AlBaNy,
Oregon
By Maddie MacGregor
In Albany, Oregon, farm-to-table living is a lifestyle. Our
small city is celebrated for its award-winning chefs and
stunning al-fresco dining territory. Earlier this year, we en-
tertained diners aboard a historic covered bridge, and
within a private garden alongside the banks of the broad
Willamette River. These unique dinners supported local
non-profits such as the Albany Regional Museum and
Veterans Day Parade.
Image courtesy of Dennis Rivera
Image courtesy MKrutsinger Photography
At September’s “Secret Garden” dinner, Chef Matt Ben-
nett from Sybaris Bistro (a James Beard Award Nominee
for Best Chef of the Northwest), tweaked culinary items
once found in Albany cafes, hotels and restaurants dur-
ing bygone eras. Bennett’s creativity surpassed itself
when he recreated an “abalone chop suey” from a 1920s
establishment, The China Café—substituting flavorful
mushroom for the protected shellfish. J. Scott Cellars
provided the accompanying wine for each of Bennett’s
five courses.
The Weddle Covered Bridge dinner in neighboring
Sweet Home highlighted Oregon’s true romance be-
tween fine food and wine. Chef Derek Ridgeway of the
1847 Bar & Grill prepared dishes with hearty local flavor,
including stuffed grape leaves featuring Oregon’s
renowned Anderson Ranch lamb, and hazelnut short
bread with mixed local berries topping a triumphant but-
termilk panna cotta. Wine from Sass Winery celebrated
each course.
Image courtesy MKrutsinger Photography
The Willamette Valley is renowned for its wine and food
pairings. There’s no shortage of fresh bounty from local
winemakers, farmers’ markets or ranches. The crown
jewel, our vineyards, won Wine Enthusiast Magazine's
“Number One Wine Region of 2016”—an international
honor.
We invite you to join us for more epicurean delights at
our 2018 farm-to-table series. Keep in touch—subscribe
to the Albany Visitors Association E-news. Subscriptions
are free and monthly travel news is delivered straight to
your in-box: www.albanyvisitors.com . Telephone us at
541-928-0911 for more information.
Image courtesy of Dennis Rivera