Gourmet Lady Blog

A RESTAURANT REVIEW

Don't you think it would be fun to work as a restaurant reviewer?  Go from place to place, eat lovely meals, be critical and complimentary, and get paid for it?  I'd love it, but I'm too busy being the Gourmet Lady.  Today I'll just pretend to be a restaurant reviewer, and today's featured restaurant is Panache in Newport, Oregon.  This morning I was getting a manicure/pedicure in Newport, and my nail tech told me she already had customers singing praises of this new restaurant. 

Located kitty-korner from the Performing Arts Center, Panahce just opened their doors last Friday.  The owners, Linda and Tom, have been busy at work making everything JUST SO.  It's just very pretty, inside and out -- and even the potted flowers are within the gourmet food theme -- big purple cabbages that are very festive looking.  Inside is a cozy fireplace, beautiful wooden tables, linen tableclothes and napkins, subtle and thoughtfully chosen decor.  It's relaxing and soothing and comfortable. 

The wine list is excellent, and you can also find most of these excellent wines in my other store, The Wine Place in Yachats www.thewineplace.biz.  There was one I didn't recognize so I immediately tried a glass, some lovely Spanish wine that I must buy too, Marquis something-something-something.  OK, if I were getting paid for this review, I'd write down all the details.   There's only one wine by the glass with the word Marquis in it, it won't be hard to spot. 

Anyway -- the food was wonderful.  A tomato-based seafood bisque that was thick and savory and my dining companion and I kept saying mmmmmmmmmmmm.  We were celebrating my birthday, by the way, since October is my birthday month.  Next was a hamburger like no other hamburger I've ever had.  Smoked apple bacon, blue cheese, and a crusty roll and my own little dishes of mustard and ketchup.  Yes, I love ketchup and it was good on the seasoned french fries.  I had a dessert that was chocolate everywhere with raspberries on top and a piece of white chocolate, just to put me over the edge.  Service was friendly, genuine, happy and not intrusive.  Other items that looked interesting on the menu included a "seafood cheesecake."  The lunch choices are a smaller menu, dinner has more choices including steak -- looks excellent.  What can I say, even the ladies room was lovely.  Go check out this new place and tell them the Gourmet Lady sent you.

Panache is open Tues-Sat for lunch 11-2, dinner 5-9, and Sunday brunch too.  541-265-2929.  Located on Olive Street in Nye Beach, Newport, Oregon.