Walla Walla upped its trendy ante this summer with the debut of four new eateries. Ranging from self-serve frozen yogurt shop to contemporary gastro pub, there truly is something for everyone.
Blue Palm Frozen Yogurt: 1417 Plaza Way, Suite B
Slightly off the beaten track (as in not on Main Street), Walla Walla’s second frozen yogurt vendor features a wide variety of frosty flavors and tasty toppings: fresh fruit, candy, nuts and sauces. The atmosphere is similar to that of the typical self-serve frozen yogurt shop: clean, spacious and buffet-line in organization with a pleasant outdoor seating area. Don’t be daunted by all the flavor options: there are plenty of little sample cups for you to take advantage of before you even begin to craft your creation. Since you pay by weight this may not be the place to go if your eyes are bigger than your stomach, but if you’re in the mood for a light and refreshing snack or desert, it definitely hits the spot. Cost is 40 cents per ounce, minus the weight of the cup.
Frosted: 7 S 1st Ave
Since Sprinkles pioneered the gourmet cupcake industry in 2003, chic bakeries have taken the world by storm and now Walla Walla has one of its very own. Right off of Main Street between Sweet Basil and Peach & Pear, Frosted is a logical stop on any adventure into town. A classy ambiance complete with black and white checkered floor tiles and delicate chandeliers greets you as you walk in the door. Be sure to stop by multiple times as the freshly baked flavors change, daily. My personal favorite: chocolate raspberry, a dark chocolate cake jam-packed with raspberry filling and topped with a raspberry butter cream.
The Garden Vegan Café: 36 S Colville St
What was once The Underground has made way for The Garden. Conveniently located next to the Colville St. Patisserie, this café allows you to prolong your downtown study session with some savory brain food. As you may have guessed, you won’t find any meat or dairy on the menu; but what you will find is fresh, delicious and healthy: some items are even soy- and/or gluten-free. Aside from offering an abundance of salads and sandwiches (both hot and cold), The Garden is also the place to go for inventive smoothies and fresh-squeezed juice blends, not to mention monster-sized chocolate chip cookies.
Public House 124: 124 E Main St
Joining Walla Walla’s bar scene alongside The Green, Marcy’s and Red Monkey, Public House 124 boasts a prime location, creative cocktails and gourmet eats. The swanky but cozy atmosphere may attract an older clientele, but is nevertheless an ideal spot in which to enjoy select $4 cocktails (available during happy hour: Tuesday-Thursday, 2-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-12 a.m. and Friday-Saturday, 2-6 p.m.) and truffle oil French fries. While little on the pricey side: especially within the constraints of a collegiate budget: Public House is worth the occasional splurge.
