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Man on Wire, Let the Right One In, Beauty in Trouble,
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Plainfield's Mayur
Jan. 11, 2009- Our monthly Chef’s Whimsy Dinner
This is a seven course dinner with wines to match each course. This dinner gives Chef Craig the freedom to explore his whimsy and create dishes inspired by
                      Cuisines from around the world and match them with fantastic wines from our cellar. $75.00/person including wines. Limited to 24 people.
February 14, 2009- Valentine’s Day Feast
Always popular and lavish. This year we will feature romantic foods from around the world. Our setting is a romantic Victorian mansion that is the perfect spot to share the  
                             Love. $60.00/person
852 S.W. 21st Ave., Portland, Oregon 97205 USA Phone: (503)223-2995
 
West Cafe- Twilight Tuesday December 17th, 2009
APERITIF
Rive della Chiesa, Prosecco - Veneto
Apple & cranberry compote with cheese toast
1st COURSE
2007 Sartarelli, Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi - Le Marche
Shrimp & Dungeness Crab with remoulade layered with avocado & mango salsa
2nd COURSE
2005 Reverdito, Nebbiolo d'Alba "Simane Vineyard" - Piedmont
Wild Mushroom, Fontina & Artichoke Lasagna with Carrot Thyme Sauce
3rd COURSE
1998 Canalicchio, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Tuscany
Roasted Leg of Lamb with spinach, feta & pinenut stuffing served with au gratin potatoes.
FINISHING WINE (Dessert)
2007 Montaribaldi, Moscato d'Asti "Righeij Vineyard" - Piedmont
Classic vanilla crème brulee with a shortbread of some surprising sort.
BUONE FESTE WINE DINNER at WESTCAFE
1201 SW Jefferson
Tuesday, December 16th @ 7:00 PM
5 courses & 5 wines for $35.00
Please contact me with your RSVP.
Craig Hedstrom craighedstrom@yahoo.com 503-317-6211

The Wine Experts
German and Austrian
Session #1
Compare Vintage 2006 and 2007
Wines from Germany January 5th, 2009
Time: 6:30 pm to 8pm Mitchell Wines warehouse
1221 SE 3rd. Ave. Portland, OR 97214
By Ewald Moseler R.S.V.P. to ewald@moseler.com
Who can come?Every person interested in wine and would like to learn about wines from Germany and Austria (Restaurants, Retail, and Private) What to bring:Two wine glasses per person
Donation:$5 per person / evening You will learn about the history, wine regions, grape varieties, ripeness levels, style, wine estates and wine maker.We will compare eight wines from Germany 2006 and 2007 vintage
         1. Wachtenburg Winzer Chardonnay – Pfalz 2. Heymann-Loewenstein Riesling Roettgen – Mosel
3. Ackermann Riesling Spätlese – Zeltinger Schlossberg – Mosel 4. Dr. Wagner Riesling Spätlese – Saarburger Rausch – Saar

Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Vineyard tours and wine tastings are available Monday and Tuesday, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, by appointment only. To schedule your tour, call (509) 832-3497.
Email to: info@alexandrianicolecellars.com

Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail offers great wine discounts and/or free reserve tasting with a $5 Passport card. Ask about them at any of the 15 wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail or at the Visitor Information Center in Yakima off I-82 at exit 33A. For more information, call 888-375-RHWT or visit www.rattlesnakehills.com

Wine Cruise on the Mexican Riviera, Norwegian Cruise Lines Saturday February 28th - Saturday March 7th 2009 Come along with Dusted Valley to Mexico on a fantastic seven night cruise. When its gray and cold in the Northwest what better thing to do than get some warm sun and wine! We'll depart Los Angeles and sail to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. The free-style cruising allows us to do what we want when we want with over 10 restaurants and lounges on board the Norwegian Star. This cruise includes a private cocktail party for our guests, private winemaker dinner, private wine tasting, and a private margarita party on shore!!! Its going to rock baby! The price is right too! Hurry though! The deadline to book is October 31, 2008. That's the end of this MONTH! Give Corey a call to discuss it more: 509-301-4470.

