Read Part 1 of this story here.
Anchored in Wenatchee for over 12 years, Chef/owner Deepika Dhawan (DD). Born in India, she brings her own recipes to a new level. Several comments stated, “Best Indian food ever,” and we have to agree.
I had a long discussion about what I was looking for, and the waiter suggested the unique dish that you will not find anywhere else: Chicken Poprika. Served at the table in a hot skillet, the chicken was marinated and served in a light, creamy cashew sauce, spiced with ginger and garlic. Elizabeth had Mango Curry with chicken. The large pieces of chicken, vegetables, and mango were served in a delicious curry sauce spiced with ginger and garlic.
We decided to focus on all the appealing appetizers: shrimp ceviche, salmon rillettes, and crab chowder. What was our favorite? The shrimp served with the shrimp marinated in lime dressing and shrimp chips, and jicama? How about the delicious Dungeness Crab Chowder with roasted corn and saffron? Finally, the salmon pate is served with pickled red onions and pickled cucumbers. For me, the chowder was my favorite, but all of these appetizers were great.
There are, of course, excellent entrée options like the New York Steak or Chicken Risotto. Everything was delicious!
We highlighted their outstanding wines in part 1. Having eaten on and off during the day, we decided to enjoy some of the appetizers. We do this often. The creamy baked brie with the crostini was excellent, and the meat & cheeseboard was almost a meal. So many meats, artisan cheeses, and fruits. Finally, the squash soup was one of my favorites.
Local small business owners Eric and Angie Decker opened 25 years ago in this older, quaint building that is listed as a historic building on Mission Street. We were there in the morning and enjoyed fresh coffee in the cozy setting. The veggie omelet and eggs Benedict were great selections. They have five restaurants in the Wenatchee area.
Outdoor Fun
Want to go for a relaxing ride along the Columbia River, with no vehicular traffic on a mostly flat paved trail? Grab your bike or rent an e-bike at Arlberg Sports and go across the street to start the 10-mile loop. You will start on the west side of the river, then go through four city parks. Make sure to check out the Wenatchee Confluence State Park, where the Wenatchee River joins the Columbia River. Depending on the time of year, you may see folks swimming or on the paddleboards, or kayaks.
Then cross the Columbia River on the bridge, separated from car traffic. On the east side, looking across the river, you will enjoy the view of the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
To complete the loop, you cross the Pedestrian Bridge; however, there are repairs currently being done, and it will be closed till later in 2026. So keep that in mind! I went as far as I could and then returned, which made the trip close to 20 miles instead of 10. I knew that, of course, and on an e-bike, biking 20 miles on the mostly level paved trail was frankly effortless. Even without an e-bike, the 20 miles would not be difficult. By the way, we saw many people walking and running on the trail.
Although this is not a former railroad bed, this bike route is now included in Rail-Trails Pacific Northwest newly released book.
Paddling
At Lincoln Rock State Park, you can launch your kayak or SUP and enjoy Lake Entiat, a reservoir created by the Rocky Reach Dam. This dams the Columbia River. We enjoyed the short paddle to the northeast to Turtle Rock. We did not go around the island, but if one wanted, it would probably be close to 3 miles. We just enjoyed ourselves and did a total of 1.5 miles. Turtle Rock is an island that is a wildlife protected area, so enjoy the views and wildlife, but there is no access to this small island. We did not see any turtles or rocks that are supposed to resemble President Lincoln.
We did not get a chance to kayak the Wenatchee Confluence State Park and the associated estuaries. However, there are several reports that this is an excellent place to launch your kayak. Kayak and SUP rentals are available from Full Throttle Rental, LLC.
Always check weather conditions before heading out.
We returned to our room at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel and had a relaxing evening, and then enjoyed the sunrise views and the Columbia River before returning home to the Seattle area.
Editorial Disclosure: travel and lodging were generously provided.
Image Sources:
