This review is for the latest/most recent opening of Divine Distillers and the awesome Inferno Kitchen that accompanies it! Sadly we never made it to the original location (we live in Salem) but the new restaurant & bar is absolutely fantastic and a place worth driving for.

We finally decided to come by and do trivia with Aaron (Oregon Trivia Company) and were so glad we did--Aaron has been one of our favorite hosts around Salem for many years now and when he said he was starting to do shows at Divine Distillers on Thursday nights (ya'll need to come have fun with us! :) we knew we'd be there. As usual, it didn't disappoint--just the right amount of challenging/fun questions, great hosting & an enjoyable way to break up the work week!

The space is quite large with plenty of seating for groups and they're working on putting in a beer garden with fire pits--looks like it'll be a super fun place to meet up with friends & hang out this summer. It's usually pretty chill there on a weeknight so it's easy to relax and take your time.

The drink menu is very creative & fun with everything from beer to cocktails to ciders, all featuring pours made right in-house by the talented staff. Check out one of their flights to get a taste of multiple sips & pick your new favorite!

Also, the food here BLOWS US AWAY. Seriously some of the best food we've had in a very long time. I personally can't stop dreaming about the Tri-Tip (cooked to tender, juicy perfection & topped with chimichurri), the Elotes with Pulled Pork (rich, smoky & creamy), the House Burger (simple yet spectacular) or the Shrimp Fajitas (a delicious pile of tasty fixings that made me very happy). We were told the chef is a BBQ master and it shows--can't wait to try everything else on the menu soon!

Other Bonuses: Ample, easy parking in a private lot, super friendly & approachable staff and clean & comfortable restaurant with lots of space & more expansions/improvements in the works! Plus, you can buy bottles of their spirits to go.

If you were a fan of Divine Distillers before or have just been driving by wondering about this place, do yourself a favor & check it out. I know we'll be going back soon!

I truly can't say enough great things about Epilogue...I tell absolutely everyone I know that it's the best restaurant in Salem & it's the truth! Jonathan just got nominated as a James Beard Award finalist AGAIN this year and it's much deserved--thank you Epilogue for bringing some class, culture & outstanding eats to our town--it's been a long time coming & we need more of it!

Not only are the menu offerings imaginative & interesting, everything is so well-executed & obviously made with love. I've never had anything I didn't like!! I'm a firm believer that a restaurant's fried chicken is a barometer for how well it does other dishes and the Chicken & Waffles here are TOP NOTCH!!!! Other favorites include the Spicy Pickled Eggs, Crabby Fries, Eggplant Parm Sandwich, Scrapple Burger, Breakfast Sandwich with Fried Bologna, Biscuits...I could go on!! Not to mention a fantastic cocktail menu (classics + creative house concoctions), local beers on draft & wine--what's there not to love?

It's obvious that Jonathan's passion is food & I'm grateful he shares it with us...the fact that so many of Epilogue's ingredients are locally sourced is a great way to support your neighbors & foster local pride. Then the monthly Chef's Tasting Meals? 6 courses with wine pairings prepared especially for you by Jonathan himself...I can't wait to try this! Oh, and did I mention they're also opening a Hot Wings restaurant right next door called Icarus? The concept will be a casual bar with hot wings and women's sports--fantastic!!

And I also have to echo what so many others are saying...the social justice work that Epilogue does is incredible and also MUCH NEEDED here in Salem and Oregon in general. The Library of Black Excellence is a fantastic idea and I love that you can rent a private room at the restaurant to discuss books you read, have meaningful conversations and learn something new. I also love their focus on volunteering in the community and how they offer opportunities for patrons to join in monthly volunteer programs & take on antiracist work in our everyday lives. It's so awesome & such a wonderful way to give back & make Salem a better place for everyone here!!

Do yourself a favor & go experience Epilogue for yourself...you'll be glad you did!!

I honestly can't say enough good things about Ticket to Play! Since Robin and Nathan opened TTP, it has become a bit of an obsession for us and our friends and it is our go-to for some relaxing weekend activity, especially as Oregon winter weather sets in. We are always welcomed and accommodated with open arms, the game selection is excellent, and the friendly company and conversation is the best!

