The Rock: Vashon's 80s throwback

I don't quite recall the first time we went to the rock but it was probably raining. We were probably desperate for a meal.  It was probably unplanned. I don't think we ever plan on eating at the rock. It just happens.

But the thing is, we go back. Good beer. Good pizza, Good salad, Chill ambiance. Kid friendly enough.  We are there. The pizza has a thickish crust, lots of sauce and cheese, nothing especially frou frou about it.  Just pizza.  We tend to get sausage.

The salad is an assortment of things: bacon, nuts, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and cheese with lettuce and really good dressing.  Again it's not froofy but it is good!

The beer: Irish death stout, Mac n' Jacks, a couple of other localish things, usually and IPA. Solid. Beer selection without being pretentious.

We really really enjoy this Island pizza establishment.  (the other one I have nothing good to say about it.) On an Island full of foodies and locavores and free range people and animals I appreciate how middle America this feels. It's good. It's not fussy.  Oh, and they hang the extra chairs on the ceiling.

And, in regards to kid friendly-ness. We have never even gotten a snarky look for leaving a mess.  Their is a tiny arcade where you can unload $4 in quarters.  There you have it!

http://rockislandpizza.com/menu.html

Vashon IGA

So when I was a daytripper and then a vacationer on Vashon I had no idea there was a second grocery store on the Island.

Thriftway was all I knew of, and frankly was all I needed.
But of course I now know there is and IGA on Island as well. Just one street west of the downtown core.  I have to confess that I am kinda charmed by IGA.

Maybe it is because I spent a summer working at an IGA in Greenville, Illinois and that happened to be a great summer job for me.  Or maybe that the Vashon IGA is not the wierd, artsy, hippy dippy Vashon. It is an ordinary supplemental grocery store...

Sure I once bought day old fried chicken that tasted exactly like the store smelled.
And no one is claiming they have an abundance of any particular food item.
But honestly I have had good luck with everything else I've purchased there.

Sometimes things are delightfully cheaper.  Their bulk nuts are like $5 a pound cheaper! Their clementine oranges are $1 a bundle cheaper (right now). Also, as a Tillamook yogurt die hard they often have Tillamook yogurt on sale!

But really, I love IGA for these reasons:

1. When you forgot something at Thriftway and you just cannot go back there again.
2. You don't want to run into anyone.
3. You are going for a quick in an out- after all IGA is just smaller
4. You can always park close to the door.  This doesn't sound like a big deal but since I am always hauling kids in and out- this matters a lot to me!
5. It is what it is. Nothing fancy. Just a simple store. There is no pretension.

Here is their website if you are looking....
http://www.vashonmarket.iga.com/

laBoucherie- Vashon Island

We splurged and went to laBoucherie on Moroccan Sausages a couple of weeks ago.
They gave us suggestions on how to cook them.
They were AMAZING!  We did not share them with the children. We selfishly hoarded them.

So flipping good.
If money were no object....this is what I would be doing on Easter:  A farm tour and 9 course meal!

Their website is worth a perusal if you are interested in this restaurant and farm etc.