Picture it: cocktail in hand, enjoying a multi-course dinner, and basking in the alpenglow as seen from Pine Marten Lodge atop Mt. Bachelor. Dining at an elevation of 7,800 feet is something most people could only dream of, yet it’s happening four nights a week at Mt. Bachelor Sunset Dinners. It’s one of the most magical experiences in Central Oregon during the summer, and it should be on your bucket list!
Chairlift ride up to Pine Marten Lodge
It all starts at the Pine Marten Lift, located in West Village. From here, you’ll ascend nearly 1,500 feet on the 10-minute chairlift ride to Pine Marten Lodge. This lift is one of Mt. Bachelor’s finest, offering sweeping views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains at golden hour as you comfortably climb up the mountain.
Once you arrive at the top of the lift, you’ll head into Pine Marten Lodge for your reservation. If you really want to take in the scenery, arrive 15-20 minutes early, order a cocktail from the bar, and take a stroll along the balcony.
Here, you can bask in the amazement of Bend’s topography. From the Three Sisters Mountains to Sparks Lake and the forested high desert, you can’t help but observe in awe. For so many of us, this is where we get to call home! And, if you’re visiting, it’s a sight to relish (and post to Instagram).
Dining at Mt. Bachelor
When your table’s ready, you’ll be seated along the lodge’s high-ceiling windows, offering expansive views while you dine. Every table is the best seat in the house! As you browse the wine and cocktail menu, you’ll be greeted with an amuse bouche—the chef’s selection of the week!
Here’s my recommendation for selecting your starter and main courses: create a tasting menu among your tablemates. Whether dining with your partner or a group, it’s the best way to get a taste of Bend’s fine dining!
Sunset Dinner menu highlights
This year’s seasonal menu offers a few favorite plates that make the top of my list:
- Amuse bouche – Farmers Market seasonal bite: While this two-bite hors d’oeuvre rotates weekly, it’s worth mentioning. This seemingly simple starter was actually a multi-layered sweet and savory tastebuds treat! A buttery, salted cracker is topped with savory fruit spread, wedge of cheddar, blueberry goat cheese, crispy prosciutto, and chives. (I’ll take 20, thank you).
- Diver scallop crudo: Light and citrusy, this dish combines hand-picked diver scallops delicately poached in and served over a rhubarb and citrus nage (that’s fancy for a fragrant broth) with fresh grapefruit and chive oil. Divine!
- Braised beef short ribs: Tried and true, they are always one of my top picks at Sunset Dinners. Braised for several hours and served over mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus, each plate is topped with braising jus, wild Oregon mushrooms, and spring onions. Genuinely a melt-in-your-mouth situation!
- Sunrise roulade cake: It wasn’t an easy decision in choosing my top dessert, but I finally settled on the sunrise roulade chiffon cake. This light and airy cake is layered with raspberry jam, vanilla bean Bavarian cream, meringue, raspberry coulis, and whipped cream. Oh, and paired with a scoop of Bontà lemon sorbet!
Drink menu highlights
- Fire on the Horizon: Beautifully presented, floral, and fragrant. Wild Roots Pear Vodka is paired with St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. To top it off, a shimmering dusting of luster dust and a dehydrated lemon wheel.
- Grapefruit Rosemary Spritzer: Zero-proof, 100% flavor. Refreshing and sparkling, this mocktail spritz combines grapefruit juice, rosemary simple syrup, lime, and bubbly water. All the summer feels!
- Hazelnut Espresso Martini: It’s practically a rule that every Central Oregon establishment offers an espresso martini variety using Crater Lake’s local-favorite Hazelnut Espresso Vodka. Perfect with dessert, this martini is shaken to a cream-top perfection with Kahlua and fresh coffee.
Kids can fine dine, too
Yes, there’s a kids’ menu, and it’s every bit as cute and fancy as the grown-up version! Children aged 12 and under can enjoy starter courses like the snacking board, followed by main courses including braised short ribs, buttered noodles, and black cod. Of course, kiddos can polish off their fancy meal with a brownie sundae or wild berry sorbet.
Golden hour on Mt. Bachelor
I like to call this the “sixth course.” You didn’t just come to Sunset Dinners for the food; you also came for the sunset! Around 8:30 (give or take a few minutes), as the sun begins its descent, guests quietly usher outside to the balcony with friends and cocktails to watch this magical moment in real time.
For about 15 minutes, the sun dances across the forest and shimmers off Sparks Lake, creating the most magical sunset glow in the region. There is no other dining experience in Central Oregon from this elevation, with these views! Watch as the mountains turn into silhouettes and the sky lights up fiery orange and red.
Tip: plan your dinner around the sunset! Whether you’re catching it on your chairlift down the mountain, between dinner and dessert, or with your nightcap, it’s worth staying a little longer to savor this experience.
Getting to Mt. Bachelor
What’s even more special about Sunset Dinners is its proximity to Bend. Just 30 minutes from downtown Bend, and under an hour from Sisters and Redmond, respectively, you won’t have to go too far for this bucketlist date night experience. However, if you plan to enjoy the wine pairing or a few cocktails, it’s best to opt for private transportation.
Private transportation to Mt. Bachelor in the summer
Unlike in the wintertime, there is no shuttle to Mt. Bachelor during the summer. And post-dinner Ubers aren’t an option. Shuttle Oregon offers a reliable, comfortable, and relaxing ride to and from Sunset Dinners with their private shuttles.
We opted for the elevated ride in an Executive Mercedes Sprinter, outfitted with all the luxury finishes—and a very relaxing ride home. On the way up, we sipped on sparkling Rosé (glasses and ice buckets provided by Shuttle Oregon). During the ride down, we reclined our seats, pulled up the footrests, and enjoyed a safe and peaceful trip home. You can book a shuttle here.
Behind the pass: the menu & Chef team
None of this is possible without the talent, skills, and hard work from Mt. Bachelor’s culinary team.
- Peter Buckbee, Executive Chef: Recruited from Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Maine, where he also served as Executive Chef. His style is heavily influenced by the farm-to-table movement.
- Zoe Wydra, Sous Chef: COCC Culinary graduate, Zoe is a Sunset Dinners veteran, currently serving her fifth season with Mt. Bachelor.
- Vivo Greninger, Pastry Chef: COCC Culinary graduate and second season working Sunset Dinners. Vivo owns the dessert menu and designs everything from Danish cream to Mexican chocolate cake.
- Caden Eimer, Assistant Pastry Chef: Current COCC Culinary student.
Know before you go: Sunset Dinner details
A few tips and important information you’ll want to know when planning, booking, and attending Sunset Dinners.
- Sunset Dinners run Thursday through Sunday, with reservation seating times between 5:00 and 7:45 p.m.
- Arrive at least 25 minutes ahead of your reservation time. You’ll check in at the Mountain Gateway ticketing counter in West Village to get your chair lift tickets. The ride up to Pine Marten Lodge takes about 10-12 minutes. If you want to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail on the balcony, allow for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- What to wear: The weather is typically warm, with some winds, until dusk. I strongly recommend bringing layers or a coat, and a pair of socks for the ride down. Staff will offer blankets to you, but it can be chilly and windy once the sun goes down.
- Book your reservation! Sunset Dinners is strictly by reservation and cannot accommodate walk-ins.
- Make the most of your evening: if you’re arriving early, stay for a post-dinner drink on the balcony to catch the sunset. If your reservations are later in the evening, arrive early for a glass of bubbles while taking in the views.
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