Steakhouse in Oregon

Established in 1982, this neighborhood gastropub infuses visits with an assorted mix of Americana and sports décor. An eclectic spread of comfort food lures eyes from the paraphernalia-strewn walls to the tables, where crab wontons fit right in alongside Baja-inspired shrimp quesadillas, or New England-influenced cups of clam chowder. The entrees sate heartier appetites, and keep close to classic Americana. Chefs hand dip halibut fish and chips, toss together the billed "famous" wilted spinach salad, and fire up sirloin steak and tiger prawns.

Within the historic Cottage Grove Hotel, Buster's Main Street Cafe serves burgers of locally raised, grass-fed beef from Knee Deep Cattle Company. Chefs crown patties with accouterments such as bacon, cheese, ham, and avocado. Breakfast offerings of omelets and several styles of eggs benedict reward early-rising appetites, while later diners may sip craft brews or select one of 200 craft sodas, including 40 varieties of root beer massaged from the roots of sacred shrubs.

Since 1846, the Miller family tended to herds of cattle in East Macleay, on the fertile plains of the Willamette Valley. Today Dan and Jerry Miller continue their family's legacy—though cattle no longer graze the fields, the pair still operates the ranch themselves along with their restaurant, Macleay Country Inn. Their specialties arrive on tin plates alongside baked potatoes and knives with wooden handles worn smooth. Fireplaces and paintings of forested scenery surround the solid-wood dining sets, which shine slightly under amber lights hanging from rough-hewn rafters. The restaurant hosts Monday-night bingo, sponsored by the Silverton Elk's Lodge, along with live music on select nights in its onsite pub.

Constructed with wood milled from trees that once stood on the same soil, Riverview Restaurant’s sunlit space boasts high ceilings, exposed wood beams, and a stone-front fireplace, all which helped nab it a spot on OpenTable’s list of top 100 romantic restaurants in the country. Walls hung with original artwork surround linen-topped tables where diners savor plated steaks and seafood dishes tinged with miso, sesame, and other fusion flavors. An extensive wine list serves wine by the glass, bottle, or surreptitiously emptied flower vase, and bartenders swirl signature drinks such as pear martinis and pomegranate mojitos. Massive, floor-to-ceiling windows offer views onto manicured grounds, complete with a gazebo where patrons can reenact the scene in The Sound of Music where Rolf and Liesl cleverly disguise themselves as trees.

Portland Prime's claim to fame is its steaks. Each highly marbled piece of USDA Prime beef is aged for 28 days before it’s cooked to achieve maximum flavorization. Wood-fired ovens sear the juices of diver scallops and ahi tuna steaks inside blackened crusts, and locally sourced ingredients enrich every dish, including seasonal desserts. The eatery’s expansive wine list boasts 140 bottles and 40 wines by the glass, which helped it to win Wine Spectator's 2011 Award of Excellence, which is only given to establishments at which it's truly enjoyable to watch other people drink wine.

Having carved out its own elegantly understated space inside the Red Lion Hotel, Willamette Valley Grill recently restyled its menu to feature appetizers, entrees, and salads beaming with the bravado of classic American bistro fare. Inspired by local and seasonal ingredients, chefs entice palates with starter dishes of steamer clams sauteed with pancetta, leeks, tomato, garlic, and wine. Velvety bowls of butternut squash and gorgonzola ravioli create a symphony of autumn flavors while aromas pan-roasted halibut and chimichurri ribeye mingle through the dining room. After dining and sipping on a range of Pacific Northwest wines, guests can trade the restaurant's tasteful ambiance for the colorful hues of an adjacent lounge.