Work In Progress at Beaches Vancouver!

Here are some pictures from last night's remodeling adventure at Beaches Vancouver! Lots happenin'--you definitely need to come check us out! To celebrate our "New Look" we are running Happy Hour for the next 3 nights (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday!) from 3 to close!!

Along with the new look, we kick off our new Dessert Menu--gotta try the new Molten Smokin' Smores! Lots to look at & lots of good stuff to eat--don't miss out at the Beach & please let us know what you think!!

Poppin' Up Some Popcorn @ the Beach!

We're celebrating National Popcorn Day this week! Starting on this Thursday the 19th, we will have a jar of popcorn in the lobby of both restaurants for a week. 
Guess how many popped kernels are in the jar! Closest person wins a Dinner for 2 at either Restaurant. And, Chef Aaron at Beaches Portland Airport will roll out a NEW Caramel Corn flavor that day. . .Caramel Apple Cinnamon--it's delish!

Didja know--In the United States, popcorn has been popular for a VERY long time! In the early 1900's, popcorn wagons, drawn by horses were often found at festivals and fairs. And in the 20's, the wagons were replaced by 'popcorn-mobiles.'
During the Depression, popcorn, with the reasonable price of 5 cents, popcorn was one of the few 'luxury' food items that most families could afford. And during WWII, when candy production was reduced due to a shortage of sugar, popcorn consumption skyrocketed! 300%!

Then as Americans started buying televisions, popcorn consumption soared a whopping 500% as families popped the treat to eat while watching their favorite shows.
Today, approximately 1 billion pounds of popcorn are sold each year in the United States. And we're happy to be part of that statistic as we offer our delicious caramel corn and cheesy corn at both Beaches locations. It's a great snack for on the plane, on the go & to take home!! Popcorn--yum!

Tebowing at the Beach!

If you've been living under rock (maybe hangin' with Mondo?!), you may not have heard about the newest rage/craze out there called "Tebowing!" Well, Tebowing does have a definition--What is Tebowing? 
(vb) to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.

So we thought might do something fun (of course!) for our Facebook fans in honor of this year's Superbowl Game. We like to throw a party on Game Day--Feb 5, so we are going to giveaway a BFF Party for you & 9 (all they have to do is "Like" Beaches on Facebook) of your best football-watching buddies! All ya have to do. . .is take a picture & post your best "Beachin' Tebow Pose."

Everyone has one week, until January 14th, to post creative Beachin' Tebow Poses. Then we will vote on them and pick the best one. That person will win a BFF Party for 10!!

Just for fun, we asked some of our Team Members for their best "Tebowing!" Whaddya think? Some got it, and some, well. . .

Robbie--taking a pause

Sally--Huh??

Keith--Don't hurt anyone!

Now he's feeling it!

Rachael--seriously

Bri--deep in thought

Amber--doing her own thing!

Mychal--Now what was that drink order?

Kool Kahunas at the Beach!

Team Members who get the Kool Kahuna Award at Beaches are those who truly represent our vision of Amazing Guest Service & Impressive Team Play.  We choose two people per month at each restaurant, and I can honestly say, it's hard to just pick two.  We've got a great Team!

 From Beaches Vancouver:
Arturo Santiago: Arturo has been with Beaches Vancouver for 11 years. His entertaining personality is a hit with the Team and our Guests. His cooking skills are top notch and always delicious. Next time you are in, ask him to whip you up his famous Sunday morning taquito omelet.

 Cody Heffelfinger: Cody has been with us for only 8 short months, but in that time his personality and work ethic have made him a valuable member of our Team from caterings to car shows to creating Christmas boats….You can always count on Cody to make you smile, laugh and just brighten your day!

From Beaches Portland Airport:
Brian Stults:  Brian has been a part of the Beaches Family for many years.  He started off in Vancouver as a busser, bar back, server and bartender.  He is an asset to the PDX team.  Brian is great with the guests, always going the extra mile--literally, he has been know to go to the store, make fresh squeezed lemonade. We appreciate all you do Brian.

Rene Hernandez:  Rene has been with Beaches PDX since it opened.  Rene is a non stop worker--from the minute he clocks in to the minute he clocks out he is slicing, dicing, shredding, mixing, checking in orders, getting things from the store room, etc.  He just keeps going & going & going... Ask him about anything & he has all the answers.  Great Job Rene!

Ya Gotta Have Fun!

In our ‘World’ here at the Beach, it all started with one simple premise, “Ya Gotta Have Fun”. We live in a crazy world at times, and sometimes you just need to keep life in perspective.

 Fun can be very contagious--it is laughing and smiling every day. 

 

Fun is choosing to find the Good in every person around you. 

Fun is surprising people, you the Guest, and the Team.

Fun is about respecting yourself & those around you. 

Fun is working hard & having someone say “Thank you”. Fun is knowing that at any given moment you have the opportunity to be the best. Fun is being around people who Care. Fun is giving back to those less fortunate. Ya know, if ya think about it, life is just a cool ride of possibilities that starts with Fun. 

Now, once we established the Fun, the Team, and the ambience, we felt something was missing. Oh, that’s right, we need some eats & drinks. It’s those little details that can make or break you in this business. It’s been fun to work with creative people who can bring the whole package together for a fun, memorable experience.

Holiday Recipe Idea from Beaches

Chef Matt from Beaches Vancouver shares with us a recipe for a special holiday meal:

Sugar & Spice Salmon Filets

Dry rub for Salmon:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 T dry mustard
1/4 cup chili powder
1/8 cup cocoa
1 T lemon pepper
1 T garlic powder
1 T paprika

Thoroughly mix all dry ingredients. Coat salmon filets liberally. Will coat 4-6 filets. Bake salmon at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Here's a delicious topping for the Sugar & Spice Salmon.

Grapefruit Marmalade:
4 grapefruits--peeled & segmented
1 small can of mandarin oranges
2 T sugar
1/4 cup white wine
Zest of 1 orange

Combine all ingredients & simmer until sauce thickens. Serve over each salmon filet. Enjoy!

New Wines at the Beach!

A note from Mychal:

I am excited about our new wine menu. We're always looking for ways to be better and serve our guests the best! We are refining our by-the-glass options, and our by-the-bottle selections are expanding! We are including a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Two Mountain Winery. Two Mountain Winery is a small winery in the Rattlesnake Hills of the Yakima Valley where the Rawn Brothers make some fantastic wines. One of our colleagues here at the Beach, has offered to deliver the wine on his way to & from the area. Their production is small which usually denotes a higher quality, and we are lucky to be able to pour these wines. The wines are made in a classic style, so while the flavors are bold, the body is light. It appeals to the wine beginner and the aficiando alike. Do take a trip to the winery if you are ever in the area, it is gorgeous. We are so lucky to be so close to some of America's most beloved and up and coming wineries from the Willamette Valley--to the Yakima Valley--up to Walla Walla and Eastern Washington. I anticipate major growth in reputation in the future for the wines from our neck of the woods. Oh and check out www.twomountainwinery.com   CHEERS!