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The View Point Inn
Categories: Beer, Wine & Spirits, Bed & Breakfast
40301 E Larch Mountain RdCorbett, OR 97019
(503) 695-5811
- Hours:
Wed-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wed-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4 reviews for The View Point Inn
The View Point Inn is bed and breakfast with a relatively expensive restaurant perfectly placed overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. It's hard to pick the best thing about the Inn, as the picture-perfect view, the attentive table service, and the perfectly-restored rooms combine to make the visiting the inn an unforgettable experience. Since my partner and I both dined at the inn and stayed at the B and B, I'll review both aspects of the property.
First, the restaurant: Dining at the View Point Inn is an expensive proposition. Salads run about $12, entrees are about $22, coffee is $3, and desserts are about $8, making dinner a fifty dollar experience, without alcohol or tip. But if you have the cash, it's worth the splurge. I especially recommend the spinach and blue cheese salad, which is served as three mini-salads, each with an increasingly strong variety of blue cheese. The effect is something like going to a wine tasting and working one's way from light to dark wines. I also had the pork cutlets, which were perfectly seasoned.
Second, the B and B: The unique historic building is lovingly detailed, sporting five guest rooms upstairs. The most interesting guest room is the fittingly named petit alcove ($130), which is little more than a finished dormer (and no space to stand up for tall guests). The alcove is a cozy space, and there's not really room for anything except a bed and some pillows. The effect is actually pretty sexy.
Other options include the Inkeeper's room (two Donna Reed style twin beds) and the Chanticleer room. Each of these is a nice option, but guests should know that they'll be using a common bathroom downstairs that also doubles as the bathroom for the restaurant. Don't worry -- it's well-appointed, and it locks, so there is no danger of being interrupted while you're in the shower.
The best room in the house is the Roosevelt Suite, which features breathtaking views of the gorge with strategically-placed lounges and throws to keep cozy. The Roosevelt room is expensive (northwards of $300) but it would be a good honeymoon location. Sometimes staff will upgrade you from a cheaper room if the Roosevelt is not being used at the moment.
You might also be interested to know that the Twilight movie filmed the prom scene at the View Point Inn. Portions of the dining room, the Roosevelt suite, and the courtyard can be seen in the movie.
Each room also comes with a complimentary breakfast, which consists of little more than artfully sliced fruit. Though the breakfast was relatively insubstantial, I did appreciate the opportunity to spend more time in front of the fireplace in the morning. We spent the last few minutes of our stay watching clouds rise over the Columbia. It was a weekend to remember.
A rain dusted hilltop view of cloudy green and river rolling below. Larch Mountain naked lacking winter snow above. And in the middle, roses, wine, and you. A wedding. Water glasses sweat. In the back row you sweat.
God, it's beautiful here. The historic home elegant in every way, the staff attentive yet unobtrusive. The view makes you think you could fly. The flawless cocktail makes you think you could dance. You do neither. You do nothing.
This place is perfect. It may very well be the best dining and boarding experience I have ever had (in this country anyway). The room we had was precious and the staff was so nice and accommodating. The food was amazing, better than anything I've had in Portland or Seattle (including Herbfarm), it's up there on my top 5 restaurants, somewhere between Chez Panisse and Al Forno. This place was so good I finally joined Yelp just so that I could share with people just how amazing this place is.
We went for a weekend getaway to see the Gorge and were looking for a nice place to stay for the night and eat a good dinner. We found them both at the same place. I used to live in the area, so I was a little surprised to see this place, which opened up since I left. The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the country, if you haven't been, you must go. Hiking trails filled with waterfalls, hot springs, and scenic vistas like you never imagined, and the View Point Inn, as the name suggests, has one of the best. But it's not just the view that makes this place, every detail has been thought of. The decor is precious, I mean, we spent a good 10 minutes just talking about our plates. With a roaring fire at brunch the next morning, it just doesn't get any better.
OK, ok, so I was in the Gorge, one of my favorite places, and I admit, I might have been so happy this weekend that my views were a little tainted. One thing I might say is that the bed we had was uncomfortable (I have a bad back), they must have spent close to a grand on pillows, I would have invested in a better mattress. Next time I might upgrade to one of the larger rooms, maybe the room with it's own clawfoot tub...
But I wouldn't change a thing about the food or the service. The staff was particularly wonderful.
I'm sure the menu always changes, but to give you an idea of the kind of delicious food they serve, I had an oregon blue-cheese cheesecake for desert with a blueberry and pino noir reduction that was worth coming back for alone. The ingredients were so fresh and flavorful we sent our server back to the kitchen with each course to find out where some of them came from. Turns out the eggs we had at breakfast come from the chicken coup out back, no wonder they were so good.
Wonderful location - horrible treatment from owner.
After attending a family wedding at the View Point Inn, I can see why others have been so upset with their experiences at this venue.
Positives:
The location is gorgeous - wonerful view and beautiful grounds. The Inn is being restored and the interior is fantastic. Brunch looks good (did not enjoy) and entrees at the wedding were delicious. The wedding coordinator and staff are all excellent (despite the constant griping and complaining of the owner, which was heard by guests).
Negatives:
The owner of the View Point Inn does not have good people skills. He was rude on several occasions, and seemed unaplogetic. He yelled and snapped at his clients (the people PAYING thousands of dollars to have their party at his venue), as well as wedding guests, vendors, and even his own staff. This unprofessional behavior is unacceptable; customers should NEVER be treated in such an arrogant manner.
During these difficult financial times, business owners can be under a lot of stress. This is NO EXCUSE for this man's lack of tact when handling the stress of running his business.
This venue is located in a residental area. We were berated for "making too much noise" at 10 PM. We were applauding the bride & groom, giving a traditional send off. Perhaps the owner should consider sticking to daytime weddings OR strictly brunch and dinner at this location. Because of this 'curfew', the party ended at 10. Dinner took so long to be served (over two hours), so we felt like our party was cut short & our guests were booted out the front door.
Although this is a beautiful venue, I will not return for brunch or dinner. Neither will many of our guests and vendors. The owner's attitude and lack of business ethics overshadow the delicious food and beautiful view.
I would like to add an end note: the food has changed at this venue. The original chef is no longer with the VPI, and the food quality has diminished since this change took place.