Thursday Tidbits
Pine Street Bakery’s Pumpkin Pie Cruffin
October has arrived, and the Gorge is leaning all the way into fall. This week brings pumpkin pastries, soup specials and comfort food to menus, orchard celebrations, winemaker dinners, and festival fun from Hood River to White Salmon.
The Cauldron Café will be closed October 5–8 while the team revamps its menu. Once the café reopens, look for new grab-and-go goodies, frozen quarts of soup, and more.
Mount Hood BBQ has some hearty weekend specials lined up. Stop by Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for cheddar jalapeño sausage, Texas beef sausage, and the first soups of the season: tomato bisque and tortilla soup. The regular favorites will also be available, including brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, meatloaf, mac and cheese, spicy corn, BBQ beans, and slaw.
Prime Time Thursdays start today in the lounge at Riverside Restaurant. From 5 to 9 p.m., catch the game, grab a pint, and order the fan-favorite prime rib special. Plus, The Plum Fairy is back on the menu - @clearcreekdistillery plum brandy, almond simple, lemon + sugar rim.
The pumpkin pastry lineup has arrived at Pine Street Bakery, with Pumpkin Pie Cruffins, Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins, and Pumpkin Cream Scones. More fall items are beginning to roll in, too. The bakery plans to launch its fall lunch menu this weekend, followed by its fall drink menu next week.
Fresh Solstice Pizza focaccia is available at Treebird Market and Boda’s Kitchen. Treebird also carries frozen Solstice pizza dough for your own pizza nights at home.
Marchesi Vineyards on Belmont Avenue in Hood River is welcoming fall with wine and charcuterie while preparing for its Fall Winemaker’s Dinners on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17. Both evenings begin at 6:30 p.m. with Prosecco and appetizers before moving into the main cellar for a multi-course dinner paired with selections from Marchesi’s latest wine club release.
Out in the Orchards
The orchards are still going strong, with plenty of apples, pumpkins, cider, and fall celebrations happening across the valley.
At Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Crimson Crisp apples are now ripe and ready for U-pick, along with 17 other apple varieties. This weekend is Fiesta Days, featuring mariachi music performed by Kiyokawa employees, authentic Mexican food from a local vendor, piñatas for the kids, and haywagon rides.
Pearl’s Place Fruit has Sonata apples, cider, sauces, and fruit butters. Sonata apples are sweet, tropical, and crunchy—and Pearl’s says they make its Gorge Glaciers especially good.
Draper Girls Country Farm is in full fall mode with pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears, seasonal gifts, and at least six ciders on tap.
Pear Bloom Farm is celebrating Día de los Muertos from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. over three weekends, with each weekend featuring something unique and culturally meaningful. Stop by for cider and a celebration of traditions and culture.
Fall Festivities Ahead
There’s no shortage of fall fun on the calendar right now.
The Orchard & Ale Festival takes place this Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hood River Event Site. This harvest-season festival brings together regional breweries pouring fresh hop beers and cideries serving their autumn ciders, with more than 80 beverages available to sample, plus food vendors and live music.
Next weekend, the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest returns to the Hood River Event Site October 9–11. The three-day celebration features farm-fresh produce, local food and drinks like Columbia Gorge Crepes, Frosty Peak Ice Cream and Kaile’a Coffee, plus artisan vendors and live entertainment.
pFriem Family Brewers’ Myths & Moonlight pFeast is coming up Saturday, October 24, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tour the brewery’s Cascade Locks blending facility, explore the creatures and lore hiding among the barrels, and sit down for a seasonal four-course dinner. 1425 Columbia Gorge Way in Cascade Locks.
Downtown White Salmon will host the Mountain Town Throwdown, presented by Everybody’s Brewing, on Saturday, October 10. Look for tents in the center of town, more than 25 artisan vendors, family activities, food, beer, and a stein-holding competition.
October is off to a busy start. Enjoy!
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