DATE-NIGHT PICKS Salem’s tucked-away The Cozy Taberna offers upscale bites such as squid-ink pasta and lovely craft cocktails. Snuggle up by the fireplace at Territory, inside the Independence Hotel, and enjoy a shareable charcuterie plate and a bottle of wine. The prime-rib dip or bacon-jalapeno burger paired with a handcrafted cocktail at Silverton’s upscale Noble Fox will definitely set the mood. HAPPY-HOUR HITS Nekia PNW Kitchen and Bar, located inside Salem’s Holman Hotel, kicks off happy hour daily from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; fill up on gourmet bar food and standout craft cocktails. Masonry Grill’s happy hour runs from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and includes tacos and craft ciders. For an elevated vibe, Monmouth’s Hazel’s on Main pours $5 beer pints every Thursday to pair with Northwest-inspired appetizers. FOOD PODS AND HALLS Taste some amazing food at these community-oriented culinary destinations. A lineup of Salem’s best culinary artists gets creative at Fork Forty Food Hall. Try La Lucciola’s brick-oven margherita pizza, Asian-fusion wings from Chubby Bao House and craft cocktails from The Best Goose. Don’t forget scratch-made Slick Licks ice cream for dessert. South Salem’s Beehive Station is a community of 14 food carts, including NW Smash & Burger Co., Dalia’s Taqueria and Trailblazing Wings, plus heated tents and the Beehive Taphouse bar with 12 regional beers and ciders. There’s something for everyone at the indoor/outdoor Yard Food Park in East Salem. Round up the crew for 17 tasty food carts, a coffee bar, and 22 rotating taps with local craft brews, plus trivia nights and occasional live music. Checkpoint 221 in Northwest Salem has a large indoor seating area, a bar with 14 taps and a mouthwatering cart lineup, including Dreaming of Sushi, Mr. A’s All American Breakfast and The Salty Shack fish ’n chips. Silverton’s best-kept secret, The Den food pod, serves gooey grilled-cheese sammies at Rustic Melt, wood-ovenbaked pizza at The Old Oak Oven and rotisserie chicken at Twirling Bird. Feast on the grassy area overlooking Silver Creek or on the covered patio. Make a quick pit stop at the Gather food pod in Dallas for asada street tacos at Carnitas Delicias or home-cooked biscuits and gravy from Ray of Sunshine Home Cooking & Bakery. Wash it down with a passion-fruit boba tea from Bobablastic. COFFEE CONNOISSEUR Go for the creative coffee drinks, stay for lunch at Salem’s industrial-chic Archive Coffee. Try the Bee’s Knees with espresso, honey and rosemary. Also in Salem, Offbeat Coffee rocks punchy espresso on tap, tasty pastries and an artsy music vibe. Woodburn’s Café La Onda serves artisanal coffees from Mexico. Grab a bag of hand-picked beans and a creamy marzipan latte. BRUNCH BLISS Revive with weekend brunch at South Salem’s Lively Station, where the thoughtfully curated menu includes peppered-bacon Benedict and handcrafted bellinis. Sunday brunch at Salem’s Noble Wave is practically legend with its Louisiana-style poutine as well as chicken biscuits with maple butter; wash it down with a michelada. It’s brunch every day of the week at downtown Salem’s Honey & Co., with fluffy Hawaiian French toast, vegan specials and elderflower mimosas. Joshua Rainey The Old Oak Oven Noble Wave 27 TravelSalem.com
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