Romantic Intimate Dining Experiences a Short Drive from Portland, Oregon
We know how normal it’s become to depend on to-go food, delivery and eating-in over the past few years, but, on this vacation, we urge you to try dining out at our romantic wine country restaurants. Willamette Valley restaurants have adapted and revamped and now they can’t wait to show you what’s new and what’s tasty! Chehalem Ridge Bed & Breakfast can help you figure out where to go, when to get reservations and what you can expect at the best romantic restaurants in the area. As innkeepers and unofficial tour guides to the food and wine scene, we’re happy to help you navigate through these quickly changing times with a short list of romantic date night restaurants in one of the most beautiful areas of Oregon – Willamette Valley Wine Country.
An Evening to Remember
Do you want to impress your date with a memorable experience? Make the night an evening to cherish with an experience at The Painted Lady, a beautifully restored Victorian house in downtown Newberg. Every little thing they do here is top notch – from their beautifully appointed dining room and impeccable service to their 8-course tasting menu. Focusing on modern techniques with farm-fresh ingredients and flavors that surprise and delight you at each turn, it is no wonder that people come from far and wide to experience intimate, fine dining here. Reservations are highly recommended and we suggest arranging a month or more in advance for dinner Wednesday – Saturday.
Cosmopolitan in the Country
Take “Newberg” and “Burgundian” and smoosh them together to get the fancy portmanteau Newbergundian… and one of our solid restaurant recommendations, The Newbergundian Bistro. Chef Sean runs this little bistro with an open kitchen, so you can sit at the chef’s bar and watch the magic happen, or grab a seat in the small dining room. They do have outdoor seating that is heated when things are chilly. The menu has a good mix of salads, pasta, steak frites and some tasty fish and chips. They don’t take reservations, so it can be the right choice for non-planners. Open Thursday – Monday for lunch and dinner until 8.
Mangia! Mangia!
If you’re feeling like escaping to Italy for the night, take your sweetheart on an exciting adventure to Rosmarino Osteria Italiana. This family-owned restaurant entertains guests with an infectious energy drawing from the passion of well-made, well-loved food. Delivering real Northern Italian cuisine right here in the Willamette Valley, Chef Dario uses family recipes and techniques handed down from the matriarch of his family. Open for lunch Thursday – Monday. Monday and Thursday dinner is an a la carte menu, Friday & Saturdays are 5-course dinners and Sundays it’s Pizza and Gnocchi all day. Reservations highly recommended, a month or more in advance, though calling the day of to see if they’ve had cancellations can work, too.
Something Old, Something New
Over to the west of Newberg in Dundee, you’ll find Tina’s Restaurant, a cornerstone of wine country since 1991 offering inventive takes on classic recipes. The small, selective menu at Tina’s lends to their use of seasonal, local ingredients in dishes like the Seared Northwest Salmon which is sautéed with Oregon hazelnuts and grilled tomato and finished with a green herb sauce. Meals are complimented by an array of decadent desserts and dessert cocktails. Add to all that, the cozy and romantic setting, and you’ll find Tina’s has date night all figured out. Open Wednesday – Sunday, 5pm until close, with reservations recommended.
Steeped in Tradition, Foraging Ahead
Four generations of restaurateurs and a family passion for wild mushroom hunting paved the way for The Joel Palmer House in middle of wine country in Dayton, Oregon. The restaurant’s locale inside a historic house is date night material in and of itself, but the delicacy of flavors you’ll taste when dining here is the real treat. Chef owner Chris Czarnecki has deep culinary roots and uses his talent to highlight an already unique dish like Elk Ribeye with wild mushrooms, Iraqi tahini and Tempranillo braised Red Cabbage. The real showstopper is his Candy Cap Mushroom Crème Brulee – yes, mushrooms for dessert! We dare you not to like it. Open with reservations Tuesday – Saturday with brand new outside seating available.
A Bit of French Flair in the Air
French food is meant to be eaten with fine wine (and a date!) and so it is no surprise that we end with the much-acclaimed French bistro in charming McMinnville – Bistro Maison. This warm and inviting establishment on one of wine country’s most vibrant Main Streets offers lovebirds a night of mouth-watering delicacies. Our favorite for sharing with your special person? Their cheese fondue! Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Saturday 5pm – close. Reservations suggested.
Be our guest…
This list is just a handful of restaurants that we are lucky enough to have in our bountiful wine country (browse more restaurants on our Area page). Besides foodie-approved eateries and hundreds of wineries to discover, the Willamette Valley Wine Country also provides exemplary hospitality and upscale accommodation like our own Chehalem Ridge Bed & Breakfast. Imagine whisking your partner away for a stress-free vacation where you can enjoy 3-course gourmet breakfasts, concierge services and a room with unparalleled views. Your days can be filled with tours of Oregon’s artisan wineries and at night you can experience a romantic date night dinner.
~By Liz Bethell, Assistant Innkeeper
2/20/22
