Fine Dining in Walla Walla
Many choices await you after a long day of wine tasting.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kent Settle writes a great blog covering the Walla Walla wine scene called “WallaWallaWineAmbassador.com” Make sure to check it out.
By Kent Settle
Walla Walla is known for its agricultural pedigree featuring sweet onions and expansive wheat fields as well as its historic downtown.
It is also blossoming into one of the most prolific wine producing regions in the world, hosting well over 120 high-quality wineries.
One of the side effects of the growth of the wine industry is the expansion of fine dining. There are many excellent places to enjoy quality dinners to cap off a hard day of wine tasting. The following are some of our favorite establishments to eat dinner in the valley.
In a nod to the many Italian immigrants who helped settle the Walla Walla valley 150 years ago, we will start with a couple of nice Italian themed restaurants. T. Maccarone’s creates dishes with everything from locally grown organic produce and fresh foraged mushrooms to regionally raised game and meats, crafting honest food that reflects the community that helped grow it.
Passatempo Taverna serves up rustic Italian food, wonderful cocktails and delicious wines. In the mood for French food? Try Brasserie Four – a casual bistro, serving wonderful French food. As chef Hannah cleverly points out ““I just get the best ingredients I can possibly get and try not to !*&^%$ them up. That’s what French food is all about.”
If your party doesn’t know what type of food they want, other than delicious, both The Marc at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Whitehouse Crawford are excellent choices.
All starters and entrées at the Marc Restaurant have wine pairing notes to make it easier for diners to choose the perfect wine to complement their meal. The Marc boats one of the best selections of Washington wines in the state.
The Marc provides a quiet setting serving wonderful steaks, seafood and traditional American fare. Recently named “Restaurant of the Year” by the Washington State Wine Commission, the Marc boasts one of the best selections of Washington wines in the state.
To enhance their customers’ dining experience, all starters and entrées have wine pairing notes to make it easier for diners to choose the perfect wine to complement their meal.
Dining at Whitehouse-Crawford is a true Walla Walla experience. The dining space is in an old woodworking mill and is a unique piece of Walla Walla history. Their frequently changing menu always offers a delicious variety that will please everyone in your party.
If you are craving a little spice to punctuate your day, Walla Walla has several wonderful choices. Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen serves up a Mediterranean inspired menu using seasonal, local, organic and all natural ingredients whenever possible.
Walla Walla Indian Cuisine provides authentic Indian cuisine with just the perfect balance of spice and heat. Phoumy’s Thai Cuisine and Thai Ploy are both nice choices if Thai food is what you are wanting. Shiki Hibachi Sushi is a nice choice for Japanese food, serving sushi, teriyaki, steaks and more.
The Saint & The Sinner serves Mexican and Latin American cuisines in a comfortable setting. And if you are in the mood for authentic southern comfort food, treat yourself to the Woopemup Hollow Café, with restaurants in Walla Walla and Waitsburg.
If you make your way to the historic town of Dayton, don’t miss the Manila Bay Café and The Weinhard Café & Bakery. The Manila Bay Café offers an eclectic menu, using wonderfully fresh ingredients, while the Weinhard Café & Bakery has a long history of using the freshest available and local ingredients.
Most of these restaurants have extensive wine lists, quality beers and full bars. Local and organic ingredients are used in most establishments and a wonderful dining experience can be expected.
