Friends are commonly asking me for recommendations for wineries and restaurants in Walla Walla and to be honest it is a great problem to have. I lived in Walla Walla for 4 years during my stint at Whitman College (not the state penitentiary as some might think) and while I spent a lot of that time drinking cheap beer, some friends were able to jump-start my love of wine by taking me out for a first visit to L’Ecole N° 41 and Woodward Canyon on the out-skirts of town.
What wineries should I visit or where should I eat when I visit Walla Walla?
Today we’ll start with a small handful of my favorite dining stops for my trip(s) to Walla Walla. Fret not – there are plenty more I want to try and will write about those in due time)
Brasserie Four – Located right on Main Street in the heart of downtown offering up fantastic French-style bistro food with a great wine list and you can also buy from a large selection of local bottles to take on a picnic. The best part is that Brasserie Four offers up my all-time favorite steak + frites in the land and is family and kid friendly. This is an absolute can’t miss.
Whitehouse Crawford – One of my favorite dining memories of all time is from Whitehouse Crawford. My wife and I visited for an anniversary and were blown away with the service, quality of food, and the depth of the wine list. Nothing like eating grass-fed beef raised only a few miles out of town; then enjoying a fine bottle of Corliss red wine. This dinner made me a believer in locally raised meat and before we left town I joined the Corliss wine club and have been stocking up vintages since 2003 (reminds me it is about time to schedule a dinner with a flight of Corliss red wines).
Green Lantern Tavern -During my 4 years in Walla Walla this was “the place” to hit up on Tuesday nights for cheap micro-brews and free peanuts (I enjoyed my fair share of $2 Tuesday), but “The Green” has since been renovated and is now one of the best taverns (not just in Walla Walla) to get delicious fish tacos, sip on a variety of micro-brews and play ping pong out on the patio while a raging fire is going and locals are chatting. Feels like home…
As I continue to visit Walla Walla and expand my repertoire of restaurants I’ll continue to share reviews.
Next time – some favorite Walla Walla wineries…
bottle&flame 