Saturday,  March 22 , 2025

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Photo of Rachel Pinsky

Stories by Rachel Pinsky

Columbian freelance food writer

The pastry case at Al & Ernie’s Bakery Cafe in Battle Ground displays cardamom buns, cinnamon rolls and Earl Grey scones.

Al & Ernie’s Bakery Cafe gets bagels right in Battle Ground

The pastry case at Al & Ernie’s Bakery Cafe in Battle Ground displays cardamom buns, cinnamon rolls and Earl Grey scones.

December 20, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

A seaside vacation inspired Joylyn and Devin of Al & Ernie’s Bakery Cafe to make bagels. Read story

Dead by Dawn Pastry Stout from Trap Door Brewing.

Clark County breweries tap into dark, delicious porters and stouts for wintertime sipping

Dead by Dawn Pastry Stout from Trap Door Brewing.

December 13, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Winter in Clark County is the perfect time to shift from hoppy IPAs and light pilsners to darker more malt-centric brews like stouts and porters. Read story

Deewani handi, malai kofta, and rice.

Daawat A Ishq in Orchards offers scratch-made dishes for all palates

Deewani handi, malai kofta, and rice.

December 6, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

John Sharma and Sunitika Vashishat found many of their customers crossed the bridge from Vancouver to enjoy fresh, flavorful Indian food at their Portland restaurant, Daawat A Ishq, so they decided to open a second restaurant on this side of the Columbia River. Read story

Bleu Door offers a variety of pies.

Dining in or taking out, it’s turkey time in Clark County; find the meal you’re looking for

Bleu Door offers a variety of pies.

November 22, 2024, 6:07am Clark County Life

Thanksgiving seems to have appeared out of nowhere, like a wild turkey fleeing a shotgun blast. Don’t panic. Here are places to get holiday meals without having to dirty a roasting pan. Read story

Garlic bacon smash from Smashed Cheese is with provolone, bacon, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and roasted garlic and onion jam.

Smashed Cheese food truck offers a fresh take on burgers in Vancouver

Garlic bacon smash from Smashed Cheese is with provolone, bacon, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, mayo and roasted garlic and onion jam.

November 15, 2024, 6:08am Clark County Life

While making breakfast burritos for her family during the pandemic, Michelle Tomerlin had a revelation. After 15 years of running a housecleaning business, she didn’t find it challenging. She wanted to open a food truck. Burgers and tacos are her favorite foods. Since there are so many taco trucks in… Read story

Shinsen Sushi & Lounge’s Chef’s signature rolls include the Waterfront Roll and Mr. Sakai Roll.

Shinsen Sushi rolls into Waterfront Vancouver with fresh fish and showy cocktails

Shinsen Sushi & Lounge’s Chef’s signature rolls include the Waterfront Roll and Mr. Sakai Roll.

November 8, 2024, 6:03am Clark County Life

Over the past several decades, sushi, like bottled water, has shifted from a delicacy for the elite to a commonplace item sold at Safeway and Fred Meyer. Low-cost sushi rolls stuffed with veggies and fake crab doused with mayo-based sauces have created the idea that sushi should be inexpensive. But… Read story

Recluse Brew Works in the Port of Washougal hosts a rotation of food pop-up shops.

Low-key launching pad: Recluse Brew Works is tapping into the Clark County food scene

Recluse Brew Works in the Port of Washougal hosts a rotation of food pop-up shops.

October 25, 2024, 6:09am Business

A local food scene doesn’t just happen. Certain things need to be in place to allow talented would-be chefs to thrive. For years, the Vancouver Farmers Market has offered space for people to start their businesses. The Second Mile Marketplace has provided a commercial kitchen. Now relative newcomer Recluse Brew… Read story

Cariño Coffeehouse in downtown Vancouver serves cafe de olla and pan dulce, above and Mexican mocha, at top.

Cariño Coffeehouse on Main Street is a warm taste of Mexico in downtown Vancouver

Cariño Coffeehouse in downtown Vancouver serves cafe de olla and pan dulce, above and Mexican mocha, at top.

October 18, 2024, 6:03am Business

When their father died, Melissa Mancillas took in her teenage sister, Janelle Almanza, and raised her. As years went by, the sisters became best friends. Now with their Mexican coffee shop, Cariño Coffeehouse on Main Street in downtown Vancouver, they’re business partners. Read story

Trap Door Brewing offers a flight of four fresh-hop beers for $13.50.

The hoppier the better: Time for a tasting tour of fresh-hop harvest at Vancouver’s taprooms

Trap Door Brewing offers a flight of four fresh-hop beers for $13.50.

October 11, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

The two largest hop growing areas in the United States are in the Willamette and Yakima valleys, which has made the Pacific Northwest a beer destination. From mid-August to late September, local brewers rush to fetch these fragile fresh hops straight from farms to create special fresh-hop seasonal brews through… Read story

Oak Tree Station in Camas offers both inside and outside seating for year-round dining.

Camas food cart pod Oak Tree Station features 20-plus eateries, craft beers and a family-friendly vibe

Oak Tree Station in Camas offers both inside and outside seating for year-round dining.

October 4, 2024, 6:08am Business

When I moved here a decade ago, I was fascinated by the food cart pods in Portland. Since then, many people have told me they planned to build similar ones in Vancouver but none of that scale have materialized. When I heard a food truck pod with a taproom and… Read story