Welches resident Glen McLaughlin retired in 2000 after more than 20 years in
the restaurant business, starting with the Chowder Bowl in Depot Bay before
adding other restaurants and then a factory to offer his clam chowder in
stores throughout Oregon. But now an opportunity has resurrected his
restaurant career, and his clam chowder recipe, at the Mallards Cafe & Pub,
now slated to be open on weekends throughout the winter.

“I’m going to come out of retirement and see if I remember how to do this,”
McLaughlin said. “It’s ridiculous for something this nice to sit empty. It’s ideal
for entertainment.”

McLaughlin will take charge of the kitchen, with a focus on lower prices, food
specials and bringing locals in, while his friend, Robert Cole, will book musical
acts for Fridays and Saturday nights. Cole, who helped bring McLaughlin on
board, started bringing in musicians a couple months ago and has already
started filling the place on Saturday nights.

“This place used to be the hottest place in town,” Cole said. “It’s such a great
facility for it to be sitting idle all winter.”

In recent years, the restaurant, featuring a view of the scenic golf course as
part of The Resort at The Mountain, had been closed during the winter
months. The restaurant is expected to be open on Thursdays, Fridays and
Saturdays this winter (starting Thursday, Dec. 3), with the possibility of being
open during all of Christmas break (if there’s sufficient snow).

“We’re really looking forward to Glen’s clam chowders and the music nights
here really lighten it up,” said Willy So, Assistant General Manager of the
Resort.

Musical entertainment will feature fireside music, such as a guitar player, from
6-8 p.m. on Friday nights, with more rowdy bands taking the stage from 7-10
p.m. on Saturday nights, including Bob Voll.

“We’ve got some of the best entertainment coming up here to play,” Cole
said, noted that there will not be a cover charge. “A lot of variety, but all
danceable and top name players in the Portland area.”

McLaughlin plans for a seafood oriented menu, although there will be steaks,
burgers and nightly specials. He added that while the restaurant will open at 2
p.m. to start, he expects to be open for breakfast eventually.

“We want to get this thing rocking and rolling this place used to be one of the
best places up here,” McLaughlin said.

December’s music at Mallards
Saturday, Dec. 5:
PDX Funktown, a six-piece rock and funk band playing music of 70s, 80s and
90s.

Saturday, Dec. 12:
Girls Night Out with Dudes, four men and two men.

Saturday, Dec. 19:
Freak Mountain Ramblers, a hippie country/rock band.

Saturday, Dec. 26:
John Bunzow, Nashville singer/songwriter.

Thursday, Dec. 31:
New Year’s Eve party featuring Hottea Cold.