Party Report/Feast Portland: Weekend Round-Up

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Monday, September 22, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

There were plenty of parties to attend, plenty of chef to see and plenty of food to be devoured at Feast Portland over the weekend. Here's a quick peek at the highlights of the food fest that is quickly becoming one of the best in the nation.

The overwhelming word on the street about Feast Portland is that it has "arrived." In no way was that more evident than the fact that one of the premiere food writers in this country, Ruth Riechl, was seen everywhere during the fest. And she was smiling. And she was also tired. "There's so many things to do," she said, explaining her exhaustion at the Nines Hotel High Comfort event. 

Exhaustive it was, with umpteen events, official after-parties, unofficial after-parties and plenty of pop-up whateverness. It was hard not to get into the spirit of a food fest that some said is second now only to Colorado's much more established Aspen Food and Wine. 

On Friday and Saturday Pioneer Courthouse Square was jam-packed with foodies who sampled the wares of the Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting. A trip through the best our state has to offer, one of the coolest spaces was a pop-up sponsored by USA Pears that sat eight people every 15 minutes for a three-course tasting menu. When GoLocalPDX checked it out, the chef was Ben Bettinger of Laurelhurst Market who had jaws dropping at his dazzling display of deliciousness.

Friday Night

Friday night, everyone zoomed down to southwest Portland's waterfront and Zidell Yard for the US Pears Night Market. This was the first year it was held at this space and it worked perfectly. From the Chinese lanterns high above the market to the oil-barreled fires that lined the waterfront, the space was nothing short of magical. Situated below the Ross Island Bridge, the Night Market had expansive views of the Willamette River and downtown Portland.

New street food offerings included more Asian options  along with Italian, Argentinian, Indian and more. Here's where chefs such as Portland's own Greg Denton dished up delectables such as crab nachos and NYC's Brad Farmerie plied patrons with blood-sausage popsicles. Also making mouth magic that night were NYC's Anita Lo and lauded Portland chefs such as Gregory Gourdet, Troy MacLarty, Nong Poonsukwattana, Andy Ricker, Gabe Rosen and Billy Schumaker. Notables in the crowd included former Trail Blazer Terry Porter. Later Friday night everyone gathered at Bon Appetite's after-party at Spirit of '77 which featured giant ice cubes with the word "Feast" branded into the ice. 

Saturday Night

Saturday brought Day Two of the Oregon Bounty, as well as one of the most anticipated (and expensive) events: High Comfort at the Nines Hotel. This is where Feast Portland asks 20 chefs to push comfort food out of its comfort zone and present it to a crowd that was, appropriately enough, dressed to the nines. Well-known Portland chefs Aaron Barnett, Naomi Pomeroy, John Gorham, Jenn Louis, Sarah Schafer (who said her foie gras-stuffed doughnut holes with sprinkles were for the weed lover in everyone), Vitaly Paley, Kristen Murray, and Gabe Rucker were just some of the cool chefs doing cool things with comfort food. 

The after-party on Saturday was held at Coopers Hall. This is where chef Roscoe Roberson chopped up roasted chicken and, alongside chef Rick Gencarelli, served caviar on nachos. Yes, nachos. REAL tattoos were being inked on willing patrons by Sailor Jerry and Tillamook Ice Cream flipped its lid with an amazing list of toppings for its tasty ice cream. Speaking of tasty, Alissa Frice, of Frice Pastries, and her crew spent a week on an elaborate, Oregon-themed, five-foot tall cake that was topped with the word "Feast." 

The After-After Party

And in what has become a tradition, the "flip cup" competition was held once again at Grassa, in between Racion and Lardo at the after-after party that didn't get rolling until nearly midnight. It is always a crazy night and this year was no different. Somehow, though, it is the perfect topper, and a great way for chefs and food lovers to blow off some steam after such an intense weekend.

For more of Byron Beck's Feast Portland photos click here and here. 

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Related Slideshow: Slideshow: Feast Portland Weekend Round-Up

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