Northwest Food & Wine Festival
November 14, 2009

In 2009 The Northwest Food and Wine Festival will continue its quest in becoming the definitive wine festival in Portland with a targeted half day wine and food celebration created to present a rich rewarding experience for wine lovers and gourmet food enthusiasts. Held on Saturday at the Memorial Coliseum Exhibit Hall in the Blazers Rose Quarter Complex the festival kicks off with the Big Grand Wine Tasting Event on the main floor of the exhibit hall. Guests can expect a floor filled with over 800 wines and 50 restaurants and gourmet food tastes which feature an incredible array of options for guests. They will receive a commemorative wine glass, and be able to navigate the floor, smelling,savoring and seeing the bounty of the Northwest, delighting in its offerings. Wines and restaurants and gourmet food distributors are intermingled creating a wonderful opportunity for guests to try the gourmet pairings that are created. Whether enjoying the raw oysters and wonderful seafood bar, the chocolate fountains with fresh strawberries or the one on one conversations with the restaurants involved all will appreciate the epicurean atmosphere. Certified sommeliers and chefs will be available to answer questions about wines and their establishments. Industry booths of gourmet food, wine and culinary accoutrement's will introduce their brand or product to attendees.

A silent auction for charity adds to the overall fun and enjoyment.

Live music in several locations on the festival floor feature incredible musicians that only add pleasure for the ears as every sense is joyously engaged by this purely decadent evening. Music by Joel Kabakov accompanied by Antonia Kabakov, Jay "Bird" Koder, Jim Fisher, Ronnie Robins.

Wine enthusiasts and food lovers will savor and remember the flavors they experienced at the Northwest Food and Wine Festival long after the doors to The Memorial Coliseum are closed.

Many wineries will be offering bottle and case discounts and free shipping. Guests will have the opportunity to find that great wine buy!

Get your tickets now and be ready to .....
Sip, Taste and Swirl!

From The Oregonian's Terry Richard: The favorite coastal city for many an Oregonian is celebrating food March 27-April 2 (that's a Friday to a Thursday) during the first Newport Restaurant Week.

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is inviting all the city's restaurant to offer diners the experience of different dishes or compilation dishes. Some meals are at discounts, some are new creations.

It's a week of stuffing your face in the city by the sea.

Diners can enjoy three-course prix fix meals at a discounted price: that's an appetizer or salad, entree and dessert. Some restaurants have created new dishes for this event, while others have simply compiled some of their most popular dishes.

Restaurants will be offering lunch, dinner and/or both at prices ranging from $10 to $30. For example, the South Beach Fish Market is featuring a three-course lunch or dinner that consists of a shrimp cocktail, cup of clam chowder and a Captains Platter for $19.50 _ not only a good deal but also the freshest ingredients Newport has to offer.

Some, like La Maison, will have specials at what have been called "ridiculously fair prices."

From fine dining to fast food, participating restaurants will feature special menus, promotions and discounts. Diners will have the opportunity to sample new restaurants they haven't experienced, or explore exciting new dishes at their old favorites.

"As a local restaurateur, I am excited to see the Newport restaurant community coming together to offer tempting multi-course meals to new and old customers alike," said Mike Downing, owner of Quimby's Restaurant and chair of Newport Restaurant Week.

"Working as a team to bring high quality and affordable menu items to the public during a specific time frame will attract locals and tourists, thus impacting our hotel and retail markets as well.''