Hot Dogs & Hot Toddies: Puffy Jacket Pop-up Dining Series

When Jetty Bar & Grille invited us to try their ‘Puffy Jacket Pop-up Dining Series,’ we didn’t hesitate to grab our coats.

The series is a “celebration of our region’s bounty, incorporating rustic food and drinks into an adventurous dining experience.”

Queen Esther joined me to suss things out. The small but well-curated Puffy Jacket Menu did not disappoint.

While the experience is meant to be enjoyed outside and is also offered at a number of Jetty Bar and Grille’s affiliate locations, Jetty Bar is the only location with no outdoor tents or heaters. We decided to be lame and sit inside but felt a little better when our delightful waiter, Mario, thanked us for not making him go outside since we would have been the only table out there.

A menu of rustic food and drinks // Garret Hunt

We kicked things off with a couple cocktails. Queen Esther went for the Earl Gray Old Fashioned which she thoroughly enjoyed.

I opted for the Hot Apple Toddy, which probably would have made more sense if we had sat outside. It essentially just tasted like apple cider, and we couldn’t help but laugh that it looked like I was drinking tea. Not my normal dinner drink, but hey, what’s an adventure without trying something new?

Speaking of new things, I decided to order something else I normally wouldn’t, a hot dog. The Jetty Island Dog, that is. Spread thick with roasted garlic cream cheese, and packed high with house-pickled red onion and jalapeno peppers. Plus a side of crispy potato chips to boot.

The Jetty Island Dog was the cheapest item on the menu (even cheaper than the cocktails) at $10. It was one of the most enjoyable hot dogs I’ve ever had. The spicy ingredients were beautifully tamed and complimented by the cream cheese and dense toasted bun. Honestly, I mostly got it because I knew it would photograph well, but its unexpected deliciousness was a true treat.

The Jetty Island Dog does photograph well // Garret Hunt

Queen Esther, being on the keto-diet, was thrilled to try the Portage Creek Salmon with roasted marble potatoes. She found the cedar roasted salmon a pinch too salty, but nevertheless exclaimed it to be, “yummy!” She loved the crisp outer layer, buttery flavor, and was impressed with its size.

Keto-friendly Portage Creek Salmon with roasted marble potatoes // Garret Hunt

We also got the Hat Island Crab Cakes, with fire-roasted cipollini onion, miso kabocha squash, and topped with a baby herb salad. I’m not going to lie, I love crab cakes. And this one was freaking amazing. The crab itself was so tender and flavorful, but mixed with the baby herb salad on top and the roasted onions on the bottom, all three powers combined created a flavor sensation that was divine.

“Freaking amazing” Hat Island Crab Cakes // Garret Hunt

I don’t think I’ll ever drink a Hot Toddy with a hot dog and crab cake again, but this dining adventure was one to remember.

We topped the night off with the Paradise Hill Cobbler loaded with blackberries, graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and to our surprise, garnished with basil. The cobbler had a real smores vibe but was certainly more dynamic with the berries and basil in the mix. Queen Esther and I both agreed the basil was a nice compliment to the dish.

Paradise Hill Cobbler loaded with blackberries, graham crackers, toasted marshmallows // Garret Hunt

It was the perfect finale to our scrumptious adventure. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The Puffy Jacket Menu is available on Fridays and Saturdays through March. Jetty Bar isn’t the most affordable place around, but if you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or just splurge on a delicious meal with spectacular ambiance, you may just need to reach for your coat.

It’s puffy jacket time.