Little Green Pickle

Are You Ready To Go Green? Catie Schuster has got the low down on a few places to find an Irish...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:58:00 -0400

Are You Ready To Go Green?

Catie Schuster has got the low down on a few places to find an Irish Feast this Sunday or at least a few holiday inspired drinks!

Portlanders love to get down and party when it comes to celebrating the holidays and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. What better way to celebrate the holiday than with food, friends, and plenty of green! All over Portland you will find restaurants and bars preparing for the coming weekend festivities. You can have your choice of going authentic with a traditional Irish dinner or really change it up by enjoying the increasingly popular green beers that make their appearance every March. Here are a few of our favorite places that have gone all the way to bring you a fantastic St. Patty’s Day.

Besaw’s- Portland’s favorite Sunday brunch is adding Green Eggs & Ham and Corned Beef Eggs Benedict to the menu and will be pouring Green Bubbles with Sweet Basil and Lemon Reduction and glasses of Lucky Green Beer!

The Bent Brick- This Sunday Chef Scott Dolich will serve his version of a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner for $15 and $4 shots of McKenna whiskey will pour.

Kenny & Zukes- With a Jewish take on a St. Patrick’s Day classic, they will be serving Corned Beef And Cabbage Knishes at all 3 K&Z locations this Sunday. Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes all wrapped into one!

Riffle NW- Riffle NW’s man behind the bar, Brandon Josie, has your alcohol intake covered on St. Patty’s Day with $7 drink specials including Irish Buck - Jameson, Limes, Ginger Beer; Tipperary - Jameson, Sweet vermouth, Green Chartreuse Rinse; and Green Beer - A can of Guinness and a shot of Green Chartreuse. Cheers!

Random Order- St. Patty’s Day-inspired specials on Sunday include delicious Irish Coffee with Water Avenue French Press for $6 and Limited Edition Shepard’s Pie for $6/slice. In honor of Pi Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter, Random Order is also offering a month long cocktail special - Bourbon & Baileys for only $5.

Saint Cupcake- No need for pinching - Saint Cupcake’s Cookies will be all dressed up in green with shamrocks, leprechauns, and shillelaghs galore for only $3 each. If you want any other sweet treats for your own celebration, call ahead and have Saint Cupcake custom decorate them for you!

Spring Forward! Daylight Savings might not be an actual holiday, but everyone in the U.S....

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:36:00 -0500

Spring Forward!

Daylight Savings might not be an actual holiday, but everyone in the U.S. participates in it… why not celebrate that at Besaw’s this Saturday?

At exactly 2am on Sunday March 10^th, our computers will set their clocks forward an hour and we’ll all be tricked into thinking we slept an hour more than we actually did, but what about the non-digital clocks? Sure, you could change them on Saturday night before you go to bed, or Sunday morning when you wake up, but the chronophiles out there know how satisfying changing the clock at just the right moment can be…

Besaw’s on NW 23^rd understands that, so they are staying open an extra hour on Saturday serving cheap booze and bites in addition to their regular dinner menu to help you make the most of your night and make it to 2am.

Spring Forward specials available 5pm-11pm on Saturday March 9^that Besaw’s:

Booze: $3.00 Each

· Spring Fling: lavender infused gin w/fresh grapefruit juice

· Seasonal Bubbles: Champagne with a Huckleberry reduction

Bites: $5.00 Each

· Spring greens salad

· Spring pasta

· Wild mushroom crepe with fresh herb cream

Whether you’re a wanna-be Time Lord, or you’re just looking for a deal on some great food and drinks a little later this Saturday night, Besaw’s has you covered!

The Polls Are Open! LGP Intern, Catie Schuster, wants to let everyone know that voting for...

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:43:00 -0500

The Polls Are Open!

LGP Intern, Catie Schuster, wants to let everyone know that voting for Citysearch’s annual Best of Portland Restaurants has officially begun.

From the classic dining options downtown to the quirky delicacies offered by food carts, the Portland food scene is full of diversity and excitement. Editors from around the city have nominated some of the most popular and buzzed about places in town, but now it’s time to pick your favorites. Restaurants work night and day to bring patrons exciting dishes, new cocktails, and rewarding dining experiences, so pay homage and give a shout out to the restaurants you enjoy most by visiting http://www.citysearch.com/best/portland/restaurants and voting today!

