Enough About Lighthouses for Now, Let’s EAT!

After my weekend lighthouse crawl, it is now late Sunday evening, and I need to find a place to settle in for the work week.  Newport looks like a good option as it is a big enough town to guarantee a decent signal, as well as lots of access to conveniences.   I decide on the Newport Marina and RV Park under the famous Yaquina Bridge, another designed by bridge engineer Conde McCullough.   I like the idea of parking at a marina near the water alongside the boats.

Yaquina Bay Bridge, built 1936.

Yaquina Bay Bridge, built 1936.

It is now nearing sundown, and I have no reservations.  I’ve had no cell signal to call the marina office and make arrangements for late arrival.   So I am feeling a bit apprehensive.  The after-hours check-in process is posted on the front door, with pages that list the sites that are already taken on multiple sheets, and those reserved for late arrivals on another sheet.   But the “Maps” box is empty.    The main sites are listed at a higher price than the perimeter, which seems contrary to me.  And there is an annex even lower, but again, no maps!   Very confusing! So I snap a photo of the sites taken, and just take off through the park hoping to find a park host on duty who can help me with the different price locations.

As I am driving through the park, I see this couple looking right at me, and I assume they are the park hosts. I say aloud to myself, “GOOD!  I CAN USE A LITTLE HELP HERE!!”   As I slow down to greet them, I realize why they are looking at me….it is Chester and Linda from the Canyonville Rally!

As soon as I am settled in and hooked up, they come over to bring me a “Welcome packet,” complete with maps and a hand written note of their favorite things to see and do in town! A fortuitous encounter, indeed! Such nice people!   They invite me out to dinner, so we agree to visit their favorite local steakhouse , Szabo’s which has a Tuesday night special on 16oz Ribeyes for $11.00!   I haven’t had a steak in what feels like months, so this is a real treat.  (sorry, no photos…too busy yakking!) IMG_0647

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Excuse me sir? May I take your picture? You know…just for the Halibut?

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But the real lure of Newport is their local seafood.   It is a Seafood Mecca, as the entire bay is filled with fishing boats of all sizes,  with seafood processing plants like Trident right there on the docks.  Boats are hauling in Dungeness crabs the size of a dinner plate, halibut by the boatload, and Pacific cod fresh daily.   For a seafood lover like me, forget trying to stick to a budget, much less a diet!  I quickly realize I can’t try them all, otherwise my wallet is getting thinner as my waistline goes the opposite direction.

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Armed with Linda and Chester’s Favorites list, I also like to use Trip Advisor to find what other travelers have rated as their top restaurants in a destination.   Occasionally I will also view Yelp or Chowhound, but for me, Trip Advisor works as a “one stop shop,” showing me at a glance what both the top rated restaurants are, as well as the top attractions so I know I am not missing out on any “must see” places.

My first stop on arrival Sunday night is the Crab Shack at the south end of Yaquina Bridge.    It is one of those “fish market” type places with picnic tables and crab steamer pots outdoors.   One needs to allow extra time just to read through the menu, as they have so many choices from smoked oysters to wild caught salmon.   You name it, there is a combination basket to cover it!    I opt for the Halibut Fish and Chips, and it is fresh and flaky, so hot that steam escapes as I break the fish apart.  A bit pricey at $13 a “basket,” but sublimely fresh.DSC_0065 DSC_0064

Another highly rated Trip Advisor favorite is the Noodle Cafe.   I crave Asian food second only to southern fried chicken, so a top rated Asian restaurant right on the dock sounds like a sure bet to me.   Even the Crab Wonton advertizes “made with local Dungeness crab.”DSC_0067

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Jung Bong Spicy Seafood Broth, all time Korean favorite. Spicy scallion paprika broth, chinese noodles, large shrimps, scallop, calamari, and mixed vegetables

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Tiny car on the dock. ( Note size perspective to hand railing.)

But by far, my favorite is Local Ocean Seafoods.  This restaurant receives top billing as the best in Newport, and is the biggest “splurge” of all my choices, but also by far the best meal I have had in months!DSC_0891 DSC_0894 DSC_0898

For my appetizer, I chose the three Panko-buttermilk crusted Yaquina Bay oysters, paired with another Viognier.  These were the best fried oysters I have ever eaten!   For my main, I went with Fishwives Stew filled with crab, shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and fish in garlic herb tomato broth.  When the stew was served, I thought “why did they put those dinky little shrimp on top?” but later learned these are “Oregon pink shrimp” which are known for their sweet, delicate flavor.   This was a meal I would repeat over and over at any chance.

