Colyn's Guide to Food, Drink, and Lodging

For your dining pleasure, there is much to sample in lovely Astoria -- especially if you like seafood! Yum.

If you like Starbucks, there is only one nearby and that's right across the bridge into Warrenton. They serve Starbucks coffee in the Safeway (on the East side of town), but the Safeway servers may be slow in trying to figure out exactly what you may be ordering. The diner Andrew & Steve's makes a good cup o' Joe, according to Onnie. But there are others places to visit get your caffeine fix.

Onnie and I like Andrew & Steve's, especially for breakfast. It's a small diner, but the food and coffee are good, and it's all quite reasonable.

The Pig n' Pancake has been described as "an overpriced Denny's with bad service." The Wet Dog Cafe & Brew Pub is tasty, with lots of fish on the menu.

For Mexican food, Onnie recommends Plaza Jalisco.

The Home Bakery is a family favorite for pasteries -- you'll find it on the East side of town heading out Rt. 30 towards Portland. It's a Finnish bakery most beloved by the Granados family. Tasty turnovers and danishes! They're not open Sundays so you'll need to plan your visit accordingly.

Visit the same link above for restaurants. The Hotel Elliott has a lovely European-feel wine bar in the basement (below the sidewalk), which you can get to from outside the hotel, in front of the florist. I'll check with them to see if they are open to the public and what hours.

As we won't be serving alcohol at the reception, due to Liberty Theater requirements, here are some options for any non-teetotalers:

Just a few feet from the McTavish Room entrance is the Schooner 12th Street Bistro. Inside you will find the Martini Bar, which should have any kind of drink you may want. And the Wet Dog Cafe, just a couple of blocks down (towards the waterfront) is also a brewery and is just down the street a couple of blocks. Because of the theater policies and our own preferences, we will not be serving alcohol at the party, so please help yourself to many of the fine establishments around town. They are also looking forward to your patronage!

You'll can walk to some of the hotels, but most are very close by even by car. There's a Best Western and Holiday Inn, as well as luxury and economy on both ends of the spectrum. Something for every checkbook, and some are right on the water. The Hotel Elliott is right across the street, and even though you may not stay there you might get a tour if you ask (it's recently be renovated and is pretty swanky.)

Rosebriar Inn B&B

http://www.rosebriar.net/

This is a very nice place. It's just up the hill from the theater and it has parking and good views. It used to be a convent and has a little garden and shrine. Beautiful dining area, lots of hard wood and stained glass. Gorgeous staircase. Comfy lobby for relaxing.

Rose River Inn B&B

http://www.roseriverinn.com/

Also a nice place. They were closed for cleaning when we were there, but looking inside we could tell it's a nice place (the website has good photos). Hardwood floors, big lobby, nice porch, homey atmosphere. Good views, too. They have a little dog that greeted us at the window, complete with a knitted sweater.

Clementine's B&B

http://www.clementines-bb.com/

This is a little more old-homey feel. I could suddenly imagine that I was back in 1895, complete with a bustled skirt and hat. Antiques galore. The style is a bit more Victorian Traveller. First floor lobby overlooks an unattractive government building. We didn't get up to see the rooms, so I'm hoping they look over and out towards the water. Steep staircase outside to the main door. Lovely garden, though. Just a short walk to the theater.

Grandview B&B

http://www.grandviewbedandbreakfast.com/
http://www.pacifier.com/~grndview/ (for pictures)

This one has an old Victorian English Tea feel to it. Comfy, bright little breakfast nook with china that has little birds and flowers on them. Good views towards the river. There's not really a lobby to hang out in and you'll need to walk up some stairs. The proprietor was a genuinely friendly woman who has been there for quite a while and liked chatting with visitors. Timing again prevented us from seeing the rooms, but they look comfy, though on the frilly pastel side.

Fort Stevens is a classic. They even have yurts! Onnie can give you a rundown as he has personal experience of camping there.