It’s nice to just get out of town, take a deep breath and enjoy some peace, quiet and relaxation. This restaurant is remote enough to take you away from the daily grind, and good enough to provide you a memorable dining experience. The Gathering Table Restaurant at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center is just outside the tiny town of Orient, Iowa, and it brings new meaning to the term farm-to-table. Not only are you served your meal in a restored barn, the ingredients are provided by food harvested from the gardens on-site, so you know your meal is going to be fresh, delicious and unforgettable.

The Country Life Center is the birthplace of Henry A. Wallace, born in 1888. Wallace was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1933 - 1941, U.S. Vice President from 1941 - 1945 and U.S. Secretary of Commerce from 1945 - 1946.

The dinners are held in the Gathering Barn, a replica of the original barn that stood on the property. It is used not only for the weekly lunches and dinners but as a meeting and educational facility.

The restaurant uses fresh produce from the produce gardens on the farm. The Center produces 8 to 10 different kinds of fruits and 30 to 40 varieties of vegetables, so you know they offer great variety.

The menu is seasonal and varied, depending on what’s available on the farm, but some dishes have included tomato bruschetta with fresh heirloom tomatoes, garlic and herb braised beef with mashed potatoes, broccoli and glazed carrots with herb beef sauce.

Before or after your meal in the Gathering Barn, you can walk around the grounds and learn interesting things about the history of the farm and its landscape.

The grounds include 40 acres of farmland, a restored farmhouse, the Gathering Barn, restored Iowa prairie and pond, a sculpture walking path, flower gardens, an orchard and produce gardens, and a gift shop and market, where you can buy fresh produce to take home with you and more.

Wallace was interested in flowers, and the gardens on the grounds reflect that interest. In fact, his first hybrid experiment was in his mother’s flower garden, crossing pansies. The gardens are comprised of starts from the greenhouse and plants from gardeners in the area.

I can’t imagine a more remote, peaceful and truly Iowa setting, can you? The weekly lunches and dinners end at the end of October, so make sure to pay them a visit before the season ends!

Lunches and dinners are served on Fridays in the Gathering Barn from 11 am to 1 pm and 5:30 to 8 pm, March through October. Make sure to give them a call to make reservations in advance at 641-337-5019, and keep in mind that they’re closed on certain dates for private events. Located at 2773 290th Street, Orient, IA.

For more unforgettable Iowa eating experiences, check out these 10 Iowa Restaurants Right On The River That You’re Guaranteed To Love.