Thirst Wine Bar
Flight nights Wednesdays at Riverplace
Wine and Cheese Pairings:
Tuesdays - Complimentary Wine Tastings,
Need a neat place to have a party - check out the new wine entertainment and meeting room right on the river promenade - a great location! Visit us at http://www.thirstwinebar.com
Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro Hosting Free Tastings Daily, Free Live Music
 and New Resident Artist
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro in downtown Lake Oswego will now be hosting free tastings every day from 5-7pm and has new business hours Tuesday – Saturday from 4-10 pm. In addition they now have a resident artist, Erik Andrew who paints gorgeous wine and music related artwork.
Lake Oswego and surrounding residents can drop by Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro knowing they’ll get to tasting something free daily:
Tuesday: Samples of delicious artisanal, hand crafted cheeses-both imported and domestic. Thirst will feature cheeses not available at local grocery stores and have excellent pricing. It is also Wine & Cheese Night at Thirst: Three wines paired with three cheeses for $15.
Wednesday:  Complimentary wine tasting. Sip and learn with co-owner Gary Kneski as he leads guests through the tasting with hopes of expanding their palette and to answer any questions. Many Wednesdays the winemaker will be there too, to give you an inside look into the workings and techniques behind their wine.
Thursday: Enjoy a Chef’s sample appetizer tasting from the Thirst menu. Executive Chef Jon Sodini will be showcasing tastes of menu items ranging from his famed gnocchi to new and exciting menu items he has just introduced to the restaurant. It is also Flight Night at Thirst – Create a custom flight of 4 wines for $13.
Friday: Top off the work week with a delectable free antipasto bar and try a variety of salumis (from Seattle’s famed Salumi), gourmet cheeses, house marinated olives and other great bites as you wind down from a long week.
Saturday: Complimentary port and chocolate tasting; featuring chocolates from local chocolatiers as well as Chef Jon’s own creations. Enjoy free live music every Saturday from 7-9pm. Guests can Stick around after their port and chocolate and experience the wide range of talent musicians from around Portland have to offer. An eclectic line up of musicians will be entertaining wine lovers at Thirst- from the acoustic stylings of Mike Pardew, founder and owner of the Cadenza Academy in Southeast Portland, to the uplifting voice and lyrics of Marianne Flemming an aspiring new singer/song writer. Be sure not to miss the musicians joining us at Thirst who strum up everything from classical guitar to bossa nova jazz fusion to original sounds you won’t find anywhere else.

Favorite Things
We love Portland Dining Club - it is free to join and you can choose from so many different rewards - it's a no brainer if you want to get free wines and other valuable items - check it out and join - today! Click Here!

The London Grill
The Standard Sunday Brunch can be described in two words Absolutely Fabulous! An outstanding array of offerings puts this high on our lists of "must go." Well worth it anytime you can make it or need to impress! We also recommend it for a private semi - casual lunch or dinner location where the old world charm is evident in the decor of fine wood work and ambiance. One of only two four diamond restaurants the food speaks for itself. The London Grill also boasts one of the most extensive wine lists in the Northwest, with more than 10,000 bottles and awarded Wine Spectator’s 2007 Award of Grand Excellence. Over the past 50 years, the London Grill has become known for its table-side dining and numerous specialty dishes, including Dungeness crab cakes with roasted red pepper sauce and cilantro, dill-cured salmon served with cucumber and red onion salad, roasted rack of lamb, and the local breakfast favorite, Eggs Benedict. Chef Franz Popperl, the London Grill's new executive chef, has dedicated decades to creating award-winning cuisine. Make your reservations on line at bensonhotel.com

Executive Touch Limousine
introduces their new Stretch Hummer Limousine!
We loved it - all 10 of us!
2006 Icon Series H2 Hummer is now here! portlands Newiest and Most Luxury filled Hummer! You have to see it to appreciate this Luxury Limousine. Fiber Optics through out, THX surround sound system with DVD, CD 4 flat screen TV's, Luxury at it's Best! Call 503-310-7776 and make your reservation for the weekend or ??? and save! What a great way to visit the wine country! No driving with all the fun! Service was excellent and we already have plans to do it again!
Executive Touch Limousine is proud to off the Clients of North West Food and Wine a Member only Special! A 5 hour Reservation would normaly be $500 in the Lincoln Stretch (8) Passenger Limo Add the 25% off and take a tour or rent for only $375!! Call 503-310-7776 for details and for reservations

Our New Favorite Book - Order a copy Today! It's Awesome!!
Oregon Copies Coming Soon in Spring 2009!

