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first look:West Wind Wines

10/11/2022

 
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Inside West Wind Wines. Photo by Silvia Flores

On ​Memorial Day Weekend this year, Hood River got a new tasting room: West Wind Wines. Opened by Peter and Sarah Cushman, the intimate tasting room is open Friday-Sunday, 2-7 pm. 

ABout the wine menu

West Wind Wines features Peter Cushman Wines and a small, rotating selection of both international and Gorge wines. Peter sources fruit from both Oregon and Washington and makes wine using a blend of traditional and modern techniques. He is also the winemaker at WyEast Vineyards and Jacob Williams, among others. 

About the owners

Sarah is a Hood River native with experience in both agricultural and the food industry.

Peter is a third generation winemaker, raised in the Willamette Valley. He grew up immersed in winemaking with his dad (Rich Cushman of Viento Wines) and after graduating from UO, moved to the Gorge to pursue his own career as a vintner. 

if you go

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Address: 1109 Hull St., Hood River, OR
Hours: Friday-Sunday, 2-7
Website: www.petercushmanwines.com
Phone: 541-490-1816
​Minors allowed. 
Payment accepted: ​Credit card, cash or Venmo.

Tidbit Thursday 9/29/2022

9/29/2022

 
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Hello! Apologies for the break. Let's jump into some news!

upcoming closures/hour changes

  1. Pho River will be closing at 7 pm on Friday (9-30-22) so that the owners can head to the coast. It will also be closed Saturday and Sunday. 
  2. Sushi Okalani will be closed October 3-9. 
  3. Sixth Street Bistro will be closed until October 7, 2022. 

Upcoming events

  • Hood River Hops Fest is on this Saturday in the Columbia Parking Lot in Hood River. Get tickets here. Some food vendors at the event include ​Greenhorn Smokehouse, Lajitana, Bandit Snack Foods, Corndog Convoy, and Tacos Pepe. 
  • Hood River Harvest Fest is scheduled for next weekend (Friday, October 7th 1 pm- 6 pm; Saturday, October 8th 10 am- 6 pm; Sunday, October 9th 10 am-5 pm). Tickets are available here. It is held at the Hood River Event Site down on the waterfront. 
  • Harvest Dinner at Packer Orchards: Packer Orchards is holding its first ever sit down multi-course harvest dinner. The food will be grown, harvested, and prepared by Packer Orchards. Tickets are available here. To get to the tickets, select "October 6" as the date and select a time, any time will work to bring up the tickets. Then, select "Harvest Dinner." Time: October 6th from 6pm to 9pm. First course is served at 6:30pm. What's included:  Four course meal with wine pairing. Event is 21 and older only. Menu below.
  • Mom's Night Out at Gorges Beer Co: Gorges Beer Co is hosting a night for moms where it will give away gifts and have live music (Megan Alder). The event is scheduled for next Friday, October 7. It's also hosting a Paint Night on October 22. Tickets for Paint Night are $50. 
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  • Fall DIY Cookie Decorating at ​Dani's Kitchen Shop: Decorate some cookies at Dani's Kitchen Shop ($50) on Oct 08, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM. The shop is located at Hood River, 1545 Osprey Dr, Hood River, OR 97031, USA. GPS will get you lost, so check your email for driving directions once you've purchased a ticket. 
  • Hallo Wine Walk: Taste all of the wine downtown Hood River has to offer on October 29 & 30 12 pm to 6 pm. The annual walk ($40) includes 2 tastes of wine at each of the 7 downtown wineries as well as a glass and a 6-bottle wine bag. Buy your tickets online by October 28, 2022. Can't buy them online in time? Grab tickets in person at the Hood River Hotel Saturday the 29, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 11 am to 3 pm. 

orchard news

  • A lot of Valley orchards are reporting late harvests this year. For instance, it's still a few weeks before McCurdy Farms will know if it has any Granny Smith or Newtown Pippins. Starting tomorrow (Friday 9/30), McCurdy Farms will have d'Anjou pears along with Bosc pears, Golden Delicious apples, and Akane apples. 
  • Meanwhile, U-Pick just opened at Draper Girls. 
  • Cody Orchards is open Friday-Sunday 10-5pm. Pies and peaches are available for purchase.
  • Fresh-pressed cider is now available at Kiyokawa Family Orchards. 

