Discover Walla Walla

You know spring has sprung when you see ramps on a menu, am I right? O.K., so it's not your every day ingredient, nor would you expect to find it on a menu of a restaurant called Public House 124 unless it was deep fried and served with ranch dressing. But there they were. Pickled ramps perched atop grilled gulf prawns, with a romesco sauce worthy if its Tarragona, Spain roots. I was trying to give up carbs, but it was absolutely necessary that I slop up the remaining sauce with a grilled baguette. You could be arrested in some countries for not. Back to the ramps. This onion, similar in appearance to a scallion, adds a sweet and sour tang to a dish, and it's the kind of accouterment that makes the food at Public House un-pub-like.

Don't get me wrong - you can still get a burger here. But it will be made with killer Blue Valley ground beef, bacon (don't get me started - did you see last month's blog?), cheddar and aioli - Public House served 824 of them in their opening month.

The truffle fries should be called yuppie crack. ...

Read More... Comment (1)

Sometimes changes to buildings result in the loss of distinctive features; sometimes the additions add interest and give the building character it lacked.

I often ask friends to share their memories of Walla Walla buildings and sometimes ask for ideas of what building to write about. Diane suggested the one at the corner of Main and 2nd, "the one with all that decorative stuff all over it." She had an ulterior motive, Diane did; she had a fond 1960s memory involving hot chocolate--with a scoop of ice cream in it--served in that very building, and couldn't remember the name of the restaurant operating from there. Number Two West Main houses the Paul Richardson Agency now and it has a very business-like look to it. I was intrigued by what changes it had been through over the years. My research told me that the corner building was part of the Quinn Building (which I wrote about last month.) It was occupied in 1876 by Marum and Doheny's Dry Goods Store, who advertised "All Goods Marked in Plain Figures", but "sold exclusively for cash." When the dry goods store moved in 1901, Tallman's Drugs moved in and stayed there until 1912 when they moved their pharmacy to a bigger space next door.  Up to the Times Magazine wrote a feature on 2 West Main's 1912 occupant in its Progress Notes:

"The Third National Bank of Walla Walla has purchased the Quinn property at Second and Main Streets....The property has a frontage on Main Street of 53 feet. It is reported that the purchase price was $1,200 per front foot. The Third National Bank will occupy its new quarters sometime during the new year".

Read More... Comment (0)

Meet the Willy Wonka of Walla Walla . . . Paul Jenes, a mild mannered version of Roald Dahl's famous classic candy character. Although the University of Washington grad does not possess the flamboyance of Mr. Wonka, his passion for making life much sweeter for the world, and particularly the Walla Walla Valley, is just as evident.

Jenes is the proud owner of Bright's Candies, which he transformed into an old-fashioned candy shop back in 2005 when he moved it to Main Street from its cubby-hole existence on 1^st Avenue. When you meander through the doors of Bright's, you step back in time - a pleasant step - into the full service candy store one used to find on every main street of an America gone-bye, replete with a popcorn machine, spilling out buttered, cheese and the coveted caramel corn, the long glass case of freshly made chocolates, ranging from turtles to peanut clusters to wine filled cordials, the colorful wall of jelly beans, the swirling lollipop table, and every child's favorite - the candy making room that resides in full view, enabling youngsters to stare through the window as Paul Jenes works his magic, creating chocolate wonders as the rivers of chocolate pour out of the machine.

Not to be overlooked is the ice cream counter with the traditional offerings of Rocky Road, Chocolate Chip and Bubble Gum flavors. Families sit on the patio, licking their cones or drinking their shakes in the early summer evenings. Where is Normal Rockwell? He'd paint this scene in a heartbeat.

Read More... Comment (0)

I can't walk by the elegant mauve and gray Baumeister Building without rapping one of its columns with my knuckles. Each rap is answered by a gratifying metallic clunk because this building is a "Mesker" and that means it's faced by a "galvanized storefront system."  All its lovely ornamentation that looks carved and handmade is actually pressed sheet metal, a combination of galvanized steel and cast-iron. A small plaque affixed to the column identifies it as such. "Mesker Bros, Front Builders" it says. The manufacture of metal fronts for buildings began in the eastern U. S. in the 1840s and by mid-century there were foundries throughout the United Sates. The builders of the Baumeister Building  ordered its sheet metal facade from the Mesker Brothers Ironworks of St Louis. A builder chose a front from a catalog, had it shipped by railroad, and--voila--he had a ready-made, durable and attractive front ready to affix to the structure.

Also fabricated in metal, over the second story windows, is stamped big and bold that Max Baumeister built this structure and he did it in 1889. When it was first built the address in the city directory was listed as  "between 2nd and 3rd" but now we find it by going to 27 West Main. Max Baumeister was a real estate and insurance agent in partnership with Harry Reynolds. You might expect that Mr. Baumeister would set up his own office in his handsome new building, but  he worked from 8 E. Main and later he occupied space in the impressive Die Brucke building, which he also built.

Read More... Comment (1)

The city of Walla Walla has a life of its own. I mean, aside from the tourists hunting for what they've heard are the "must-see" spots downtown, the drivers vying for a parking spot on Main Street, and college students cruising on their bikes between their favorite coffee shop and Earthlight Books, Walla Walla breathes and speaks of its own accord, and sometimes I have to remind myself just to listen.

