What an unexpected culinary highlight during today's intense Seahawks-Chargers showdown! Amidst the…read moregridiron action, I decided to indulge in an order of the Smoked Gouda and bacon Mac and cheese bites, and I must say, they were nothing short of a revelation. Typically, deep-fried mac and cheese appetizers can be hit or miss, often leaning towards the 'miss' side - dry, bland, and tasting like repurposed, hastily breaded leftovers. My expectations, honestly, weren't sky-high. However, these bites defied all negative preconceptions. From the first bite, it was clear these were crafted with care. The exterior boasted a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust, giving way to an astonishingly rich and velvety interior. The distinct, smoky notes of the Gouda cheese were prominent, mingling beautifully with generous, savory pieces of real bacon. The pasta itself was perfectly cooked, bathed in a creamy, luxurious cheese sauce that was far from the usual pasty, artificial texture. They weren't just good; they were absolutely amazing, transforming a standard game-day snack into a truly gourmet experience. Consider my appreciation for fried mac and cheese bites entirely recalibrated!

The Stanwood is as classic and historic as a dive bar can get, and you feel it in your bones here…read more You can almost see them, the echos of farmers, fishermen, lumberjacks and merchants from long ago bellying up to the worn, woody bar, playing cards at the tables, listening to music and local gossip as they smoked, spit and drank by the fireplace on dank northwest evenings of old. My memories here only stretch back a few decades, as a struggling musician playing the occasional show here back in the 90's and early Aughts, when they had local music nights. Stanwood seemed an exotic northern cowtown to this Seattle punk in those days. But the woody, ghosts-and-grit vibe enchanted me even then. Now it's a local hang. So cool. It's the only place in town with a pool table, and it's an uneven, wonderfully funky relic with mysterious, erm, attributes (mind the beam). There's an electronic dart board too, and a "beer garden" (read: outdoor area where you can smoke and drink) in warmer months, for those who haven't yet figured out that smoking is unhealthy and makes you stink. But: there it is. Adults only. Put your phone away. Talk to people. Eat and drink things that you probably shouldn't, and soak it in. The food is decent, no frills bar food, and your bartender (if you're lucky, Amy - she does a fine job) is usually also your cook, so have patience. The drinks are reasonably priced, and I recommend sticking with traditional mid-shelf cocktails and beer, and avoiding the foo-foo frozé stuff and sugary "specials". Those are just headaches in a glass, friend... For lovers of old, haunted places and classic dives, The Stanwood Hotel and Tavern is your huckleberry! Stop by, and see if you don't leave a little of your soul behind here too. You might see me and my gal shooting pool, and laughing about how the cue ball seems to wander off in its own sometimes, especially around that one old reddish stain...

This place has become a go to spot for me when I want to hit up late night happy hour! The…read morebartender Jillian is super sweet and so personable every time I go in. The vibe is very moody and dark, a true classic jazz type lounge feel with dried flowers on every table and a cute little lamp to really give you the feeling of having your own little world at the table The drinks are phenomenal, they have a great variety and Jillian is not afraid of making something off menu for her regulars (pre tested drinks of course). My favorite so far has been the chocolate cherry martini

Swing in before we visit the Lincoln Theater. Fun drink selection in a very cozy establishment…read more Finding a seat may be an issue and service is at a slower pace. Have only ever ordered appetizers but we're always good.

What a fun and unique experience for a salon! It's got dance- club vibe with its decor, music and…read moreeven a disco ball bathroom. I went midday. There were only a few patrons having drinks. I enjoyed petting the pups and a glass of wine during my visit. Jesse was great about communicating with me about my hair cut preferences and executed well. I bet this place gets busy later with the dance floor and good sound system.

Went to the bar a few weeks ago and the staff running karaoke was incredible rude to our group,…read moreeven ended up promoting a fight and immediately called the police. They even encouraged other patrons to join in. Will not be returning to the bar and wouldn't ever consider getting my hair or my wife's hair done there due to the staff issues. Hot heads and liars. Wouldn't suggest going unless you're ready for bloody knuckles and expensive drinks. Update: found out someone broke their wrist as a result of the staff escalation

We visited for a bachelorette last weekend and had a good time at the restaurant. Michael's service…read morewas great, and he patiently answered all our queries and gave us suggestions, as a result of which we had a really great time. We focused mainly on the appetizers. The nachos were tasty, and the candied jalapeños were absolutely addictive. The olive oil focaccia bread with pesto and butter was also quite good. The spaghetti was enjoyable, and the fries were exceptionally fresh and salty! As for the drinks, we loved the Passion Coconut Dream, Rouge Royal, and the Spicy Margarita!

Quality/Quantity - Got here early and ended up in your tasting room which started as a 5 star…read moreexperience; see my other reviews. After a few tastings we finally made it here for Happy Hour. And of course I got the wine flight; see my pictures. I actually should NOT have gotten this as we ended up doing another tasting after dinner back in the tasting room; again, see my other Yelp reviews. Washington Salad - See my picture, nothing special... Mushroom Toast - Looked and tasted just like our salad... Tuesday Special. Salumi Bolognese - Just okay. 50% off pasta today. Pommes Frites - Again, nothing special. NOT good or bad. In summary, you can skip dinner here but do go to the tasting room. Ambiance - A nice location, both indoor and outdoor seating. Bar seating is also available. Beautiful restaurant. Plenty of parking. Open 7 days a week; see Yelp or their website for hours. HH available from 2:30pm to 5pm, and all day Thursdays. Weekend brunch - 11am to 4pm. Daily specials - See their website. Service - Our waiter did not seem engaged... Or was he just new? But the bartender was obviously experienced and very good. If I caught this early, I would have moved us to the bar. Price - $55 + tip; more expensive than it was worth. The prices are NOT expensive, but I felt we got less than we paid for. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1992 and with all your locations. I am a loyal D2 drinker!

