Entertainment

Everett Washington’s Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub

/ Roadtirementvintage / 18 Comments

This morning Sher and I and our daughter were off to a nearby Walmart for our (gulp) annual flu shots and another COVID booster, per doctor’s recommendations. Got the “needle sticks” done and then we went and picked up our son-in-law and our grandson. Our daughter suggested we head for an Irish Pub and American Grill named Shawn O’Donnell’s.

The storefront of the Everett O’Donnell’s, the first of the chain

Interesting interior design

The center bar

 

 

 

 

 

We got to the pub right at 11:15 and were seated immediately. We were probably a bit ahead of the lunch crowd. The decor of this restaurant has a definite Irish flavor, expected from a family owned business started by the grandson of Irish immigrants.

The Full Irish Breakfast

Corned Beef Benedict with smashed potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

The fare at Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub is very tasty, and does have some interesting items not commonly found on most menus. The smashed potatoes are just that: yellow gold Yukon potatoes cooked and then literally smashed near flat. The biscuits are very unique, named Soda Farls and served with raspberry jam. Yummy!

Bacon Lover’s Scramble

Smashed potatoes with 2 Soda Farls w/ jam

 

 

 

 

 

The service, coffee and of course the food was excellent at this fun Irish Pub. Shawn O’Donnell built this facility in 2006 after several years in the restaurant business. Currently there are five locations in and around Everett, including one in far eastern Spokane. Our server told us that plans are in the works for expansion into other states. Any community would benefit if a  Shawn O’Donnell’s  located there.

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Return to the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish

/ Roadtirementvintage / 9 Comments

Sher and I first patronized the Oxford Saloon in Snohomish, Washington in the fall of 2014. We had driven from Indiana in our new RV to the Seattle area as our daughter and son-n-law were expecting their first child. Being the dotting grandparents we are, we had to be there for that blessed family event!

Stunning scenery on the way to Snohomish

The classic 1900’s exterior of the Oxford

We had been antique shopping along Main Street in Snohomish, a lovely little town north of Seattle. Needing a break we stopped at this interesting looking old bar named the Oxford Saloon. We split a basket of hand cut fries and enjoyed a couple of sodas. Thus began our love affair with the Oxford.

Enjoying our custom made drinks

Every bar needs a moose…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sher and I went with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson Tuesday afternoon late. We got there in time for Happy Hour, and our server Jenny made special “Christmas Season” drinks just for us. Not only were drinks a special price but all of the appetizers were also $2 off. We had been seated when we noticed several folks with guitar cases coming into the bar. We had picked Open Mic Tuesday.

Delicious fare: Burger & fries, Fish & Chips, Mac & Cheese, Potato skins, Loaded Jalapenos and Pretzel bites with beer cheese

All of our food was most delicious. Sher and our daughter enjoyed the appetizers, our grandson loved his burger and fries, and I absolutely relished my 3 piece Fish n Chips. I’ve been looking forward for this! (Every time we have visited over the past 8 years, we always make it a priority to enjoy visits to the Oxford.)

The place was full!

Good music!

 

 

 

 

 

At six the first pair of musicians took the stage.  By that time the place was packed with people. The crowd was lively and very nice and friendly. This bar has such a wonderful atmosphere, no judgement, be yourself, be accepted and have fun.

B&W sometimes works best

There is that creepy doll, a fascinating story

Back in January, 2020 Sher and I were fortunate to have a private tour given to us by Rebecca Caden, General Manager of the Oxford Saloon. We both have interests in the paranormal, and the Oxford is one of the most haunted places in the state of Washington. Rebecca was kind enough to provide us a tour of all three stories of the Oxford including the history of the hauntings in each building area where sightings were observed. This link will take you to our post detailing that tour. Check it out, you will find it very interesting.

All in all, we cannot say enough about what a wonderful facility you will find in The Oxford Saloon and Eatery. Becoming “regulars” at the Oxford is a goal that we would love to obtain. Yes we really love this place and truly enjoy the food, staff, and of course the live music. Special hats off to Jenny who served us well.

Went to a sushi belt, not a sushi bar

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

The entrance signage

Tonight Sher and I had an experience new to both of us. Our daughter, son-in-law and grandson took us to a sushi restaurant set up like we had never seen before. Named the bitty fish sushi, it is not a sushi bar, but a sushi belt.

The sushi items offered were like most sushi places, with a variety of protein and vegetarian and vegan ingredients. What was different for us was the conveyor belt that was constantly moving. On the belt were circular metal pieces that held plates with the different menu items, each covered with a clear domed cover.

You simply picked what items you wanted, took them off the conveyor and enjoyed them. It was easy to share, and each plate had four individual pieces of sushi.

Other plates ready to go on the belt

Wide variety, some already consumed!

