PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – A McMinnville restaurant closed its doors Sunday following a two-year run that brought in a James Beard ranking and put the spotlight on the Willamette Valley’s culinary potential.
Ōkta, a fine-dining restaurant that specialized in a “micro-seasonal” tasting menu, announced its closure on Instagram Monday — just months after Chef Matthew Lightner was selected as a 2024 semifinalist in James Beard’s Best Chef Northwest category .
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The social media post thanked those who visited the restaurant since it opened in 2022:
We are filled with gratitude as we reflect on the overwhelmingly positive response from guests who experienced ōkta and shared in the vision to bring micro-seasonal, highly local dining showcasing one of the most beautiful terroirs in the world. This restaurant brought together so many community partners, friends, family, and amazing people who believe in a new way of cooking and growing food.