Here’s what they are offering:

  • Huevos Rancheros — Crispy tortillas layered with black beans, cheddar cheese, and rancheros sauce, topped with two eggs and finished with pico de gallo and sour cream.
  • Loco Moco — Hamburger patty, fried onions and steamed rice, smothered in brown gravy and topped with two eggs.
  • Veggie Scramble — three eggs scrambled with pepper, onion, and spinach. Served with your choice of steamed rice, hash browns, or breakfast potatoes.
  • Big Island Scramble — three eggs scrambled with pepper, onion, spinach, and Kalua Pork. Served with your choice of steamed rice, hash browns, or breakfast potatoes.
  • Hash House — (Featured image with kalua pork added) which is hash browns, provolone cheese, sautéed veggies, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo.
  • Kim Kam — (Featured image below) Pork belly friend rice topped with sautéed spinach and two eggs finished with teriyaki.

Add Kalua Pork, Spam, breakfast potatoes, hash browns, cheese, sour cream, pico, guacamole, or avocado to any dish!

Speciality drinks include Tropical Mimosas, Lilikoi Margarita, Tommy O’s Mai Tai, and Bloody Mary.

Call 360.833.0115 to preorder.

Tommy O’s
The King Kam. Pork belly fried rice with sautéed spinach and two eggs finished with teriyaki.

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Food + Dining Scene: Fermenter Takes Over Farm Spirit’s Portland Space

Portland, Ore. – Aaron Adams’ plant-based “beneficial bacteria emporium” known as Fermenter has moved from its original location and taken over the Farm Spirit space at 1403 SE Belmont St., streamlining both restaurant concepts into a single location. The converted space is now open for lunch, dinner, and Saturday brunch for take-out and delivery.

In its new 1,000 square-foot home, Fermenter continues its celebration of all things probiotic created in small batches and sourced from within 105 miles of Portland. The former Farm Spirit dining room has been converted into a delicatessen setting, offering guests soups, sandwiches, bowls, salads, provisions and sides ready to eat or to take out and prepare at home. 

Adams’ continues to make tempeh a focal point, serving it seared and warm in his dishes or selling it separately for cooking at home. Over 2020, he has broadened his vegan charcuterie, perfecting a tempeh bacon. House-made kefir, kombucha and ginger beer made popular with the temperance pairing at Farm Spirit dinners are available by the glass or in to-go growlers. Adams has also expanded Fermenter’s pantry provisions, stocking a refrigerated case with vegetable krauts, hot sauces, nut-based spreads, and plant-based cheeses. On Saturday mornings starting at 11:00 a.m., the menu expands to include breakfast items such as sweet and savory tartines, breakfast bowls and Proud Mary batch-brew coffee. 

“I opened Portobello in a coffee shop as a pop-up, so this is a very full circle moment for me right now,” says Adams, noting that this is the first time Fermenter or Farm Spirit will be serving coffee in its five-year history. “My goal is to be an oasis for the neighborhood and where people can pop in, say hi, and grab a nourishing bite to go. Preserving our sense of community is tremendously important right now.”

For the curious customer looking for a new culinary project, Adams is offering take-home kits for pickling, kraut- and kombucha-making, complete with instructions, crocks, and starter spores.

While letting go of the original tiny 660 square-foot space on SE Morrison St. connotes the end of a chapter in Farm Spirit’s history, Adams does plan to hold coursed dinners as soon as it is safe to do so. “Obviously there are a lot of external factors that would need to be addressed, but we’re looking forward to welcoming our Farm Spirit diners back as soon as we possibly can,” he says.

In the meantime, Adams has installed covered heated seating on SE 14th Street. Fermenter is open Wednesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Fermenter/Farm Spirit

Located at 1403 SE Belmont St. in in Portland, Ore., Fermenter and Farm Spirit serve plant-based, locally-sourced cuisine from the farms, fields and forests of the Cascadia region. Farm Spirit was twice recognized in 2019 for sustainability with the Good Food 100 Restaurants List and Zero Foodprint List.

Here is their website: https://www.restaurantji.com/or/portland/fermenter-/

Fermenter
Photos by Dina Avila.
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Champ Pizza Opens New Restaurant In Camas — For Take Out + Delivery

Camas, WA — Champ Pizza officially opened its third Clark County restaurant today in Camas at Lacamas Center on 3rd Avenue next to Dollar Tree.

”We’re pretty excited about this,” said managing parter, Tyson Cook. “This opportunity came pretty quickly and we jumped on it.”

Champ Pizza Camas is located in the former Little Caesar’s footprint, and they’re ready to go. Champ Pizza makes a quality pizza that’s ready fast with delivery and pickup options.

Hours:

  • 11-9 Sunday – Thursday
  • 11-10 Friday and Saturday

“We use 100 percent whole mozzarella cheese, we make dough daily made with buttermilk and Parmesan,” Cook said. “We bring in all our produce and slice it in house. We also offer premium meats — ham, pepperoni, sausage, bacon, etc. We don’t cut corners there. We pride ourselves on our service, we believe a customer deserves a quality pizza every time. We can deliver and be ready just as quickly as the competition. We will serve all of Camas and Washougal.”

And, they’re ready to get to know you. 

“We really want to be involved with the community and will continue our Athlete of the Month program,” Cook said. ”We will also give many teens an opportunity to have a good job.” 

Champ
Making dough.
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