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Gobbling Up the Central Oregon Coast

Fathoms Restaurant, Lincoln City

(Lincoln City, Oregon) - Lincoln County, generally referred to as the central Oregon coast, is the most popular stretch of the shoreline, cajoling the most tourists over the southern end or the northern end. Here, fine dining is an art form unto itself. The area has an unusual abundance of upscale eateries that are guaranteed to not only please - but also stun - the palate.

From Yachats to Lincoln City, the region is guaranteed to leave a good taste in your mouth.

The tiny town of Yachats is stuffed to the brim with yummy possibilities, with an unusually high number of great eateries crammed into such a small place.

One of the more legendary is La Serre, which seems to rack up awards and press throughout Oregon with regularity. Seafood, sirloin, pastas and various vegetarian dishes are found within this beautiful, dark brown building, utilizing a bistro approach that's as homegrown as it is upscale. Sure, its prices are geared towards more expensive tastes, but its culinary feats well deserve the brouhaha surrounding it.

La Serre, Yachats

Spirits and specialty coffee drinks are available, and its Sunday brunch is a popular one. Reservations are highly suggested all days. 2nd & Beach St., Yachats. Call: (541) 547-3420.

At The Adobe, the Sunday champagne breakfast is a favorite with town regulars - as is the amazing ocean view from the elegant dining room. The Adobe specializes in stunning seafood, with smoked salmon fettuccine, baked Crab pot or locally cultivated oysters in the $13 - $14 range. 1555 Hwy 101, Yachats. Call: (541) 547-3141.

In Lincoln City, La Roca offers up a unique and heady variety of tastes in the Mexican cuisine realm. Things begin with a spark with your chips and salsa appetizer. They arrive with two amazing and very different salsas - one green and one reddish brown. These are almost worth the visit alone, with tangy, new sensations almost guaranteed to tickle your palate. Their dinner combinations come with hefty portions and are reasonably priced at $9.95, all containing some interesting new sauce or ingredient. Have fun scaring your fellow dinner guests with their ENORMOUS burritos too. 1263 Bay St. Florence Call: (541) 997-7714. 3243 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City. Call: (541) 557-1815.

Wildflower Grill

At the north end of Lincoln City, you'll find the charm-loaded Wildflower Grill. Looking like an adorable, almost mythological medieval cottage, that's just the beginning of this amazing gastronomical journey.

Dinners come from about $10.95 to $28, and include a variety of chicken, seafood, beef and vegetarian entrees with a Northwest slant that's prepared with a golden touch. There's the Wildflower Catch, which varies in price depending on what kind of fish and the market price. The Crab Stuffed NY Strip comes with a dry aged prime rib that's charbroiled or blackened, then stuffed with crab and peppers, and topped with a béarnaise sauce ($27.99). Check out their Marionberry Hazelnut Duck, roasted crisp with marionberry sauce ($18.95). There's a Northwest Seafood Pasta with fettuccini and a cream sauce ($16.95), and two kinds of vegetarian dishes that include pasta, goat cheese or just vegetables in a marinara sauce.

For a real stunner, try the Chicken Pot Pie ($13.95). This one brought gasps of delight among other diners during my experience there, as it arrives in a heart-shaped dish. A wildly delicate crust, rich gravy-like sauce and chicken so tender and moist it nearly boggles the mind (and tongue).

All meals come with wonderful little strips of fried tortilla and a home baked bread so good you probably won't believe it. Hint: it's easy to stuff yourself on these pre-meal goodies and then not have room for the enormous meal that comes your way. 4150 N Highway 101. (541) 994-9663.

Fathoms, Lincoln City

For a truly breathtaking view while dining, saunter into Fathoms at the Inn at Spanish Head. Breakfasts are famous here, for a variety of reasons (including the fact that it's still daylight and you can see things clearly). Lunches include a variety of appetizers in the seafood world, soups and salads. There are also sandwiches, burgers, seafood and lunchmeat melts, and wraps that include chicken, shrimp and smoked salmon. There are pastas and other entrees as well.

For dinner, spoil yourself with entrees like Rack of Lamb or Char-Broiled Steaks between $16 and $23. Seafood dishes come stuffed with delights like Salmon that's grilled, blackened or poached, Battered Halibut specialties, Ahi Tuna, Stuffed Petrale Sole, Swordfish, or the deliriously delicious Salmon in Parchment Paper ($17 - $22). There are also King Crab Legs, a New Orleans-style shrimp or the varied Inn's Platter, as well as a seafood lasagna (around $18).

Fathoms also has an extensive menu of pastas that include chicken or seafood, and some vegetarian items as well.

Aside from the enormous wine selection, an added bit of useful charm is the wine suggestions for with each meal on the menu. 4009 SW Highway 101. (541) 994-1601.

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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