Abby’s Table: Local Northwest Inspired Family-Style Dinner

I guess our April showers did bring May flowers! Not only have we enjoyed all the beautiful flowers of Spring, we have been loving the vibrant variety of produce our local farms have been continuing to provide us with. Our Northwest menu next week is inspired by all things fresh and local. We can’t get enough of flavorful Asparagus and Pea shoots, fresh-picked Salad Greens, juicy Strawberries and tangy Rhubarb, and Abby’s favorite, French Breakfast Radishes! We are also really excited to be getting Sturgeon for our main course from a family owned and operated fish farm in Idaho. We know, we know… we don’t normally say fish and farm together in the same sentence, but the Sturgeon we’re getting comes from a good place, a “sanctuary” of sorts, found in the Snake River Canyon of Idaho. Owner Leo Ray first started raising trout for Whole Foods at his farm that uses fresh spring water and geothermal resources. He added Sturgeon to his waters to feed off of the trout “waste” and later added alligators to feed off of the Sturgeon “waste”. We got the full scoop from our fish supplier, and we feel good about supporting Leo’s healthy fish establishment.

Menu for Wednesday, 5/23/12
As always our menu is 100% gluten, dairy and soy free.

FIRST
Creamy Asparagus Soup with Crispy Fried Pea Shoots

SECOND
Local Greens Salad with French Breakfast Radishes, Edible Flowers and Champagne-Mustard Vinaigrette

MAIN
Maple-Tarragon Glazed Idaho Sturgeon
OR Portobello Mushrooms w/ Maple-Tarragon Glaze

Entrees Served With:
French Breakfast Radish Fritters with Lemon “Sour Cream”
Lavender and Thyme Scented Roasted Rainbow Carrots

DESSERT
Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote with Hazelnut Topping

RESERVE YOUR SPOT>>

Adelsheim Wine Dinner

Established in 1971, Adelsheim’s family-owned and operated winery and estate vineyards are located in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley. Company co-founder David Adelsheim leads a current generation of passionate staff devoted to producing and selling wines of ever-higher quality with each growing season. Adelsheim Vineyards uses sustainable farming practices and takes great care to bring out the best in each of our unique vineyard sites. The winery combines traditional and modern techniques, crafting wines in a style that centers on elegance, complexity, and richness in flavor and texture.

On Thursday, May 24th at 6:30pm, we will be serving a four course tasting menu of seasonal Pacific Northwest Cuisine inspired by the wines of Adelsheim in our private Glacier Room. Courses will be paired with the following selections from Adelsheim.

2010 Pinot Blanc, Bryan Creek Vineyard
2009 Elizabeth’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2009 Bryan Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir
2010 Deglace Pinot Noir

The cost is $100 per person. Please respond quickly, as seating is limited for this very special evening. For reservations or more information, please call Greg Cantu or General Manager Damien Baker at 503-241-7163, or email greg@grunerpdx.com. We look forward to seeing you!

DAYTON, Ore. (Mar. 29, 2012) – Durant Vineyards at Red Ridge Farms, nestled in the heart of Oregon wine country, is opening a new tasting room this August and offering visitors a sneak peek of it Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests will have the chance to taste their way through 100 percent estate wines consisting of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris and Oregon Olive Mill 2011 extra virgin olive oils, learn about each from experienced staff, all while taking in the picturesque views of Dundee’s Red Hills from the wraparound porch. Red Hills Market executive chef Jody Kropf will be on site with his wood fire oven preparing delicious appetizers for guests to enjoy. The tasting fee is $10, which includes a Durant Vineyards wine glass. There will also be a chance for one lucky attendee to win a private tour of the vineyard replete with a picnic lunch for eight at a future date.

Memorial Day Tasting – wine, olive oil, appetizers and Durant Vineyards wine glass, $10
Wine pours:
2011 Pinot Gris
2011 Pinot Noir Rose
2010 Chardonnay
2009 La Paloma West Pinot Noir
2009 Heron Pinot Noir
2011 Oregon Olive Mill Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting:
Arbequina Olive Oil
Koroneiki Olive Oil
Tuscan Olive Oil
Appetizers:
House Marinated Olives – garlic, orange zest, fresh herbs, Oregon Olive Mill Olive Oil
Wood fired Crostinis – drizzled with Oregon Olive Mill Olive Oil and fresh herbs – served with truffle and white Italian bean spread
Boerenkaas Cheese – Served off of big wheels with wood fired crostinis and Oregon Olive Mill Olive Oil

Lunch Option
Roasted pork crostatas from the Red Hills Market wood fired oven, served with a fresh arugula, balsamic reduction and strawberry salad and a glass of Durant Vineyards Rose or Pinot Gris for $15 or with a glass of Durant Vineyards Chardonnay or Pinot Noir for $18

In addition to the main tasting room, the new structure also features two group rooms, which will be available for private groups and parties and a library. Once opened in August, educational seminars and tastings will be offered throughout the year. After the sneak peek the tasting room will be open on weekends only, Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. until the grand opening in August.