Here are the categories and a few of our favorites:

New Restaurant: Smallwares, Riffle, Xico, Imperial

Brunch: The Country Cat

Burger: Le Pigeon, Brunch Box PDX

Coffee Shop: Backspace

Dessert Spot: Saint Cupcake

Family Friendly Restaurant: The Country Cat, Mississippi Pizza

Ice Cream: Salt & Straw, Saint Cupcake

Late-Night Dining: Sizzle Pie

Lunch Spot: Bunk Sandwiches, Kenny & Zuke‘s Delicatessen

Outdoor Dining: Departure

Pizza: Apizza Scholls

Raw Oysters: Riffle, Bar Avignon

Romantic Restaurants: Paley’s Place, Genoa Restaurant, DOC

Sustainable: The Bent Brick, Urban Farmer

Vegetarian Food: Proper Eats

But it gets better…

Voting does not just benefit your favorite restaurants. Simply by voting, you are automatically entered into the Citysearch Sweepstakes to win a $250 Gift Certificate for any of the winning restaurants!

A Little Sip of Summer Whether it’s frozen or on-the-rocks, sweet or spicy, I know we could all use...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:05:00 -0500

A Little Sip of Summer

Whether it’s frozen or on-the-rocks, sweet or spicy, I know we could all use a taste of summer this February!

This Friday marks National Margarita Day and we are looking to celebrate in style. While the lime version remains the staple, margaritas have come a long way. Nowadays you can find every shade and flavor of margarita, but it does not matter if you stick with classic lime or really spice things up with a little jalapeño; just pay homage to the beloved summer spirit.

Here are just a few local joints that are willing to help you out.

Bunk Bar – Matt Brown, co-owner of Bunk Bar, believes in keeping it simple. His frozen margarita has only two steps. One: mix tequila, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, orange juice, and ice. Two: Blend. To really get the party started, head over to Trigger for their wild Side Pipe!

Urban Farmer- Inspired by early American cocktail culture, Urban Farmer has two unique concoctions:

Francisco’s Return- Avion Silver, Cointreau, Ginger Syrup, Orange, Lime, Cinnamon

Migrant Farmer- Corralejo Blanco, St. Germain, Honey, Grapefruit

Xico- Their margarita sales pay for healthcare coverage for their staff. With both a Classic and a Cadillac, they celebrate the Margarita every night of the week!

Bar Avignon- An unexpected addition to this list but they bring a killer cocktail. Their Yellow Jacket will have your jaw dropping with luna azul tequila, st. germaine, yellow chartreuse, reagan’s orange no. 6 bitters, lemon.

Didn’t Make Reservations? Don’t Panic Yet! If you haven’t already acquired one of those...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:49:00 -0500

Didn’t Make Reservations? Don’t Panic Yet!

If you haven’t already acquired one of those coveted Valentine’s Day dinner reservations, it’s not too late! In an effort to bring you some piece of mind, we have called around to some amazing PDX restaurants to find those that still have a few openings for dinner tonight. While the times may be earlier or a little later for a your typical dinner, the dining experience is still worth it!

Imperial- Make it a double! Imperial has a Valentine’s Day special for parties of four where, in addition to their impeccable menu of Pacific Northwest fare, they will start your evening with a complimentary bottle of prosecco or sparkling apple cider for the table!

Bar Avignon- Bar Avignon will serve a prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu for $50 per person featuring House Cured Steelhead Gravlax & Lemon Goat Cheese with Citrus, Fennel, Capers, Spelt Toast; Glazed Painted Hills Shortrib with Chestnuts, Apple, Beets, Mustard Greens, Parsnip Puree and a dessert of Chocolate Mud Pie and Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles. Wine pairings for each course will also available to order.

Paulée- Chef Sean and his team offer a playful menu from locally sourced seasonal products. Paulee is offering two different five course prix fixe menus for $75 each. For those that want to truly make a night of it, Inn at Red Hills is also offering a special rate of $100 for a room. With dinner for two and a night in romantic Oregon Wine Country, it will make for a great little getaway for just $250.

The Bent Brick- With a brand new menu, the Bent Brick is back just in time for Valentines Day. Come in with a hot date for cocktails and small bites, or bring the whole family for a V-Day family dinner!

Smallwares- Wilamette Weekly’s Runner-up for Restaurant of the Year serves small plates of inauthentic Asian cuisine meant to be shared - perfect for a romantic V-Day meal - as well as eclectic wine, sake and cocktails.

Olympic Provisions- Marked by a string of patio lights on an otherwise industrial stretch of NW Thurman, OPNW offers a menu of lovely rustic Eurpoean-inspired fare in a warm, windowed setting, accentuated by our antique French rotisserie.

Walk-ins Only:

Le Pigeon- As they do every night, on Valentine’s Day Le Pigeon will hold the 10 seats at the Chef’s Counter for walk-ins, first-come, first-serve. The counter wraps around the open kitchen for truly the best seats in the house to see Chef Gabriel Rucker in action.

