By Steve Fox, Principle Broker/Owner, Pinot Noir Properties
Over the course of this blog, we’ve discussed a variety of aspects that make living in the Willamette Valley pretty special.
From the world-class wine country, to the wealth of housing opportunities, to the unique towns and lifestyle, the valley has a lot going for it.
And now it’s time to talk a bit about food.
Why? Well, there’s definitely a lot of exciting things happening in our region these days. And right here in McMinnville, there’s nothing more exciting than the soon-to-be-opened Tributary Hotel. This is in conjunction with the adjacent octa’ restaurant – which is owned by renowned chef Matthew Lightner. Both are located on Third Street..
With a prime downtown location, the hotel – which is set to open later this summer – will be comprised of eight suites plus a lobby will fill the second floor of both the historic Taylor-Dale building and a new structure that has been refurbished next door. Keeping with the “tributary” theme, each room of the hotel will be uniquely designed and named in honor of Oregon rivers – so this will not be your parent’s Holiday Inn. In fact the Tributary Hotel is a sign of the growing realization that the Willamette Valley is becoming a true destination spot for discerning visitors and residents alike.
But wait – wasn’t I supposed to be talking about food?
The adjoining restaurant is owned by chef Lightner – who left Portland in 2011 for New York where he was awarded two Michelin stars . He’s now returned to his roots to create a true farm to table cuisine with local ingredients from his own property. This is big news, and in my opinion, a continuation of having great, close-in food options – making driving out to Portland for a fine meal more of an option – not a necessity.
Along with the hotel and fine restaurant, the building’s basement will become a lounge area, where locals and visitors can order casual bites and enjoy a variety of beverages. To find out more about the restaurant and hotel, visit this site.
And Speaking of Great Food
I was reminded of how many really good places to eat there are in the greater McMinnville/Newberg/Carlton/Dundee areas when I happened to come upon this site.
If you’re like me, it’s sometimes easy to settle in with two or three places to eat and stick to those. But as you’ll see from this site, there’s virtually something delicious for every taste and budget around here.
And unlike many of the larger restaurants in places like Portland, our dining options are locally owned – which means you can feel good about supporting area businesses. So whether you’re a long time resident or someone considering moving to the valley, having so many excellent choices to dine makes living here pretty special.
Well that’s it for my little culinary update. Clearly, the Willamette Valley has a lot more going for it than fantastic wines and the UFO Festival. And now that Spring is here (hopefully!), it’s time to get out, explore and enjoy all there is to offer! So until next month, cheers!