Wednesday, May 13, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
BBr opens new culinary chapter
By Jim Cornelius
News Editor
The Lodge Restaurant has
been an iconic part of Black
Butte Ranch since the 1970s.
Last week it reopened after an
extensive remodel that brings
it current with the needs and
desires of a 2015 clientele.
Built in split levels long
before the Americans With
Disabilities Act was in place,
the Lodge has now been made
much more accessible with
a ramp into the main dining
area. Bathrooms have also
been brought into ADA com-
pliance. The floor has been
raised in the Brooks Room,
eliminating a step down, and
the whole facility has been
refurbished and brightened
with new carpet and paint.
“Access has always been
an issue here,” said Dean
Ecker, longtime BBR director
of food and beverage.
Now the restaurant can
accommodate 30 to 40 din-
ers regardless of their move-
ment restrictions or disabili-
ties. Many BBR residents
have a deep appreciation for
the Lodge, since it’s been
part of their lives for years or
decades, with many memo-
ries of family occasions and
special events. As the Ranch
resident population ages and
mobility issues creep up, the
remodel makes it easier and
more pleasant for them to
enjoy their home restaurant.
The Aspen Bar has been
completely remodeled and
bar seating added. And, Ecker
said, “We did the Brooks Bar
for special events.
The Lodge remodel is part
of a new culinary chapter at
Black Butte Ranch, according
to Ecker.
photo by Jim Cornelius
dean ecker proudly showed off a remodeled Lodge Restaurant at Black
Butte Ranch. The Ranch will have three restaurants operating this season.
Restaurant chef Mark
Barnes is returning for the
season and will roll out a
new menu Memorial Day
Weekend.
“It’s going to be distinctly
different, unique,” Ecker
said.
There will be a continuing
“all-day menu,” with a dinner
insert with dishes that will
change.
“That will allow Mark
and his team to be creative,”
Ecker explained.
BBR uses local and
regional suppliers as much
as possible, providing locally
raised beef and elk; and pos-
sibly pheasant will soon be
on the menu.
“We’re going to have a
rather extensive herb gar-
den,” Ecker noted.
The menu will also have
an emphasis on seafood.
The Lodge is only one
component of an overall
culinary experience at BBR.
Robert’s Pub will continue to
offer innovative pub cuisine
and the new Lakeside Bistro
will open this summer along
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A creative place to call your own!
with an extensive new recre-
ation complex green-lighted
by BBR homeowners last
year.
“Basically, the Ranch will
have three full-service restau-
rants ready for the season,”
Ecker said.
The Lakeside Bistro will
feature a brick oven and turn
out artisan pizzas. And, to
meet the demand, there’ll be
plenty of French fries.
“There’s a huge demand
for French fries on the pool
deck,” Ecker said.
Ecker says that the Lodge
remodel and the launch of
new culinary adventures has
an uplifting effect on staff, as
well.
“When you challenge
them with new opportunities,
it makes everybody better,”
he said.
For more information
on Black Butte Ranch, visit
www.blackbutteranch.com.
7
Future Eagle scout helps
Cloverdale Fire District
Alexander Cyrus, 17, of
Sisters, may soon reach the
rank of Eagle Scout. Involved
in scouting for the past 12
years, he is finishing up the
requirements for this presti-
gious rank.
One of the requirements
for this position, as with most
of the ranks in scouting, is to
perform community service.
Cyrus chose to help out
the Cloverdale Fire District
this year with a landscap-
ing project. Cyrus put 50-60
hours into planning and exe-
cuting this project.
As part of the installation
of the new building at the
Cloverdale Road fire station,
the Fire District was required
to provide landscaping to
meet county codes. Cyrus
met with district staff and
came up with a low-impact-
xeriscape plan. The covering
of the berm that surrounds the
station requires no water, and
is environmentally friendly.
Cyrus was able to procure
not only the materials neces-
sary for this project, but also
the manpower and equip-
ment necessary to make it all
happen.
Fire Chief Thad Olsen is
extremely happy with the
results extended his thanks to
the future Eagle Scout for his
hard work.
photo proviDeD
alexander Cyrus put in a lot of work at Cloverdale Fire district.