other news

  • Bestie Bowls opened a few weeks ago. It's located at 2002 12th St Hood River, OR 97031 and open Thursday-Sunday 12-6. It's a food truck. Menu below:
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  • Full Sail is celebrating 35 (!!!) years in business. Congrats, Full Sail! 
  • People have been asking about Kobe Hood River: we called yesterday and they confirmed that they are currently open 7 days a week. 

tidbit thursday 8/4/22

8/4/2022

 
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EVENTS

Birds and Brews: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center (5000 Discovery Dr, The Dalles, OR 97058), Thursday, August 11th from 6:30 pm to 9 pm. 21+ event; tickets $16-$20. Beer, wine, and food for sale. Ticket includes admission to museum, a meet and greet with a resident raptor, and a special exhibition opening reception for the center's newest temporary exhibition, Avis Marvelous: Ornithology on the Western Frontier, 1776-1896. More information and tickets here. 

Paella Party with Fishpeople Seafood: This event will be at The Ruins (13 Railroad Street, Hood River, OR) on Wednesday, August 10 from 6 pm to 9 pm. Event organizers say, "Amy Roots will be helping us prepare the paella this year, while the Fishpeople crew will help serve, and the Ruins staff will pour you refreshing beverages, Ben Bonham and friends will be playing some tunes and you will be happy as a clam." $50 tickets and more info here. ​

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Peach Day: Runcible Cider (1084 Quartz Dr, Mosier, OR 97040). Saturday, August 13, noon to 5 pm. New cider release. Tamales with peach salsa available for sale. Live music (Nate Stranz). Peaches for sale. 

tidbit thursday 7/28/2022: your weekly scoop of hood river food + drink news

7/28/2022

 
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Columbia Gorge Confections released a new product this week: house-made ice cream sandwiches dipped in chocolate. Photo courtesy of Columbia Gorge Confections. 

general news

  1. Mount Hood BBQ will be at the county fair this week instead of at its normal spot in the Local Rhoots parking lot at 1301 Belmont St. They will be serving up sausages, loaded baked potatoes, and more. 
  2. Specials at Solstice this weekend include a lavender lemonade, gazpacho, and more. See the photo below for more info. 
  3. At Moby Roasters in Hood River and Parkdale, you'll also find lavender lemonade on special. They also have plain and cherry options, as well. 
  4. Roots Makery still has a few spots left in its pickling class, which is scheduled for Aug 1-4 and is aimed at kids aged 5-12. Register online here.  
  5. BLTs are back on the menu at Pine Street. 
  6. At Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Rainer cherries are now available. 
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reduced or altered menus due to heat

  • Double Mountain will be pizza-less during the hottest times this weekend. This means, you're looking at salads, sandwiches, cookies, and appetizers like chips and salsa. Pizzas may be available during cooler parts of the weekend. The best way to find out is to ask the hostess when you check in or your server when you sit down. 
  • Wheels at Wy'East will be serving up farmers boards (charcuterie) this weekend. No grill items in order to keep the kitchen members safe from the hot, hot weather. 
  • Sothkitchen will have a special heat wave menu (posted below). 
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closures ( mostly due to the hot weather)

  • Sushi Okalani will be closing at 8 p.m. during excessive heat this weekend. Check Facebook or Instagram for the most up-to-date information or give them a ring at ​(541) 386-7423. 
  • Boda's will be closed from Sunday 7/31 through 8/4. It will re-open on 8/5.
  • Grasslands will be closed this weekend. 

hiring

Tofurky (Warehouse Supervisor). See their ad in Gorge Hired. 
Pizza Leona (Cashier, $16/hour + tips). See their ad on the Gorge Classifieds. 

About tidbit thursday

#TidbitThursday is the day we share all the food + drink news for the week with our followers. 
Have something to share? Send us a message! What we're looking for is new items you're selling, specials, menu changes, any hour changes, if you've added or got rid of online ordering in the last few weeks, special events -- that sort of thing. It is free to be included in #TidbitThursday

First Look: off the hook food truck

7/21/2022

 
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Y'all noticed it: we have a new food truck in the lot behind Ferment (if you put 403 Portway Ave in your navigation and look for the parking lot on the corner of N 2nd and Anchor Way, you'll see it). Here's the 411

The menu

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The menu is simple: fish and chips. Expect a nice portion (we got 3-4 pieces per order) of light, crisp fish in a house-made gluten-free batter. An order comes with fish, fries, coleslaw, house-made tartar sauce, and Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese fish sauce).

