Lunch in Willamette Valley

[dylinw]

I'll be in Yamill/Dundee area next Sunday visiting some wineries and need to find a place to have lunch. My preference would be lighter fare, mostly casual, with the ability to accomodate a wheat allergy (meaning probably not asian food or a sandwich shop). If the weather is nice, even a place that has food to go would be fine.

Any recs?

For locale purposes, we want to visit Torii Mor, Domaine Drouhin, and Adelsheim. I'm also considering Canas Feast because I'm intrigued by their Italian varietal focus. If anyone has feedback on that I'd be open to it!

Thanks!

[duck833]

I had lunch in downtown Dundee last week at the Ponzi Bistro, it was wonderful! Their tasting room is right there and Argyle is just across the street.

If you are going to Domaine Drouhin you might was to consider visiting their neighbors Domaine Serene and Archery Summit, just a few minutes away.

[Leonardo]

Is Dundee Bistro now called Ponzi?

[slobhan]

Still Dundee Bistro, but there is a Ponzi tasting room attached.

[Barry CB Martin]

Tina's is the best. Tina and David founded it more than a decade ago. They have a way with food that is delightful - and as much as I like Dick Ponzi, the restaurant never made it to my top of charts list. Tina's is wonderful.

[duck833]

Not sure, never went to the Dundee Bistro. If it is right next door to Ponzi tasting room in Dundee and across the street from Argyle then that is the one.

[JillO]

I like Canas Feast (used to be called Cuneo), and since you'll be in Carlton for that, I'd visit Scott Paul too. Your other three choices sound good too, and they are also very beautiful properties.

Personally, I'd bring a lunch and picnic at Torii, Adelsheim or Domaine Drouhin.

[dylinw]

Interesting suggestion - I had Scott Paul on the maybe list, so I think I'll bump it up!

Do you have any suggestions where to get picnic fare? Salads probably since I can't eat sandwiches, etc.

Thanks!

[JillO]

Definitely move Scott Paul up on the list. Not only are his wines delicious, but he is sole importer for some really nice Burgundies. It is interesting to taste them side by side, an Old World/New World kind of thing.

Where are you starting from?

If you start out in Carlton, there's the Filling Station Deli and Horse Radish. On 99 in Newberg, there's a Safeway and a Fred Meyers. Also in Newberg there's a Thriftway and several small supermarket and/or deli places. Duck Pond Cellars' tasting room (on 99 in Dundee) also has a little market that has cheese/bread/meats/etc. that would make a nice picnic.

[dylinw]

Thanks for the Scott Paul info - Old World/New World styles side-by-side sounds fun!

I don't know where we're starting as I haven't planned the route yet. We're coming from Portland and I figured we'd just start closest to Portland and work our way around. Having said that, it may be nice to start in Carlton, go to the handful of wineries we selected in that area, get some food at the filling station/horse radish, then head over to dundee for the last few wineries. Does that seem logical?

[JillO]

Sure you can do that, or you can pack a cooler to take with you in Portland (which is what I tend to do). Here you can shop some specialty stores like City Market (the sandwiches/meats at the Viande counter are great - they cure their own ham, cook their own roast beef, there's a cheese counter and a bunch of prepared foods, too), Curds and Whey, etc. Bakeries such as the Pearl, Ken's Artisan, etc. And there's Whole Foods and New Seasons as well. All depends on how much you want to do before you head out. I love an excuse to shop at some of these places! ;o)

If you are going this Sunday, traffic will be bad for Memorial Day Weekend stuff, whatever you do. Don't know if it will be better to Start in Carlton or in Dundee/Newberg...

[slobhan]

Are you going Sunday 6/1 or this Sunday, 5/25? JillO's right, this Sunday the traffic will likely be jam-packed... you may have to each lunch in the car!

[dylinw]

Yeah I'm going this upcoming Sunday (the 25th?). I'll be sure we leave plenty of time for sitting in traffic I guess!

Thanks!!

[sophiamaria]

I like the picnic suggestion for lunch and then on my way back to Portland, I'd stop for tapas at La Rambla in McMinville. They are open on Sundays and McMinville is a sweet little town.