Little Bird - Meet for a romantic lunchtime rendezvous at Little Bird or come early to put your name down for their first-come, first-serve bar seats and tables in their otherwise booked restaurant tonight!

Country Cat- The cozy and soulful restaurant offers a seasonally-focused menu that represents the best of local offerings from surrounding markets - a perfect place for couples, singles, or the whole family to dine on Valentine’s Day. Today, the Country Cat will be serving their standard menu with some special additions from Chef Adam Sappington and desserts from Chef Jackie Sappington. Reservations are full but they have spots available for walk-ins.

If you are looking for a bite of something sweet, or a romantic cocktail, check out:

Random Order- Enjoy a date night or stag night at Random Order with pie & cocktails all weekend! From tonight through Sunday, February 17^th enjoy signature cocktails delicious cookies and a slice of your favorite Random Order pie! The following special will run for couples as well as singles: Sweetie Pie Date: 2 RO V-Day Cocktails, A slice of Pie to Share and 2 Linzer Heart Cookies $20 Valentine’s Stag: 1 RO V-Day Cocktail, A slice of Pie to Enjoy and 1 Linzer Heart Cookie $11.

Kenny & Zukes- February 12th-17th, desserts will be available at the Kenny & Zuke’s Deli Bar and downtown Deli, while cocktails will be served at the Deli Bar. Try a decadent heart shaped sandwich cookies or the red velvet cheese cake made to share, or grab two straws and enjoy a Governess Crush, Vieux Carré or the rich NY Flip cocktail with that special someone!

Also, if you want to abandon the cliché of Valentine’s Day dining in pairs, there are plenty of great locations in PDX to get a bite to eat alone.

We hope this helps anyone still scrambling for options! Remember, there are always cancellations, so it never hurts to join a waiting list or call back. Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s Kind Of A Big Dill! As we jump into the month of February, we add two more team members...

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 18:15:30 -0500

It’s Kind Of A Big Dill!

As we jump into the month of February, we add two more team members here at LGP.

After a whirlwindweekend vacation to Portland two years ago, our new publicist, Brooke Adams just couldn’t get this place out of her head. With a love of delicious food and all things outdoors, she decided to move on from the Big Apple to begin working with Little Green Pickle. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, with a degree in International Studies and fluency in Italian, Brooke spent three years as Executive Assistant to Sirio Maccioni at New York’s famous Le Cirque restaurant. She continued her career by joining the Eataly launch team, where she worked as Director of Public Relations for two and half years. As she settles into life in Portland, she is looking forward to hiking, kayaking, beach going, and furnishing her home with some great antique finds. While finding places to eat in Portland is never a difficult task, Brooke is up to the challenge of trying to visit all of the craft breweries Portland has to offer.

Our new intern, Catie Schuster, was born a Seattleite but is a Portlander foodie at heart. As she finishes up her final semester at the University of Portland, she spends all her spare time and change exploring Portland’s eateries and breweries. With that almost earned degree in Communications Studies, she is quickly getting to know just how fast this industry moves and looks forward to participating in up-coming food events!

Celebrating Super Bowl XLVII in PDX! Frances Dyer shares where to touch down during the big game...

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:18:00 -0500

Celebrating Super Bowl XLVII in PDX!

Frances Dyer shares where to touch down during the big game this Sunday.

Whether you’re watching kickoff from your couch or you want to get that stadium feeling of being surrounded by cheering and booing strangers, here are some of the best Super Bowl specials in Portland for this Sunday, February 3rd.

Bunk Bar is throwing a Super Bowl Party – BIG EASY STYLE! Watch the big game at Bunk Bar projected large enough to feel every tackle and touchdown. In honor of the Super Bowl’s host city, Bunk Bar will be serving New Orleans favorites, including Chef Nick wood’s famous gumbo and 3 kinds of Po’ Boys: Fried Red Fish, BBQ Shrimp, and Sloppy Roast Beef. This is a free, all-ages event open to fans of any team, so stop by for good food and a good time! Where: Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave

Bunk’s wild west cousin, Trigger, is showing the game and offering a $30 special including a bucket of beer, unlimited chips, salsa, and queso, a heap of lil’ smokies, and your choice of nachos or wings (and yes, I said a BUCKET of beer). This special will start at 2 pm and be available throughout the game. Where: 128 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212

If you’re looking to pick up some sandwiches on your beer run, the Bunk Truck will spend Sunday parked outside of specialty brew mecca, Uptown Market. Where: 6620 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Portland, OR 97223