About Red Ridge Farms
Red Ridge Farms, as featured in Food & Wine Magazine and EveryDay with Rachael Ray magazine, is a family-owned, unique destination in Oregon’s Willamette Valley with a nursery and garden shop, the Oregon Olive Mill, Durant Vineyards and a country cottage. Two lodging accommodations are available for guests, a one bedroom guest suite overlooking the valley and the two bedroom Stoneycrest cottage, which overlooks Durant Vineyards. Both properties are available to rent by the night, weekend or week and feature full kitchens and breathtaking views. The Durant family planted their first vineyard in the Dundee Hills of Oregon in 1973 and are pioneers in Oregon’s wine industry. Many of the original vineyards continue to flourish and produce grapes today. Leading the way in agricultural ventures, the Durants opened Red Ridge Farms in 2001, a herb and specialty plant nursery, and have planted one of the largest olive groves in Oregon. At the Oregon Olive Mill, they process their olives into oil using olive varietals grown on site including: Arbequina and Picual from Spain, Leccino, Pendolino, and Coratina from Italy and Koroneiki from Greece. The bottled olive oil is augmented by additional olives from California as the trees reach their full maturity. The Oregon Olive Mill also houses an event space with a patio overlooking the Willamette Valley used for corporate and private events. Durant Vineyards provides wine grapes to the premier wineries in Oregon and also produces over 1,600 cases of Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Chardonnay. For more information about upcoming events and lodging availability, please call 503-864-8502. Red Ridge is located at 5510 NE Breyman Orchard Road, Dayton, Oregon. Find more information at www.redridgefarms.com, on Facebook or Twitter @OregonOliveMill.

Portland, Ore. (May 3, 2012) — Putting the long Pacific Northwest winter to bed for good, Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country offers a stunning bouquet of local wine culture. The holiday weekend features exclusive wines, greening vineyard views and an array of activities fit to please the wine enthusiast and foodie alike. Household names like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris mingle with hard-to-find varietals such as Arneis and Gewürztraminer for three days devoted to treasured Willamette Valley wine.

Over 150 wineries invite tasters to their cozy tasting rooms and stunning vineyards Memorial Day Weekend. A handful of small producers are open to the public this weekend only, offering a rare glimpse – and taste – of the hand-crafted approach and award-winning flavors people associate with Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley. Sample wines of varying vintages, vineyards and varietal blends and meet the producers behind them.

“Memorial Weekend traditionally marks the start of the summer wine tasting season,” said Sue Horstmann, Executive Director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA). “Visitors to wine country this weekend will have the opportunity to sample new releases as well as older vintages. It is a great time to find new favorites to add to your cellar.”

Participating wineries accent their wines with culinary pairings, tours, and performers. Take in a live jazz band or sip an older vintage wine from inside an old grain silo. Play bocce ball beside an endless vineyard or munch on some barbecue while you play fetch with the vineyard dog. Learn what it means to be biodynamic or pack a picnic and enjoy it on a family farm.

Also, for the third consecutive year, the WVWA has teamed up with Ecotrust’s Farm to School program, which works to bring regionally grown food into school lunchrooms, educate students about agriculture and support regional farmers. Fifty participating wineries will donate a portion of their weekend’s proceeds to Ecotrust.

“Targeting the next generation of Oregonians, the Farm to School program took root in 2007 and promotes healthy, regionally grown food in school cafeterias statewide. We’re thrilled the Willamette Valley Wineries Association shares our deep commitment to keeping Oregon’s agriculture sustainable and our children healthy,” said Ericka Carlson, of Ecotrust’s Food and Farms program.

From its modest beginning 22 years ago, Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country has blossomed into a regionally recognized wine lover’s holiday, the preface to a sunny Oregon growing season. For a complete listing of wineries open during Memorial Day Weekend and those donating proceeds to Ecotrust, along with details about special events and individual tasting fees, visit www.willamettewines.com and request a touring map and guide.

