OK, I confess. We've joined the many folks who "Groupon." McKeown's Restaurant is one good example of the reasons why we enjoy Groupon, and will no doubt keep on "Grouponing!"
For the un-initiated, Groupon is an internet service that e-mails participants a coupon available for purchase each day for your area (or other areas you can sign up for). If you buy that day's Groupon, it entitles you to a great deal on something - a visit to a restaurant, a stay at a motel or a resort, service for your car, etc. The deals are usually about 50% off the regular price, and must be used within a specified period of time. Why merchants are willing to discount their services so steeply is that it's a great way to introduce themselves to a whole new market. That's one of the main benefits to folks like us, too; it can introduce us to places we've never been to, and may never have heard of. And of course, there are some great deals.
Without Groupon, we would probably never have found McKeown's, at the corner of Holladay and Broadway. The restaurant is a little off the beaten track (several blocks from the Turnaround, a well-known Seaside landmark), but I think it may become our go-to restaurant when we're on the northern Oregon coast. It's a lovely place, bright and cheerful, with a number of large plants lending to the congenial atmosphere. The waitress was accommodating and friendly. There were some very interesting choices on the menu, including Kobe Beef Chopped Steak with Mushroom Merlot Sauce and an Irish Cottage Pie. The Kobe Beef item tempted us (and with the mushroom sauce, qualified McKeown's for inclusion in this section, rather than the "unmushroom" one), but we had other ideas.
A new restaurant discovery, thanks to Groupon.
McKeon's website promises that it "is a family run restaurant with a passion for putting out great tasting and beautifully presented food for the whole family." This sums up our experience at McKeon's - they've kept their promise!
Our Groupon also included a one night stay (with truffles, flowers and a bottle of wine in our room) at the Inn at Seaside. In the last 12 months, Steven and I probably have stayed a minimum of 5 weeks in hotels throughout the USA. Compared to these other establishments, I can truthfully say that we found the Inn at Seaside to be exceptional: the staff was great, the room was flawlessly maintained and cleaned, courtesy popcorn and cookies were to be found in the lobby, there were special rates for returning guests...we were very well pleased with our visit.
Next time you're on the northern Oregon coast, you'll want to check out McKeown's and the Inn at Seaside!
McKeown's Restaurant & Bar
714 Broadway
Seaside, Oregon 97138
503.738.5232