For those of you throwing your own Super Bowl party this year, be sure to pre order enough Tails & Trotters spice rubbed house smoked ribs and Tails & Trotters Porchetta to go around, because it goes fast and you won’t want to share that last bite! You can also pick up other delicious game day snacks at the T&T shop in The Ocean. Where: 2329 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232 Call to order: (503) 477-8682

It’s not a football game without balls! 24^th & Meatballs has you covered with their Bucket O’ Balls: 30 balls with your choice of sauce for $20! Where: 2329 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232 Call to order by Saturday: (503) 282-2557

If you’d rather be far far away from Super Bowl mania on Sunday, come to Ambonnay Bar from 1-7pm for a glass or two of sparkling. Where: 107 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214

Whichever team you are rooting for (or against) this weekend, have a tasty Super Bowl Sunday!

Drink (Or Don’t Drink) Yourself Clean! Frances Dyer reports on the hottest post-holiday trends...

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:37:00 -0500

Drink (Or Don’t Drink) Yourself Clean!

Frances Dyer reports on the hottest post-holiday trends to start the new year right.

December is thought of (and thoroughly advertised) as a time to gorge ourselves on all of those fatty, saturated, buttery, and sugary things we would normal exclude from our diets or just emotionally punish ourselves for eating any other time of the year. It follows that January is the month to try to undo all of that holiday indulgence damage! With every new year comes a new resolve to do and be better, and with it of course is an influx of diets and health trends. I’d say that the winning January 2013 “get back into shape” plan is the juice cleanse.

With the popularity of juice cleanses on the rise across the country, there are plenty of options out there. From 3-day detoxes to long-term juice regiments, they vary in price, convenience, and, from some of the ingredient descriptions, taste. One of our office mates signed up for a particularly impressive (and expensive) week-long juice program that included daily home deliveries of bottled breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. She reported feeling surprisingly fuller and more energized than one might think on an all-liquid diet. A food-lover (as our office requires all tenants be), she did note that she missed chewing food, but the flavors of the juices were all quite good. The convenience of the home delivery really sealed the deal for her and she said she would happily do another juice cleanse… but not before enjoying several months of solid food.

Another very popular trend this month to get back on track after the holiday indulgences is pledging to a Dry January, i.e. no alcohol for the month. This might be a difficult task for some more than others. Now, I’m not saying LGP boozes it up and parties hard every night, but since we work with restaurants with such fine bar programs here in Portland, wine, beer, and cocktails are considered an important aspect of many of our meals. That said, our office mates who have committed to a Dry January have thus far been successful and are feeling great!

Alternately, for those who don’t feel the immediate need to reshape their bodies and minds in January, there’s a great argument for making extra effort to go out to eat at restaurants this month. First, in this traditionally slow month, a reservation at a popular restaurant might be easier to get. Second, there are so many delicious winter vegetables and citruses in season right now; it’s a great time to see how local chefs are using them on their seasonal menus. And finally, it’s good to support the local economy, especially in a slow time of the year – after all, those servers and cooks need to eat too!

Whatever your resolutions are for the year, cheers (with a green smoothie, of course) to a healthy start to 2013 from LGP!

Dine Out PDX! The LGP team invites all Portlanders to Dine Out on Wednesday, December 5th for...

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:46:00 -0500

Dine Out PDX!

The LGP team invites all Portlanders to Dine Out on Wednesday, December 5th for Hurricane Sandy Relief.

One month ago, Hurricane Sandy tore across the East Coast. Thousands of homes were destroyed, entire cities lost power for days or weeks, and over 100 people died as a result. Financial analysis estimates more than $25 billion in lost business, and independent restaurants who struggle on a tight budget in a normal month are now devastated. While we won’t soon forget the apocalyptic images of destruction posted in the days following the Superstorm, by now it might feel like old news if you aren’t in the middle of it. But, the fact is the area still needs a lot of help.

There might be 2,890 miles between us, but we wanted to find a way for PDX to help our NYC brethren, so we reached out to all of our foodie friends around Portland and organized Dine Out PDX.

On Wednesday, December 5^th, nearly 40 Portland cafés, bars, grab’n’go shops, and fine dining restaurants will generously donate between 10-20% of sales to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Here’s a list of participating restaurants:

Le Pigeon
Little Bird
Saucebox
Biwa
Ruby Jewel
Natural Selection
Fratelli
The Parish
Bar Avignon
Bowery Bagels
Random Order
Smallwares
Lincoln
Sunshine Tavern
Kenny & Zuke’s
SE Wine Collective
Salt & Straw
The Country Cat
Vita Cafe
Delta Cafe
Yakuza
DOC
Pacific Pie Company
The Original
Cafe Castagna
Metrovino
Imperial
Aviary
Olympic Provisions
Bunk
Tabla
24th & Meatballs
Oba!
Genoa
Irving Street Kitchen
Salty’s on the Columbia
Barrique Barrel bottle shop
Acadia
OX

You can have breakfast, lunch, drinks, dinner, and dessert next Wednesday knowing that you are contributing to aid the victims who are still suffering from the wrath of Sandy – and supporting your local hard working restaurants in the process.