But enough about the food, let’s talk about the brew!   The Newport Marina and RV Park just happens to be right next door to the Rogue Brewery.  How very convenient.  😉   They offer brewery tours three times a day, at a charge of $5.  I have never been asked to pay for a brewery tour before, but let me just say that this one was “well served.”DSC_0968 DSC_0969 DSC_0971

Rogue Brewery prides themselves on not just craft brewing, but also a revolutionary philosophy.  So suffice it to say that their brewery tours are a little revolutionary as well.  One must walk through the brewery itself to get to the pub, where we are offered a 6 oz tasting before the tour even startsDSC_0973 DSC_0984

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Note the “still” on the left. They are brewing not only beer at Rogue, but also spirits.

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall...

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall…

My personal after-work beverage.

My personal after-work beverage.

We visit three different buildings starting with the brewery itself, then their “Rogue-sonian,” or museum where their custom-painted bottles are on display, and finally the distillery located alongside the marina.  So to reach all three locations, we all pile into the Rogue Express, which as you can imagine gets pretty entertaining after the third tasting….worth the price of admission!

Easier to get in the tiny train cars after a glass or two.

Easier to get in the tiny train cars after a glass or two.

The black kegs are their most popular "Dead Guy Ale."

The black kegs are their most popular “Dead Guy Ale.”

Oyster shooter with a splash of Rogue's Spruce Gin on top.

Oyster shooter with a splash of Rogue’s Spruce Gin on top.

Rogue also has a creamery, so they feature their Gourmet Three Cheese Grilled Cheese

Rogue also has a creamery, so they feature their Gourmet Three Cheese Grilled Cheese

Newport is a fun town with lots to offer, even if it weren’t for its two lighthouses…..Did someone say “LIGHTHOUSES??”

10 thoughts on “Enough About Lighthouses for Now, Let’s EAT!

  1. Darn you and your Food and Ale post. I’m trapped at work with peanut butter crackers and warm water, and I’ve got four hours to go!!! I need a beer and a deep fried fix NOW.
    I remember stopping there to eat. Then their gift shop nailed me for another 20 bucks…lots of very original bumper stickers. I’m wondering how many days you spread all those meals over? Be honest, now 🙂
    Box Canyon Mark

  2. WHAT….no lighthouses??!! Seriously good review of the food in that area though. Many, many spots we missed when we were there. More for the list. Now go visit the bloody lighthouses would you? 🙂

    Nina

  3. OMG!!!

    One needs to allow extra time just to read through the menu, as they have so many choices from smoked oysters to wild caught salmon.

    OMG!!!

  4. I love the bustling little sea town that is Newport. I stopped for some chowder and it was delicious. Thanks for posting. Love the pictures. Seems like Newport has changed and grown so much since we were there the first time. We stayed in the marina, as well. Fun to watch folks crab on the docks in the evening.

  5. It’s unfortunate that I am reading this in the middle of NM where I am not likely to find seafood that fresh within hundreds of miles! You also made me realize how many great places we missed out on when we were in town. We did make it to the Brewery, but arrived too late in the day for the tour, and had to “settle” for a tasting at the bar instead. Thanks to this post Newport is back on the list for a return visit!

  6. I tried very hard to feel satiated by all the pictures of that delicious food but it was useless. My mouth watered with every picture and description. Love the Rogue express I’ll bet that was a riot after the tastings. You sure are having a good time parked at a marina. Almost makes work seem worth it? Or not.

  7. Oh, Newport!! YES!!! A favorite – so many things to do and see. We didn’t go to the aquarium, and I have been sorry ever since. Will hit it next time – maybe soon! ;->

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

  8. BC Mark — There has to be some benefit for having to stop for a whole week, right? (Skinny man cannot live off peanut butter crackers!)

    Nina — I don’t know what came over me. Oh, hunger came over me. LOL! I am back on track now!

    Kim — Where were you at the plate of oysters in the last post? I thought I was going to get you back after tantalizing me last winter. LOL!

    Lisa — You should be here right in time for the salmon season!

    Hobopals — I thought Newport was a nice size, big enough to have lots of conveniences, but you are right, too much more and it could lose its charm.

    Amanda — Well, the bar at Rogue was a fun place too! You guys covered some great spots. Thanks for the Fort Steven’s recommendation where I am now (can’t get caught up on the blog!) Unfortunately the rain has met me here…

    Carolyn — Yes, I can see this would be your kinda town…especially in the historic bayfront area.

    Sherry — Yes, definitely worth it when I can park some place like Newport! When it is near the coal mines of Kentucky, not so much. 😉

    Judie — I didn’t have time to make it to the aquarium either, unfortunately. I heard it was really good. They have an octopus feeding I would have liked to see. Next time for us both!

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