Well, Hallow there..

Pines Dine hosts Halloween extravaganza in Lincoln City

Rachelle and Ross Rehberg

By Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

Food cart courts are this decade’s It Girl.

And the Pines Dine, in Lincoln City’s Taft District, has every element to meet the dining and entertainment needs of a community.

“We’re seeing lots of return customers,” said Ross Rehberg, who co-owns the business with his wife, Rachelle. “We get both locals and visitors coming back again and again, and also people bringing friends and family which is cool.”

“Sometimes, we even see the same customers multiple times in a weekend,” Rachelle added. “Once they know about our spot, they are hooked.”

Twelve spaces, filled with carts representing global cuisine from nearly every continent, surround a large, art deco-inspired indoor space that features a bar serving a high-level selection of beers, wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages.

The bar — a stunning wood piece imported from London — anchors the space, which also features a gift shop and comfortable seating arrangements.

The beverage bar and event venue, called Vin & Bräu, is run as a separate business by the Rehbergs and is open daily this fall except Tuesdays.

The main story of the venue is available to rent for baby showers, weddings, rehearsal dinners, business meetings and more. There's also a private event space upstairs called Utopia that can be rented by the hour or day for up to 40 guests. 

Weekly events include karaoke Fridays, trivia Thursdays and music bingo Wednesdays, all starting at 6 pm, as well as live music nights. Music Bingo is a fund-raiser, with all game proceeds going to support the local Taft Seniors for their drug and alcohol-free grad night.

"This is our third year hosting this event with the Taft Senior Parents Group,” Rachelle said. “The theme changes every week, and it is a blast seeing everyone sing — and sometimes even dance. We love finding ways to support, and have fun with our community.”

Super special events, like the Halloween Extravaganza hosted by Sweeney Gray are held regularly as well. (see box).

"We're encouraging customers to check out our website, as it includes not only the pod hours and truck menus, but will also now show all of our monthly events,” Rachelle said. “It's a one stop shop for the entire pod.”

Diners can bring food from the carts into the space with the purchase of a beverage, or enjoy their beverage at any of the outdoor tables located inside the gated space.

“We have a lot of space but it’s still intimate,” Ross said. “The way we’ve arranged the seating, people can have a conversation between two people or be in a big group and the conversations still don’t bleed into the next table.”

One thing that has been really important to the Rehbergs is gathering customer feedback, analyzing trends, and addressing opportunities.

"Year after year, we have added or improved upon where we started,” Rachelle said. “This year we have added some tables to our front, or west, sidewalk area, specifically for pet owners. Since our insurance company doesn't allow pets on the property itself, we wanted to find a way to still offer seating for these customers. There are now two tables on the "Sidewalk Paw-fe,” with more to come on the east side this Spring. If there is a way for us to make a positive change for customers, we absolutely will."

Ross uses his 15 years in wine distribution to inform the selections offered at the bar.

“We have an awesome variety of craft and quality beverages, N/A beers, cocktails, ciders and sparkling sodas,” he said. “I’m using my past experience so that we can offer the best wines possible for the price."

Ross is building a local following of people who turn to him to help expand their horizons, wine-wise.

“They recognize the program I’m running and they will come in and talk to me,” he said. “It’s really satisfying to help people find a new wine to enjoy.”

Vin & Bräu will also soon offer their staff cicerone training, which is like being a wine sommelier, but for beer.

“We have beers you can't get anywhere else on the coast,” Ross said. “We want to grow that part of the experience. We have a small-but-great staff, and they really enjoy connecting with customers, especially with product knowledge.”

The carts currently include international choices such as Indian, Greek, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Nepalese and more, as well as Hawaiian food, burgers, BBQ sandwiches and Farm-to-Table.

“It’s great that the carts offer global cuisine at less than restaurant prices,” Ross said. “At this point, there is something for pretty much everyone’s taste.”

As the Oregon Coast heads into fleece and down season, Vin & Bräu can help stave off the winter blues.

“The indoor space is really a cozy escape, especially on those cold winter nights,” Ross said. “You can come in and watch karaoke or bingo and it’s a lot of fun.”

There will also be a magazine and book stand from Driftwood Public Library added inside soon.

"We're looking forward to continuing our book and game clubs this winter,” Rachelle said, “and supporting our local library and young readers.”

As an inclusive and safe space for all, the Pines Dine is a food cart court that hits every note.

The Pines Dine is located at 5040 SE Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City. Vin & Bräu is open Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, and Friday from 11 am to 8 pm. Food cart hours vary. For more information, including cart menus and the regular and special events schedule, go to thepinesdine.com.

• Pre-game your Halloween costume and party with members and allies of the queer community at the Halloween Extravaganza at Vin & Bräu this Saturday, Oct. 26.

The live music and drag show is hosted by Sweeney Gray, the Oregon Coast’s number one (and only) drag pianist, writer and horror film creator.

“We had a Halloween event last year there and we had such an amazing time we thought we would do it again,” Gray said. “I’ll be DJing some Halloween music, then we’ll have some fun from drag artist Mai Fave-Rit. Then my band will be doing a big set with classic songs like Flying Purple People Eater and music from the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show.’”

The band will also play a few original tunes.

“We play ‘Spooky Piano Rock,’” Gray said. “That’s become our brand.”

Next up will be the Big Costume Contest, with competition categories including Spookiest, Sexist, Silliest and People’s Choice.

“We will be awarding prizes for contest winners,” Gray said. “We’ve had a lot of local businesses donate prizes to us which we so appreciate.”

The 21-and-older event runs from 8 pm to midnight. There is no cover charge.