Category : Food & Beverage

The Central Oregon Waiting Game

As I look longingly out the window I imagine a warm sunny day, with marshmallow clouds slowly drifting across the azure sky.  Then the phone rings and I am snapped back to the reality of a  gray sky and a cloud-shrouded butte.

Welcome to springtime in Central Oregon; a time when Mother Nature has a bout of schizophrenia. Even though we expect it, it’s never easy.  The weather can be a frustrating proposition as our desires switch from wanting to ski at every opportunity to tuning up our golf game or our bikes.

This is the time of year where you must have three seasons of clothing and sports gear in your closet. On a perfect spring day you can achieve any combination of activities: get in 9 holes of incredible mountain golf at Big Meadow (when it opens) and then ski a half-day up at Hoodoo; or you could golf then ride your bike on the more than 18 miles of meandering bike paths at the Ranch; or golf, ski, bike and then head to the spa.

Lucky for us, there is an activity that isn’t weather dependent – Easter Brunch.

Ahhhh, brunch buffets.  William Pearson  ponders the wonderfulness of buffets in his 1965 novel The Muses of Ruin. He refers to the buffet as “the eighth wonder of the world.” He goes on to say, “How many times you go through the line is a private matter between you and your capacity, and then between your capacity and the chef’s evil eye.”

The Easter Brunch at the Lodge Restaurant is exquisite. Executive Sous Chef Adam Kapela puts his creative touch on each dish.  Try the truffle potato salad with roasted mushrooms, or the Ranch benedict with Parisian ham and Pepper Vodka and herb hollandaise.  You won’t want to miss his special Herb crusted Beef Prime Rib with black pepper horseradish cream and Brandy grain mustard Jus.

Easter is April 24, so don’t wait too long to make a reservation for the whole family (kids 4 years and under are free). Call 866.901.9261 for more information.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie