Cheersing to another great weekend of Feast! Celebrating by sharing a Feast Portland recap on my favorite tastes and treats of 2019.
(above photo from my great friend Brent Weisberg- he takes amazing PNW photos!)
And one of the best parts of the weekend, aside from discovering amazing new restaurants and chefs, is getting inspired to cook up and crank out more interesting food and drinks at home. For example…there will be a lot more infused vodka in my life. LOL.
Feast Portland Recap
Thursday night’s main event was a new one called East vs. West, and it was a literal showdown of chefs from coast to coast with judges voting throughout the evening.
My favorite drink at that event was an amazing spicy, mint margarita from Ethan Stowell Restaurants in Seattle while my favorite bite was BBQ from Sam Jones’ BBQ in North Carolina.
The “Drink Tank” classes are also always a ton of fun. We attended one on the future of tiki cocktails and another on making punches.
The class on punches was particularly interesting because of its tie to sustainability. Never thought of a punch as a way to put sustainability into action in your life? Yea, me neither!
But that’s exactly what a punch is all about. How many of you have half opened bottles of wine at home, only to toss it at the end of the week or finish it just because it’s open?
Same with fruits, vegetables and herbs. We waste so much produce at home every week. This class opened my eyes to what you can do to waste less.
Much like a butcher using every part of the meat, these bartenders aim to use every bit of what they have in the bar and kitchen to whip up a delicious drink.
A great example of came from Anu Apte-Elford, of Seattle’s James’ Beard Nominee “Navy Strength” and “Vinnie’s Raw Bar.” She shared how they make a house vermouth at the end of the week with leftover white wine. They, then, add that into their Belltown Negroni.
For other bartenders, creating a punch can help use up the week’s leftover ingredients.
So here’s a great tip for whipping up a big batch drink at home…
Brooke Arthur of “Westward American Single Malt Whiskey” said think of it like baking. What fruits and spices go together? What herbs work well with these flavors? That carries over into a punch.
Recipes to try:
–Punch recipes to get you through the holidays via Imbibe…the Domincan Spiced Cider looks incredible!
Weekend Reads | 9-21
Mock croc accessories have to be my favorite fall trend.
My $21 bag is already, but here are a ton of other fun options.
The best movies to see this fall.
Ok I was JUST saying to someone that I was craving the old school Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper…make a grown-up version!
All you need is this list of best sellers from Zara to complete your fall wardrobe,
If you missed it last week, this read on a scammer influencer is a must for those who love a good con man tale. AND expect to do a deep dive immediately after.
Recipes to kickstart fall baking. I really want to try the Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins.
Trader Joe’s fall goodies are now in stock. Here’s a round-up of the best and worst snacks at TJ’s.
September has been nuts with travel for me for work and weddings. I picked up these nylon totes from Target, and they are seriously the best travel totes! small ($25) // weekender ($40)
Weekend Sales
Abercrombie: 25% off your purchase with code 15069.
American Eagle: Take 25% off jeans and joggers.
Aerie: Take 40% sweaters and leggings.
Anthropologie: It’s Anthro Day for AnthroPerks members (free rewards program). Take 20% off your purchase.
Express: Everything’s buy one, get one $19.90.
Goodnight Macaroon: Take 40% off flash sale with code PREFALL.
J. Crew: Take 30% off wear to work styles and 25% off full priced styles with code THATWORKS.
J.Crew Factory: 50% off accessories.
Loft: Take 40% off your purchase with code NEWNOW.
Old Navy: $15 jean jackets (Friday only).
Williams Sonoma: Buy more, save more. 15% off $100 or more, 20% off $500 or more, 25% off $1000 or more, 30% off $3000 or more using code SAVENOW.
