Thursday Tidbits
Nativ Cafe’s açaí bowl with premium CHIO Pistachio Coconut Cream
Winter is in full swing, and the Gorge food scene is doing what it does best — offering small comforts, thoughtful gatherings, and plenty of reasons to get out of the house. From café add-ons worth savoring to Valentine’s plans, happy hour deals, and winter wine finds, here’s what’s worth knowing (and tasting) around the Gorge this week.
A sweet new add-on
Nativ Café (White Salmon) has a new add-on option for their açaí bowls: premium CHIO Pistachio Coconut Cream. Made by CHIO, a woman-owned, Portland-based business, this creamy addition comes from founder Anaia’s Sicilian and Mexican roots and her deep love of culinary craft and conscious health. It’s a small upgrade that makes an already-loved bowl feel extra special.
Looking ahead to Valentine’s Day
Nativ Café is also hosting their first-ever collab dinner, “Love for the Community”, featuring a Japanese Omakase 5-Course Meal by local Chef Sky. The Valentine’s dinner takes place Saturday, February 14, with limited tickets available. If you’re looking for something intimate, intentional, and food-forward this Valentine’s Day, this one’s worth bookmarking.
Tuesday pub deals
If you find yourself in The Dalles on a Tuesday, RiverTap Pub is offering Tightwad Tuesday real deals! Expect Buy One, Get One 50% off the regular menu, plus $5 beer pints and $6 cider pints from 11 AM to close.
Pizza For Lunch
Good news from Pine Street Bakery: pizza is now available every day, starting around 11 AM.
And More Pizza +
Hot Italian sandwiches, antipasto plates, and a quattro formaggi pizza special are all on the menu at Solstice Wood Fire Pizza (Hood River) — perfect for leaning into cozy, savory winter eating. Tonight, catch their Detroit style pizza special on the menu Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Valentine’s cookies
Dani’s Kitchen Shop has opened Valentine cookie pre-orders. Orders close February 1, so now’s the time to get that sweet detail checked off your list.
Library January
All month long, AniChe Cellars (Underwood) is offering an exclusive vintage release pulled from Rachael’s personal library stash. Quantities are extremely limited, making this a special opportunity for collectors and wine lovers alike.
Happy Hour plans
From small plates to crowd-pleasing appetizers, Full Sail Brewing Co.’s Happy Hour is a reliable winter win. Weekdays: 3–6 PM Sundays: 6 PM–Close (Dine-in only) (Hood River)
Drinks worth sipping right now
Around the Gorge, some sunnier drinks are showing up and spreading cheer — from Kaile’a Coffee Co.’s White Lotus (Blackberry Peach with cream) to NA cocktails at Kickstand Coffee & Kitchen, a classic 1944 Mai Tai at pFriem Family Brewers, and Solstice Pizza’s “Just Bananas.” These drinks provide a little sunshine in a glass to get us through this time of year.
Thursday perks in Parkdale
Every Thursday during the off-season, Grateful Vineyard opens up member pricing to everyone — an easy reason to plan a midweek stop.
A couple quick notes
• Celilo Restaurant in Hood River is closed for winter break until February 4.
• Gorge Grown Food Network is now accepting applications for businesses interested in the Hood River Farmers Market regular season, running Saturdays May–November in downtown Hood River.
This month’s blog sponsor
Proudly supporting local food, drink, and makers in the Gorge.