Mad about Mushrooms . . .

Redfish - Port Orford, OR

"A gastronomic dust bowl" was the way one writer friend described the Oregon coast's restaurant scene some years ago.  This may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but his point wasn't without justification; if your dining aspirations exceeded fried seafood or a barely acceptable steak, there were very few places to go that didn't disappoint.

That's no longer true.  As the sophistication of today's traveling public has increased dramatically, coastal dinner houses kept pace.  But the southern coast, being more remote and distant from the larger population centers, often lags behind the more well traveled areas further north.

Redfish opened a couple of years ago with considerable fanfare.  We dined there on more than one occasion, and found that the execution didn't quite live up to the menu.  They had interesting sounding entrees (maybe a little too interesting, as if they were trying so hard that it came off as pretentious), but the execution on the plate did not always measure up.  It wasn't bad... we just didn't feel it was as good as it should have been, given the menu (and the price!)

We're happy to report that has all changed.  Executive Chef Jeremy Kelly was brought in all the way from Louisville, Kentucky to turn things around, and he has done so; Redfish now holds its own with any good dinner house anywhere, not just on the Oregon Coast.

 

Redfish: fabulous view and excellent cuisine! 

Riverview Restaurant - Troutdale, OR

If you live in the northwest, then you surely must know Yoshida.  He's been everywhere:  on TV, in print and on billboards.  He's our version of the energizer bunny.  The story goes that he arrived in Seattle from Japan with only $500 in his pocket, taught karate, then started making his gourmet cooking sauce as gifts for friends.  Our waiter reported that Yoshida continues to market this and other products along with being responsible for 35 additional enterprises, including the Riverview Restaurant where he dines on a regular basis. 

The Yoshidas acquired the historic fifteen acre site in 1991.  According to their website, the Riverview Restaurant "was specifically designed to take advantage of the natural beauty of the region and provide an exceptional view of Troutdale’s scenic Sandy River. Adding to its unique elements, all of the milled trees that were removed on the property were incorporated into the building’s structure. The gazebo and manicured grounds have been designed to explore, host weddings and receptions, and for entertainment or musical venues."  Throughout the restaurant,  original artwork from the Yoshida's private collection is displayed.

The Depot Restaurant - Seaview, WA

It was a Groupon that took us to The Depot Restaurant on the Long Beach peninsula in southwestern Washington, but it's the food that will draw us back.  What a great dinner, complimented by attentive service and pleasant surroundings. 

The Depot Restaurant has gathered acclaim far and wide, winning such titles as best fine dining, best desserts, best chowder, best romantic atmosphere, etc.  But, when you come right down to it, it's what you experience that makes a restaurant noteworthy.  And, our experience was flawless. 

All the rains this spring ensured bountiful blossoms.

J's Fish & Chips - Lincoln City, OR

Sometimes it seems as if we are in a perpetual search for the tastiest fish and chips.  Well, our quest may just be over, now that we've discovered J's in Lincoln City.

We'd been promising ourselves for years that someday we would attend the annual kite festival up the coast in Lincoln City.  For several reasons, 2012 turned out to be the year.  We had it all planned out - stay at the Comfort Inn across from the festival site at D River, have dinner Friday night with our friend Gary MacEachern, a well-known kite flyer and maker, and have a wonderful time enjoying the sites on a warm, sunny weekend.

Balloon kites filled the air on Saturday.