The Tippe and Drague as it looked in July, before opening. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
The Tippe and Drague neighborhood pub at 3315 Beacon Ave. S. opened for business this afternoon. When we went by to check it out, there was a cheerful crowd within ordering beer and food, and watching football on TV. The kitchen won’t have a fryer, so the menu consists of sandwiches and salads, including a very evil grilled peanut butter and Nutella sandwich (with optional bacon). There is also fresh popped popcorn—the popcorn machine was formerly installed at the Columbia City Cinema.
Owner Melissa told us that the pub has hired several Beacon Hill neighbors as staff, so the business has not only brought food and drink to the Hill, it’s also brought a few jobs.
Photo by Steve A. Johnson via Creative Commons/Flickr.The Beacon Hill Garden Club is joining with Rainier Valley Eats to present another Canning Connections workshop on Wednesday, August 29 from 7-9 p.m. at the Garden House, 2336 15th Ave. S.
According to the Canning Connection folks, “this month we’ll ‘put up’ some of Master Gardener Mick Duggan’s recipe for green beans in mustard sauce and some delicious dilly beans. Both are fantastic with cold summer suppers or on the buffet and picnic table.”
The class is $15 and includes everything but your apron, but it’s limited to 10 students, so you should register soon by emailing ankataa@yahoo.com.
Mark your calendar — the Canning Connections program will be preserving something at the Garden House every fourth Tuesday of each month from now on.
The Tippe and Drague is almost open! Photo by Wendi Dunlap.Change is in the air in North Beacon Hill these days, with the long-awaited opening of the Tippe and Drague Alehouse just around the corner, alongside some new (and returning) art on view around Beacon Hill Station.
We’ve been hearing that Tippe and Drague (in the old ROCKiT space at 3315 Beacon Ave. S.) would probably open this week or next, but Seattle Beer News provides more details on the new establishment, and says that owners Melissa Cabal and Robert McConaughy plan to open next week if all goes well. SBN reports the opening tap list is heavily local, and the menu will include “simple but good food with fresh ingredients; don’t look for any fried food here.” Hours will be 4 p.m. until late, 7 days a week, with weekend brunches.
You can see in these photos some indications of how the poles have been retrofitted:
The original pole bases looked like this. Photo from March 2011 by Wendi Dunlap.Where one of the pole bases broke and fell. Photo from March 2011 by Wendi Dunlap.The retrofitted pole bases look like this. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
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Photo by Wendi Dunlap.Just across Roberto Maestas Festival Street from the station, the El Sabroso taco truck is also looking more artistic these days. The truck was closed for a while this week while it was painted with decorative murals.
Summer is moving rapidly toward its end, but it’s not too late to learn to grow your own food. This Saturday, August 11, from 10-11:30 a.m., is another in a series of free “Grow Your Own Groceries” classes at El Centro de la Raza.
This month’s topics include:
What to plant Now?
Figs and Kiwi
Seed Saving
The class is led by Master Gardener Mick Duggan. The location is El Centro de la Raza room 310, 2524 16th Ave. S. Mark your calendar: next month’s class, the last of the year, is scheduled for September 8.
Photo by Carissa Rogers via Creative Commons/Flickr.
Interested in canning and preserving your garden produce? The Beacon Hill Garden Club and Rainier Valley Eats are hosting a “Canning Connections” class on Wednesday, July 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Garden House (2336 Beacon Ave. S.).
The event organizers say “We’ll be using the best organic fruit available and provide everything you’ll need (except the apron)… We’ll share resources, recipes, stories and go home with jars of goodness.” The session is hands-on and those with all levels of experience are welcome to attend, from beginners to veteran canners.
The class is limited to 10, and the class fee is $15, payable the night of the session. To register, email ankataa@yahoo.com.
If you’re looking for something with more of a French flavor, neighbor Allison Delong reports that the Caravan Crepes truck will be visiting Beacon Hill Station from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. Here is the menu, which includes both savory and sweet crepes.
Allison tells us that on Saturday afternoon a hot dog cart opened for business as well, so we had a full-fledged food court starting to happen on North Beacon! Keep your eyes on the area around Beacon Hill Station and the El Centro parking lot for more visits from these food trucks and carts.
(Edited to note the change in El Sabroso’s hours. 7/9/12)
Travelers owner Allen Kornmesser found out that someone else would be taking over the Pine Street space by reading the CHS blog posting, and commented on the page: “as the owner of TRAVELERS, I heard it here first! We haven’t been told a thing.”
This 7-and-a-half minute video posted today by local filmmaker Paul Turcott describes Kornmesser’s background and plans for the Travelers restaurants, with some footage of the Beacon Hill restaurant.
Pork carnitas, pozole, and halibut ceviche are on the menu May 20 for a cooking demo at El Centro de la Raza with local chef Vincent Rivera of Jazz Alley. Cost to attend is $40, and for that fee, you’ll observe and learn how to cook a three-course meal along with side dishes. Recipes will be provided.
The demo will include hands-on cooking opportunities, so wear an apron if possible. Be prepared to observe, learn, and take notes.
Tickets are available here. The event is Sunday, May 20, from 1-2:30 p.m. at El Centro’s kitchen, 2524 16th Ave. S. Proceeds from the demo will benefit the El Centro de la Raza Senior Nutrition and Wellness program.
Pork carnitas. Photo by Mike McCune via Creative Commons/Flickr.
In the last year Beacon Hill has seen a few new places to eat and drink. One more has been a long time coming but it is open now. The storefront at 15th and Beacon that has borne the sign “Taqueria Frida opening soon” for a very long time (we first wrote about them in November 2010, along with a rumored sushi place that has yet to materialize) finally opened this week with a slight name change to Luisa Taqueria. It’s open daily except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Luisa’s operators, Inay’s owner Ernesto Rios and his nephew Gerald, describe their offerings this way:
“Luisa Taqueria, a fusion of Filipino and Mexican cuisine, similar yet surprisingly unique. From our carnitas and carne asada taco to the sisig and tangy pork adobo taco, we promise none will disappoint. The elegant simple flavors of combined cuisines give this Beacon Hill Taqueria a reason to stop by and dine. With summer right around the corner everyone should try out the Flaming Nachos Diablo and Carne Asada Fries accompanied by the house-made Horchata.”
It’s too early to review the taqueria properly, but I stopped by today and can report that the food I tried was tasty. I particularly liked the horchata, which tasted smoother and less watery than at some restaurants. The prices seemed reasonable. I’ll be back.
Luisa Taqueria is located just a couple of doors south of Inay's at the junction of Beacon and 15th. Photo by Wendi Dunlap.
