If you're staying or traveling through Dayton, at least one meal at the Weinhard is a must. If you're in nearby Walla Walla, it should at least make the short list of dining experiences to try.
No longer co-located with the hotel of the same name, the restaurant is now across the street in a beautiful old building with exposed brick, kitschy animal prints that look like something my grandmother used to have on the walls, and colorful "down-home" cotton linens.
As home-y as the atmosphere is, the food is anything but. The Weinhard Cafe serves a name-defying selection of exquisitely fresh high-quality gourmet food (they call it New American) in portions that don't scare away small eaters and still manage to feed those with a hollow leg. Although small, the menu changes regularly (we were told weekly) so there should be no need to tire of the fare.
After a day of wine tasting, it's nice to know that the beverage selection includes many of the wines one may have tried earlier as well as some that may have been missed along with a variety of microbrews and non-alcoholic choices for those who are ready to be done with the grape.
The one caution I would make is to be sure to save room for dessert. I simply could not eat another bite during our first visit and so had to forego dessert even though I was sorely tempted by some of the choices. I planned a bit better the second night and was not disappointed. Dessert was every bit as good as the main meal.
The ambiance is sufficiently casual to feel comfortable with kids in tow though it does help if your children enjoy gourmet food. Ours is more picky, however we were able to order a chicken dish from the menu without sauce and that did the trick nicely.
If you go, remember that one of the joys of being in a small town is taking advantage of the opportunity to slow down and get to know people a bit. Everyone has an interesting story and unique perspective on whatever curiosities come to mind. If they've got the time to talk, you'll enhance your experience by asking questions!
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