Cup a Joe in Pendleton

On a recent girls night out myself and 4 girlfriends met up at Great Pacific aka the GP. We had good wine great pizza and a free show! Blues musicians Alex Weed and Colin Lake were performing and it was a very enjoyable evening all around. GP has been bringing in local and regional talent more often and if this is an example of the talent level I really need to get out more often! If you haven't tried the pizza yet you should. We shared a pizza with meaty goodness and since my husband doesn't eat beef or pork any longer it was quite the treat for me. I have shared the meatless lovers with him and it is very good, the best veggie pizza in town and one of the best I have had anywhere. I also have shared the Thai pizza with a girlfriend and it is to die for! So go for the music or go for the pizza just go!

When my husband and I first moved to Pendleton we just didn't "get" the Rainbow (known as the bow by the locals) and why so many locals hung out there. It's not the atmosphere although that grows on you. It's not the great quality micro brews, but an expensive and fun time can be had. It certainly isn't the gourmet food, but some fine fried chicken is on the menu. It's the people on both sides of the bar that make this place fun and a Pendleton Icon. One crowded night a couple came in just about the time we were finishing up our dinner and last beer, it was very crowded and not a seat to be found. They turned to the two of us sitting in a booth for 4 and asked in a very heavy accent if they could join us. My husband who doesn't deal well with strangers didn't know what to say, but I wanted to know who they were and why they were in Pendleton. I encouraged my husband to join me on my side of the booth and let our new found friends have the other side. As it turns out they were journalist from Europe doing a story on a convention in Walla Walla but due to the convention and the County Fair could not get a hotel in Walla Walla so found themselves in Pendleton. They told us their tour book told them the food was not very good at the Rainbow and I laughed and said that may be accurate. I asked what possessed them to come with that recommendation? They said their tour book also stated that if you really wanted the local flavor of the town this is where you would find it. I said that was also accurate! We recommended they order the Rainbow special; fried chicken, jojo potatoe's, and soup or salad. They loved it and he said it was the jojo's were the best potatoes he ever had in America! So if your looking for a little local flavor and some flavorful fried chicken give the Rainbow a try.

If you have to grocery shop, why not do it while you're drinking great coffee? I love the Starbucks in the Safeway in Pendleton. There is also a standalone Starbucks up the road at 709 Southgate, but I like the convenient location fo the one in Safeway. They have the same great coffee - latte's are my drink of choice - and many of the same snack selections. There are tables to sit at and people watch, or re-check your grocery list. The store doesn't mind if you walk around with a drink as well. For a great morning break, you can't beat the oatmeal and coffee combo.