CBC Chocolates has created a steady following since owner Peter Crabtree opened the store in Poulsbo in 2005 — while still a teenager. Last April, Crabtree topped that achievement by expanding the business into a chocolate bistro and rebranding it to ChocMo. Since then, fans have been raving about the hip coffee shop/bistro/chocolate store fusion, and many have made it their new favorite hangout in Poulsbo.

Crabtree said everything at ChocMo is still centered around the handmade chocolates, about 20 flavors in all. In addition to the chocolates, espresso and related products, ChocMo offers a menu of wine, beer, decadent desserts and light fare such as paninis and cheese samplers. read more »

Travis Hightower has prepared all sorts of food during his 10-year career as a head chef, but it’s the good old all-American hamburger that’s been earning praises lately from his patrons. Hightower, a Key Peninsula resident of seven years, opened The Gourmet Burger Shop off State Route 302 in March, and the business had instant clientele.

Just a week into the opening read more »

As one of only a few hotels in Gig Harbor, and the only full-service conference space — complete with guest rooms, catered food, audiovisual, WiFi and other services — The Inn at Gig Harbor is a popular destination.

Among locals, the hotel is a destination as well, thanks to the onsite restaurant, The Heritage. read more »

One of Bremerton’s best-loved places for hamburgers is Noah’s Ark Restaurant, an unassuming establishment that has been owned and operated by the same family since 1974. More than one regular customer who’s moved away from Kitsap has said that Noah’s Ark is one of the things they’ve missed read more »

When Lee and Marianne Jorgenson opened San Carlos Mexican restaurant on Bainbridge Island 27 years ago in May, the idea of Mexican food was still new to the region. Lee Jorgenson estimates that Seattle had less than a handful of Mexican restaurants — and certainly nobody had the unique Southwest twist he envisioned. read more »

Responsible alcohol service is an issue that touches almost every restaurant business, its customers, and the community where it’s located. The Washington Restaurant Association (WRA) is dedicated to promoting responsible alcohol service.

The WRA Education Foundation’s online ServSafe Alcohol program and WRA instructor-led Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) are both approved by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB).After completing one of the WRA’s alcohol server training programs attendees will obtain their Class 12, or Class 13 permit. read more »

When McCould’s Grill House & Saloon came on the market last year, Andy Graham, the listing agent, saw so many possibilities: parties, catering, family events. Not a stranger to the industry — Graham had previously built up several restaurants — he decided to buy it with a friend.

Since then, Graham has been making improvements read more »

When Angela Sell, president of Silverdale Chamber of Commerce and a financial adviser with Edward Jones, tries to show off her town to visitors, she knows right where to take them for lunch: Silver City Restaurant and Brewery or Hale’s Ale.

“The food is outstanding and the atmosphere is great so Silver City is my favorite to show off Silverdale,” she said. But, she adds, it can get noisy — so if it’s a business lunch with local associates, she favors places such as Roundtable Pizza, Famous Dave’s and Joseph’s (at Silverdale Hotel).

“They’re all very quaint, you can get a seat fast and conduct business, and they’re affordable with a variety of food on the menu,” she said. “…If I’m just going to a two-person lunch, I’m looking for quiet places so you can sit across one another, get lunch and have time to talk.” read more »

Silver City Restaurant & Brewery announced the release of its first Belgian Blonde Ale on July 23. Silver City Brewmaster Don “Big Daddy” Spencer also announced Silver City’s “Name the Ale” Contest, which offers patrons a shot at craft beer immortality in exchange for naming Silver City’s new Belgian Blonde Ale (contest runs July 23 - August 6).

“The inspiration for Silver City’s new Belgian Blonde Ale came from two trips I took to Belgium in 2004 and 2008,” said Don Spencer, Silver City Brewmaster. “I recall tasting a variety of Belgian beers that could be classified as ‘Blonde’ or ‘Gold,’ and what I found most appealing was how light and refreshing they were, while at the same time possessing remarkable flavor.” read more »