Oregon Coast Beach Connection - lodging, dining, news, events and more oregon coast beach connection news

BEACH NEWS YOU CAN USE
Covering 160 miles of Oregon coast travel: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.

Summer Cometh: Are you ready?

Wine, Cheese All the Rage on Central Oregon Coast

Blu Cork Wine Bar

(Newport, Oregon) – Wine, cheese and other fine foods are bursting in popularity in the central coast neighborhood of Nye Beach with both locals and tourists, and now two businesses there are expanding their reach to meet the increased need for the finer things.

Blu Cork Wine Bar, the now-legendary hotspot for wines, fine food as well as live music, is throwing open its doors to the daylight hours. The wine bar is now open from noon until midnight and has started an innovative lunch menu that includes past favorites such as a bison bleu cheese burger, duck confit salad and swordfish with dijon buerre blanc.

More big changes are on the way, too. Their tapas menu has expanded to include wood-fired oven pizzas, and they will soon have outdoor seating on the patio area next to the Blu Cork as well as another room to accommodate those under 21 years of age.

“Al fresco dining is not often possible on the Oregon coast but in this sunny little corner, we plan to make the most of the days mother nature gives us,” said co-owner Deborah Trusty.

One recent wine addition is creating a buzz as well. “We recently ordered a case of R. Stuart's Big Fire 2005 Pinot Noir and have been serving it to rave reviews,” Trusty said. “The wine is a bit young, and the hint of continuing bottle fermentation only adds to the taste. You get all the bold pinot noir flavor with a little zing. Very nice.”

BREATHTAKING CLIFFTOP IN NEWPORT

STARFISH POINT is located on the Central Oregon Coast - in Newport - and offers only the finest in luxury condominium lodging. At Starfish Point, every unit is focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach.
All of the units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks - surrounding you in soothing relaxation. We have a friendly staff dedicated to high quality and superb customer service. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com

Just up the street, Blu Cork’s sister business, Village Market & Deli, has been providing gourmet, even pioneering cuisine for lunch for three years now, but it has recently seen a surge in the popularity of its high-end cheeses in its deli case. There is increased interest in gourmet cheese in popular culture these days, which has inspired Village Market & Deli to bring in more such cheeses. Recent additions include Sublimity Cheese (from the small town in Oregon), Bel Gioioso from Italy; and from Britain, a hugely popular Parlick sheep's milk cheese.

“Right now, cheese is the thing in the culinary world,” Trusty said. “I can see there are interested folks who live out here on the Oregon coast as well. People are more educated about these kinds of cheeses and not just eating cheddar and Velvida anymore. They are more demanding.”

Also extremely popular is their homemade chicken pate, which has received rave reviews from regional food critics. It is packaged in two-ounce containers for $4, and Trusty says they are having trouble keeping up with the demand.

Trusty says the surge in fine cheese awareness and popularity is happening among coastal locals, but some Portland visitors and part time residents are catching on that they can find their favorite gourmet cheeses from the Pearl district while visiting the central coast. Their prices are lower than Portland on many products.

“Pick up some cheese accoutrements such as our delicious chutneys, add a bottle wine and some of our fresh baked bread, and you've got yourself a tasty lunch,” Trusty said.

Nearby, beautiful Nye Beach provides lots of recreational means to work up an appetite

Other popular cheese choices include Double Gloucester Bandaged Truckle, Black Truffle Cheese from Il Boschetto, as well as some domestic favorites such as Ewe-F-O and Fog Lights (an eight-ounce version of the unbelievable Humboldt Fog cheeses from Cypress Grove).

The exceptional cuisine also comes with a beautiful partial view of the ocean in this unusually charming section of Newport called Nye Beach.

Blu Cork Wine Bar is at 613 SW Third Street, Newport. 541-265-2257. Village Market & Deli is at 741 NW Third, Newport. 541-574-9393.