We would love to hear what your dining plans are next Wednesday! Join the Dine Out PDX event page (and invite your friends!) and jump into the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #DineOutPDX.

Thanks for your support!

LGP

Cheers to PDXCW! LGP’s Adroit Assistant, Frances Dyer, knows where to get the best mixed...

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:14:33 -0400

Cheers to PDXCW!

LGP’s Adroit Assistant, Frances Dyer, knows where to get the best mixed drinks during Portland Cocktail Week

Billed as the first cocktail festival created by bartenders, for bartenders, hundreds of imbibe experts have descended upon the city, shakers in-hand, for Portland Cocktail Week. The schedule of events includes seminars, pairing dinners, and parties, all promoting the festival’s mission to further bar education, share ideas, and make lasting connections in the drinks community. To that end, it’s fitting that the overarching theme of the week is Class of 2012 with a daily Bartender Academy at Kennedy School.

Festivities kicked off on Sunday with a Class of 2012 Reunion dance party and the drinks won’t stop flowing until Thursday, with the final Red White and Booze, America-themed rager featuring a cocktail from every U.S. Bartenders Guild Chapter that best represents their city. Some Cocktail Week events are even open to the public if you’d like to brush up on your home bartender skills – check the Portland Cocktail Week schedule for details.

Naturally, many of Portland’s bars and restaurants are taking the opportunity to share their bar programs with exclusive cocktail week drinks, special deals and even full on events. Lucky for you, LGP has details on a few of these limited-time-only drinks at PDX hotspots:

Urban Farmer: The Honeybee – Bacardi, peach, fresh squeezed lemon and honey syrup

Smallwares: Plum infused brandy, Smith & Cross, cynar, kochu karu, lemon

Random Order: PDX=Passion – New Deal Distillery Rum, Passion fruit purees

Tabla: Go-Go Juice: Vodka, Saffron, Carrot, Ginger, Lime with a half salted rim

The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar: Maple Leaf - Pendleton Canadian Whiskey, maple syrup, & lemon juice served up.

Riffle NW: PDXCW Fighter’s Cider - Temperance Bourbon, Apple, Lemon, Mulling Spice, Soda, Candied Apple Peel

Imperial: Ada Coleman - Beefeater, Dolin Blanc, Rothman & Winter Apricot, dash of Regan’s orange bitters

The Bent Brick: “I know what you want this pdxc week” - House Spirits Aquavit and Breakside Brewing Cedarbaumbier

You can get a taste of Cocktail Week even if you aren’t a master mixologist by sipping some of these tasty concoctions and others around PDX, but be sure to get in quick as they are only available this week!

Harvest Time In The Willamette Valley! At the end of this growing season, Frances Dyer has high...

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:56:32 -0400

Harvest Time In The Willamette Valley!

At the end of this growing season, Frances Dyer has high hopes for the 2012 vintage of Willamette Valley wineries.

We’ve had an amazing summer here at Little Green Pickle, but when the sunny season comes to a close and the overcast clouds are on their way, Portlanders will transition from throwing backyard BBQs to cozying up indoors with a slow cooker and a good cookbook. And, for the 200+ wineries in the Willamette Valley, October means Harvest time!

The Willamette Valley AVA is Oregon’s largest wine growing region at 5,200 square miles. The region is most well known for its world-class Pinot Noir, but also produces delicious Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and several other unique varieties. In Portland Monthly’s annual Oregon’s 50 Best Wines, the majority of the list was Willamette Valley wineries.

(Great promo video for Oregon wines, courtesy of Travel Oregon)

As for this year’s vintage, a winery can plan and prepare all they want, but so much of the taste and quality of the wine will ultimately depend on the climate the grapes grow in from year to year. It can’t be too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, harvested too soon or too late - everything has to come together seamlessly for a good vintage. We have high hopes for 2012’s harvest as The Oregonian’s wine columnist, Katherine Cole, just tweeted “Countdown to harvest in Will. Valley. Some have started; others will next week. Sunny days and cold nights continue. Vintage could be epic.”