Each day, the truck will serve a "catch of the day," which can be anything from halibut to sole to Albacore to Ling cod. All fish comes from Oregon or the Washington Coast. 
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For drinks, you'll find a selection of Blue Bus kombucha and Columbia Gorge Organic drinks like lemonade. 
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hours

For now, 11:30 to sold out or at least 4 pm Friday-Sunday. Open for the summer season, through at least September, perhaps longer (if they close for winter, they would re-open next year). 

details

Payment accepted: cash, card, Apple Pay
​Address: if you put 403 Portway Ave in your navigation and look for the parking lot on the corner of N 2nd and Anchor Way, you'll see it
Facebook: 
facebook.com/FishpeopleHoodRiver

The Owners

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Owner: Kipp (also an owner of FishPeople Seafood downtown)
Staff: 
Levi, Brooke, Ruth, Joe
Creative Chef: Jason, a chef at Hiyu whom helped develop the recipes 

A special thank you to Michelle for gathering the photos and information for this article. We've recently moved away but are still able to keep the blog running thanks to her help and all the reader tips we've been getting. Thank you!!!!!

pop-up alert: bao to the dumpling at local rhoots

7/21/2022

 
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For the last two weekends of this month, head to Local Rhoots (1301 Belmont St.) for a dumpling pop-up. Called "Bao to the Dumpling," the menu will be available for dine-in or take-out this Friday and Saturday, as well as next Friday and Saturday. 

Menu

Bao Buns Trio with Slaw
House-made steamed fluffy boa buns filled with your choice of succulent Charsui Pork, Sweet & Spicy Chicken or decadent Shitake Mushrooms garnished with house-pickle, jalapeño & cilantro.  Served with a  side of Asian-Inspired slaw.

Szechuan Dumpling Bowl
Bursting with flavor and heat.  Pork dumplings swimming in a spicy broth finished with house-made chili oil, cilantro & house-pickle.

Umami Dumpling Bowl
Pork dumplings lounging in a 12-hour shiitake-miso broth garnished with pickled shiitake, cilantro & sesame seeds.

Caesars Got a Wedgie
Grilled Napa cabbage with a wonton scallion cracker and black bean Caesar dressing. (vegan; chicken can be added on)

Pickle Plate
Watermelon Radish, Shiitake Mushrooms, Cauliflower, Carrot & Rhubarb in an Asian-inspired pickle.

Butter Mochi Bars 
Gooey mochi bars topped with toasted coconut flakes, yuzu and red bean.

Mango Coconut Pudding
Layered mango pudding

​The details

When: Friday-Saturday July 22-23 and 29-30 from 5 pm - 9 pm. 
Where: Local Rhoots: 1301 Belmont St. Order at the counter for either to-go or dine-in. 
Pay with: Cash, card, Apple pay
Who's running the kitchen: Chef Amanda brought her passion for multi-cultural cuisine to Local Rhoots at the end of 2021.  Since then she has become an asset to the team and has contributed recipes and flavors to the weekly meal service.  This is Amanda's first venture into a Pop-up style menu and she is excited to bring her obsession for bao and dumplings to the Gorge community.
Chef Sam, owner of Local Rhoots, will play a supporting role in the kitchen. She is invested in supporting women in the community and is excited see Amanda grow as a chef.

This post has been sponsored by Local Rhoots. Local Rhoots is a locally-owned business that uses local ingredients to make ready-made meals, which you can either pre-order or grab out of the grab-and-go case. 

First look: Better Together Tap Truck

7/20/2022

 
The Gorge has a new mobile tap truck: Better Together Tap Truck. Opened May 21, 2022  by Dakota and Greg Wilkins​, the truck has 6 taps and will serve parties of any size or type, from a backyard anniversary party to a wedding. The owners say, "we can show up to your backyard BBQ, rehearsal dinner, birthday, wedding, or any event you want us to be a part of."