And seriously, the food here is super tasty--Nathan's past experience as a chef certainly shows in the tasty array of salads, sandwiches, daily soup specials and flatbread pizzas they offer. Oh, and did I mention cheese plates? And that they serve Willamette Valley Pie company hand-pies? And have beer on tap? (Ah-hah! Now I have your attention!)

So, not only do we love geeking out and playing board games for hours, it's always a pleasure to be in the company of other people who do too. What truly makes TTP special is that the café is Nathan and Robin's passion. They want to provide a wonderful, family-friendly service to the good folks of Salem where you can eat delicious food and play fun games in a safe and comfy environment with cool people.

Nathan will happily give you a review of any game on the shelf or teach you how to play it if you're new to gaming in general. And if you're thinking about diving into the magical realm of board games by purchasing some for your own collection (my wallet just cringed a little!) TTP is a great way to "test drive" some of the games you've been eye-balling before you spend all that cash.

Sure, Salem has Wild Things Games downtown where you can also go play (and don't get me wrong, I love that shop and think it's fantastic!) but TTP manages to provide a much more curated café and gaming experience whereas Wild Things is much more store-focused and gaming times are geared towards specific events such as Magic the Gathering and Pokémon tournaments.

And that's another thing I love about TTP...if you're at a shop where you're sitting around with a bunch of teenage boys playing Pokemon, it's not really the vibe most of us adults are looking for on a Saturday night But going to TTP feels like playing from the comfort of home without having to do any of the cooking or dig out your extra folding chairs.

Other things to note are:

1.)TTP loves kids and they manage to make it a great environment for people of all ages to enjoy gaming! While it's not strictly a kiddie place where adults feel uncomfortable, there are lots of games for older kids as well as a play room for toddlers to keep everyone happy. This is a family-run place that encourages both families and non-parents alike to enjoy themselves here.

2.)They have great hours and are nice enough to be open as late as midnight (which is nice for us big kids if you want an evening out). And even though it can get crowded and hard to find a table on a Friday or Saturday night, you can always rent the private game room for a small extra fee where you can really settle into your favorite RPG!

3.)They have special events! Looking for a unique place to go to a paint party, attend a "Learn to Play" night or enjoy a fun and peaceful New Year's Eve party? TTP is your venue!

In short, TTP is the perfect and unique entertainment option you're looking for when your friends say "I'm bored! Let's do something different tonight!" They won't be sorry if you take them to TTP--you'll just get to say "You're Welcome" for introducing them to a new obsession!

Quite possibly the best BBQ in the Willamette Valley evverrrrrrr!

What do I love about Roger that BBQ? Uh, meat, meat, and more meat?! The more appropriate question is: what is there NOT to love?

Not only am I too lazy to ever be vegetarian, but why would I do that to myself when pork (in all its forms) is on my Top 10 list of the most perfect foods in existence!? And don't judge me for also wanting a pet pig. (Pigs are rad in any form you can enjoy them in).

Hubby and I went on a trip to Tennessee a few years back and basically ate our way around the state, so needless to say, when we moved to Oregon, Roger That was immediately on my radar. And their BBQ style did not disappoint.

With a focus on smoked pork and brisket, Roger That gracefully sidesteps the gross sugary sauces that define Carolina BBQ and instead lets the gorgeous flavors of the meat shine through. Though of course, you have access to some perfectly balanced and zesty sauces if you'd like them. Give me some heat and vinegar with my smoked meats any day! Pair a tasty pile of flesh with a large sweet tea, some creamy coleslaw and a pile of their $1-a-piece wimpy burgers, and you have yourself a fine meal that will transport you to the land of the Great Smokies in no time.

My only sadness is that they're only open until they run out of meat (but hey, that's how you know it's fresh and made that day!) so I get a little antsy thinking of other eager patrons whisking my meat away before I can eat it. But trust me, it'll be worth the drive out to West Salem every.single.time. Hell, this joint even has the power to make crossing the infamous "Bridge" much less painful, so don't hesitate to make Roger That the purpose of your next delicious quest!