Support Small Business Series
The Swantown Inn is a small Mom and Pop, family owned business. In this series of blog posts we want to highlight other small businesses. Some we frequent often, some less so, but if there is a choice between a chain and a local option we almost always go for the local.
The Reef – An Olympia Icon
We have lived in Olympia for 20 years. The Reef has nearly always been a mainstay of the dining scene, with various owners over those 20 years and a forever evolving vibe and story that perfectly matches a business of this character. Honestly it took us a good while to ever make it to The Reef orginially. Going out for breakfast or even brunch does not happen often when you own a B&B. We loved it whenever we went in the past, so when the oppurtunity finally came to try the reopened and reimagined Reef we jumped at the chance.
We hit it up on a morning that was not very busy. We ordered the mushroom appetizer, because we were feeeling particularly hungry. That was not the first thing that piqued our interest though. From the genuine, warm and friendly greeting, we felt right at home. One of the owners (I think) was having breakfast at the bar with their young kid, and then telling them how to bus their own dishes (because one day they would probably be doing it for a job anyway). It really helped set the vibe.
The mushroom dish did not disappoint! It was a showstopper. It went way beyond our expectations. The Reef has really elevated their menu to beyond your run of the mill diner. You can read Nathan’s review of our meal on Google (did you know he is a Local Area Guide?). We topped it off with a chicken burger, which had similar flavours to the mushrooms, and a burrito, which was so filling.
The other thing to consider when visiting The Reef is the bar our the back. It is small and cozy, and we had a quick look at the cocktail menu. There are a couple of well priced ones that we want to make a visit just to try. It would be a great place for before or after dinner drinks. Especially if you walked downtown from the Inn.
Where? 212 4th Ave E, Olympia
Web? See their Linktree, links to Instagram and Facebook.