About Ecotrust and its Food and Farms Program
Ecotrust’s mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates social equity, economic opportunity, and environmental well-being. The Food and Farms program at Ecotrust strives to make sustainability the underlying value of the mainstream food system; the norm, not the exception. Its approach is multifaceted and includes: combating obesity, hunger, and global climate change; supporting Pacific Northwest farmers and food processors, both big and small; and enhancing regional economic development and community food security. For more information, please visit http://www.ecotrust.org/foodfarms/.

About the Willamette Valley Wineries Association
The WVWA is a non-profit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon’s acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot Noir producing region. Currently, the WVWA has 194 members representing wineries and tasting rooms throughout the Valley – from Portland to Eugene. Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country and Wine Country Thanksgiving are the two oldest WVWA sponsored touring events in Oregon. The Association also publishes an annual wineries guide with a touring map. For more information of to request a map, please visit www.willamettewines.com, call 503-646-2985, or follow on Facebook or Twitter: @wvwines.

PORTLAND, Ore., [May 9, 2012] – It’s finally here! Beginning June 1st, Portland Dining Month returns to the Rose City for the third year, offering three-course dinner menus – including an appetizer, entrée and dessert – for just $25. The best part? Diners have nearly 60 top Portland restaurants to choose from throughout the month-long promotion.

“New restaurants are springing up all over town, making this a great time to savor Portland’s vibrant restaurant scene,” said Courtney S. Ries, Director of the Downtown Marketing Initiative. “Portland Dining Month offers visiting and local diners the perfect opportunity to try out a variety of the city’s most-notable restaurants at a great price.”

Beginning May 29th, Portland diners will be able to “spin the wheel” at Downtown Portland’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/downtownportland) for delicious restaurant recommendations, or to find out more about participating restaurants. Also through the Facebook page, diners can enter to win a sweepstakes package featuring a $50 gift card from every restaurant participating in the promotion – that’s nearly 60 free dinners – one a week for a whole year. Contest entries will be accepted from May 29th – June 29, 2012. In addition to the grand prize, three contestants each week will receive a $50 gift card to one of the participating Portland Dining Month restaurants. The Portland Dining Month website (www.PortlandDiningMonth.com) goes live the week of May 14th; check the site for the most up-to-date list of participating restaurants and menus.

Portland Dining Month is again partnering with OpenTable. For every reservation booked on OpenTable through the link on the Portland Dining Month website (www.PortlandDiningMonth.com) the Downtown Marketing Initiative will make a donation to Oregon Food Bank. Oregon Food Bank works with a cooperative, statewide network of partner agencies to distribute emergency food to hungry families.

Portland Dining Month features 60 restaurants, including:

For a complete list of restaurants, menus and additional information, please visit www.PortlandDiningMonth.com. Be sure to check back regularly as restaurant menus will be updated weekly.
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About the Downtown Marketing Initiative:
The Downtown Marketing Initiative is a public, private partnership created and funded by the City of Portland and its partners that is dedicated to promoting the long-term vitality of downtown Portland. Since its inception in 2006, the Downtown Marketing Initiative has successfully supported downtown during a period of intense redevelopment and has become a critical economic stimulus tool in the current financial climate. For more information please visit www.downtownportland.org.

About OpenTable:
OpenTable is a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners, reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. The OpenTable network delivers the convenience of online restaurant reservations to diners and the operational benefits of a computerized reservation book to restaurants. For more information please visit www.opentable.com.

About Oregon Food Bank:
Oregon Food Bank distributes donated food throughout a statewide network of more than 947 nonprofit, hunger-relief agencies serving Oregon and Clark County, Wash., and works to eliminate the root causes of hunger through education and advocacy. For more information please visit www.oregonfoodbank.org.