What's on tap

On tap is anything you want that comes in kegs: beer from Pfriem, cider from Crush, wine from Viento (while the tasting room isn't open, you can still buy wine from Rich), or even root beer. Yes, also macrobrews so you can get your Rainer on. ​

About the owners

You may recognize Dakota and Greg by their names. They are both in public-facing jobs in Washington, Dakota is a first grade teacher in Washougal, WA, and a zip-line tour guide at  Skamania Lodge during the summer. Greg works at Backwoods. It was Dakota's idea to open the tap truck, "I had a wild idea to start this business, and my husband just helped make sure it happened."

tips for hiring the truck

If you decide to hire the truck, keep in mind that gratuity is not included in the price, so either you or your guests will want to pick that up. ​

For more information

Website: https://bettertogethertaptruck.com/
Facebook: ​facebook.com/Bettertogethertaptruck
Instagram: instagram.com/bettertogethertap/

first look: Get Hu'sum bbq

7/20/2022

 
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There's a new BBQ truck in Husum. It's called Get Hu'Sum BBQ and it's run by Stan Pratnicki. You'll find it in the parking lot of River Drifters Rafting Company, which is right before Wet Planet and the Ruby June in if you're headed north on 141 (it's right where you turn off 141 to get to the Weldon Wagon Trail). When we asked Stan why he opened his truck where he did, he said, "Work where you live, live where you love!" 

The menu

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​On the menu (pictured above), find wraps, salads, and bbq bowls. 

The Chef

You may recognize chef/owner Stan Pratnicki from his work at River Drifters Whitewater Rafting on the White Salmon River, where he helps manage operations and caters meals for  rafting trips. Or, you may recognize him from his extensive and impressive work history in Portland. Stan worked in the kitchens of Papa Haydn, Atwater's and Taqueria Nueve before opening his own joint, Bar Dobre. 

If you go

Open Thursday through Sunday each week 12 pm- 5 pm. 
Open: May - October
​Forms of payment accepted: Cash / Apple Pay / Credit

Address: ​856 WA 141 White Salmon, WA 98672

for more info

​https://www.facebook.com/gethusumbbq
https://gethusumbbq.com/​

tidbit thursday 7/14/22

7/14/2022

 
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Picture courtesy of Pacos Tacos

​News time! Let's start with some fruit talk.
The Hood River Fruit Loop is bursting with u-pick and pickup fruit, mostly cherries and blueberries right now. Harvest is low and late this year, thanks to that weird spring we had.
  • 𝗨-𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 are available at Kiyokawa Family Orchards, Draper Girls Country Farm, The Gorge White House and soon (July 20) Mt. View Orchards and Montavons Berries.
  • Boxes of already picked cherries are available at Packer Orchards.
  • 𝗨-𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 are available at Montavons Berries. Blueberries are also available at Wilinda Blueberry Patch (starting Friday, July 15).
𝗡𝗢𝗡-𝗙𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦:
  • Pacos Tacos Official added some bomb-looking nachos to their menu (picture from them below)
  • Pine Street Bakery has added a basil-mint limeade to its menu.
  • Fox Tail has a happy hour Mon-Thursday 3-6 with $1 off prints and $5 off growler fills.
  • Y'all all saw it and sent me lots of messages about it but Fishpeople Seafood Market at Hood River opened a food truck called "Off the Hook." It's parked behind Ferment and open 11:30/noon to sold-out on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. We're sending our sleuth, Michelle, to grab photos and a menu this weekend. Stay tuned!
  • Columbia Gorge Confections is offering BOGO truffles and chocouterie this week.
  • Local Rhoots is closed Friday for some rest.
  • A reminder that Kickstand holds a community ride every Wednesday that is followed by free music at the restaurant.
  • And tomorrow (Friday), $1 from every Dutch Bros drink sold in Hood River will go to the Columbia Gorge Food Bank.
That's your news folks! Did I miss something? Comment below with your update!

what's open/closed for july 4, 2022

7/3/2022

 
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​July 4 is tomorrow and that means some places that are normally open are closed and some places that are normally closed are open!
​
We've started a list for you below. It doesn't include every restaurant in town. We're still trying to get in touch with a few business owners.

open

GorgeOn Wines (11-3)
Solstice truck (12-4) and restaurant (11-8)
Working Hands (open at 8:30 am)
Crush Cider Cafe (6 p.m. to fireworks)
Sothkitchen (11-3)
Solera (4pm-9pm)
The Gorge White House (10-7)
Volcanic Bottle Shoppe (10-5)
Kickstand (8-3)
Pesco
BackWoods Brewing Co.
Gorges Beer
Mt Hood BBQ (8-4)

closed 

​Lake Taco
FishPeople Seafood
Grasslands
Full Sail
6th Street Bistro
Sushi Okalani
Grateful Vineyard
Bette's
The Pines 1852
Local Rhoots

Tidbit Thursday: weekly restaurant & food news 6/23/22

6/23/2022

 

updates

Gorge Deliveries has expanded to White Salmon and Bingen and is offering delivery from EAT 14, Pizza Leona and Harvest Market. Want to learn more about the business? Check out our article here. 
Pearl's Place is now open for the season. 

events

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​Change The Way We Waste, June 25, 2022: A summer talk about waste and sustainability at 1009 12th St. Hood River. FREE
Dinner in the Vineyard, Loop de Loop Wines, July 16: A 6-course tasting menu. $110 includes food as well as wine pairings. Call 503-298-9420 for tickets and information. 