Favorite Things continued ....
Our staff regularily visits great culinary stores and restaurants all over the country that we would like to share with others. We're known to drive across town for something we like without thinking twice. Here are just a few of our favorite things that we'd like to share with you! Keep coming back as we continue to uncover those gems in our marketplace.

DragonFish
We think this is the perfect spot for late night catching up with friends or after a concert or play at the Snitz. The happy hour menu begins at 10 pm and runs through closing. We stopped by a little after 11 in the bar and found a wonderful variety to choose from on their menu. The sushi was fresh and although fairly typical - it was quickly brought to the table by a very likable gentleman. The miso soup was delicous and just the right temperature. The ribs were falling off the bone and the sauce was exactly what it should be, thick and sticky and also a nice protion size of four ribs. The carmel ginger crusted chicken was accompanied atop a pile of slivered lettuce that had the most fantastic sauce combination on it - diced peanuts on the side made this truly satisfying. Katsu salmon arrived crispy on the outside and not overcooked on the inside - a delight! Last but not least the pot stickers arrived and were a favorit with two at the table in particular. The sticky buns come with two different sauces that were good, but not as great as the others. Now for the cocktails, we had the chefs specail sake with peach which was excellent and everyone agreed that this place should be a regular stop on our late night list. It should be noted that the food costs here are extremely reasonable - most appetizers run about $2.50. We're going to try the restaurant on the other side of the hotel soon - stay tuned!

One of our staff recently signed up for Pioneer Organics to deliver to her home. At dinner the other evening without any prompting she said,"You guys, I am so looking forward to Thursday because Pioneer Organics is delivering to our house now - I can't tell you how awesome the produce is - it actually smells like fruit! And the flavor is unbelievable. I can't believe I am excited to have proudce and fruit delivered to my house,but, I am." We admit we cracked up - but, what an endorsement.

West Cafe
Update! - The Twilight Tuesday Wine Dinners - we highly recommend - the best value in Portland we think!
On the corner of Jefferson and 12th resides West Cafe. Sleek and hip with a urban atmosphere. What a gem! We had occasion to try several of the dishes off the main menu that we think deserve a word of gratitude. The shredded pork wrapped in bannana leaf was tender and flavored with ginger and garlic, uniquely presented, along with a really nice red thai curry sauce, just a touch of heat in it. Very nice. The Morrocan half chicken with cardommon, apricots and dates was recommended by our wait person and so wonderful, full of palate pleasing sensations. The appetizer of prawns was tasty. Although there are only two prawns we were not unhappy we ordered it, the curry potato salad on the side was very very good. This tapas dish comes in a long narrow boat plate and although we wished it was a little bigger, we'll order it again for the flavors alone. We also had the cesare salad and it could use some zip but, all in all we will be back and plan on attending some of their jazz evenings and wine tasting evening already! Give West Cafe a try and we think you will not be disappointed! Every third Tuesday of the month the Twilight Tasting/Tapas Dinner - we attended 3 and can easily say you will not be disappointed - this is the best quality and food pairing for the price we've found so far.

Living Room Theater aka livingroomtheaters.com
Just back from our first experience at Living Room Theaters on 10th & Stark. What a great place. Groovy and open bar scene intices movie goers to stay awhile in the plush brown cube benches and chairs. We were sad we got there a little late and couldn't enjoy a cocktail there in the "lobby bar." We ordered the cheese plate - very well priced and excellent selection - maybe the best in town! Also the hummus appetizer was a very nice portion and presented so you could make a kind of hummus,tabouli, baba ghanoush style pita sandwich for easier eating in the theater. The tuna roll was also very nice and we truly enjoyed the "big snacks" while watching the movie. This is definitely my new favorite theater in Portland and we already have plans to return soon so we can get there a little earlier and enjoy the entire location just a little bit more!

