The inside of the restaurant is clean and simple, with elegant lighting and bright red seating. We had a table in the bar, which is located near the back of the restaurant. It’s a great place to sit if you have a party of two, but I’d recommend making reservations if you have a large group as the restaurant fills up quickly! La Capitale offers a number of local and European wines, micro brews and cocktails. I had the Ninkasi Red Ale, which was quite tasty – and made locally- in Eugene! The menu at La Capitale offers something for every palette. From halibut to gnocchi to steak and hamburgers, there are definitely several options that will make your mouth water.

I had the hamburger, which was cooked exactly as I requested, with delicious homemade bread and melted blue cheese that oozed over the sides. It was served with crispy french fries which I loved because they weren’t overly greasy or salty like you would expect. The dessert menu also offers a wide variety of options, ranging from profiteroles (pastries topped with ice cream) to brandy cherry cake and beet ice cream (which was recommended by our server, but I wasn’t brave enough to try it). We settled on the flourless chocolate torte, which was served with an orange cream fraiche and sprinkled with crispy chocolate pieces. It was warm and rich and so good! I would definitely give La Capitale a 10. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. I think this is the restaurant Salem has been waiting for!

For more information on La Capitale’s menu and hours, visit their website.

J. Bella’s is one of the only fine dining restaurants I’ve been able to find recently that offers a generous salad and side dish within the price of your entree. Tough to find these days, especially with the way the economy has been going. J. Bella’s serves a variety of dishes ranging from pasta to antipasti, steaks, seafood and desserts. Make sure you save some room for dessert; because once you finish your meal you will be tempted with a decadent dessert tray.

My favorite dish at J. Bella’s is the baked chicken manicotti with spinach and prosciutto, topped with bubbling mozzarella cheese and a Parmesan cheese sauce. Yum! The portions are very generous, and to top it off, you receive fresh veggies and fancy garlic bread on the side. I would also recommend J. Bella’s lasagna, as it towers high (at almost 6 layers!) and is filled with delicious Italian sausage. Very filling, but often plenty for dinner and lunch the following day!

So if you’re looking for a great place to warm up this winter, take a romantic date at an affordable price or simply try something new, stop by J. Bella’s in Independence. You won’t be disappointed!

The brisk winter day is perfect for bundling up and exploring the outdoors, and then traveling somewhere cozy to warm up. This past weekend, my boyfriend and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Deschutes Brewery in Portland, after hiking through Forest Park. The day had been beautiful- just fallen leaves crunched beneath our feet and the sun shined brightly through the trees. After an excellent workout, we were hungry for some high quality Oregon cuisine. Which ultimately means we needed a local microbrew and a tasty burger.

We sat at a corner table away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, which provided an excellent view of the wood carvings that surround the interior of the restaurant. The details of these carvings are amazing- many of them include mountains, trees and even an Oregon beaver or two- all with intricate detail. This, along with the log cabin-like building, made the brewery feel like home.

I ordered the classic cheeseburger, which included gruyere cheese, sauteed onions and italian spices, along with an Organic Amber Ale to wash it down. Mike ordered their traditional hamburger, with a chicken sausage and white bean soup, and a Black Butte Porter. Deschutes also has an inventive Oktoberfest menu, with items such as schnitzel and German chocolate cake. Stop by and try it before October ends! The food is very filling and cooked just the way you like it. The atmosphere is very relaxing as well, and great for a casual gathering with friends (and kids too)! Better yet, Deschutes Brewery is located right next to the Portland Armory in the Pearl. It’s an excellent location for seeing a show or doing a little shopping before dinner.

Bon Appetit!

It was truly amazing to see how the land has changed in the Columbia River Gorge since the 1800’s. I would highly recommend checking out this exhibit for a dose of Oregon history. There is even a portion of the exhibit that shows how old photographs were made- it is crazy to see how many steps it took for that process. I’m not sure I would have the patience these days!

The Asian art exhibit showed everything from kimonos to dinnerware to painted pieces. Many of the art pieces told a specific story relating to Asian traditions. It was fascinating to discover more about this culture through art, and to compare their art to the creative pieces we see in the northwest.

The Portland Art Museum is very inspiring, especially if you are looking for a creative idea. The bright colors and quirky sculptures made me want to try out my own art! Be sure to visit if you can- it will brighten up a rainy winter day!

Speaking of creative ideas, thank you for reading the Travel Oregon blog. It is Oregon enthusiasts like you that make this job great. Today is my last day as editor of the Travel Oregon blog, but I encourage you to keep reading these great stories and submitting your comments and ideas. Keep on traveling the great state of Oregon!

Signing off…

~Ashley

View from Smith Rock

I have loved the Bend area since I was a little kid- especially because it brings back great memories of visiting my grandmother’s house in Sisters, roasting marshmallows by the campfire and shopping until I dropped in Bend. So when I had the opportunity to plan a surprise birthday weekend for my boyfriend, I chose Bend as our destination (of course).

We woke up bright and early on a Saturday morning and hit the road, excited to begin our adventure. Our first (and most important) stop of the day was at Sisters Coffee Company. They have a huge range of espresso drinks, and a fantastic coffeecake stuffed with apples.

