Talking Newport!

Does that bread case look old world or what? Panini’s is retro, small, and definitely hip. If you’re looking for a fresh loaf for dinner, this is a great choice. If you’re looking for pizza, it’s a fantastic choice. My wife and I sampled pizza all over Portland when we lived there, and Panini’s stands up to any pizza parlor there. Their crust and sauce are both sublime, and they’re imaginative with the creations they put together.

Panini’s also has delectable, fresh-baked pastries in the morning, and one of the best cappuccinos in Newport. Not too much milk and lots of thick foam, with the crema deliciously coloring the edges.

One word of warning–Panini’s pace is also old-world. No problem if it’s not crowded, but if it is you might be frustrated. One person works the register, then goes away to make the coffee drinks if that’s what you ordered. There’s no express line for “coffee and pastry” only.

Panini’s is located at 232 NW Coast in Newport, in the heart of historic Nye Beach. Phone number is 541-265-5033.

View Larger Map

This is a shot taken on Agate Beach looking east from the ocean toward Newport. The beach is hundreds of yards wide! Notice the roofs on the houses in the distance. The tiny figure in the white shirt to the left of the picture, viewing the tide pools at the base of Yaquina Head, will give you an idea of scale.

It’s amazing to walk the beach when the tide is this low. All sorts of wonderful things can be observed in the tide pools, and all sorts of people are out and about enjoying it–especially the clammers. That’s a picture of them below.

Heres’ a link to the tide tables for Newport, OR, in case you’re interested in planning a trip to the coast and taking a beach walk when the tides are low.

OK, I know this is a little unconventional, but if you saw the master bath in this home, you’d make it the lead photo too.  One could relax in there for a loooong time. This home has a wonderful, warm, gracious feel, and the location and view are unparalleled. It’s in a little enclave of luxury homes, on a solid rock bluff,  just south of Depoe Bay.  It’s flooded with natural light through banks of south and west facing windows,  even on a gray, Oregon day.

Yes, it’s expensive, listed at $1.2M, but with ocean frontage, and views like what you see in the photo above in three directions, it’s a rare find. If this home is in your price range and you’re looking on the Oregon coast, it’s one to look at. Here’s a link for a quick look at more information and photos.

The Embarcadero sits on the eastern end of Newport’s Yaquina Bay. Bridges, the restaurant in Embarcadero, takes advantage of this with a stunning view to the west of boats, bridge and ocean.  Happy Hour at Bridges is from 4-7 PM, and it’s worth it for the wine pour alone. No stingy little  4 1/2 oz. pour here–the red is served in the big pinot or cab glasses and I don’t think they get more than 3-4 glasses per bottle. The bar menu is decent if predictable, with all selections at $5. And again, the portions are generous. I especially like the shrimp ceviche. To dial the restaurant directly, call 541-265-8521, then dial extension 730. Embarcadero’s web site is http://www.embarcadero-resort.com/index.html

This place is an delight. Owner Judy Buchko makes everything from scratch; cinnamon rolls and other early morning goodies, lasagna, soups and delicious clam chowder, even bread for the sandwiches. The heuvos, with fresh avocado, homemade salsa and eggs served over refried beans and  polenta, is wonderful. There are also other great breakfast and lunch offerings.

And yes, there are many non-gluten offerings! These include the delicious carrot cake shown above, flourless chocolate cake, lemon bars and more!

Nye Beach Market really is a market also, with specialty oils, olives, crackers, jams and more.  Judy recently purchased Nye Beach Market and is working on the web site. To reach them via phone for take-out orders, call (541) 574-1599.

This home in the heart of Nye Beach is ideal for someone, or some family, looking for a beach home that can also provide rental income.  Walk to restaurants, shops and galleries, and enjoy walks on Agate Beach, just 5 blocks away. Currently managed by the couple that owns it through sites such as www.vrbo.com, it netted just under $45,000 in rental income in 2010.  Over 2,000 sq.ft., 4-bed/2-bath with an attached 2-car garage. Click here for more photos and all the listing information.

My wife and I had dinner at Tidal Raves on Valentine’s Day. We have always loved this restaurant, and our dinner that evening was another fabulous one. I had halibut with vegetables in a green curry sauce. It was kind of asian without the noodles. Absolutely delicious, and it was on the “small plates menu”, although there was nothing small about it, for $11.95. The wine list is decent, as are the wines by the glass.

The view at Tidal Raves is beyond description. There’s nothing else like it on the central coast. It’s on a cliff (don’t worry, it’s back a bit and on solid rock) right on the ocean, and the surf crashing on the rocks is spectacular.

If you schedule a trip to Tidal Raves, reservations are highly recommended.  This is one of the most popular restaurants on the Oregon coast.

If you’re a golfer, it doesn’t get much better, or more challenging, than Salishan. It’s the first, and still one of the most prestigious, destination golf resorts on the Oregon Coast. This home is exquisitely designed with vaulted ceilings, a gourment kitchen and an open floor plan. Set in the gated community of Salishan, on the golf course and with an ocean view, it offers a spacious 3,250 sq. ft., 3-bed, 3.5-baths, for $495,000.  If you do the math, that’s ~$150/sq.ft. , a real value in a community like Salishan. And if you’re passionate about golf, there’s the priceless bonus of living on course and always being within a few minutes of the first tee!

This link leads to more information and photos for this home in Salishan.

Even in a coastal town known for seafood, this place is exceptional. Their fish is absolutely the freshest, most of it from fishing boats docked right across the street in Yaquina Bay. They are serious about sustainability and environmental responsibility, so you can feel good about the seafood you eat there–how many other seafood restaurants do you know that have an owner with a Master’s degree in Marine Resource Management? Or a buyer so skilled at picking the best fish directly off the boat’s that she’s known as the Fish Goddess? It’s got an informal atmosphere with a central, open kithen that makes eating enjoyable and sociable.

The grilled fish tacos with fennel slaw are great, same with the panko-crusted, grilled fish and chips. The albacore tuna on the Salade Nicoise is grilled perfectly medium-rare. Perhaps not surprisingly, they’re also known for a great burger.

Local Ocean, www.localocean.net, can be found at 213 SE Bay Blvd., on Newport’s bay front. You can also enjoy their food at the Local Ocean Cafe, inside the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner seven days a week.

The eagles (and hawks and ospreys) on Agate Beach are truly spectacular to watch, with a sense of wonder that is unique to watching them soar near the ocean. This photo was taken near Yaquina Head on Agate Beach in late April. Bald eagles form nesting pairs for life, and this pair is often seen roosting in the same tree. If you’re on the beach in early morning, you can hear them chirping, screeching and talking to each other with their distinctive call.