Manzanita Connections – February 25, 2025

Explorations around Nehalem Bay … and a bit beyond. A whiskey bar, bipimbap, lino art, and a new local foods market in Rockaway.

Feb 25, 2025

Does the rain and wind have you hibernating inside? Do you find yourself lingering on the couch? I know there are many people who relish the stormy days and enjoy a walk in the rain, but lately I fall into the former category. Staying inside being my activity of choice. However, I did manage to venture out before the heavy rain (and current power outage) and do a little exploring. Last week some friends and I visited Rusty Moose, Manzanita’s whiskey bar (a first for me). And on Friday I drove all the way to Rockaway to check out the new Green Coast Market. More info on this below!

Cocktails around the fire table at Rusty Moose in Manzanita.

At Rusty Moose, we sat outside on the front patio around the fire table on a temperate Thursday night. It was delightful, as was chatting with enthusiastic-foodie owner Jay Vogel. The menu includes options such as caprese salad (which we ordered), mac & cheese, flatbreads, plus other boards and small bites. There are several dessert options including the delicious Sticky Toffee Cake, an item you don’t see on every menu. If you’ve never been, put it on your list! Don’t worry if whiskey isn’t your beverage of choice. Drinks include fun cocktails, wine and beer, along with whiskey and non-whiskey options.

Below I’ve rounded up a few more things to do and places to go to get you off the couch and out the door. Just don’t forget your raincoat.

Nehalem River Last Thursday Serves up Bibimbap Bowls

Nehalem River Last Thursday is this week (February 27) from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, and dare I say it shouldn’t be raining. Buttercup Chowders & Ice Cream is serving up Korean barbecue or bibimbap bowls. Raise your hand if you’re going for the Banana Coconut Cream Pie 🙋‍♀️

Riverside Fish & Chips and Gnarlys Tacos along with several other retail businesses including North Coast Pinball and Revival will also be open.

More good-to-know restaurant info

Rice & Shine opens back up Wednesday, February 26.
The Winter Waters dinner at Salmonberry is Thursday, February 27 and they still have tickets for sale.
Wanda’s Cafe is working hard to reopen on March 1.
Word on the street: Offshore Grill hopes to open its coffee shop (in the former bookstore space) in late March around spring break.

An Afternoon of Poetry and a Night of Art Making

Trade your couch for an afternoon in the warm Manzanita library on Thursday, February 27 with local poet Sara Sebastian. Poetry reading and workshop begins at 3:00 pm. Her debut poetry collection, We Call So Many Feelings Love, was released in January 2024.

Hoffman Center of the Arts is hosting its first Community Art Night on Friday, February 28 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. This is a new series of casual art-making events for the community. Artist and designer Danielle LaRae will guide attendees in a relaxed exploration of lino printing with pre-carved blocks. All materials will be provided, but you can bring garments, totes, or other textiles that you would like to print on. Tuition is $15. Walk-ins are welcome. Planners can sign up here. Also, on March 2, Angelita Surmon is here from Portland and will be doing a glasswork demo. Check out the website for more info and to register.

Green Coast Market opens in Rockaway

Green Coast Market is a new store in Rockaway with a curated selection of local food items and more. Grand opening is planned for March 21.

Last Friday I drove to Rockaway to check out Green Coast Market, a new store that sells a variety of interesting local food items. The store is at 119 S. Miller Street, on the west side of the 101 south of the train station and is currently open from 12:00 to 5:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I talked with owner Jason on my visit, and he shared that they are planning a grand opening for March 21. Follow them on Facebook.

I especially liked that Jason knew all his vendors and was excited to share the stories behind their offerings that come from Tillamook County as well as some from other parts of Oregon and southwest Washington. They carry baked goods from Brittney Bakes and Wicked Eats, flowers from Neahkahnie Blooms, grass fed beef, pork and lamb from Heritage Family Farms, fish from Garibaldi, local wines and beers from up and down the coast, hazelnuts, honey, Jacobsen Sea Salt, Durant Olive Oil and much more!

Infused coconut oils manufactured right here on the coast!

A fun item that I’d never seen is the Dua Dua Coconut Oil, plain and infused flavors. They have had a coconut plantation in the South Pacific for over 100 years. Today they manufacture a wide variety of coconut products at their organic-certified facility on the Oregon coast. Jason shared that the couple’s 19-year old son had the idea to start making infused coconut oils. Smart cookie.

And they have plants!! Check out this cute corner of the store.