WHERE CLARK COUNTY'S TOP BUSINESS EXECUTIVES TAKE THEIR CLIENTS TO LUNCH

What better way to become acquainted with a new client's interests and business philosophies than by chatting over lunch? How better to impress an out-of-town prospect than by showing off a bit of local ambiance over a meal?

Whether you're ready to seal a contract or just want to build a new client relationship, lunch can be the most important moment in a business day. We asked a random selection of Clark County business executives where they take their most important clients for lunch. Most had strong opinions about the quality of the setting, the service, and above all, the food. Here's what they had to say:

Historic detail
"The Club at the Historic Reserve," said Carol Curtis, an associate broker with Windermere Stellar Group, Vancouver and Clark Public Utilities commissioner. She joined the members-only Historic Reserve Club expressly for the purpose of taking clients to lunch, Curtis said.

In the upper level of what is known as the Grant House on Officers Row, club members can sit by the fireplace or hold group luncheons in one of three private meeting rooms. "It's a little quieter there," Curtis said, "and the food is excellent." Not a member? That's OK. The Northwest-style cuisine is also served in the main-floor public venue. The structure with sweeping wrap-around front porch was built in 1849 and named for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, who served as quartermaster at the Vancouver Barracks before the Civil War.

"My guests are always impressed with the ambiance and food," Curtis said.

Trendy, but private
The Club at the Historic Reserve topped the lists of several local executives, including John White, vice president of JD White, a division of Berger/Abam Engineers Inc. But for a change of pace, White said he'll take clients to new downtown Vancouver hotspot, 1220 Main Restaurant & Bar. White called the venue private for business lunches because the booths are high-backed. "And it's really good food," said White, who enjoys the panini sandwiches, salads and soups there.

Designed as trendy, yet cozy, "I think people feel very comfortable here because of the décor," said Ann Bucklin, general manager. A fireplace provides warmth on chilly days and soft lighting for the establishment's generous bar, which seats up to 14 patrons.

Root cause in Camas
White said he might also take important business clients to Roots Restaurant & Bar in Camas. "The service is excellent and the food is fantastic," he said. Founded by local chef Brad Root in 2003, the restaurant features seasonal Pacific Northwest-style fare. "Our menu changes often," depending on the season, Root said. "We try to get the best ingredients possible."

The restaurant's interior features an open kitchen to make patrons feel like they're part of the action. "It's an energetic atmosphere," Root said. "Most people don't like to sit in a quiet restaurant."

Waterfront vibrance
Also known for its vibrant, waterfront ambiance, Beaches Restaurant & Bar in Vancouver made the list of business lunch spots. With its commanding view of the Columbia River, "The location impresses clients who aren't from around here," said Byron Roselli, a vice president with Eric Fuller & Associates Inc. in Vancouver. "The staff is always upbeat and the menu and specials are great," Roselli said.

For those really serious business lunches, Roselli said he also takes clients to Portland's Salty's on the Columbia River. "The tables are far enough apart that you can discuss business without fear of being overheard or disrupted," he said.

Classified information
Hudson's Bar & Grill at the Heathman Lodge is also mentioned for privacy, along with Stanford's Restaurant & Bar at the Jantzen Beach Center in Portland. At Stanford's, the private booths are a draw, said Carol Keljo, owner of Security Signs, with offices in Camas and Portland. "You don't see other people, so you have a sense that no-one's listening in," said Keljo. Her menu favorite is the grilled steak salad.

Real estate executive Roger Qualman takes special clients to the private University Club in Portland. "This may be an old-fashioned idea, but I think it's impressive to go to a private club for lunch," said Qualman, executive vice president of NAI Norris, Beggs & Simpson's Vancouver office. Near the University of Portland and that city's financial district, the exclusive and ornate University Club building was constructed in 1913. "It's a little stuffy," Qualman said, "but very impressive food and service. The razor clams, french onion soup or cobb salad are the best.

Park-front dining
In downtown Vancouver, Qualman takes clients to Gray's at the Park at the Hilton Vancouver Washington hotel. He wasn't alone. Located in the 18-month-old Hilton, the venue was the first choice of several executives. "The food and service are always top notch," said Ginger Metcalf, executive director of Identity Clark County, a privately funded community and economic development group.

A versatile menu offers the chance for a full culinary experience and quick lunch options because "Not everyone has the time to sit down for a long lunch," said Gerry Link, general manager of the Hilton Vancouver. Qualman said the restaurant has become a hot spot to see and be seen.

"It (Gray's) is the power-lunch, power-breakfast place in Vancouver where you see a lot of other people from the Clark County business community," a coincidence that keeps competitors guessing, Qualman said. For business discussions, Qualman said he prefers the venue's booth seating. "It's OK to be seen, but you don't always want them to know what you're talking about."

East-side Tex-Mex
In east Vancouver, the Southwestern, "Tex-Mex" fare at Cactus Ya Ya makes the restaurant a favorite among his business clients, said Rick Bowler, a Camas developer and co-owner of One Pacific Corp. "The service is good; the people are friendly, and that's conducive to business," he said.

David Roewe had similar feelings about the Szechuan food served at the Thai Pan. Located in an unassuming strip-mall near Vancouver Westfield Mall, "It doesn't matter where it's at," said Roewe, executive director of the Building Industry Association of Clark County. "They serve good food. Everyone's got to eat," he said. To impress with a more elegant venue, Roewe takes clients to the members-only Royal Oaks Country Club, where the club's dining room overlooks a well-manicured golf course under a canopy of trees. "The food's excellent and the setting is classy," Roewe said. "What more could you want?"

OUR TOP 12 PICKS
FOR CEO LUNCHES

1. The Club at the Historic Reserve and The Restaurant at the Historic Reserve
Location: The Grant House,
1101 Officer's Row, Vancouver
Manager: Julie Kummer
Menu favorite: Pan-seared Salmon

2. Roots Restaurant & Bar
Location: 19215 S.E. 34th St.,
Suite 110, Camas
Manager/owner: Brad Root
Menu favorite: Dungeness Crab and Avocado

3. Tai Pan
Location: 8101 N.E. Parkway Dr., Vancouver
Manager: Ken Ho
Menu favorite: Gen. Tso's Chicken

4. University Club
Location: 1225 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland
General Manager: Bob Parsons
Menu favorite: Razor Clams and French Onion Soup

5. Stanford's Restaurant & Bar
Location: 1440 N. Jantzen Beach Center, Portland
Manager: Anthony Grivas
Menu favorite: Imported Danish Baby Back Ribs

6. Royal Oaks Country Club
Location: 8917 N.E. Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Manager: Gary Campbell
Menu favorite: Fresh Turkey Breast Sandwich

7. Gray's at the Park
Location: Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver
General Manager: Gerry Link
Menu favorite: Crab Louie

8. Cactus Ya Ya
Location: 15704 S.E. Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Manager: Cheri Osborn
Menu favorite: Fish Tacos

9. Beaches Restaurant & Bar
Location: 1919 S.E. Columbia River Dr., Vancouver
Owner/manager: Mark Matthias
Menu favorite: Macadamia-Chutney Chicken

10. 1220 Main Restaurant & Bar
Location: 1220 Main St., Suite 100, Vancouver
Manager: Ann Bucklin
Menu favorite: Roasted Vegetable Bianca Pizza

11. Hudson's Bar & Grill
Location: The Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Dr., Vancouver
General Manager: Ron Vansagi
Menu favorite: Hudson’s Pot Roast

12. Salty's on the Columbia River
Location: 3839 N.E. Marine Dr., Portland
Manager: Linda Addy
Menu favorite: Signature Seafood Clam Chowder