​ōkta farm and kitchen

"An ambitious tasting menu restaurant in McMinnville led by Matthew Lightner. It closed in September 2024." - Rebecca Roland

"Michelin star ambitions are on display at the destination restaurant Okta in McMinnville’s Tributary Hotel. Castagna alumnus Matthew Lightner serves a tasting menu based on Pacific seafood and vegetables from the restaurant’s own Dundee Hills farm, a parade of elegant little dishes in gorgeous ceramic vessels. The overall dining experience is what makes Okta destination-worthy: It’s so elegant that it’ll make you sit up a little straighter; the luxe rusticity of the dining room’s earthy decor, the perfume of woodsmoke scenting the space, the hushed seriousness of the staff’s machinations in the open kitchen, and the team-style service approach to service all signal its intentions — to become the Willamette Valley’s crown jewel." - Emily Teel, Rebecca Roland

"Chef Matthew Lightner’s Ōkta is located in the Willamette Valley hamlet of McMinnville and is worth the time and the drive."

"I was invited to a dinner at Harper Voit winery down in McMinnville for the International Pinot Noir Celebration. Alea Bakery, a McMinnville-based pop-up, served a stunning meal — keep an eye on their Instagram because they do pop up in Portland every now and then. Brendan and Haley Byer, the couple behind the pop-up, were previously on the opening team at ōkta. My two favorite courses of the night were a grilled caraflex cabbage with Briar Rose Creamery fondue, which was wonderfully charred until it had this melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a Dungeness crab rice dish, which was served cold. It had yellow wax bean, corn, and citrus and was such a fresh, light, summer-y dish." - Eater Staff

"Ōkta's summer menu featuring the best of the season's produce was the best meal of 2023." - Eater Staff