Eating well

Eats in the Streets: Good Neighbor offers delicious new menu items, beer and more this summer

NORTH BEND -- The summer season has barely begun but Good Neighbor Craft House is ready to provide you with some fresh, new and delicious food, beer and more.

The restaurant, located at 9650 Renovo Road, North Bend, is kicking off summer right with some new menu items and the return of a popular favorite.

"We will be featuring lighter entree dishes and introducing some different proteins like tuna steak," Vinnie Kishbaugh said. Kishbaugh and his wife Kate opened Good Neighbor in 2022.

Prior to opening the bar/restaurant, the couple often traveled to various breweries to sample their products.

According to Vinnie, the couple, who previously operated Wetsu Catering out of Uncle Albert's in Lock Haven, first sat down with some local breweries about catering. From there, the idea sparked of having their own business to provide food, while also keeping brewing in mind.

For its summer menu, Vinnie said its excited to showcase a feature meal -- a tuna poke bowl.

"One entree we're doing, which we hope gains popularity, is our tuna poke bowl," he said. "It'll be a fresh tuna steak, cubed and marinated on a bed of quinoa with English cucumber, green scallions and ginger wasabi aioli."

Also featured on the menu will be a Greek salad and the return of roasted garlic peel and eat shrimp.

"We're looking at lighter food in general," Vinnie said. "We'll still have our burgers and sandwiches, but they'll be offered on a build-your-own menu so people can create the exact sandwich they want."

Vinnie noted Good Neighbor will also be offering some cold sandwiches as well.

"It'll be something that people can grab and go, since we have our outdoor seating," he said.

Not only will there be new food options -- Good Neighbor is also brewing up some new beers and other beverages with Head Brewer Jim Rogers.

"We have a lot of people who come to visit with their families. Some of the folks that travel to us, we've gotten to know their tastes over the years. Some of them are looking for sweeter mixed drinks or a sweeter beer," Vinnie said.

With that in mind, Vinnie said Good Neighbor will be rolling out some lactose sours in a smoothie sour series.

"We're serving peaches and cream and we have a grape that will be going out shortly," he said. "We also have an abundance of ciders coming out -- we're serving an elderberry cider and a concord cider."

In terms of beer, Vinnie said Good Neighbor is looking to create a Saison for the summer along with some shandies along with some classic "lawn mower" beers such as pilsners and cream ales.

"We're actually going to be releasing a California Common this summer," he said.

Vinnie encouraged those interested in keeping up with their new brews to consider downloading Untapped so they can be notified when a new one drops.

They can also follow Good Neighbor Craft House on Facebook and Instagram.

Summertime will also mean lots to do at Good Neighbor -- including its annual Bands in the Bend event on June 28-29. This is the second year for the event, which features live music and -- new this year -- food provided by local fire companies.

"This year we're reaching out to some local charitable organizations -- like fire halls -- so they'll be providing food and drink to event goers. They'll be able to benefit from the event," Vinnie said.

For more information about Bands in the Bend, Vinnie encourages those who'd like to purchase tickets to visit Eventbrite.

Other events include:

-- Live music every Saturday night through the winter from 7 to 10 p.m.

-- Open Mic Night the first and third Friday of each month.

-- Line dancing the first Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. of each month. "We'll be open for a burgers and beer menu and country line dancing on the lawn," Vinnie said. "They provide a half hour of instruction and then an hour of dance twice."

-- Beer Yoga on the last Sunday of each month. Good Neighbor will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. with yoga taking place from 6 to 7 p.m.

-- Travingo -- or music Bingo -- every Thursday.

-- Karaoke on Wednesdays.

For more information about Good Neighbor Craft House, or to keep up with their events, visit their Facebook or Instagram pages or their website -- www.goodneighborcrafthouse.com.