The other day I took a walk down Main Street mid-afternoon, and the smells slipping out of the restaurants and shops whenever anyone entered or left intoxicated me.

Wine. Perfume. Fresh chocolate. Leather and air conditioning. Coffee.

At Land Title Plaza, where 2nd and Main form a T at the heart of the city center, the Walla Walla River sang and laughed as it skipped by underneath my feet. Unnoticed except by tourists, children, and geocachers, the river is mostly underground in the city. It does, however, show its playful face in a few places, including the open area at Land Title Plaza.

Then there are the people. Ah, yes...they are important, too. They are the lifeblood of the community we call "home."

Read More... Comment (0)

The band was rocking, the crowd was dancing, and the wine was flowing. Sapolil Cellars was vibrant and vibrating as Ce Ce James and her band rolled out the blues all night long.

The Seattle based songstress, voted recently as Best Blues Writer in the state of Washington, displayed her wide range, meandering back and forth between driving tunes and traditional numbers, alternating from aggressive vocals with a strong hint of Joplin to more melodious moments that fostered some slow dancing.

Dressed in all black, and twisting and jerking her body with every note, James doesn't short-change her audience on effort. Often there was interplay between her and the crowd as she roamed through the maze of circular tables, her interaction authentic, not choreographed like a Las Vegas performance.

The band was tight. Three guitars and a drummer supported Ce Ce. The lead guitarist (name unavailable) was the kind of guy I like: didn't upstage any vocals, his solos were inspired but controlled, and he could drive. Plus, he looked the part  . . . stringy long blond hair, a black cutoff shirt, the fu Manchu beard, a face that has seen many miles and a smattering of tattoos.

Sapolil doesn't possess a true dance floor, but the limited amount of space that does exist between the band and the tables served as one, as it was stuffed with folks shaking their groove thing. During James' cover of "Aint Superstitious" the amount of dancers was so plentiful that the crowd flowed into the spaces between the tables.

Walla Walla crowds are not renowned for spontaneous dancing but James and her band inspired them to buck the trend.

Read More... Comment (0)

When I heard they'd sold Merchants I was horrified. The iconic deli/bakery was a favourite across the valley, and no one who went to their memorable Wednesday Spaghetti Night ever missed it again if they could help it. While shopping downtown, it was a great place to stop in for a breather with a bagel and an iced tea. Some friends of mine went every Tuesday and alternated who paid; they bought a large loaf of whatever bread looked good that week and a chunk of cheese they'd never tried before.

If nothing else, the most unique and notable thing about Merchants was their order-call system. Upon placing your order, you were given a playing card, the face value of which was written on your ticket. When your meal was ready, they'd call out your card - "Jack of Spades!" "Nine of Hearts!" - and you'd motion them to your table.

About a month ago the "new" restaurant opened. Thirty-four-year-old Merchants was no longer; it had been replaced with the Olive Marketplace and Café. And last week, I finally got a chance to check it out.

Read More... Comment (1)

"They're not changing anything are they?"

"Don't know."

"I can't see what they're doing in there with all that brown paper in the windows. Why are they hiding what they're doing in there? Must be changing things. I'm not going in there if they change anything."

"Guess they don't want our advice."

"Shoot, I been in there every day for the past 20 years. You'd think they'd want to know what I think. I'd tell 'em if they asked. Yes, sir. I'd tell 'em not to change a thing. This place is an institution. Can't just go changing everything, you know."

"Nothing?"

"Well, they could update the bathrooms. Those need some work."

"That's all?"

"And some light upstairs. Can't see a thing up there. And the awning. It's seen better days. And I'd keep a good baker in there. I like the cinnamon rolls. You don't think they'll get rid of the cinnamon rolls, do you?"

"Don't know..."

"And they could do some repainting. And it'd be nice if they got rid of the yelling-that ‘Jack of Spades' stuff. Hurts my ears. And menus would be good. They better keep spaghetti night. I'm not going in there if they get rid of spaghetti night."

Read More... Comment (0)

Every time I drive through downtown Walla Walla I'm scared I'll get into an accident.  That may not sound like a pleasant introduction to this wonderful little city, but let me explain.

Walla Walla is one of the most beautiful little towns I've ever experienced and every time I drive through its charming downtown (especially Main Street) I'm struck by its simple elegance and preserved history.

Then there are the people.

While stopped at one of many stoplights, I note two gentlemen on the corner, waiting for the crosswalk light to allow them to proceed.  They're as different as can be.  One is older, perhaps 60, experienced in life and ready to relax and enjoy a slower pace.  His walking shoes are worn and his simple garb includes a black windbreaker and a plain black baseball cap.  He didn't bother to shave this morning.

The other is closer to my age, probably not yet 30, clean-shaven, gelled hair, brand new tie flapping in the breeze.  His hands are stuffed into his suit coat pockets (probably to ward off the chill of the winter wind), and his shiny businessman shoes are stylish and classy.

The light turns green.  I press on the gas pedal, the two men start across the road, one significantly more hurried than the other.

Read More... Comment (0)

If you missed it, the Walla Walla Veterans Day Parade was a classic-five fire trucks, one cement mixer, one cherry picker, one subcompact sporting a banner "Friends of Gays and Lesbians," lots of old guys on motorcycles, plenty of Model T's, and some proud veterans. The Touchet High School Marching Band led the parade. They played "Louie, Louie." I love this place.

Read More... Comment (1)