We just love Steves Cheese over on Thruman just off 23rd.. In fact we drive across town to visit his store. Why? Well for one we like to support the little guy once and a while, but, Steve deserves the accolades we've been hearing about. He is a wealth of knowledge and information, not to mention he picks out great cheeses that are seasonal which only compliment his many other staples in his case year round. Our favorites are the 4 Year Gouda, Ossau Iraty and you can't miss with the Rogue River Gold Blue, but we can't leave out the great Raclette that is in season right now or the fresh ewe cheese that comes in the cutest little jar. Also, you will want to buy the smoked sea salt he has - it is awesome on fish and so inexpensive.

We can't say enough good things about Fenouil. If you haven't been there you are missing out on a delightful experience. The service and the atmosphere are wonderful. We recommend the mussels and foie gras for appetizers. The onion soup is a oozing with the cheese and prepared the way you like it. Main courses that have become our favoirte are the duck, scallops and Kobe Steak. For dessert - take your pick but, we choose the port - whether its a tawny or the flight - what's not to like? If you elect to take a bottle of wine along - make sure you send a glass to the kitchen so you can return the love you'll get in every tasty and elegant bite of food. Recently we attended a Wine Maker Dinner at Fenouil with Goose Ridge Estate Wines. It was exceptional. Each course was paired perfectly and the food presented was done very well. It was a blast and all 20 of us left happy! Each month they have dinners that celebrate various georgraphic regions of the world. We are planning on attending some of those coming up.

Macadam Bar and Grill has become the favorit lunch spot of one of our close friends. The atomsphere is right, the food great - she likes the fish of the day and chips! Sea Bass just the other day - and the accompanyments are great. She didn't know what to expect and now has many casual business lunches there. Kudos to you Macadam Bar and Grill - thank god we finally have a great restaurant in that location on Macadam! O.K. our staff confirmed it - had a casual dinner party - and the food was really well done - in fact, we might have to say that their blue cheese burger is the best we've tasted. Thick, juicy and oozing with cheese! The pear slaw is to die for! The chicken penne was very nice with some sundried tomatoes that added just the right touch. What a great place to eat when you don't want to spend a ton but still want great food. The service was excellent as well. Enjoy!

Puddin River Chocolates! - if you have not placed one of their famous Mudballs in your mouth - you have never really had a gourmet chocolate experience! So exceptional! Teresa has her own shop on line or at the Thriftway store in Cuthford. What a fabulous hand made Holiday gift or - we even know people that give them to deserving students for graduation!

Shula's - Portlands newest steak house makes its' mark with impecable service and even better steaks. The atmosphere is great - not too stuffy but private at the same time. All the diners were having a great time - some were hard core football fans and did not mind sharing their own fantasies for their sons football futures with us. It was a pleasuer to dine at Shula's Steakhouse. We love that they bring the steak cart to the table and show you the various types of cuts they offer - as well as the lobster - fresh from the sea! The steaks were excellent - between all of us we loved the cowboy cut ribeye and the filet - in fact - I don't think any one ordered a different cut from those two although other tables did and they were loving their selections as well. We did a quick table check and each steak was perfectly cooked - better yet - the meat was so mouthwateringly good, you had to close your eyes for a moment to enjoy the tender flavor of excellent quality steak. The bernaise sauce was awesome and the sides were done perfectly too. Everything is oversized so we did not go overboard each ordering just one, then sharing - we still had to go boxes though. The shrimp wrapped bacon appetizer, is a must have and the double baked potatoe was done just right, absolutely delicious. We ordered some mushrooms too to accompany the steaks. The waiter was very good, there but not there if you know what we mean. We had a fantastic bottle of Nicoles Cole that made each mouthful a perfect pair. We highly recommend this for die hard great steak - without the butter -lovers!

The Lyle Hotel
A perfect stop or overnight stay on a trip to the wine country! Quaint charm abounds at the Lyle Hotel. Greeted with a cosy fireplace in the foyer and comfortable rooms you'll feel like you've stepped back in time at the Lyle Hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed the restaurant and would recommend the Pulled Pork Quesadilla without hesitation. The Artichoke Bisque was sublime. The Down Home Pot Roast was slow cooked and tender and the vegetables excellent. We got a little weak in the knee over the Chicken & Farfalle with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce. A nice wine selection from vintners in the area make the meal a wonderful experience. We missed out on the Wine Makers Dinner, but our friends make it a priority on their weekend calendars.