RELATED STORIES

Clambake Brings History to Oregon Beach Resort The Nye Beach Clambake happens in Newport, July 1

Outdoor Fish Market Starts On N. Oregon Coast Pacific Oyster hosts the market throughout the summer

Ghostly Tourism on Oregon’s Coast Hunting tales of ghosts is another fun pasttime on the coast

Hiking It and Roughing It on Oregon’s Coast A look at trails and rugged campgrounds

Some Oregon Spots Are Hidden; Some Have Secrets A tour of unusual details from Manzanita to Florence

Geologic Wonders of Oregon Beaches Make Freaky History Lesson Beneath the sands and deep inside the cliffs, there's more to the coast

BACK TO NEWS INDEX PAGE

BACK TO BEACH CONNECTION

DIVE INTO LUXURY, HISTORY AT THE TIDES

THE TIDES BY THE SEA, Seaside. For over 80 years, The Tides has been a favorite of Seaside visitors. History meets modern luxury here. 51 oceanfront condos, individually owned and decorated. Find suites for couples, small apartments with fireplaces and kitchenettes, one or two bedroom family units with fireplaces, kitchens and dining rooms. There are wonderful oceanview cottages that sleep anywhere from two to eight people, with two bedrooms, some with lofts, fireplaces and kitchens.
Meanwhile, the heated outdoor pool, enormous grounds with picnic tables and location at the quiet southern end of Seaside make for some memorable means of play and repose. 2316 Beach Drive. 800-548-2846. www.thetidesbythesea.com.

 

Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778.

SPECIAL SECTIONS
calendar of events |
beach news | weather
editor's adventure blog
Oregon Coast Complete Guides
coastal pubcrawl | Important Links
coastal science | kooky coast
OR TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR
In Awe of AstoriaASTORIA
Where the Columbia meets the Pacific, Land of Lewis & Clark and loads of atmosphere & history
Serenity in SeasideSEASIDE
The Promenade, Tillamook Head, family fun & broad, sandy beaches
Cavort in Cannon BeachCANNON BEACH
A mysterious lighthouse, upscale yet earthy, a huge monolith, fine eateries & an art mecca
Annihilating  Beauty of Nehalem BayNEHALEM BAY
Manzanita's beaches, Nehalem and Wheeler's quirky beauty; laid back Rockaway
Time Trip Around Tillamook BayTILLAMOOK BAY
Garibaldi, Barview, Bay City, Tillamook & an oceanfront ghost town
Triple the Pleasure in 3 CapesTHREE CAPES LOOP
The hidden secret of the coast: Cape Meares, a lighthouse, Oceanside, Netarts and Pacific City
Lovely Lincoln CityLINCOLN CITY & THE CORRIDOR OF MYSTERY
Miles & miles of unbroken beaches, Cascade Head, Neskowin and many manmade attractions
Divine Depoe BayDEPOE BAY
A spouting horn downtown, freaky hidden cliffs and whales, whales, whales
Nature in NewportNEWPORT
Time-tripping Nye Beach, a bustling bayfront, marine science-central and two lighthouses
Staggering Seal RockWALDPORT / SEAL ROCK
Pristine, even secretive sands and wild geologic landmarks
Aargh, there's no alliteration with Yachats - but it IS unbelievableYACHATS
Constantly dramatic wave action, a mix of the rugged & upscale
Unsurpassable Upper LaneUPPER LANE COUNTY
25 miles of deserted beaches & oodles of wonders
Fine Times in FlorenceFLORENCE
A lighthouse, ancient bayfront and miles and miles of fluffy dunes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weiss' Paradise Suites & Vacation Rentals - Seaside

Unique Luxury Accommodations in Seaside. 1BR Suites, 1BR & 2BR Duplex Units and 3BR Houses, units for 2-8 people. Rent our entire property for 20-26. All units close to beach, river and Broadway St.
Suites are designed for two adults; vacation rental units for families. All units have kitchen and many have fireplace, deck and jetted tub. Enjoy comfy robes & slippers, luxury bath amenities, quality linens and more. See us on The Travel Channel's "Great Escapes" show in August 2006. 741 S. Downing St., Seaside. 800-738-6691. www.SeasideSuites.com