Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

OLYMPIA, Wash. - As part of an ongoing movement, a significant number of Washington restaurants are continuing to include healthy choices on their menus, according to the results of the 2008 Washington Restaurant Association Wage, Benefit and Menu Survey.

“Health and nutrition continue to be growing cultural priorities nationally and in the Pacific Northwest, particularly,” said Anthony Anton, WRA president and CEO. “So, it’s no surprise that more than half of the restaurants in this survey indicated they were accommodating diners’ desire for more wholesome menu selections. It’s really a testament to how responsive this industry is to market demands.”

Fifty-four percent of quick service eateries said healthy choices had been added to their menus and 51 percent of full service establishments made the addition. Additionally, the full service operators surveyed estimated that roughly 30 percent of their menu options fell into the healthy category, according to the survey results.

The detailed report covers salary and hourly wage information for certain positions, averaged tipped wages, hiring practices, menu pricing and benefits information, among other valuable statistics.

The results were released this quarter, in partnership between the WRA and People Report, a marketing research firm specializing in compiling specific data within various industry sectors

The report is produced biennially and is a respected source of information on trends and changing economics in the region’s dynamic hospitality industry. This information gives operators a comprehensive look at how the industry is responding to particular issues, and serves as a roadmap for decisions involving salary, benefits and menu planning.

Visit www.WRAhome.com and learn how to obtain a copy of this invaluable report.

VINO AT THE LANDING DEBUTS WINE “AHEAD OF THE CURVE”

New Wine Bar Welcomes Community

Renton, Washington, February 13, 2009- Vino At The Landing debuts to the public February 20^th 2009, as Renton’s premier wine tasting bar and retail shop. Focusing on carefully selected, artisan style and value driven wines in an intimate and contemporary space . Vino At The Landing functions as both a tasting bar and retail store. Designed to create a fun and vibrant environment for both enthusiasts and novices, the dark wood custom-designed tasting bar is the heart of the enterprise where patrons gather to sample wines from the Northwest and beyond. Choosing from glass pours or themed “flights” of multiple wines, guests can taste and learn about a new region or wine grape with each visit. The retail portion of the store features a rotating selection of 150 wines, the majority value-priced at $30 or less. “We envision Vino at the Landing as the community gathering place,” says co-owner Rick McMaster, “where people can relax and enjoy the pleasures of wine in an environment designed to be comfortable and educational.”

Winemaker events and informal tastings will be designed to entertain, enlighten and educate. “We’re learning as we go too,” says McMaster, referring to his “all family” business partners, “so we appreciate the educational component of wine and want to make it as approachable as possible for our customers.” McMaster, an engineer by training and an avid wine enthusiast by avocation and his wife Andrea recently completed the 2nd-level certificate program with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). “We feel the best way to gain knowledge is to explore, so we’ve set up a program to make it easy and fun for our customers to do just that.” Weekly Friday evening tastings are planned with winemakers present so guests can have their questions answered in an intimate setting. In addition to the tasting bar and retail shop, Vino at the Landing will offer a menu of wine-friendly foods which can be enjoyed at the wine bar, in the cozy dining area or the fireside lounge.

Wine flights will be presented in custom wine “trees” with descriptors of each wine provided. Sample flights include: Ahead of the Curve: A tribute to Vino at the Landing’s Renton location with cutting edge wines, Worldly White: White grape varietals from premier growing locations around the globe, Old World Reds: showcasing subdued styles from classic wine regions and Seattle Artisan: Local artisan producers making great wines from the Columbia Valley. Themes will change regularly to showcase the wide range of wines available and keep the educational component fresh. All wines poured will be available for retail purchase. Retail wines are available to enjoy at home or in-store with table service for a modest corkage fee. Flights include a trio of three ounce pours and sixteen glass pours will also be available. A selection of craft beers and non-alcoholic beverages will be offered as well. Additional retail items like gourmet pasta, olive oil, chocolates, cheese and wine accessories are soon to follow.

Future plans also include the development of a wine club and weekly e-newsletter to keep customers updated with the latest wine arrivals, special events and other pertinent information. Warmer months will bring the addition of outdoor sidewalk seating.

About Vino at The Landing

Vino at The Landing is Renton’s premier wine bar and retail shop hailed as the “new community gathering place”.  Offering 150 hand selected artisan wines, gourmet small plates, restaurant style seating and retail services.  Vino at The Landing is located at 800 North 10^th Place, Suite E in Renton and on the web at www.vinoatthelanding.com or by phone at 425-282-0382.