Sisters Coffee Company is a great place to sit and relax as well, as it looks just like a cozy log cabin full of western decorations (including a giant bear rug on the wall).

Misery Ridge Trail on Smith Rock

Once we fueled up on coffee and snacks, we continued on our trek through Central Oregon. Next stop: Smith Rock state park. If you have never been to Smith Rock, it is a must see! We hiked the Misery Ridge trail, which was incredibly steep but well worth it when we got to the top. You can see green for miles, as well as part of the town of Terrebonne. My favorite part of this particular hike was the rock called “Monkey Face”. This area is popular among local rock climbers, and it looks exactly like the profile of a monkey.

Monkey Face

Side note: I would recommend taking small children on the river trail rather than Misery Ridge, as it is incredibly steep and narrow, and some areas have a number of loose rocks that make the trail slightly more difficult.

After our great workout, we headed into Bend for shopping in the Old Mill District, and checked into our Bed & Breakfast. If you need a great place to stay near downtown, check out the Mill Inn Bed & Breakfast. Our room was very cozy, clean and quiet, and breakfast the next morning was incredibly delicious. Be sure to try the waffles- they are light and fluffy and have the perfect amount of cinnamon.

View from the top of Misery Ridge

After checking in to our Bed & Breakfast, we headed to Merenda Restaurant & Wine Bar for dinner. Merenda is a French/Italian restaurant, and offers a wide variety of entrées from chicken and pork dishes to pastas and steaks. And don’t forget to order dessert there! The chocolate cake melts in your mouth, and has a melted chocolate center with a side of blackberry icecream. Yum!

A trip to Bend is definitely not complete without a visit to the Bendistillery Martini Bar downtown. I had their sangria, which included champagne and peach purée. They also offer a number of very authentic Oregon drinks, including the Oregon Trail and Pendleton Round-Up.

A chipmunk at the High Desert Museum

On the last day of our trip, we headed over to the High Desert Museum. I have been to the museum several times, but I enjoy it every single time I attend. My favorite thing about the museum is its outdoor exhibits. The procupines and otter always fascinate me, even though they were both sleeping when we visited. The animals, history and overall atmosphere make the High Desert Museum a great place for all ages.

It ended up being a great surprise trip to Bend, and I’m looking forward to going back this winter for another adventure…in the snow!

Have a great weekend!

Fall has arrived, which means harvest season is kicking into full gear and we’re beginning to celebrate Oregon Bounty.

Come visit us in Oregon, where we’re packing our calendars with fall festivals and pumpkin patch fun.

Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson with Cheryl Meloy, winner of the cocktail contest

On October 1st, Oregon’s “Unofficial-Official” cocktail was officially announced! A panel of judges announced the winner at the Oregon Bounty Kick-off event, which took place at bluehour restaurant in Portland. Congratulations to (drumroll please)…Cheryl Meloy of Portland! Cheryl created Hike, Fish, & Go Camping punch, which includes huckleberry syrup, Terminal Gravity IPA, Pendleton whisky and more. Check out the full recipe here, and have a blast making this drink with friends!

Bridge over the river.

Oregon’s statewide Fall Foliage Hotline is now open and providing regular updates on the status of fall color along the many scenic byways and trails across the state. The hotline, staffed by Visitor Services personnel at the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO), is the official resource for travelers and commuters wanting to access the beauty of fall in Oregon during the brightest peak color times.

Visitors can call the Fall Foliage Hotline at (800) 547-5445 to obtain information on which routes offer the most varied color palette on their way to fall festivals, nearby adventures, romantic getaways and restaurants serving up Oregon Bounty. The Fall Foliage Hotline is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Starting in October, the hotline will be closed on Sundays. After hours, foliage seekers can listen to an up-to-date voice message highlighting foliage “bright spots” statewide, or visit the Web site anytime at www.VisitLaneCounty.org/foliage for comprehensive updates and recommended routes.

Color conditions can change on a daily basis, so travelers should be sure to get current color updates before hitting the road. Regional highlights from throughout the state are available online.

For example, fall is the perfect time to experience the great outdoors of the southern Willamette Valley and the coast. Dressed in burnished gold and pumpkin-colored leaves, the lakes and waterways of Lane County offer adventurers a different perspective on fall foliage viewing. Leaf peepers can take advantage of the blue skies and mild fall temperatures of the Oregon coast in a kayak, where smooth waters in and around Florence make this a great time for all experience levels. People can also head to the pristine, un-crowded banks of the McKenzie River in the Cascade foothills, where the summer steelhead season is revving up this month.

From the Cascades to the Oregon Coast, Lane County offers visitors the greatest variety of outdoor adventures, culinary delights, and cultural exploration in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can easily fly into the Eugene Airport, ride in on Amtrak or drive Interstate-5 to the Eugene-Springfield metro area to start their next vacation.

For more information on fall foliage, please vist Lane County’s website at www.VisitLaneCounty.org/Fall, or check out our Trips We Love Section.