Food Exploration

So, I live in wine country in Oregon. You get used to it, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out why people coming from out of state flood into local downtowns to be served wine in spartan tasting rooms rather than visiting local vineyards usually within a few miles of downtown. A huge part of my original downtown has been swept away by out-of-state wine money flooding in to catch the growing pinot wave while fleeing the floods, fires, and droughts of the SW. Recently, much to my surprise, coffee shops and healthy food joints have been making a steady comeback. My hometown has dug in TWO new coffee shops within the past month. During the past week, I happened into three shops that served three different types of food that blew me away. Here are my recommendations for any non-residents looking for a little side fair from their pursuit of vino.

A. Good Food Restaurant, downtown McMinnville, Oregon. I walked in with only $10 in my pocket, so I decided to order the $6.50 bowl of Eggplant Curry soup listed on the menu (the soups rotate seasonally). It was extremely tasty and filling. Everything on the menu is gluten free, so this is definitely a no guilt eating experience.

B. Alchemy Jam, McMinnville, Oregon. This small coffee shop/bakery specializes in (you guessed it) jam. But many of the varieties are unusual and line the shelves on the wall as you enter. I wandered in one Saturday, as it is usually hard to find them open compared to other local shops. I instantly zoomed in on the biscuits, requesting raspberry as my side, and picked up a square of focaccia bread that matched well with soup. Both were right on the mark and a food experience.

C. Lucky Duck, Carlton, Oregon. I was walking with my friend when he mentioned we might try this place. Upon entering, the staff informed us that they only had ONE squash, artichoke, cheese, sandwich remaining. We instantly bit and added a ham/cheese croissant to boot. The staff cut them in half for us and we enjoyed both on the back patio in the midday sun. I must tell you, after finishing, I went back inside to tell them I was fairly well travelled, and that might have been the best sandwich I ever had.