Cultus Lake Resort is roughly 40 miles from Bend and 30 miles from La Pine, Oregon. We went out there for Friday night dinner hoping that the smoke from Pacific Northwest forest fires wouldn’t obscure the view across the lake. As we drove into the area, we found the smoke to be considerably denser than expected.
The placard on the way in said sit anywhere including outside on the patio. The wind had picked up and was blowing straight at the restaurant from over the lake. We decided indoors would be a better choice so we sat at a window table overlooking the lake. Even though we couldn’t see across the lake, the view was spectacular. We sat at the far end of the dining room. Looking around, we found the rustic atmosphere appealing. The resort has a definite log cabin feel.
The wait staff was attentive (but not overly so), helpful and courteous. We both ordered the $18 Spare Rib Dinner which came with pork spare ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and cornbread. The ribs were excellent. First they bake them, then they smoked them. The baked beans had meat in them and they had a strong brown sugar/molasses flavor that I loved. Linda described the coleslaw as being neither English (with mayo) or German (vinegar). After tasting them, I agreed. There may have been an extremely light lemon dressing but I wouldn’t swear to it.
I ate the entire meal with gusto. An hour after finishing our dinner, we were still talking. Later on as the sun was starting to set, I stood up and announced we all needed milkshakes and I was buying. I ordered a chocolate milkshake. Linda ordered vanilla. I was exceedingly pleased as I watched them make the milkshakes by hand. First they scooped out vanilla ice cream. Then they added whole milk. Then they added the chocolate or vanilla flavoring. Finally, they mixed it all together and topped it off with whip cream.
Life doesn’t get any better than this. Since it was getting close to closing time, I excused myself to go outside to catch the sunset over the lake. I walked down to the pebble beach.
Because of the smoke and haze, the sunset was kind of unique. Turning around I walked back to the resort’s restaurant, general store and owner’s living quarters.
The restaurant is on the left of the building. The general store and desk where cabins are rented is on the lower level of the right hand side of the building. The owner’s living quarters are on the second floor of the right hand side of the building. This looks like an extremely comfortable place to stay.
On reentering the restaurant, I gathered up Linda, we said our goodbyes and went out the side door.
It was pitch black out by the time we reached La Pine and turned north on US-93 to take us back to Bend, Oregon.
Hope to see you on the road ahead!