The Willamette Valley & Wine Country - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 491

the chef, Christopher Czarnecki), this highly lauded restaurant is just a few miles northw-
est of McMinnville. It's one of Oregon's finest eateries, turning local ingredients into un-
forgettable fine cuisine.

Thistle NORTHWESTERN$$$

$$$
( 503-472-9623; www.thistlerestaurant.com ; 228 NE Evans St; mains $24-27; 5:30-9pm Tue-
Sat) Small but top-drawer restaurant run by Eric Bechard, an award-winning chef
who fiercely believes in using local, organic ingredients whenever possible. The menu
changes daily and is posted on a chalkboard, and while portions are small they are well
created and truly delicious.

Information

Chamber of Commerce (

503-472-6196; www.mcminnville.org ; 417 NW Adams St;

9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Getting There & Around
Renting a car is the best way to see this region, especially if you want to visit wineries.
For wine- tour information see the Oregon's Wine Bounty boxed text on Click here .
Caravan Airport Transportation ( www.caravanairporttransportation.com ) and Royal
Shuttle ( 503-554-0005) provide shuttle services from Portland's airport.
Valley Retriever ( www.kokkola-bus.com ) has buses to Corvallis, Salem, Portland and the
coast. Yamhill County Transit Area ( www.yctransitarea.org ) provides bus service around
Yamhill County, with connections to the Portland MAX system and Salem.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Salem
POP 157,000
The state capital is a peaceful and homely university city that exudes a slightly conser-
vative air and is a popular destination for conferences. Salem makes a good day trip from
Portland as it's just an hour's drive south. Highlights include the state capitol itself and a
few museums, along with a pleasant riverfront park complete with carousel. Outside the
city limits are more interesting destinations like a spectacular state park, an interesting
hilltop abbey and a beautiful themed garden.