The Columbian

Dining Out

"Taprooms create a center of gravity," said Steve Stuart, who as city manager in Ridgefield has seen an increase in midweek downtown visitors who are there to visit Ridgefield Craft Brewing. In the evenings, people come from the boat launch.

Brewing up revitalization in Clark County’s downtown areas

August 14, 2022, 6:05am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Craft brewers, taprooms play important role in invigorating business in downtowns of Clark County’s cities Read story

Chick-Fil-A will get some chicken sandwich competition in Vancouver with Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers planning a location on Mill Plain.

Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers plans Vancouver location, first in Washington

August 8, 2022, 3:08pm Business

Clark County’s chicken lovers can rejoice with the addition of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers coming soon to Vancouver. Read story

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground specializes in tapas. Pictured here are gazpacho, a meat-and-cheese plate and a wine flight.

Battle Ground Village restaurants offer flavors from around the world

August 5, 2022, 6:03am Clark County Life

I haven’t dined on tapas in Madrid, relished lamb shanks in red-wine sauce in Athens or sipped from a pilsner-filled beer stein in Germany. Read story

Di Tazza's caramel cheesecake drink features foam.

Clark County warming up to cold foam drinks

July 29, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

An airy wave of cold foam drinks drifted into Vancouver this summer. Some spots offer a couple of carefully calibrated options, while others serve a free-for-all of customized whipped dairy and non-dairy milks to cover whatever suits your fancy. Read story

Raise a glass as beer fests return to downtown Vancouver

July 28, 2022, 6:04am Clark County Life

After a pandemic pause, two festivals offering a chance to drink adult beverages in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park return this summer. Read story

Order like a critic at restaurants with advice from Clark County food writer

July 22, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

After writing about food for six years, I’ve developed a method for figuring out what to order at a restaurant. Like any system devised by a human being, it isn’t foolproof but is often effective. Read story

Camas Slices kitchen manager Joshua Decker pours a beer Tuesday at Camas Brewing Co.

Camas Brewing Co. opens, pours ‘easy drinking’ beers

July 13, 2022, 6:08am Business

When friends and Camas Slices owners John Strocko and Eric Duensing opened Camas Brewing Co. last year, they turned to another set of friends to produce the beer to go with their pizza. Read story

The deli cases at La Bottega in Vancouver offer a variety of olives, cheeses and meats.

Pick the perfect picnic pack for a Clark County outing

July 8, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

The weather has been bonkers. April and May felt like winter, and then June sporadically roared like a furnace. Packing a picnic this summer requires preparing for all eventualities. Here are a few spots in Vancouver’s Uptown Village to fill your basket, whether you encounter searing sunlight or pouring rain. Read story

Rick Browne, former Ridgefield resident and author of several cookbooks, coordinated the barbecue contest that's part of ilani's BBQ Fest this weekend.

Author Rick Browne cooks up BBQ Fest with ilani

June 24, 2022, 6:00am Clark County Life

Celebrity chefs including Todd English, Alton Brown, Robert Irvine and Kevin Bludso are headlining ilani’s BBQ Fest this weekend. Read story