Just went to the bar for some drinks and listen to some live music. Had 3 different whiskey drinks…read more Bartender, wish I remembered his name, nice dude, recommended the Winters Calling. Love it. Then had a Whiskey Sour and finally The Grand Desire. Nothing came close to that Winters Calling though. Very unique drink. Also got to sit and listen to some of the most angelic voices I've heard in a long time. It was a nice, chill place where I could escape for a bit. Definite highlight on my trip from Seattle.

The Pacific Lounge is a great place to meet friends and coworkers near the heart of Victoria. The…read morelounge is replete with tons of cozy loungers and is illuminated as such that u may carry on discrete conversations while enjoying a beer or single malt. Despite the convenience of this being primarily a hotel bar, I would recommend this for locals seeking a waypoint as they make their way to the abundant local culture - be it the parliament building, bay, or BC museum.

They have more than just whiskey! Popped over for a drink or two solo at the bar top and was…read moregreeted right away. I was looking for champagne, which they had an unfamiliar brand but it was really light, more on the dry side, and crisp - exactly what I was looking for! The bartender was informative and kept busy during my time there. The ambiance is warm and loungey with lots of different seating options. Some facing the hotel lobby for people watching, a couple of intimate booths, group seating around the fireplace, and bar top seats. A group came in for whiskey, and played board games that were available in the seating area. The holiday decorations made it cozy and the perfect spot to read a book while sipping on a good champs!

Stopped in before the Soul Asylum show. Live music was awesome. Lounge layout has something to be…read moredesired. Not much room to order a drink and with only two staff and no floor service, less of a lounge and unfortunately more of a bar feel. Great selection off the menue... just have to locate one. Bartenders were nice but over taxed. Comfortable chairs and nice place to relax.

We went on a Wednesday night after seeing a bingo sign posted outside, and are so glad we did!…read moreEveryone was super friendly, and there was a great selection of drinks. There was a lot to do aside from the bingo, including darts, beer pong, and free pool. It was connected to the little bakery next door which stayed open late to allow people to order food from there, which was nice! Overall, a great place to chill!

First time here to see a comedian (Andrew Rivers-pretty funny). We don't typically go to bars, so…read moreweren't sure what to expect. Super nice and friendly folks. Bar in the front, set up chairs on what is apparently a dance floor. Performers were on a small stage in the back. Interesting setup where you can get food from the place next door--kind of like a starbucks/barnes & noble setup. This seemed fine until folks started to come in for drinks, at which point it got hard to hear the performers. I hear the place has new owners. TBH, it could use some sprucing up. The plaster is quite literally falling off the ceiling in a couple spots. None of us used the restrooms, so not sure what shape they are in. All in all, I'm glad it's available as an option, and hopefully the new folks will see fit to spruce it up a bit.

Solid food and fast service. The meal came out semi-quickly, which was great. I ordered the chicken…read morepesto Pedro sandwich with a side salad. The food itself was solid and well-prepared, but I really wish they offered a better variety of side options to pair with that specific meal. Overall, it's a dependable spot for a quick, quality bite!

Food: Delicious Service: Friendly, accommodating waiters…read more Ambiance: Cheerful and upbeat quiet conversations. On warm days high windows are open to a cool breeze.

Full disclosure, I am not a smoker. Every two weeks me and guys head here on a payday to hang out…read more They all enjoy cigars and I have a Long Island ice tea. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable on helping my buddies get the smoke of their choice. I have no problem having this has a hangout spot after a long day of work.

I'm really torn about this place…read more When we first walked in, we were warmly greeted, which made a great first impression. The cigar shop inside the venue was excellent -- the staff member was kind, knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely helpful. The bartender was also friendly, and the drinks were very good. Unfortunately, that's where the positives ended for me. As someone who's fairly new to the cigar world, I expected some smoke, but the air quality was extremely rough. Even the seasoned cigar smokers I was with commented on how hard it was to breathe. We asked if they could turn up the HVAC system, which they did, and it helped somewhat, but it still wasn't enough to make the space comfortable. My biggest issue, however, is the lack of compassion shown toward customers -- especially in how negative reviews are handled. The responses to criticism are surprisingly aggressive and defensive. Instead of acknowledging feedback or trying to improve, reviewers are often insulted, berated, and even told not to return. That kind of response is shocking and unprofessional. Most people are simply offering honest opinions as customers, not attacking the business. Whether it's the owners or whoever manages their social media, this approach needs serious reconsideration. Telling customers not to come back because of constructive criticism is not a sustainable or respectful business model.

Fun time, cool brews, friendly service. Flip flip bing bing good times for the body table…read moreaficionados out there! Make your way here to scratch that pinball itch. Lots of good food in the strip mall to compliment and augment the evening, and they're happy to accommodate take-out food. Taps and cans offer something for everyone. Recommended!

This place is legit and one of the pest pinball spots i've been to in Washington. The machines were…read morein great shape and well maintained, and there was a great variety. Service at the bar was great, music was good, and added a nice layer on top without overwheleming the sound of the machines