Yes, patience is a virtue, but LGP is eager to taste the potentially ‘epic’ Willamette Valley wines of the 2012 harvest!

FEAST PORTLAND! And Then Some! LGP rounds up some of the best Feast-inspired specials at restaurants...

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:35:00 -0400

FEAST PORTLAND! And Then Some!

LGP rounds up some of the best Feast-inspired specials at restaurants around PDX this weekend.

Can you believe it’s Feast Week already?! Of course Team LGP is psyched, but it sounds like the rest of the city is too! Restaurants across Portland are getting into the spirit of Feast by offering specials, Feast-inspired dishes or events throughout the weekend. Below is a roundup of Feast specials happening all over town that Feast revelers can use as a guide for places to visit and continue their celebration of Feast in between official festival events!

Ambonnay
Ambonnay Bar will be offering a featured Feast glass pour of Egly Ouriet Brut Tradition NV for $20 a glass. Egly is hands down the best producer in Ambonnay and his wines are rather hard to get by the bottle, let alone by the glass. The restaurants that do sell this wine sell it for $150ish, so it’s quite a steal at $20.
107 SE Washington St., Portland, OR; 503-575-4861

Genoa
To kickoff Feast Genoa is giving 10 percent of their profits Wed. and Thurs. to Feast’s charity partner Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry.
2832 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR; 503-238-1464

Morso
Morso’s Pearl District location will be offering a special Feast happy hour Friday and Saturday featuring Spicy Oregon Bay Shrimp on crostini for $5 and $2 off of all house cocktails from 5 to 9 p.m.
25 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR; 503-226-8002

Olympic Provisions
Olympic Provisions is featuring a “Feast Charcuterie plate” throughout the weekend which includes Chorizo Rioja, manchego, roasted pepper salad and fruit preserve.
1632 NW Thurman St., Portland, OR; 503-894-8136 and 107 SE Washington St., Portland OR; 503-954-3663

Paley’s Place
Paley’s Place will feature a “FEAST Portland” Peach Salad all weekend, showcasing fresh Oregon peaches.
1204 NW 21^st Ave., Portland, OR; 503-243-2403

Riffle NW
Riffle NW is serving a Feast Late Night menu Wednesday-Sunday this week from 10:30pm-12:00am. It features fun Feast bites, cocktails and wine selections like Feast and Chips, oysters on the half shell, and a limited release Widmer Brothers Reserve Barrel Aged Brrrbon. 333 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR, 503.894.8978

Red Ridge Farms
For those visiting the Willamette Valley’s wine country, Red Ridge Farms will be offering free tastings in their new Durant Vineyards tasting room along with free Oregon Olive Mill olive oil tastings in their gift shop.
5510 NE Breyman Orchard Road, Dayton, OR; 503-864-8502

Salt & Straw
During Feast weekend, Salt & Straw is giving $1 per scoop of the Feast Flavor sold to Feast’s charity partner Partners for a Hunger Free America. Their Feast Flavor is made with a combination of the best artisanal products from five regions of Oregon making for a salted chocolate ice cream with whiskey-candied hazelnuts with a Touvelle cheese butter cream.
2035 NE Alberta St.; Portland, OR; 503-208-3867 and 838 NW 23^rd Ave, Portland, OR; 971-271-8168

SE Wine Collective
New urban winery, SE Wine Collective, is opening their tasting bar on Sept. 26 and inviting Feast revelers in for a sneak peek during their Feast Preview Party on Sat. Sept. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m.! Guests will enjoy small bites and pours from some of the Collective’s resident wineries Vincent Wine Company, Bow & Arrow Wines, Helioterra Wines and Division Winemaking Company.
2425 SE 35^th Place, Portland, OR; 503-887-8755

St. Honore Boulangerie
St. Honore Boulangerie is featuring two dishes made with fresh, local ingredients: Mushroom and Leek Quiche - Fresh mushrooms prepared with leeks and herbs in the oven. Grillé aux Pommes - Slow-roasting fresh Akane apples from Hood River’s Kiyokawa Orchards for five hours in the brick oven, simply with hard apple cider imported from Normandy to create a delectable filling. No sugar is added; instead the natural sugar from the apples slowly caramelizes in the oven, giving it a unique flavor and deep amber and rose or pink color. The top puff pastry is cut in a lattice pattern, “Grillé” in French, which creates a beautiful, unique look as well as its delicate and crisp texture. 2335 NW Thurman St., Portland, OR; 503-445-4342 and 315 First Street, Lake View Village, Lake Oswego, OR; 503-445-1379

Happy Feasting!

It’s Comiiiiiinnnnnng! Have you heard there is a food festival coming next weekend? Well that...

