“Our Grand Meander” – Willamette Valley: Dundee & Newberg
Willamette Valley has a large number of little towns, and they each have unique places to stay and eat. This trip, we discovered two new (to us) restaurants: Paulee and Recipe.
Paulee is a beautiful restaurant in Dundee, not far from Anne Amie Vineyard (our afternoon stop).
Paulee is part of a new building that also houses the Inn at Red Hill, which looks really nice. A definite lodging possibility on a future trip. The restaurant is beautifully done in a very clean, modern style. At dinner, you can sit at the chef’s table on the edge of the kitchen and talk with the chefs while they cook. Definitely worth a return visit!
Paulee’ has one of the most extensive wine by the glass menu’s I’ve seen; certainly in a small town. All the wines are served by an Enomatic, so they can perfectly preserve open bottles for much longer than a day or two.
There were lots of tempting choices on the menu. Don’t be too late to lunch, however, or someone else may have gotten the last one of what you want to order!
As modern as Paulee’ was, Recipe, in Newberg is traditional. The restaurant is in a lovely old house, converted into a homey restaurant space.
The main first floor rooms of the house have been opened up a bit, so you feel neither closed in or too open. The space is cozy and warm, although it is a bit dark for photos!
The lamb sirloin, done perfectly, was really wonderful, and the accompanying vegetables were a lovely match. A Crowley Pinot Noir, of course, was a nice companion at the dinner table.
As you enter or exit the restaurant via the porch, you walk right by the kitchen. Not quite a chef’s table, but you get a good look at the food being prepared.
There are a host of dining choices in this area, Paulee and Recipe are well worth a visit!