Holiday Farm Restaurant
The Holiday Farm Restaurant is located, according to the postal address, in Vida OR. In reality, it is almost located in Blue River (the USPS thinks they are the same) but misses that by a few miles too.
So, the first thing to say is the food and the service was excellent. I will come back to that, because I want to talk about where it is first. If planning dinner at the Holiday Farm, remember that it takes longer to get there than you expect.
To get to the restaurant from Eugene/Springfield, take Highway 126 east through Vida and Blue River to milepost 46. Turn right on McKenzie River Drive and go about a quarter mile and it is located on the left. The signage on 126 could be a lot better, but if you get lost, just turn around and try again. Check out their website for directions.
Since it is so far away from the major population area, I expected a small restaurant with maybe 10-15 places and about half full. In reality, I think they can seat about 30 inside, more outside and have a new bar that can seat 17. Also, you can forget the half full too, apparently the word has gotten out about this hide away.
If you don't want to drive all the way from Eugene and back for dinner, stay the night in one of their cabins. Spend the next day rafting the McKenzie River, go riding at King Road Stables, or try fishing in one of the many nearby lakes.
Very close are both Blue River Reservoir and Cougar Reservoir. Above Cougar is a small lake with cutthroat trout called Hidden Lake. It is a fun little lake with some rafts that people have built and left there. I would tell you how to get there, but then it wouldn't be hidden any longer. There are also a couple of hot springs in the area. Nearby is Tokatee Golf Club, voted one of the best course you can play (public course). Photos are from their website.
Now, back to the food. Surprisingly, they have a fairly extensive menu. Steaks and chops, pasta and seafood are there as are some surprises. How about Elk Steak with a Morel Mushroom blend from New Zealand? Not quite, then how about a Porterhouse with wild Chanterelle Mushrooms. Vegetarians are also supplied items like Portabella Mushroom Ravioli. I was also surprised to find Duck on the menu along with Lamb and Wild Salmon.
On Friday they had Parmesan Encrusted Prime Rib (as a special) which was excellent and an Angus Filet with Béarnaise, which was my choice. My companion's Prime was just right and very flavorful. My Prime was almost done to perfection. I would have liked it just a bit more on the pink side, but it didn't hurt the flavor at all.
The sides were also excellent. They actually bake their potatoes which makes the skin so flavorful. And, on Friday, they had a home made clam chowder that was excellent. I am still trying to figure out what the spice was I tasted, but it has eluded me.
Kelly, our server, was attendant without hovering and made suggestions that assisted in our ordering. To me, the only down point of the dinner was that they opened the door to the deck dining about 8:15 and it was still too warm outside. It was an extremely hot day and I would have preferred the air conditioning to the fresh air. They also had some outstanding desert offerings, but we were too fed to partake.
Overall, it was an enjoyable dining experience and I would recommend dinner at the Holiday Farm Restaurant when you are ready for a trip out of town.
