Parker House Return is
Awesome
By: KR Laurent
Explorer David C. Parker arrived via a wagon train party,
which rafted down the Columbia River from The Dalles, Ore. in 1846.
He probably never thought there would be a day one could relax and
have a fine dining experience in the comfort of a beautiful facility
that overlooks the Columbia River.
In 1850, Parker was granted, through the Donation Land
Claim system, 582 acres and started the community of Parkersville,
the first American town north of the Columbia River. Today, some
of that area is still known as Parker’s Landing Historical Park,
Washougal Marina and Parker’s Landing. Nestled there on the banks
of the Columbia River, overlooking the marina, lies the recently
reopened Parker House Restaurant.
In May of 2004, Victor
Ezpinoza, a Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winning jockey with
over 1,900 victories to his credit, purchased the Parker House Restaurant.
In December of 2005, Ezpinoza officially re-opened the restaurant.
This is not just a restaurant;
it’s a grand facility that can host a plethora of events. When entering
the Parker House, you are greeted with the beautiful artwork that
surrounds the fireplace and depicts a local American Indian salmon
feast. You know then that you’re in for a treat.
Manager Gina Mudarris graciously
spent some time with this writer in the dining room, located on the
top floor of the restaurant. It overlooks the Camas / Washougal Marina
and on a clear day, you have a great view of Mt. Hood in the distance.
The dining room is formally set with linens and the other fine amenities
one would expect to see in an up-scale facility. Besides the beautiful
view, the room includes original artwork by Californian artist Coco.
One of the unique pieces created by the artist lies outside the kitchen,
as it surrounds the pizza oven and kitchen area.
The Parker House serves
a variety of cuisine. They specialize in steak and seafood, prepared
by Chef Barry Powell, along with daily offerings and specialty pizza
direct from the oven. The restaurant hosts an elegant champagne brunch
on Sundays. The restaurant also provides an extensive wine list and
a full-service bar for your enjoyment.
On Friday and Saturday
evenings in the dining room, piano artists perform during your dining
experience. If you’re just in the mood to relax, or enjoy an after-dinner
aperitif, you can visit one of the two bars on location.
On the top floor, adjacent
to the dining room, you will find a bar for relaxing and enjoying
the view outside or the fireplace inside. Keeping with the history
of the original Parker House, this bar was restored to its original
design. The bar offers some of the finest wine choices around.
Whether you need to sharpen
your sports knowledge, or be entertained, you‘ll find just what you
need on the lower level of the facility. In the Sports Room, you
will find another full service bar, dining area and dance floor.
Gina explains that this lower room has the capacity for over 200
guests for functions of all kinds. The restaurant operation not only
hosts your event, it also provides full, on-site, catering services.
Karaoke is featured in
the Sports Room on Thursday and Sunday evenings. On Friday and Saturday,
live bands perform and keep the dance floor filled with appreciative
patrons.
The Parker House Restaurant
is located in the Historic Parker’s Landing area of Washougal, Wash.,
only a 15-minute drive northeast, from Portland International Airport,
on Washington’s SR14.
The Parker House serves
lunch daily from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sunday Brunch is served from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Sports Bar remains
open during the week until midnight, until 2 a.m. on weekends.
With a staff of over 50,
and a desire to make your experience enjoyable and affordable, Espinoza,
Mudarris, and the staff invite you to experience the Parker House
Restaurant. If it’s fine dining, relaxation or dancing you’re looking
for, with a bit of history thrown in, visit the Parker House, 56
First St. in Washougal, Wash. See ad for details, Music
on Tap for
music schedule.
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