Next Up: Yakima, Washington

There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. ​

The Five W's + H:

​Who: My fiance, yours truly ... aaaand we lost a cat as Cleo decided she wanted to stay and become a California kitty. Last we heard she was licking cat butts for catnip on Skid Row. Sophie stuck around though, so we loaded her up and took her to the Pacific Northwest. 
What: Top 5 places to drink up 
Where: Yakima, Washington
When: April 2017 - July 2017
Why: We decided to continue our travel nursing voyage with a trek to a new place in the middle of nowhere. 
(And don't forget about)
How: Our travels took us more than 1,000 miles this time, from southern California through San Francisco (made a pit stop at my brother and his wife's place in Foster City) and northern Cali, across Oregon and finally to the middle of nowhere Washington state.  

Yakima: Five Places to Drink Up

Cowiche Canyon Kitchen+Icehouse (202 E Yakima Ave Yakima, WA 98901)

Type of Place: American/Bar/Best Food in Yakima 

​My favorite restaurant in the small town of Yakima is a must-visit for anyone craving elevated bar cuisine and a fun, inviting atmosphere. What sets Cowiche Canyon apart, you most studiously ask? Let's start with the restaurant itself. Situated dead-center in what is charmingly referred to as the "downtown" area of the city, Cowiche Canyon's stylish atmosphere, modern menu, and delicious food and drinks provide an experience second-to-none 'round these parts.

Let's start with some of the tried-and-true classics. Cowiche Canyon Kitchen chefs craft their creations just a few feet from the dining area. One of my favorite appetizers is the Made to Order Guacamole that's spicily served with delicious salt-sprinkled homemade tortilla chips. Go completely green and pair with the Green Juice Fizz (another fiancé fave) made with gin, lime juice and cold-pressed cucumber and celery juices concocted to fool you into thinking you're ingesting something healthy. Hops more your thang? The locally crafted Bale Breaker Top Cutter IPA might be the best Indian Pale Ale I've ever tasted. 

As for the entrees, my go-to is the Prime Rib Dip. This sum bitch of a sammich is loaded with thin sliced prime rib (hence the name), piled on a Cowiche roll (tasty thick-cut hoagie bread, basically) and comes with a bit of horseradish and au jus sauce to bring the full flavor home. Thinking more about pickin' some chicken? The Crispy Chicken sandwich with Monterrey jack cheese and spicy Sriracha mayo does not disappoint. The menu also features everything from savory Seared Alaskan Halibut and Grilled Lamb Chops, to Baja Rice Bowls filled with chicken, steak, or prawns if you're thinking outside the bun.

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Xochimilco Tequila Bar (5110 Tieton Dr Ste 270 Yakima, WA 98908)

Type of Place: Mexican Food/Tequila/Excellent Margaritas 

​Finding good Mexican food this far north of Mexico—or more importantly, Texas—can be a mission in itself, but Xochimilco brings the goods. Let's start with their house-made Xochilmilco Margarita. This crave-worthy concoction's recipe is so mysterious, the powers that be covertly make a giant batch each day before the restaurant opens. Not even the bartenders know what's in it aside from the 1800 Tequila (my personal favorite), lime, orange juice and a Grand Marnier topper.

What is in this margarita that makes it so damn delicious? Is it sugar? Is it some secret sauce? Is it crack-cocaine? Who cares! I just had two Xochilmilco Margaritas, cleaned my house three times, wrote and rewrote this very blog post, mowed every yard in my neighborhood and now I'm prepared to take flight! Woooo!  

​Once you've come down from your margarita high, it's time to munch. The Camarones ala Diabla is my main-squeeze among dining options (sorry Pollo Chipotle, but we had some good times, right?). Packed with fresh shrimp in a sinus-opening spice-level sauce with sautéed mushrooms and onions, this meal is best when ordered with a side of house-made corn tortillas.

Whether you're hungry for some quality Mexican food, or just need a margarita secret ingredient pick-me-up to get every chore done around the house: Xochimilco has you covered.   

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Zesta Cucina (5110 Tieton Dr Ste 210 Yakima, WA 98908)

Type of Place: Italian Food

​Conveniently located in the same building as Xochimilco Tequila Bar (and a Pilates/Barre studio if you're into that sort of thing), this Italian gem offers huge flavor and a fantastic ambiance. Zesta Cucina welcomes visitors with white string lights illuminating the entrance and lining the many plants and trees peppered throughout the restaurant. 

