Yesterday I shared photos from my first day up at Feast Portland , and today I’m throwing the rest out there for you. Saturday Wayne and I drove up to Portland to stay the night (it was sort of our post-anniversary celebration). Emma had her first soccer game of the season, so we didn’t get up there until nearly 2:00 pm – and I just had to show him around the Oregon Grand Bounty Tasting at Pioneer Square. I rushed him around to all of my favorites and then we sampled others that I hadn’t had a chance to try the day before – and then it happened: he finally had his first sample of Salt and Straw Ice Cream. If you are a local Portland-er you probably just gasped. Salt and Straw ice cream is only some of the best ice cream around, but to be honest I hadn’t even some myself until last year. They are famous for their unique flavor combinations, although their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons sure can’t be beat. Wayne tasted their seasonal Apricots and Citra Hops and became an instant fan.
We had about two hours to browse around until we needed to check in to our hotel and get dressed up for our evening event: The Oregon Media Group High Comfort at the Nines which began at 6:00 pm, and I had also been invited to a media happy hour with some of the best Oregon wines around, which ran from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
For whatever reason I didn’t take a single photo over at the happy hour, but we were greeted by my new friend Marlynn from Urban Bliss Life and we introduced our husbands to each other. Then, in a room with less than 20 people someone called out Wayne’s name – one of his friend’s wife who was working at the event – and she just happened to have brought her husband along for the evening with her.
It’s a small world. sometimes.
As we sampled some of the best wines around (Some of my favorites were Hawk View Cellars 2013 Oregon Pinot Gris, Columbia Winery’s 2012 Syrah, and R. Stuart & Co. Winery’s 2011 Ana Vineyard Riesling), Wayne just happened to drum up a conversation with a couple of people and long story short ended up meeting the wife of a winemaker he used to work with a long time ago.
All in a room with like 20 people.
At 6:00 pm we headed a couple blocks down to The Nines Hotel for the big event.
We were greeted in the Champagne Room and handed a glass to enjoy. The Hama Hama Oyster Company served an endless supply for those who partake. ( I just can’t do Oysters myself), and Proscuitto di Parma was serving fresh slices to feast on.
We mingled in to the grand ballroom where the High Dinner was served. It’s not a sit down dinner, but a walk-around-and-mingle-kind-of-evening, while you sample fine wines and food from some of the most talented chefs around.
Unfortunately I ended up leaving my bulky camera at the hotel, so these photos don’t do the event justice. A couple of my favorite bites from the evening was a Flatiron Pastami with asiago and cacao from Chef Matt Christianson, Urban Farmer, and a Fried chicken and watermelon salad bite from Chef Vitaly Paley, Paley’s Place.
Music was played and the room was filled with conversations – the only downside was all of the body heat – it was pretty toasty, and then I found the Hendricks Gin bar in another room dubbed the comfort lounge.
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| Photo c/o Urban Bliss Life
I met other Portland Bloggers and the photos started snapping as we all laughed and had a great time. Then before I knew it the clock struck 9:00 pm – closing time for the event, and we all cabbed over to an after party, where we were treated like VIP with limitless drinks, a caviar nacho bar (I seriously didn’t even know it was there until my Wayne told me the next day!), a massive celebratory cake, a Tillamook Ice Cream truck, even an on site tattoo artist inking up some brave people. (For the record Mom, I thought about it, but no, I didn’t). The massive party continued on throughout the night.
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The ticket price for the High Comfort event is definitely on the more expensive side – it’ll cost you $175 out of your pocket, but for an all out, all evening VIP affair with the opportunity to meet and mingle with so many wonderful companies and people it’s an incredible experience – just make sure you’re staying the night in Portland because there will be no way you’ll be able to drive afterwards!
Feast Portland was everything I thought it would be and more. Mark your calendars for Sept. 17th-20th 2015 when the celebration returns!
~Melissa
*Full Disclosure: I was given a complimentary blogger pass to Feast Portland events in exchange for my event coverage. No other compensation was received. As always, all opinions are my own.
