Food

Far and away, the top dining choice on Mount Hood [1] is the Cascade Dining Room (Timberline Lodge [2], 27500 E. Timberline Rd., Government Camp, 503/622-0700, 7:30–10 a.m., 11 a.m.–3 p.m., and 5:30–8 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 7:30–10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.–3 p.m., and 5:30–8 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $16–30, dinner reservations recommended). Like most of the top Oregon chefs, Leif Benson prepares meals to showcase regional foods—in this case often wild mushrooms from Mount Hood’s forested slopes and huckleberries from its meadows.

Even if a full dinner doesn’t fit into your plans or your budget, lunch in this huge timbered dining room is a hearty treat—take a break from skiing for some polenta served with roasted vegetables or a salmon BLT.

Down the hill at the west end of Government Camp, find the Mount Hood Brewing Company (87304 E. Government Camp Loop, Government Camp, 503/272-0102, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily, $8–12). Sandwiches, pasta, chili, and design-your-own pizza can be washed down with microbrews (try their own oatmeal stout), espresso drinks, and local wines.

Also in town, the Huckleberry Inn (Oregon Business Loop, Government Camp, 503/272-3325) deserves mention if only for its 24-hour, 7-day-a-week restaurant and, you guessed it, wild huckleberry pie.