By Melissa Wagoner
Right now, outdoor dining is at its most desirable. And it doesn’t get any more outdoor than eating in a field of alpacas.
“Last year we had the tables scattered throughout the field,” Jennifer Cameron recalled. She is the owner of Alpacas at Marquam Hill, the venue of an annual Field and Vine farm dinner. “It’s a six to seven course meal and we get people who come out here year after year.”
That’s not surprising because with more than 80 alpacas roaming 18-plus acres of property, the Marquam Hill Ranch is a one- of-a-kind setting.
“Out here in the evening you see the animals start to pronk,” Cameron said, describing the arched back, stiff-legged leaping the alpacas do, most often during the twilight hours. “It’s a simple evening of relaxation.”
But the animals aren’t the only reason to purchase a ticket – which are priced at $110 and can be found at www.alliumoregon. com/farm-dinners — the food and drinks, are sure to be spectacular as well, with wine provided by neighboring vineyard AlexEli and cocktails from Double Circle Spirits.
“[Chef Chureau] has a lot of staff and they really set the stage,” Cameron said. “We’re just here to offer a venue that’s different than the usual winery.”
Although this year’s event is being held earlier than usual – June 4 at 5:30 p.m. – Cameron is not worried about the possibility of rain, noting that the event company’s owner, Pascal Chureau – a French chef at the Allium in West Linn – has been putting on between 15 and 35 dinners each year for the past nine years.
“He knows what he’s doing,” Cameron reassured. “And he can put up a tent.”
“It’s so pretty with the animals,” she added. “We will have our one-year-olds up here, and that’s always fun. It’s sharing a meal together…seasonal food, good wine and good distilled beverages.”
For tickets visit, www.alliumoregon.com/ farm-dinners.
