Stephanie Inn

Stephanie Inn Restaurant (update), Cannon Beach, OR., 8/16-17/26

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

Stephanie Inn sits on the Pacific Ocean coast overlooking Haystack Rock.  The 3 floor inn has a restaurant on the second floor which I’ve reported on before.  You can see those write ups by clicking 2025, 2025, 2024, 2024, and 2022.  We were fortunate to go back again this year and get to stay in the Oceanfront “Janice Kay” room, which we decided last trip was our favorite at the inn but must be booked well in advance.  It’s well positioned, just a few feet from the dining room where Chef Aaron Bedard remains Executive Chef.  The nights he was in the kitchen were the better of the four, which will be reported in 2 separate posts.  The format is a 5 course menu which also includes an amuse bouche and a choice of main entree.  I saw some adaptations, but those again must be made in advance.  You can reserve a table at the 5:30 time Sunday – Thursday with an additional 8:00 seating on Friday and Saturday, whether you are staying there or somewhere else.  It’s lovely to stay there as that also includes breakfast the next morning and a wine tasting with snacks every afternoon.  The dining room overlooks the mountain view side of the building which isn’t as fun as the ocean but also then doesn’t get the glare of the afternoon sun.  It’s get a high recommendation from me, enough so that we’ve already booked our 2027 stay! Continue reading →

Stephanie Inn (update), Cannon Beach, OR., 8/21 & 22/25

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164

Stephanie Inn’s owners also own the Public Coast Farm, which you will pass if you drive in from Portland.  So much of the produce is from there and according to Chef Jeff what they send is the largest input into what’s on the menu.  You’ll find their produce at dinner and also in the complimentary breakfast that is included in your room rate.  Portions for the dinner menu are spot on and offered at two seatings each night (they go to one seating in winter) and reservations are required.  The dinner starts with drink orders being taken and delivery of the amuse bouche is about the same time as the housemade bread and butter coming out.  The bread is the same every night and the butter has a bit of course salt on top of it.  It’s a soft bread in that the crust isn’t crisp but the interior is soft and dense.   They came around each meal and offered more if you wanted.  When the first course is out one of the chef’s come out to describe the evening’s menu and then staff comes around to get your entrée choice.  Each meal finishes with a couple of Ranger Chocolate squares in different flavors.  It’s takes just over an hour and a half, depending on how many people are there.  Service is friendly and couldn’t be more helpful.  I really like this place, as you can tell since I keep going back, and hope you’ll get a chance to try it too. Continue reading →

Stephanie Inn (update), Cannon Beach, OR., August 19 & 20, 2025

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exterior – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110-3164

We returned to the Stephanie Inn for another 4 nights like last year.  You can read last year’s posts by clicking here and here or searching for Stephanie Inn.  The building is pretty much the same as are some of the staff and that’s just fine by me.  Really friendly folks work in the dining room and hotel.  This year we had an ocean view the whole time and I highly recommend that as there’s lots to watch for relaxing entertainment but all the rooms offer easy access to the beach and water.  The tasting menu in the dining room is 5 courses with an amuse bouche and the only choice being the main course.  I did see some substitutions for dietary restrictions,  Wine pairings are offered on two levels and there is a good menu of by the bottle or glass wines.  Cocktails are available but there is no bar to go to.   The view with dinner is of the mountains and nearby homes but one night we also were treated to some elk that wandered through.  White tableclothes and muted music are the set up for this lovely dining experience.  Executive Chef Jeff Slemaker was on hand most nights but we did not see Executive Chef Aaron Bedard.  The food is fresh, much coming from their own farm (Public Coast Farm), and the seafood is mostly local.  The menu changes plenty from night to night so we did not mind coming again and again.  It’s a great vacation spot that I highly recommend you try.  I’ve already made reservations to go again next year.  Hope to see yo there! Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn breakfast, Cannon Beach, OR., 8/14-17/24

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dining room – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

When you stay at the Stephanie Inn breakfast is included.  It alone is worth staying there for.  It’s in the same room as dinner and on the kitchen side they set up the hot buffet with a variation on eggs, potatoes, meats and hot cereal.  In front of that they have fruits, granola, Greek yogurt and sauces.  On the other side of the room they have muffins, bagels, toast, scones along with butter and jams.  After you’re seated they take your drink order and then you serve yourself as you choose.  A menu in your napkin details what is on the buffet and also items you can have cooked to order.   Their fruits were all fabulous, being well ripened and full of flavor.  The scone flavor changed daily and they were all very good with a nice crisp exterior.  The muffins also varied daily and some I liked better than others but all were fine.  The toast was the same bread they serve at night.  We also tried several of their order options as well as crafting our own order one morning.  The coffee was French press and they offered fresh juices but I never tried any of them.   The menu also  offered alcoholic drinks but I didn’t try those either.  It was all wonderful and gave a fantastic start to the day.  Plus they serve from 8 – 10:30, so it works whatever time zone you’re coming from. Continue reading →

The Stephanie Inn, Cannon Beach, OR., 8/15 & 16/24

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back of the inn – 2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110

The Stephanie Inn’s dining room holds about 17 cloth-covered tables in the second-floor round room on the mountain side of the hotel.  A wooden domed ceiling is over the front half of the room and a lower flat ceiling is over the back darker portion of the room.  With the tablecloths, padded chairs, table spacing and carpet on the floor the noise level was wonderful.  You could easily hold a private conversation but with light music in the background, you could still enjoy the hum of the other people.  Children under 12 are not permitted in the dining room.  Service was excellent all the nights we were there with good attention to detail, particularly special requests.  They start each evening by offering to get you a cocktail from the bar and take your other beverage requests.  An amuse bouche is served and then some bread before the first course hits your table.  At this point, Chef Jeff Slemaker took the floor to discuss the upcoming meal.  He was to the point and invited all to continue eating as he talked.  He was a delightful host and came around to talk with the guests.  For our last meal, Chef Johanna led the kitchen team.  Portioning at the tastings was wonderful – there was plenty to taste but not too much to make you feel stuffed.  They brought additional bread if you needed filler.  Each meal was fairly different so it was fine to eat there multiple nights.  The staff were all fabulous, friendly and helpful.  I can’t wait to go back and hope to see you there too! Continue reading →