The Portland Mercury's Nacho Week
Nacho lovers, rejoice! The Portland Mercury's Nacho Week is serving up specially crafted, full-sized plates of inventive, delicious nachos at over 40 locations. And best of all, THEY'RE ONLY $5 EACH! Make you and your stomach happy October 14 - 19 with the Portland Mercury's Nacho Week (brought to you by Corona USA and Hornitos Tequila)! (Oct 14-19, Various Locations, $5)
Haunted Pub Tour
BeerQuest takes you on a tour through Portland's seedier history, full of corrupt police, underground speakeasies, brothels, and of course, beer. Tour begins at Kells Irish Pub. For more information, click here. (Oct 1-31, Every Tues, Thurs-Sat 7 pm, Every Sun 3 pm, Various Locations, $45)
Portland's Original Iron Chef
LifeWorks NW turns the Portland Art Museum into a culinary battle royale, with competitors including Steve Cain and Beau Carr of El Gaucho, Jackson Wyatt of Von Ebert, and many more. Proceeds benefit LifeWork's three Children's Relief Nurseries. (Thurs Oct 3, 6 pm, Portland Art Museum, $125-1150)
Portland Greek Festival
The 68th annual Portland Greek Festival invites you out to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to celebrate all things Greek. Experience culture by way of traditional folk dance and musical performances, browse goods from craft and jewelry vendors, and take part in a cooking demonstration with The Art of Greek Cooking author George Papas. Stock up on fine cheeses, olives, olive oil, pastas, herbs and spices, preserves, and nuts from the festival deli, and be sure to save room to indulge in an array of authentic Greek dinners and pastries. (Oct 4-6, Fri-Sat 10 am, Sun 11 am, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, free, all ages)
The Wedge
First we conquered the realm of beer. Then we annexed the world of cheese. The Wedge features a multitude of cheesemakers sharing their product at a farmers market-style showcase, including special bites and drinks from other vendors that go perfectly with the cheeses you're putting into your face. Admission includes a $5 voucher for cheese purchases. (Sat Oct 5, noon, 100 SE Alder, $20 & Up)
Portland VegFest
Portland VegFest is giving veggie lovers, vegans and vegetarians a chance to celebrate plant-based living. Head to the Oregon Convention Center this weekend and partake in free samples, chef demonstrations, workouts, and checkout a slew of health and nutrition speakers, restaurants, films, books, and activities for youth.(Sat-Sun Oct 5-6, 10 am, Oregon Convention Center, $10-17, all ages) JENNI MOORE
Nicky USA's Wild About Game
A cooking competition celebrating the flavors of wild game, with chefs from Portland facing off against Seattle's best to determine which city cooks wild game the best. Representing the 503 are Imperial's Matthew Jarrell, Revelry's Diane Lam, Delores' BJ Smith, and Terrane's AJ Voytko, while Seattle sends Logan Cox of Restaurant Homer, Mitch Mayers of Sawyer, David Mitchell of Cedarbrook Lodge, and Maximillian Petty of Eden Hill. Admission includes access to the Artisan Marketplace, offering exclusive tastings of artisan cheeses, chocolates, ice cream, game products, wine, and beer. (Sun Oct 6, 11:30 am, The Resort at the Mountain, $75-85)
Bollywood, Bites, and Beer: Our House Dinner Series Benefit
Our House provides people living with HIV with housing and integrated health services, and since 1993, they’ve partnered with local businesses to curate dinners, inviting supporters to enjoy a delicious meal in exchange for donations supporting their efforts. If you’ve never been, the next edition which pairs delicious Maruti cuisine with tunes provided by DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid is the ideal introduction. (Wed Oct 9, 6 pm, Lagunitas Community Room, $65) EMILLY PRADO
Cosmic Beer Dinner
Ecliptic Brewmaster John Harris and Russian River Brewing Company's Vinnie Ciluzro, with help from Chef Michael Molitor, combine culinary creativities to create this four-course late season Tomato Dinner, pairing Ecliptic and Russian River brews with menu items including tomato-braised chicken legs, grilled octopus, and more. (Wed Oct 9, 6 pm, Ecliptic Brewing, $50)
Portland Fermentation Festival
Come to Ecotrust and join in the landmark 10th annual celebration of letting food get old and become better food. Show up and learn about all that science behind the deliciousness from guest speaker David Zilber, and sample some fine fermented foods, like kimchi, and miso, and cheese, and cider, and a whole bunch of other fermented stuff. (Thurs Oct 10, 6 pm, Ecotrust Building, $20-30)
Take Me Back: Taster's Table Club '90s Nostalgia Party
Stacked Sandwich Shop throws a '90’s party bringing you music trivia, themed cocktails, and delicious food designed to transport you back in time, all benefiting Oregon Food Bank and their ongoing efforts to providing food assistance to those in need. The event will feature bites served up by local chefs from Migration Brewing, Stacked Sandwich Shop, and MF Tasty Food Cart, along with treats from Delicious Donuts, and an open bar with cocktails by Westward Whiskey, draft beer from Migration Brewing, and wine from Cooper's Hall. (Thurs Oct 10, 7 pm, Stacked Sandwich Shop, $45)
Gourmet Apple Tasting
Every year right around this exact time, the Portland Nursery invites the whole city to come sample and celebrate the abundance of tasty apples and pears in the region, with over 60 varieties to choose from, as well as fresh-pressed cider demonstrations and tastings, and kid-friendly activities for the little ones. (Fri-Sun, Oct 11-20, 9 am, Portland Nursery, free, all ages)
Mystery Box Social: A Sex Positive Dinner Party
Portland's long-running storytelling series dedicated to the sexier side of things hosts an intimate dinner party at their HQ, with special guests Girl Sex 101 author Allison Moon and fan favorite storyteller Camille Salcedo. Tickets are VERY limited (only 10). (Sat Oct 12, 6 pm, Mystery Box Show HQ, $60)
Agave on Fire!
Xico hosts the second annual installment of this celebration of Mezcal, featuring 10 different brands of the surprisingly diverse drink, with reps from those brands on hand to help educate attendees. (Sun Oct 13, noon, Xico, $20-25)
Plates for Parkinsons
A delicious dinner that helps benefit the Brian Grant Foundation and its efforts to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's. The dinner includes small bites from multiple Portland-area eateries, including Crisp, Nicholas Restaurant, Jacqueline, and Quaintrelle. (Fri Oct 18, 6 pm, Urban Studio, $35-50)
Gobble Up
Urban Craft Uprising comes down from Seattle to set up shop at the Redd for lovers of food, and aficionados of the tools used to make it, with over 70 local and indie food, beverage, and kitchenware makers sharing their goods for your early holiday shopping needs, whether the gift you're getting are for foodies in your family, or for treating yourself! (Sat Oct 19, 10 am, The Redd on Salmon, free w/ rsvp)
Killer Pumpkin Fest 2019
A one-day mini-beerfest focused on the wonderfulness of taking pumpkins and turning them into beers, with Rogue providing a whole bunch of actual pumpkins to bowl, decorate, carve, and/or smash, with the kitchen providing a special pumpkin menu to pair with the abundance of pumpkin ales to sample. Also featuring costume contests for kids, grown-ups, and even your dogs. Proceeds benefit Camp Ukandu. (Sat Oct 26, 11 am, Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery)