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:18:00 -0400

It’s Comiiiiiinnnnnng!

Have you heard there is a food festival coming next weekend? Well that would just be plain silly. Come check out the line up. We are super stoked for this 4 day event! Learning by day and playing by night. This is not something you want to miss.

Buy your tickets now!

p.s. Guest Chef Ambassador Fergus Henderson is attending High Comfort? Amazing.

Get Ready, PDX, Little Green Pickle Is Manning Up With A New Publicist! Little Green Pickle is...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:29:09 -0400

Get Ready, PDX, Little Green Pickle Is Manning Up With A New Publicist!

Little Green Pickle is pleased to announce our new publicist, Kyle Mallory!

A local foodie, Kyle Mallory’s love of the Portland culinary scene runs deep. Having worked for 10 years under his father, a co-owner at the famed Higgins Restaurant, Kyle gained skills in all aspects of the restaurant industry from mixing drinks to coordinating events to marketing.

Kyle also brings extensive experience in journalism, having worked at various local media outlets like The Oregonian and KOIN-TV.

We are so excited to welcome Kyle to the LGP team and know he will bring valuable knowledge, new relationships, and a fresh perspective to the office!

Let’s Go Out! Frances Dyer is in the know on the best food-lover events in PDX this week. We...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:22:00 -0400

Let’s Go Out!

Frances Dyer is in the know on the best food-lover events in PDX this week.

We all know Portland is overflowing with fantastic places to eat, it can be hard to decide where to go when date night comes around. Do you go to a steadfast favorite or try something new? Get the most of your nights out this week by joining some of Portland’s favorite restaurants for these special events coming up!

A Portland fine-dining standard, Genoa restaurant, is having an unprecedented special event this Tuesday, July 24^th, hosted by Executive Chef David Anderson, Sommelier Michael Garofola, and guest Lyle Railsback of the famed Kermit Lynch Wines. The evening will commence at 6:30pm with a brief reception of Ligurian sparkling wine and hors d’ourves, followed by a six-course meal delving diners deep into the food and wines of the incredible Genovese region. Dinner and wine is set at $125 per person. Email Michael at Michael@Genoarestaurant.com for ticket information and read more about the unique event here.

Get all dolled up and Charleston your way over to Besaw’s on NW 23^rd this Wednesday, July 25^th, where they’re bringing back the roaring 20’s in style! This throwback dinner will be serving classic American staples from the Jazz age and, if you play your cards right, some “prohibited” summer cocktails. Here’s a peek at Wednesday’s Menu - It’s the bee’s knees!

Looking for a low-key dinning experience? After all the PDX love they got during Dining Month in June, many Portland restaurants have created a special $25 three course menu – whether it’s been on your “to-do” list for ages, or it’s your favorite dinner spot, the three course menu is a great summary of what a restaurant has to offer. Tabla Mediterranean Bistro and The Country Cat are just a couple of the spots continuing the $25 dinning special.

There are plenty of food-centric events in P-Town this weekend, so get out and try something new!

PDX in NYC LGP’s Frances Dyer tells you why some New Yorkers won’t have to wait for September to...

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:59:00 -0400

PDX in NYC

LGP’s Frances Dyer tells you why some New Yorkers won’t have to wait for September to FEAST like Portlanders.

City Grit, New York’s “Culinary Salon” where the food-inspired gather to redefine the American dining experience, is hosting four of Portland’s favorite chefs – who, of course, are also all involved in Feast Portland come September—for a 5-course dining event inspired by Oregon bounty!

Chefs Cathy Whims of Nostrana/Oven & Shaker, Devon Chase of Oven & Shaker, Sarah Schafer of Irving St. Kitchen, and Ian Hutchings of LUC will be welcomed into the CITY GRIT kitchen August 14^th -16^th, giving the Big Apple a taste of the Rose City in a supper-club style dinner with CITY GRIT perennial host Sarah Simmons.

If you’re in New York this August, (or want to be there after hearing about this event!) check out CITY GRIT’s event and ticketing information, and read more about these participating chefs.

Can you believe Feast Portland is only 2 months away?!

Add Some Color to Your Lawn! Intern William C. Lawson sums up gardening tips and shows how the...

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:28:00 -0400

Add Some Color to Your Lawn!

Intern William C. Lawson sums up gardening tips and shows how the practice works well for local restaurants.

Broken Fence Farm photo by Bar Avignon

Every Portlander has a garden they pour their heart into at home, and if you don’t, you should. Here’s why: gardens are local (as local as it gets), sustainable, and offer both home growers and chefs a greater degree of control over their ingredients.