The Meadow - Possibly the only stop you'll need to make for a special gift or just plan fun!
O.K. so just when you think you might have the insider information on gourmet finishing salts from exotic locations you realize you knew nothing! Well, at least that is how we felt after visiting The Meadow. What an awesome shop - not only do they carry the most diverse collection of salt that we've found in the city - the owners also seem to know more and be more passionate about the earthly spice than anyone we've ever met. If you have some spare time and want to add something different to your next dish that will keep your friends guessing what you know - that they don't - stop by. Once you get past the salt displayed you'll find that this shop does have it all - for anyone, including yourself that deserves a "special" gift! Fresh flowers, yummy wines, exotic chocolates beyond compare and of course the salt and unique collection of salt and pepper mills provides a bounty of options in the gift department. We left with a sampler of finishing salts and a bag full of unique chocolates in very colorful and interesting packaging that we know will make the recipients feel special. We could try to describe what we think of each one and how it was packaged, but really you deserve to take the time to explore this shop yourself. It's somewhat of an abstract piece of art - a real treat! They are located just a couple of minutes from Broadway at 3731 N Mississippi. You need to stop by - you will not be disappointed.

Pinocchio
This relatively new restaurant is located across from the beginning of the city park blocks on the cross hairs of Park and Salmon. We stumbled (not literally)onto Pinocchio on the way to a concert at the Snitz and decided to have a couple of specialty coffee libations in the bar. The interior of this "Modern Italian," establishment sets the stage for some chuckles with its wall murals of the classics painted wonderfully, but sporting Pinocchio's nose. Michael Bazzani formerly of The Heathman owns the restaurant and with his cast of professionals making it happen we feel this place is deemed for years of success. We decided to return with some friends the next evening and have dinner after purusing the menu. Nelia Serapion, formerly the sous chef at Southpark has delivered Michael's culinary vision with bell weather Italian style that has her own special touches. The calamari was perfectly prepared and had fried lemons and parsley accompanying the tentacled display. A nice portion to share. We decided to try two side courses, one was the lamb ragoue, a hearty savory blend of flavors that are made only over time spend simmering. It had just the right amount of meat and pasta. The second side we had was the risotto with shitake and chanterelle mushrooms, it was creamy and had the delicate flavor of the mushrooms showing itself with a flavorful caress across the palette. We love our friend's risotto, but this one is a fine traditional representation of the dish, it likely doesn't have the cheese our friend adds in generous amounts to her own recipe! The two entrees we chose were the Braised Ribs, which fell apart with only a touch of the fork and had a delicious tomato based sauce and some fresh, crisp green beans on the side. The second was the Pinocchio in Purgatory, a seared pepper steak with a lovely sauce created by a combination of wine and a great chef's imagination laced with a traditional cooking style. Not overpowering, but there in a way that leaves you wanting more! The side potatoes are crispy little nuggets that simply capture your mouth and take it hostage, they are wonderful with the sauce. The steak did not have overpowering pepper on it like so many other restaurants make the mistake of doing, rather it was there to the taste and not powering down the throat like an inferno of hell - hence, actually where the name of the dish came from. Italians often relate hot food to the devil's dish - a steak in purgatory! The desserts are - "the best tiramisu I've ever had," and the chocolate caramel cake - you just need to order it for yourself. Presentation was beautiful, with three deep fried sprigs of basil as a garnish, that seem to wave to you for attention - although the first bite clearly wins the prize. We also have to note that our waiter, John, was very fun, extremely informative and obviously loves what he is doing. If he is in the house, ask for him, and let his tongue and cheek humor set the stage for a meal to remember. If you are going to a concert across the way - this is a great spot to stop for the antipasti bar - quick and full of traditionally prepared Italian classics like roasted garlic and steamed mussels along with slivers of delicate meats and an entire gamete of accoutrements you would expect. Service is immediate and for that reason we'll be making this a stop on our concert evenings whether before of after.

www.nwfoodandwinefestival.com