Domaine Serene - Ken's Picks

The Painted Lady Restaurant
201 South College St
Newberg , OR 97132
(503) 538-3850

This new restaurant in Newberg is causing quite a stir throughout the North Willamette Valley. Chef Allen Routt, trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and his charming wife Jessica Bagley, have opened a much needed fine dining place that the owners define as “refined, modern American”. Routt’s focus is on fresh local ingredients, from Oregon morels and truffles, to Rogue Creamery blue cheese, local halibut, and seasonal fruits.

The menu is divided into four sections and is priced at any three selections for $39. The sections are essentially starters, fish & shellfish, meat & poultry, and finally, desserts & cheeses. A more extensive tasting menu, with or without wine pairings, is also available.

The wine list is very much focused on Oregon wines and you will find both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Domaine Serene on the list which compliments Routt’s cuisine perfectly. At a recent dinner, I enjoyed a salad of heirloom tomatoes dressed with aged balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil. The tomatoes were bursting with marvelous fresh flavors and were accompanied by a small vinaigrette of flavorful haricot vert. My next selection was a perfectly oven roasted local halibut fillet with potato puree. Next came the baby roasted chicken with local morels and a light cream sauce. The chicken was boned and stuffed, and was simply delicious.

Other selections on the ever-changing menu include chilled asparagus salad with roasted baby beets and pickled quail egg, seared Ahi tuna, buttered haricot vert and olive tapenade, pulled beef short ribs over mustard scented pappardelle, and hazelnut crusted lamb loin with sweet potato croquettes and wilted spinach.

The dessert menu includes ch èvre cheesecake with roasted pears, brulee of local berries with almond sorbet, and the not to be missed “trio of chocolate decadence”. The dessert menu changes frequently as well.

Ken is pictured here with his grandson Miles Warren (son of Serene and Chris Warren). Miles’ favorites are the sautéed sweetbreads and chèvre cheesecake.

The restaurant is located in a wonderfully refurbished Victorian house (the Painted Lady) with seating both indoors and outdoors. The china, flatware, wineglasses, linens and furnishings are all first-class. A refreshing and rare atmosphere of elegance and sophistication right here in the North Willamette Valley . Seating is limited so be sure to call for a reservation, especially on weekends. - Ken Evenstad