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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend July 14, 2006 Long River Family Steakhouse and Bar The daily throngs of young 'uns, oldsters and everyone in between are lining up for meals at the Long River Family Steakhouse and Bar. From the battered, fried Blooming River onion appetizer ($6.75) to the brandy-soaked pear tart dessert ($5.50), the restaurant's popularity is a testament to a menu designed to please a variety of palates. My dining companion and I finally decide to brave the crowds for dinner recently. After wimping out on previous attempts, daunted by the number of folks in the lobby and bar areas, we were pleased to be seated in under 10 minutes. Apparently the size of the restaurant allows for rapid turn-over of its many tables. A cheery waitress quickly approached our table and took our order. I opted for the 8-ounce Houston Sirloin ($14.00). My friend had the Blackened Salmon Salad ($9.95) and a cup of Black Bean soup ($3.50). The center-cut sirloin, ordered medium, came as promised on Advertisement the menu — "hot center, pink throughout." Tender, flavorful, not over-seasoned. A typical dinner salad arrived in advance. The ranch dressing was better than average. But the option of a baked sweet potato was a nice addition to the traditional side offerings of steak fries, garlic mashers, rice pilaf, grilled veggies, and baked potato. For another $1 you can bacon-and-cheese your spud. I ultimately selected steak fries for no better reason than I was in a salt-and-catsup kinda mood. (No, I didn't put any on my steak. That would be bovine blasphemy.) My friend's soup was a major hit with us both. It was thick, rich and full of flavor, as advertised. We particularly liked the addition of sour cream, chopped onion and jalapeno slices. Dining Companion is addicted to bread, especially warm bread. So he was on his second basket of well-buttered dark and light rolls when his salmon salad arrived. The seasoned salmon filet was served on a bed of baby spinach topped with red onions, mushrooms and toasted almonds. A vinaigrette dressing topped the masterpiece salad. He was pleased. And full. "This is a lot of salad," he said. Salad schmalad, BreadBoy. Time for my favorite part of any meal — dessert!, I cried. The homemade cobbler ($3.99), carrot cake ($5.25) and aforementioned pear tart were strong contenders. But in the end, he chose New York Style Cheesecake ($4.25). I chose the Key Lime Pie ($4.95). He managed just a bite of the rich raspberry-sauced dessert, but declared it very tasty. Only able to tackle a few bites myself of the tangy citrus pie, it was still a very nice finish to my beefy dinner. No worries, though. Both desserts doggy-bag well — and go great with steak leftovers. Long River is testing out breakfast this summer. ... ? -- Sanne Specht Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Advertisement s Advertisement