Where To Eat in the Willamette Valley (Oregon Wine Country)

Yesterday, I shared where you have to stay if you visit the Willamette Valley. Today we’re talking food. 

Now, to be honest, Carlton is very small. So, the selection isn’t very large so keep that in mind. If you want more options, McMinnville has a cute little street of restaurants and shops but we didn’t spend time over there other than to go to the grocery store. 

After the half marathon, I wanted something light. (My stomach hates me after long runs.) We ended up in Cuvee, a French restaurant in Carlton, and we’re glad we did. 

We each ordered the same salad with poached salmon, artichokes, and a light herb lemon vinaigrette. It was perfect. The salmon was served cold, which I wasn’t expecting, but it was still good. The service also wasn’t what I was expecting…our waiter was a little sarcastic, rude and quirky…but it was ok. He kind of made us laugh. I think he was French, so I let it slide. (Although, when I was in Paris years ago, I didn’t find Parisians to be rude at all.) 

I finished the meal with black coffee — when was the last time your black coffee looked like this? It was amazing. So rich and creamy with a slight froth.

I sipped it right up. (Yes, I realize this is a weird expression on my face. I don’t know what’s going on. It’s like the Captain on How I Met Your Mother where his eyes are terrifying but the lower half of his face is friendly and smiling. hehe.)

After lunch, we wandered the small downtown and ended up at Honest Chocolates.