As for the food itself, starters like the light and crispy Lava Lava Shrimp (my personal favorite) and the scrumptious stir fry-inspired Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap (fiancé's choice) get la festa started. Entree-wise, the Vodka Cappellini with chicken and spicy pink vodka sauce is my personal favorite. Tack on a side of mushroom Risotto and you've got yourself a well-rounded Italian entree. There's also a selection of steak (can't go wrong with the Signature Filet Mignon), seafood (The Parmeson Halibut is a winner) and pizza (Margherita me all day) along with numerous other delicious options. 

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White House Cafe (3602 Kern Rd Yakima, WA 98902)

Type of Place: Brunch/Sandwiches 

The go-to place for lunch or brunch in Yakima, the White House (no not that White house; the round mound of clown resides in Washington, D.C.) boasts breakfast favorites and savory soup and sandwich options. Breaking your fast to start the day? I recommend the fluffy and filling Three Egg and Cheese Omelet with a side of fresh fruit. Add a Fresh Croissant and top it with the White House's gourmet jam to start your day the literal fullest way possible. Hell, you'll be induced into a food coma and back to bed in no time! 

Lunchtime got you feeling hangry? Feast your eyes on the Roast Beef sandwich, loaded with Havarti cheese, piled with lettuce, tomato and onion, and topped with a thin layer of mayo and horseradish sauce. Pair with the soup of the day (if you get lucky with the Tomato Bisque, don't hesitate just order) and you've got a hunger homicide on your hands. Yes, 9-1-1? We've got a 187, hunger down. I repeat hunger down! 

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Carousel Restaurant & Bistro (25 N Front St Shop 6 Yakima, WA 98901)

Type of Place: French/Special Occasion

Feeling uh huh huh in the mood for French cuisine? This place is for you. A bit on the fancier side amongst the rest of my choices in Yakima, Carousel presents an elegant ambiance along with some French classics to please your palette. So it's a bit expensive. Live a little! You deserve a taste of how the one percent live 100 percent of the time. 

Hop on your bodyguard's back like Prince (RIP) and glance at the many choice Hors D'oeuvres that populate the menu. Try the fresh Oysters on the Half Shell and champagne mignonette sauce, or the crispy Crab Cakes served with a fresh arugula salad.

Berate your butler and tell him to order you the French Onion Soup infused with toasty Fontina and Gruyere cheese and served with a baked French baguette. Beguile him into thinking you'll share before snatching the scintillating soup away and shouting at the server to order your Steak and Frites. The 8 ounce Cali cut New York strip steak is drizzled in duck sauce. Every morsel and bite reminding you that you're not rich because of your daddy. No. You're rich because you deserve it. 

Liberate your limousine driver because Creme Brûlée is on the dessert menu and you're going to gobble down all of that gooey custard goodness. Finally, you're full. Close out the night by maligning your mistress into paying the bill. 

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Bonus: Naches Heights Vineyard (1857 Weikel Rd. Yakima, WA 98908)

Type of Place: Winery
Located at the top of an extremely steep hill overlooking an extremely gorgeous trail in western Yakima, Naches Heights Vineyard (NHV) is known for great wines and great views.

My favorite part of this winery-visiting experience is the hike. The fiancé and I have started at both the Cowiche Canyon East Trailhead and the Scenic Drive Trailhead and worked our way through a few miles of gorgeous, luscious, hilly scenery. Once you get past Cowiche Creek, the Winery Trail is about one mile of nearly vertical (only slightly exaggerating) terrain until you reach your final destination: the Naches Heights Vineyard. 

Once you finally arrive at the top, the winery awaits. NHV offers a special club membership in which you get a free tasting for every five times you hike the Winery Trail. Our hikes culminated in two free tastings for those playing at home. The wines vary by season, but we didn't try many that we did not like. In fairness, everything tastes pretty good after you've worked up a sweat hiking up and down miles of steep terrain.

Not feeling that adventurous? You can also just drive around the canyon, park your fat ass right in front and walk just a few precious feet to wine-guzzling goodness.