| When we're back in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, we | | | | are what Chef Tim is all about. |
| will head straight to the Nunan Estate, a short walk | | | | It was easy to convince Maralyn and Norm to try the |
| from the town center. Then we will spend a t least a | | | | crunchy rings, even after a full day on the road, |
| week enjoying the charming village, the many fine | | | | sampling Oregon's bounty. But," just a few, "they said, |
| restaurants and a winery that captured our old | | | | "just to taste". Of course, there was not one ring left |
| fashioned hearts. | | | | on the large "small plate." |
| Chef Tim Keller impressed the Hill Team, as well as | | | | Tim's wife, Dana, (Tim calls her his left and right arm) is |
| the many travel writers who devoured | | | | an accomplished chef in her own right. She is the |
| Tim's amazingly delectable duck. Chef Keller, is one of | | | | mother of two. Somehow she manages to run the |
| the finest chefs from Northern California, now a rising | | | | lovely Victorian inn called The Jeremiah Nunan House |
| star in Southern Oregon. | | | | with exceptional detail, while Tim creates culinary |
| I arrived early to the Nunan Estate, built in 1892, which | | | | magic in the newly opened-open kitchen of The |
| has a story and history of its own.I began my journey | | | | Carriage House, right before our eyes. |
| along Oregon's wine trail with a local sip featured at | | | | During our short stay, we would find ourselves walking |
| the Nunan House newly opened Carriage House. As | | | | around town and asking locals where they would |
| one of their first carriage House customers, I sat at the | | | | recommend for a nice dinner. The Nunan Estate was |
| eye-popping, back lit golden onyx bar, and had a | | | | a frequent response. Many locals refer to it as "the |
| classic martini, straight up, icy cold, just perfect for an | | | | catalog house," since it was marketed through a |
| 80 degree day in October. Next time I will indulge in | | | | catalog by home designers of Knoxville, Tennessee. |
| their signature pear-tini. | | | | Nunan received the plans in April 1892 and moved his |
| Since I knew I would feasting on Oregon's bounty of | | | | family into their new home Christmas that same year. |
| ripe, fresh pears, pinot noirs and some of the blue and | | | | He spent a little over $7,000. Like many homes, it fell |
| goat best cheeses in the country, I opted for simplicity. | | | | into a state of disrepair. |
| The small plate, large enough for my supper, was far | | | | But, fortunately for the Nunan Estate, its current |
| from simple, yet matched perfectly with my martini. | | | | owners won the lottery and invested a tremendous |
| Polenta Crusted Onion Rings. The fresh garden, onion | | | | amount to bring it back to its early glory. Their next |
| rings were dipped in a polenta batter and fried fast, | | | | investment was hiring Tim and Dana Keller to run the |
| hot, crispy and crunchy - yet, moist and sweet inside | | | | Inn and Carriage House-a smart move. The Hill Team |
| Although, Tim's rings are perfect on their own, I tried | | | | would certainly recommend it as an inn and a |
| the tamarind ketchup to guild the golden rings. I do not | | | | restaurant, |
| remember enjoying tamarind outside of the Caribbean | | | | We will soon be featuring Chef Keller's duck on our |
| and Bahamian Islands. Those creative surprise touches | | | | Where and What in the World blog. |