Monday, March 30, 2015

Crafting the Perfect Cocktail

Learn some fancy bartending skills and impress your friends at the same time. You probably shouldn't expect to come away spinning drinks like Tom Cruise in Cocktail, but your friends will appreciate your fancy new moves nonetheless. And if they're not blown away by your yet undiscovered talent, they'll still be happy you're able to get them drunk in style.

Join Portland master Mixologist James Jackson for a Spring Cocktail Class at Salty's on the Columbia as you learn how to construct four tasty springy beverages. Then, imbibe them alongside the ideal small bites and take home all the recipes to repeat the adventure again and again. All this, and Salty's will throw in the riverfront views to sweeten the experience at no extra cost.

Saturday April 11th.
$45 per person (including gratuity)

Cocktail: Cowboy Up - Bourbon, Galliano, Vermouth
Food Pairing: Crispy pork belly with golden raisin salad

Cocktail: Basil Grape Refresher - Vodka, bitters, Lime Juice, Ginger Ale
Food Pairing: Coconut Clams with Thai Basil

Cocktail: Salty's Sangria
Food Pairing: Cantaloupe Tartar with Dungeness Crab, Charred JalapeƱo Fennel, Peach Gastrique

Cocktail: French 75 - Gin, Lime Juice, Contreau, Champagne
Food Pairing: Lemon Ginger Tart with Seasonal Berries

21 and older - Space is limited. 
Call 503-288-4444 to reserve your space.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

April is Columbia Gorge Wine Passport Month



Mark your calendars, next month will be the 7th annual Wine Passport event in the Columbia Gorge wine region!   

And though there's plenty to enjoy in the Gorge, you don't even have to make a special trip to be able taste Gorge wines!

Portland Grand Tasting
Friday, April 10, 2015
4pm-7pm
1900 NW 18th Ave. Portland, OR 97209

Tickets are $35 each, including a Passport ($50 value), or $25 without a Passport. Tickets include a souvenir glass and a preview of 23 different wineries along with appetizers from Eat Tray Chic. After last year’s sell-out event, this tasting will be held at a larger space, though tickets are still limited. Tickets availalble at GorgeWine.com.

Other Noteworthy Passport Month Events:

Food & Wine Weekend- April 11th-12th
Celebrate the greatest gift to the palate; the perfect marriage of food and wine.  

Gorge Grapes Weekend- April 18th-19th
Explore what makes the Columbia Gorge Wine Region “A world of wine in 40 miles.”  

Barrel & Reserve Tasting Weekend- April 25th-26th
Discover what makes a reserve wine “Reserve.”  

The Passport offers holders an array of exceptional experiences with wine including opportunities to try special wines, tour cellars and barrel rooms, meet winemakers and more. It's like a VIP ticket to a behind-the-scenes look at Columbia Gorge wineries.

Passports are $25 each and offer a value of over $200 in complimentary, wine experiences, more than 53 exclusive activities and up to 30% discounts on wine and merchandise. Passports are available for purchase at all 24 participating wineries or on GorgeWine.com.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

A Spirited Event - THIRST Fest 2015


It is most definitely that time of year again. Events are springing up like colorful flowers from the quiet winter earth. This one just came across my radar, but it looks like something that could bring you lots of good cheer and brighten a dreary weekend.

THIRST Fest opens Friday, March 13th and runs through Saturday, March 14th at THE Melody Ballroom in Portland at 615 S.E. Alder Street, Portland, Oregon.
Attendees at THIRST Fest 2015, now in its second year, will be greeted by some of Portland’s most glamorous and gregarious hosts, and will introduce members of the LGBTQ community to some of the newest alcoholic beverages hitting the glass. The two-day event at Portland’s THE Melody Ballroom will feature beverage and cocktail sampling, cocktail competitions, and a chance for members of the LGBTQ community to influence its own latest trends in mixology.  More than 40 craft distilleries, craft breweries and select wineries will be participating

Chat with local and national winemakers, craft distillers and brewers, and watch Portland’s top bartender’s battle for the 2nd Annual THIRST Fest Battle of the Bartenders Cup.  Local celebrity judges will decide which bartender will reign supreme, and attendees will be able to taste each competitor’s unique creations after they have left the stage. Bring it Home!  A full service, OLCC licenses liquor outlet will be available to sell distilled spirits at the show, and wine and beer vendors will be able to sell their wares direct to attendees at the event.  

Ticket Cost per person:                   
1 Day Ticket $ 20.00 on-line OR  $ 25.00 at the door*
2 Day Ticket + Collectible Event Shirt $50 online                       

Hours: 
Friday, March 13th from 5-10pm
Saturday, March 14th from 4-10pm

* Admission PLUS!
With paid admission, 1 day attendees receive 7 tasting tokens. 2 day attendees receive 15 tasting tokens.  (Additional tokens will be available for purchase at the event.)
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For more information go to 
www.THIRSTFest.com or on Facebook: THIRST Fest