Best of Clark County 2011: NIGHTLIFE & FUN
BREWERY/BREW PUB: McMenamin’s
If you need a place to meet for a quiet lunch with a view, great food or to meet a friend for a pint of brew, Clark County has several choices of great places that brew their own ales and beers. The nod goes to McMenamin’s this year, for the good food, cleanliness, and the tator tots!
Comments from our readers:
"The atmosphere is good and so are the tator tots!"
"Great food, beer & outdoor patio seating!"
"Very good food selection with fresh chioces and good beer with a clean nice restaurant."
"Ruby beer :)"
WINNER: McMenamin’s on the Columbia, 1801 S.E. Columbia River Dr., Vancouver, WA 98661, (360) 699-1521; McMenamin’s East Vancouver, 1900 N.E. 162nd, Ste. B107, Vancouver, WA 98684, (360) 254-3950
RUNNERS UP: Hazel Dell Brew Pub, Laurelwood, Salmon Creek Brew Pub
HAPPY HOUR: Beaches Restaurant
Happy Hour is a time to network, relax, revive friendships and celebrate the end of the day, usually at bargain prices! Pick your atmosphere in this area: contemporary sophistication, surfboards and palm trees, river views, sports bars, or, of course, the beach!
Beaches Restaurant is a perennial favorite day or evening in Vancouver, and that makes them this year’s Best Of.
Comments from our readers:
"Cheap eats and a nice view. Always busy!"
"Great selection, friendly people, and lots of fun."
WINNER: Beaches Restaurant, 1919 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver, (360)699-1592, and their new location in the Portland International Airport.
RUNNERS UP: LaPellah, Tommy O's, Applebee's
SPORTS BAR: Big Al's
So, you want a fun evening with a lot of variety, colorful atmosphere and great food and drink? Vancouver’s selection is varied, but Big Al’s is the one that was voted tops in 2011. Huge bowling alley, video game arcade, grill, and available for parties, too! Other popular options with our voters include the new Buffalo Wild Wings and Main Event. Comments from readers:
"Awesome seating in bar and great TV's."
"Good food, large screens to watch all the games. A large selection of beers and liquor. A good place to watch any game."
"It's huge!"
"Fascinating… Good and interesting food and drink!"
WINNER: Big Al's, 16615 SE 18th St., Vancouver, WA 98683, (360) 944-6118.
RUNNERS UP: Buffalo Wild Wings, Main Event
DATE RESTAURANT: Galeotti's
A romantic, relaxing atmosphere, great food that is well prepared and a solid wine list make for a wonderful evening with that special person. Galeotti’s in Battle Ground has the nod from Clark County’s voters for their family run, locally owned fine dining and wine bistro.
Comments from our readers:
"Great atmosphere, great service, great food."
"Wine list is amazing, ambiance is so warm and romantic."
"Delicious menu items, atmosphere, fabulous wine selection, and personal service, and the welcoming presence of the Galeotti family make this a perfect place to celebrate any special event."
"It is wonderful and quaint, a perfect place to take your date! The ‘sphere is intimate, it includes a lovely fireplace– the service is individualized, and the wine selection and unique handcrafted desserts are wonderful complement to any date night, any celebration!"
WINNER: Galeotti's, 801 East Main Street, Battle Ground, (360) 666-4877.
RUNNERS UP: Beaches, La Pellah, Roots, Tommy O's.
MOVIE THEATER: Cinetopia
Cinetopia easily outpaced other theaters in the area. We’ll just let our voters say why:
"The comfy seats (with footrests) and food/wine service in the movie theater can't be beat."
"Movies... food... comfort... and the option of choosing a theatre WITHOUT kids!"
"I don’t mind paying a little more so I can enjoy some delicious gourmet food and little wine while I am watch a movie! Puts all other movie theaters to shame!"
"An exceptional movie experience every time. Good variety of movies, reasonable prices on food and beverages. Good service."
"Love the Living Room Theater where you can order in dinner. The chairs are comfy and relaxing, love the ottomans for our feet, and the sound and picture are perfect."
"Cinetopia provides seating you can get comfortable in along with extra room in the isles if getting up in the middle of a show is needed. The 3-D experience here is great! We don't like to go anywhere else."
WINNER: Cinetopia, 11700 SE 7th St., Vancouver 98683, (360) 213-2800, toll free (877) 608-2800
RUNNERS UP: Battle Ground Cinema, City Center Regal, Vancouver Plaza
WINERY: Rusty Grape
Wineries are a huge business in Washington state, and are growing into a large industry of quality products in Clark County. In addition, they provide entertainment, food and friendship to a growing number of wine lovers in the area. The Rusty Grape’s friendliness, hospitality, and fun-loving atmosphere make it this years Best Winery.
Comments from our readers:
"Their commitment to involving the local community with an ever increasing variety of events and activities promotes not only Clark County’s growing wine presence and the wineries represented, but displays that we here have a variety of options that are every bit as competitive with those of Oregon and eastern WA wines. Rusty Grape is run by great people producing a great product!"
"This is our "go to" date night. Always something happening from Wednesday night on. Music, food, movies on the lawn, and always great wine to complete the experience! Jeremy and Heather are wonderful hosts and create an atmosphere where we can come, hang out, and it's always warm and welcoming."
"Great people! Lovely tasting area, wonderful patio and fireplace to sit by. They bring in live music and local food. They make great pizza on wed nights too!"
WINNER: The Rusty Grape, 16712 NE 219th St., Battle Ground, WA, (360) 513-9338
RUNNERS UP: Bethany's, Gouger Cellers, English Estates Winery
