Cocktailing: The Victory Shot

There are a few givens that can lead a man to drinking: divorce, death of a loved one, and the use of a voice-activated phone menu system. Even the most tolerant will find themselves throwing the phone across the room after they have had to repeat “check account” sixteen times to hear the same voice repeat again and again, “I’m sorry. I didn’t get that.” Succumbing to screaming, “No kidding you didn’t get that. You are a goddamn voice without a brain – so how could you possibly GET THAT?” You walk to the bar because nothing cures a broken soul like a cocktail.

Sitting on your barstool feeling slightly ashamed that you are the only person in the bar mid-afternoon, you start to wonder whose idiotic idea it was to have you clearly shout your account number and password repetitively into the phone. What was wrong with pushing the buttons? Obviously there is a lobby by Identity Thieves of America to keep up this practice, as there is no doubt they are all over Washington doling out gifts and promising senators favors to keep this system alive.

With winter seeming to kick back into gear here in mid-February it's time to put all those prematurely released spring ales on hold and keep our focus on the big brawny ales that will sustain us until it's time to exchange the long underwear for non-marine certified inflateables. Deschutes Brewery's recently released Hop Henge is the perfect candidate.

With winter seeming to kick back into gear here in mid-February it’s time to put all those prematurely released spring ales on hold and keep our focus on the big brawny ales that will sustain us until it’s time to exchange the long underwear for non-marine certified inflateables. Deschutes Brewery’s recently released Hop Henge is the perfect candidate.

See food?You may have inadvertently stumbled upon High Tides Seafood Grill, a
small unassuming spot on Bond, after running out of patience with the
hour-long wait at the Deschutes Brewery across the street. Or maybe you
were fortunate enough to get an inside tip from a generous local. But
if not, you may have missed it, and that's a shame. For over a decade,
High Tides has been quietly and consistently turning out quality
seafood in interesting preparations at reasonable prices for a growing
base of loyal customers and visitors lucky enough to have found it.
Possibly
because of the five-and-dime awning and storefront glass, the
restaurant appears very different from the outside than it feels on the
inside. That must be why it took me a couple of months after moving to
town to notice it and another few to walk through the door. Turns out
the dining room, flanked by walls painted to the ceiling with an
underwater scene dotted with little metal fish, is very pleasant and
even lively on busy nights with tables at the front that can be put
together for larger groups and high-backed wooden booths along the
sides for more intimate occasions. The service is as warm and amiable
as the space.

See food?You may have inadvertently stumbled upon High Tides Seafood Grill, a
small unassuming spot on Bond, after running out of patience with the
hour-long wait at the Deschutes Brewery across the street. Or maybe you
were fortunate enough to get an inside tip from a generous local. But
if not, you may have missed it, and that’s a shame. For over a decade,
High Tides has been quietly and consistently turning out quality
seafood in interesting preparations at reasonable prices for a growing
base of loyal customers and visitors lucky enough to have found it.
Possibly
because of the five-and-dime awning and storefront glass, the
restaurant appears very different from the outside than it feels on the
inside. That must be why it took me a couple of months after moving to
town to notice it and another few to walk through the door. Turns out
the dining room, flanked by walls painted to the ceiling with an
underwater scene dotted with little metal fish, is very pleasant and
even lively on busy nights with tables at the front that can be put
together for larger groups and high-backed wooden booths along the
sides for more intimate occasions. The service is as warm and amiable
as the space.