 

 

 

 

 

Sesame noodles

Another view of the conveyor

The restaurant also had soups, salads, teriyaki chicken and rice, fresh fruits and other ala carte dishes. We found this to be a most enjoyable dining experience, one new to Sher and I. It was fun sharing the different kinds of sushi, the drinks were good and the service was also outstanding. The bitty fish sushi was located in Alderwood Mall in Lynwood, Washington.

McMenamins Mill Creek, Washington Pub and soccer

/ Roadtirementvintage / 12 Comments

Sher and I had a wonderful Friday evening out with our daughter, son-in-law and of course our 8 year old grandson. The evening started out with his first soccer game of the season at the local YMCA. What fun, especially since his team won their opener by a score of 5 to 2.

Afterwards we went to a very nice pub, McMenamins Mill Creek. This is what it is, from their website: “McMenamins has been a neighborhood gathering spot throughout Oregon and Washington since 1983. We handcraft our own beer, wine, cider, spirits and coffee. We offer an eclectic mix of pubs, historic hotels, movie theaters, concert venues, spas, events, onsite shopping and just pure fun—join in!”

Well stocked bar

Our grandson wanted a dish of ice cream, Sher wanted a seasonal/fall apple drink, the kids had favorite brews they liked, and I was as yet undecided. Oh, those pretzels were delicious.

Sher enjoyed her seasonal libation, Autumn Apple

Two orders of the warm pretzels and hot cheese

I took a large drink of RC as soon as the glass hit the table!

Well, once we got seated I learned that this pub had Royal Crown Cola on tap. Yes, on tap! RC Cola is my absolute favorite soft drink, and to find it on tap was just an extra treat. Our waiter brought me a refill as soon as he saw my glass was getting empty.

Fun decor over our booth

We had a wonderful time on an evening of watching our grandson playing soccer followed by a relaxing time in the pub enjoying pretzels, ice cream and drinks with family. It doesn’t get any better.

Flying to Seattle

/ Roadtirementvintage / 9 Comments

We finished a fun filled visit with family in Ohio, both Columbus and Cleveland area, and then it was off to Seattle for more family good times.

The airport is nearby

The John Glenn Columbus International Airport was our departure airport. It was not at all crowded, and we had no waiting to get through the security check point. This time we did not have to open any bags, nor did we have to put computers or other devices separately on those trays.

ID label was missing from this statue

Fresh chilled salads in this machine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They like their history filled time capsules in this airport!

A time capsule for 2029

This sealed 1981, no open date listed

 

 

 

 

 

We flew Alaska Airlines non-stop from Columbus to Seattle.

Taxiing to takeoff

Airborne, heading West


Our flight departed early and arrived early. It was reasonably smooth, although the landing was a bit harsh. We are ready for Seattle and our family here. We’ll keep you posted on some of the things we’re planning.

 

Local Cantina in Dublin, Ohio

/ Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

The title might be a tad bit misleading. The title refers not to a generic neighborhood Tex-Mex bar and grill but a specific restaurant named “Local Cantina”. It is a part of a chain of thirteen wonderful Mexican restaurant/bar establishments in and around the Columbus, Ohio area. We were out with family and went to the Dublin location.

Excellent chips and dips to start

We had a large group of 12 (or was it 13?) and we were seated at a long table. Worked for us as we all just wandered around visiting who ever we wanted whenever we wanted. Unplanned family get togethers and meals are the best. The atmosphere was exciting, and the music was not too loud, and of course there were TV’s for those that have to have TV 24/7.

Full bar

Interesting decor

 

Of course we were also there for some of those great tacos! None of us were disappointed.

Sher’s veggie tacos, left, and Maj’s seasoned beef,, right.

This was a wonderful experience! The ambience is comfortable, the service was very good even though the place was packed. But most important of all, the tacos were very very good, and filling as well. Check out all the locations at the Local Cantina website.

 

The Lincoln Memorial Bridge over the Wabash River

/ Roadtirementvintage / 7 Comments

One of two pylons on Indiana side of the bridge.

This bridge carries U.S. 50 Business across the Wabash River from Vincennes, Indiana to Lawrence County, Illinois. The east end of the bridge is in the George Rogers Clark National Historic Park. At this entrance to the bridge you will find two large pylons made of granite, each with a raised sculpture depicting  a Native American Chief.

The bridge is what is called a deck arch design, and has two traffic lanes and wide pedestrian walks on each side of the roadway.  It was opened to traffic in September, 1933, the same year that the George Rogers Clark Memorial was completed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the monument in 1936.

View from the George Rogers Clark Monument

Wabash River walk, Illinois is on the other side of the river

Parked after crossing the bridge

This was one of the attractions we enjoyed on our trip to Vincennes, Indiana in August of 2020, during the height of the pandemic. We had a spot at a nearby RV Park, and were able to maintain the then acceptable “social distance” and had masks available.