Mid-August always presents plenty of reasons to taste, sip, and explore food + drink in the Gorge. This week there are anniversaries to celebrate, new wines and beers to try, early pears ready for picking, and a handful of menu specials worth tracking down. And with fire and smoke affecting parts of the region, we’re also checking in on a few Upper Valley businesses and looking ahead to some good things still to come.

Around the Table

Arome Kitchen is hosting its next Cookbook Club Dinner on Tuesday, August 18. Expect an evening of shared recipes, generous plates and community around the table. Visit Arome’s Events page to sign up and save your seat.

The Cauldron Cafe on Cascade Avenue in Hood River has pho on the menu, and it just might be sticking around for the summer. Find them at 1810 Cascade Avenue, open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Nativ Café in White Salmon has a Berries & Cream Matcha ready for summer sipping, made with house-made triple-Gorge berry purée, True Daily Matcha, and a silky vanilla cream top.

Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon has a Reuben sandwich special in limited quantities: corned beef braised in Hide & Sneaky Stout, topped with house pub sauce and Swiss cheese, all piled onto White Salmon Baking Co. country rye. Get this one while it lasts.

Henni’s Kitchen & Bar in White Salmon has a variety of small plates, appetizers, and For-the-table specials. This week they featured their Fried Calamari with fermented red chili aioli.

Henni’s is also pouring what has become a house favorite: the Apiary N/A Cocktail. This refreshing elixir features Good Medicine Tea’s Alpen Glow—with earthy rooibos, lavender, mint, and lemon—and is topped with fresh whipped honey foam.

New Bottles + Summer Plates

Hiyu Wine Farm has released six new wines, including the 2023 Pandion, Tzum 2024 Elder, 2024 Columba, 2023 Moon Dog, 2022 Sun Dog and 2023 Draco. Join the Understory, Hiyu’s subscription-based wine club, or settle in for lunch or dinner and open a bottle alongside the farm’s latest dishes, including Oregon Coast albacore with tomato and shishito.

Nativ Cafe Berries & Cream Matcha

Hiyu Wine Farm Albacore with Tomato and Shishito

Pear Bloom Farm Peaches & Cream Garden Soda

Thunder Island Brewing Bounce Box Pale Ale

Stock the Kitchen

River Daze Cafétakes advance orders for plenty of its house-made favorites, including cheesecake and coconut key lime pie; plain, everything and sesame bagels; gluten-free-friendly bread; sourdough sandwich loaves; and fresh English muffins. Give them a call a few days ahead so they have plenty of time to bake your order.

A New Spot on the River

Freebridge Brewing has officially opened Freebridge Riverfront at 201 Osprey Lane W in The Dalles. The new location features eight Freebridge taps, river views, an expansive lawn and outdoor seating, along with a food menu that includes pizzas, sandwiches, small plates, salads, and more.

Pear Season Comes Early

McCurdy Farms on Tucker Road is kicking off its August fruit stand season. Beginning August 14, look for Gravenstein apples, Starkrimson pears and Bartlett pears on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Regular season hours begin September 5.

And if it feels a little early for pear picking, you’re right. Pear Bloom Farm says this growing season is running about 15 days ahead of normal, and its Bartlett pears are already at their peak for u-pick.

While you’re there, try one of the farm’s Garden Sodas. The Peaches & Cream Garden Soda combines house-made Hood River peach syrup and sparkling water with Mexican vanilla cold foam and violas, while the Rose Garden Soda features house rose syrup made with rose water from the farm’s gardens.

Raise a Glass to a Few Milestones

The Walled Garden Public House / Kings & Daughters Brewery in downtown Hood River is celebrating one year of the pub and five years of beer! Join them August 13–15 for anniversary beers, smashburgers, special guest beers and, on Thursday (TODAY), starting at 4 PM (until sold out) they have a collaboration menu with @grasslands_barbecue!

Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery in Wishram, Washington—just upriver from The Dalles and Horsethief Butte—is marking an even bigger milestone with a 30th Anniversary Party on Saturday, August 15.

PCT Days Returns to Cascade Locks

Pacific Crest Trail Days returns to Cascade Locks this weekend, bringing hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and gear makers together for a celebration of the PCT and the trails and wild places that make this corner of the world so special.

Thunder Island Brewing has two new trail-inspired beers ready for the occasion: Beargrass, a 5.3% Kentucky Common created in collaboration with Gossamer Gear, and Bounce Box Pale Ale, an easy-drinking 4.3% Session IPA brewed with Cascade, Amarillo and Comet hops.

Open in the Upper Valley

Baseline Biscuits and Apple Valley BBQ in Parkdale have had some unsettling views to the south lately, but both remain open regular hours. Baseline Biscuits is open Thursday–Monday, 7 a.m.–2 p.m., and Apple Valley BBQ is open Wednesday–Sunday, noon–8 p.m.

Solera Brewery is also keeping regular hours and has a new beer: The Four One Farmhouse Ale, a light, crisp farmhouse ale wrapped in local art. This collaboration between Solera Brewery and The Four One is a match made in Parkdale, and they’re excited to share it with you!

And there’s something special to look forward to: Apple Valley BBQ is teaming up with Hood River Organic, Solera Brewery, COR Cellars, Trefin Foods and Little77 Ranch for another Farm to Table dinner. This year, the dinner is open to the public, with tickets on sale now through Apple Valley BBQ and the Hood River Organic website. Sunday, August 30, 4 pm - 9 pm. 5541 Alder Rd. Dee, OR.

With firefighters and first responders working tirelessly throughout the region, local businesses have also been stepping up. The Riv Café in The Dalles has offered free coffee to firefighters, Ferment Brewing on the Hood River Waterfront has mentioned offering a burger and beer, and The Cauldron Cafe in Hood River has extended discounts for fire crews. Please call ahead to confirm current offers.

And once again, we cannot say it enough: to the firefighters and first responders working around the Gorge, thank you. We continue to be incredibly grateful for your service.

Thursday Tidbits