Chef and owner Alfonso Ramos’ Carbon Mexican Steakhouse has four locations throughout Kitsap. They serve up delicious and authentic Mexican food in substantial portions. The atmosphere is festive and the staff helpful and professional. The steakhouses also specialize in margaritas featuring Mexican fruits … read more

When learning a foreign language, a common recommendation is to immerse yourself in the country and the culture of that language. The same can be said for a product. If you really want to understand a product, you need to understand its origin, … read more

The question is “why.” The answer is “thrifting.” On a top shelf at Belfair’s HUB thrift store were six striped Libbey drinking glasses. The very last thing I needed but, what the heck. Lots of singles, but it’s getting hard to find vintage … read more

After living on Mercer Island for 35 years, Jack Paauw and Susan Gates were ready to make a move. For a few years, Paauw had been commuting to a Kitsap-based job on the fast ferry, so he couldn’t wait for a shorter commute. … read more

Induction cooktops are taking the food-preparation appliance market by storm. Nearly every cooktop manufacturer — from the high-end La Cornue range models that cost thousands of dollars, to small portable single-burners for RVs and restaurants selling for only $100 or so — is … read more

Agate Restaurant offers an efficient and tempting menu in an attractive, craftsman-style space next to the Bainbridge Museum. Crafted by chef and owner Paul Mancebo, the menu uses ingredients sourced from local farms and seafood suppliers, then is “influenced by flavors from around … read more

When planning to build a new home or remodel an existing one, whom do you call to start the ball rolling on making your dreams a reality? Finding the starting line for a residential building project can feel a bit illusive, so we … read more

The kitchen is the heart of our homes. We no longer simply prepare our meals there. It’s a place for doing homework, working remotely and gathering with friends and family. Everyone wants a stunning kitchen, but remember that it’s a functional space as … read more

Kitchen shops and big-box stores feature a virtual cornucopia of laborsaving, timesaving appliances for the home cook. Perhaps the most popular appliance is the countertop stand mixer, a veritable workhorse that whips, kneads and beats doughs of every description. In addition, many manufacturers … read more