During the middle of winter, there are certain preferences I have if I am to brave the roads and the cold to dine out. A warm fireplace, a beautiful dining room and friendly service are certainly included on that list. Thankfully, Kayo’s Dinner House & Lounge satisfies all of my preferences and delivers awesome food to boot.
How do I know this? On a chilly evening in January, my mom and I went out into the frosty air and found ourselves at Kayo’s. We walked in to see cheerful string lights and beautiful, lush garlands wrapped around wooden pillars and framing the windows. After a moment, we were seated in a cozy booth by the fireplace, a perfect nook for two. As I took in all that the menu had to offer, I noticed far too many delicious-sounding items, but my mom and I agreed to share, and that’s never a bad thing.
I think I’m getting ahead of myself, but the Lavender Lemon Drop is something I must comment on. Served in a cute little glass with a sugared rim, this Lemon Drop was everything I had hoped for. Not overly sweet, it had a hint of tartness and an ever so slight trace of lavender, which tasted refreshing and flavorful.
As for food, we decided on a bowl of clam chowder to start, followed by mussels with a Thai curry sauce, as well as the fresh fried razor clams served with homemade tartar sauce. The chowder arrived, and I felt as if we were at the coast (in the best possible way!) The base of the chowder was creamy and decadent, and the textures of all components in the bowl were spot-on. Being an Oregon girl, I have had my fair share of clam chowders, and this bowl certainly held its own.
Next up? The mussels. Served with a few slices of buttered toast to soak up the liquid, the clams bathed in a broth of spice and Thai curry flavors, which I absolutely loved. These mussels were exciting and have forever changed the way I look at mussels (because if there are two things I love, they have to be mussels and Thai food.) The razor clams, which were enveloped in a crispy, well-seasoned breading, were perfectly tender and full of flavor. In a room quietly humming with the chatter of guests and glowing with the soft light of the fireplace and the fixtures, we sat in bliss, having thoroughly enjoyed a night of delicious food, delicious ambiance, and delicious company.
Reservations: (541) 323-2520 or www.kayosdinnerhouse.net
Photos by Madeline Churm