Many chefs in Portland are known for their gardens, so how can they help you improve yours? Bar Avignon owners Nancy and Randy Goodman began their Broken Fence Farm, a one-acre space adjacent to the eatery that supplies flowers, herbs, produce, and eggs. Here are some tips they have learned over the past several years:

1. Apply a large farm mentality on a small urban farm. Constantly replant your produce!

2. Plant your garden based on your menu, not the other way around. Think about what you need for your menu, and implement creativity.

3. Learn from trial and error. It doesn’t always turn out first try. Figure out what works and what doesn’t work.

4. Apply sustainable attitude from the garden and expand it to other functions of the restaurant. Don’t waste plot space planting things you’ll never cook!

5. Reap the rewards from your garden! Be proud and take advantage of what comes out of your garden.

Many other restaurants in the Portland area feature gardens, including Besaw’s and Paulée (a new restaurant recently opened in Wine Country), producing fresh seasonal ingredients for their menus.

There’s nothing better than harvesting your own produce, so get out there and plant some!

Get Savvy on Sauvie Island! Intern William C. Lawson spreads the word on Saint Cupcake’s...

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:46:00 -0400

Get Savvy on Sauvie Island!

Intern William C. Lawson spreads the word on Saint Cupcake’s awesome opportunity for a spot at Sauvie Island Center’s Farm Camp.

Hey Parents! Don’t know how to introduce your kids to sustainable living and cooking? Saint Cupcake is graciously giving away one spot for the Farm Day Camp at Sauvie Island Center July 16th-20th!

The Sauvie Island Center provides hands-on experience for elementary school children to learn healthy and efficient food, farm, and environmental techniques.

Here are the details:

The camp is intended for kids in 3rd-5th grade where each day they will focus on a different aspect of farm life. Here they will explore and learn all about the dynamics about the different stages of growing and harvesting crops, cooking with healthy ingredients, and the way of life on a local farm.

To enter: Have your child send in a drawing, essay, diorama, or a video describing their favorite vegetable or fruit, garden or farm experience. Entries can be emailed to farmcamp@saintcupcake.com or dropped off at 1138 SW Morrison St. Submissions are to be in by the end of the day on Sunday, July 7th, and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday, July 8th.

Your kid is already signed up? No sweat! Enter to win anyway, your tuition will be reimbursed if your child is the winner!

Don’t miss this chance for a great opportunity for your child to get in touch with the land this summer!

The Summer Is Getting Hotter In Portland, But The Beer Always Stays Cold. As June kicks summer into...

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:08:00 -0400

The Summer Is Getting Hotter In Portland, But The Beer Always Stays Cold.

As June kicks summer into gear, William C. Lawson rounds up local beer festivals in Portland, Oregon.

Not only do Portlanders love their local brews, they love to have fun too. That’s why the second annual PDX Beer Week will kickoff this weekend, starting with the Upright Brewing Brewer’s Dinner at Wildwood Restaurant tomorrow evening, June 7th. The dinner is $75 (includes food, beer and tip). Contact Events Director Shelly Jones for reservations. Shelly@wildwoodrestaurant.com — 503.225.0130

Also, the Portland Fruit Beer Festival will be pouring out this weekend on Saturday and Sunday (June 9th and 10th) with a hearty list of festival beers. Entry fee is $20 which includes a takeaway beer glass and 12 tickets, with additional tickets for a top-up drink for $1. The festival is all ages, so minors and/or those not drinking may enter for free.

The Portland Beer and Cheese Festival will take place on Sunday, June 17th at the Commons Brewery. Tickets are $25 that includes a tasting glass and a punch card for 10 different chosen craft beer and cheese pairings.

The 8th Annual North American Organic Brewers Festival, the world’s largest organic beer festival, will fill your glasses on June 29th through July 1st in Portland’s Overlook Park. This event is designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living. 50 different organic beers, ciders, and kombucha from across the nation will be featured. Minors are to be welcomed with guardians. Keep your beer glasses within reach for more festivals later this summer!

Smile, It’s A Boy! The LGP team welcomes intern William C. Lawson to the office. William is a...

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:24:00 -0400

Smile, It’s A Boy!

The LGP team welcomes intern William C. Lawson to the office.

William is a Junior Communication/Journalism student at the University of Portland while also concentrating on Digital Publishing and Web Design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. Originally from the heart of the Midwest, William was introduced to the restaurant business in Springfield, Missouri. After living on the West coast for two years, he has immersed himself in the PDX food culture by writing restaurant reviews and working for Bon Appetit Management Company as a sushi apprentice. William is excited to be part of the LGP team as he loves to read, write and eat!