Here is just a taste of the breweries and cideries that will be at Zoo Brew 2012:

Breweries
10 Barrel Brewing Company
BridgePort Brewing Company
Burnside Brewing Company
Cascade Brewing
Deschutes Brewery
Fort George Brewery
Full Sail Brewing Company
Kona Brewing Company
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Lompoc Brewing
MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company
Migration Brewing Co.
Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Natian Brewery
Ninkasi Brewing Company
North Coast Brewing Co.
Oakshire Brewing
Omission Beer
Phatt Matt’s Brewing Company
Pyramid Breweries
Redhook Ale Brewery
Rock Bottom Brewery
Rogue Ales
Seven Brides Brewing
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Southern Oregon Brewing Company
Trumer Pils Brauerei
Vertigo Brewing
Widmer Brothers Brewing
Cideries
2 Towns Ciderhouse
Ace Cider
Blue Mountain Cider Company
Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider
Tieton Cider Works
Wandering Aengus Ciderworks
More activities
Play carnival-style games or vote for the fan favorite beer or cider to win fun, beer-themed prizes. Participate in workshops on beer brewing basics, “wild” additions to beer and more!

Proceeds from Zoo Brew benefit the Oregon Zoo’s animal welfare, conservation, education and environmental sustainability programs and activities.

Purchase tickets here>>
Tickets include entry to event and 10 tasting tokens.
$25 April 1–30
$30 May 1–15
$35 May 16 to June 1

Details
zoo grounds open at 4 p.m.
event begins at 5 p.m.
must be 21 or older; ID required
event is held rain or shine; no refunds
no outside food or beverage permitted
as of May 26 the Oregon Zoo is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.

The St. Johns Farmers Market (SJFM) is proud to announce that it will open its fourth season on Saturday, June 2nd. We invite to you join us in the St. Johns Plaza, where the bridge meets the vibrant business core at the intersection of N. Lombard and N. Philadelphia. Market hours are 9am to 2pm, every Saturday through mid October.

Students from the Sitton Elementary School Garden Program will ring the opening bell. They are a new participant in our Community Partnerships program, which distributes $10 vouchers throughout the community. The program was designed to increase access to fresh vegetables and fruits and is supported by a $2500 grant from New Seasons Market.

Musical entertainment includes the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band and Water Tower Bucket Boys keeping the market vibrant and exciting throughout the day.

Returning vendors include Food Works, a certified organic farm on Sauvie Island supporting youth employment and empowerment by engaging 14-21 year old young people in all aspects of planning, growing, selling and donating produce.

The SJFM is an independent market run by volunteers, working to support a local, sustainable food supply while providing opportunity for small, emerging farmers, contributing to the health of all local residents, encouraging cross-cultural connections and dialogue, and enhancing the community and business vitality of St. Johns and North Portland.

Learn more about our programs and events on our website at www.sjfarmersmarket.com.

Speakeasy 721

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012
6PM – 8PM
Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center (Ecotrust)
721 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209 (map)

Tickets: $10 (21 years & older)
http://speakeasy721pdx.eventbrite.com

Join us in puttin’ on the ritz to the swinging tunes of local jazz band Boy and Bean. We’ll feature tantalizing concoctions of giggle water from the area’s finest distilleries and artisan mixers, plus a tasty selection of paired bites from Portland’s premier caterers.

PAIRINGS

New Deal Distillery | Simpatica | B.G. Reynolds Syrups

Bull Run Distillery | Culinary Artistry | Cana’s Feast Winery “Chinato”

Big Bottom Whiskey | Crave | Columbia Gorge Organics

Vinn Distillery | Artemis Foods | Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegars

Sub Rosa Spirits | Food In Bloom | Dry Soda Co.

Stone Barn Brandyworks | phresh organic catering | Portland Juice Press

Speakeasy 721 is sure to be the cat’s pajamas.

Space is limited, so grab your tickets early!

Period fashion will be admired, but is not required

For more information on the event, please contact:
jkubal@ecotrust.org, Ecotrust

WHAT TO EXPECT:
An educational talk about the history and process of shochu production from Tim Navarrette, Ping’s resident Bar Manager

A tasting consisting of four shochu from our selection of over 30 (and counting!)

An array of small bites from Ping’s kitchen

To kick off the first tasting on Saturday April 28th, Matt Mount of House Spirits will be talking about shochu and his experience producing shochu in Oregon at House Spirits. To celebrate Matt’s contribution we will be pouring Uchi No Kami numbers 9 and 11 in addition to the scheduled tasting (this is some of if not the last of it in the state!).

Expect some other surprises as the tastings continue….

SCHEDULED TASTINGS:

Saturday, April 28th 3:00pm
Thursday, May 3rd 2:30pm
Saturday, May 19th 3:00pm
Thursday, June 7th 2:30pm

The price for each event is $35.00.
Please RSVP to info@pingpdx.com or call the restaurant at (503) 229-7464.