\nKathy, Francisco, and I had lunch at the new restaurant in the nearly new Windrow Hotel in Ellensburg. The Hotel Windrow became the first downtown hotel in 38 years when it opened in January of 2020 in a new building on the north side of the remodeled Elks’ Tempel. The historic building’s south-side entrance is shown below. The hotel was build on an empty space on the north side (“behind”). The main entrance to the Windrow Hotel is on the west side (sun-lit with flags in the photo). Upon entering one goes right and down steps to the Maelstrom Noodle+Bar.
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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/rocknponderosa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Windrow-Hotel-Elks.png\")
\nAn earlier food place failed. Called the Basalt Restaurant, it was contracted to the Seattle-based hospitality management and consulting company Columbia Hospitality. Bad timing with the Covid hysteria.
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/rocknponderosa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/dippy-eggs-in-noodle-bowl-246x300.png\")
It folded a couple of years ago. I was never there, know it wasn’t popular, suspended operation for a time, and then closed. Maybe this new one will enjoy success.\nThe main selling point of the Maelstrom appears to be noodles and stuff served in a deep bowl and including “dippy egs” (soft boiled served halved, sunny side up). My stuff included chunks of roasted pork belly, fresh spinich, shreaded green onion, pickled ginger, and white rice. I bequeathed the eggs to Kathy.
\n{Web photo of the deep bowl service.}<\/p>\n
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