    ​GOT NEWS TO SHARE? CONTACT US USING THE FORM BELOW

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tidbit thursday 6/16/22

6/16/2022

 

giveaways!

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Pine Street is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In celebration, they're hosting a giveaway. ​Take your chance at winning a gift basket full of goodies by heading to their Instagram page. It's the usual like, post, tag-type giveaway. Last day to enter is Saturday, June 18. 

upcoming temporary closures

Feast will be closing at 3 pm this Friday, June 16 for a private event. 

menu changes

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The summer drink list at Solstice features a line-up of fruit forward drinks like: 
​
𝗥𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿 ⁣
𝘉𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘯, 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦-𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘺𝘳𝘶𝘱, 𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯, 𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘥𝘦𝘳 & 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴⁣
𝘦𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘢𝘮⁣

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲 ⁣
𝘓𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘣𝘭𝘦⁣

​𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶⁣
𝘓𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘴 & 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘮, 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺⁣
𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘦, & 𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘦⁣

*Photo courtesy of Solstice
​


​Farm Stand in the Gorge is having difficulty sourcing pastrami and has had to temporarily remove it from the menu. ​

PESCO, the Italian food truck in the Winddance parking lot, has release its new menu. The truck rotates menus monthly, working its way through the various regions in Italy. This month's menu focuses on Liguria, a region in the northwest part of Italy. Find a copy of the full menu here or below: 
Mesciua
A traditional light soup originating from La Spezia. Chickpeas, haricot beans, and farro
Panissa
A classic street food in Liguria made with chickpea flour! Served with basil aioli
Merluzzo Fritelle
Fried cod served with Agliata sauce
Focaccia Alla Genovese
House made Focaccia bread
Pesto Genovese
A classic sauce from Genoa Italy! Tossed with fresh pasta of the day.
Tonno Alla Genovese
Tuna Steak served with a rich wild mushroom sauce

specials and deals

Grasslands will be serving up beef ribs as their daily special on Saturday. This will be followed by smoked prime rib on Sunday. They also have bulk to-go items available this week: 1lb packages of brisket, burgers, and bacon as well as 4-packs of sausages. 

What's up with kobe

People keep asking us "what's up with Kobe?!?!" It's been closed for over a month for "renovations." We called for more info and the story we got is that they're truly closed for renovations and plan to re-open "soon." Some people are speculating that the business is closing or selling. We'd love if we had secret details like that, but all we know is what they told us: they will re-open. 

What hood river eats is currently working on

We're making a list of where to get frozen/blended drinks in town like frose! Have a favorite place? Let us know, we'd be ever grateful. Thanks! 

    tell us about your favorite frozen drink in the gorge! 

Submit

What's new at the farmer's market

6/15/2022

 
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Photo courtesy of ​Édeske Patisserie @edeske_patisserie
The summer farmer's market is in full swing, with strawberries, flowers, carrots, coffee, fresh lamb, and so much more abound. This year, there have been a few vendor changes. While one or two usual suspects have gone missing, 3 new businesses have joined the market and one more hopes to join soon.

in

​Édeske Patisserie
Soul Seeds Microgreens
Stilmour Farm
Sakurambo
M & P Ranches

out

Sakura Ridge/​Sakurambo

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​Édeske Patisserie

Édeske Patisserie focuses on fine chocolates, French macarons, entremet mousse cakes and other patisserie items. The baker, Tamara Biscardi, is from Hungary and learned her techniques in Holland, where she attended pastry school. Before coming to the Gorge, she worked as a pastry chef for one of National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions luxury ships. Tamara owns Édeske with her husband  James. The couple located to the Gorge recently and with the business, they aim to marry Tamara's European heritage with "the beauty and abundance found here in the Gorge" (in their words). 
According to Tamara, the name Édeske (pronounced <Eh-desh-keh>) means 'sweet little thing' in Hungarian. 
More info: edeskepatisserie.com
Market dates: Every summer market

Lamb vendor change

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Photo courtesy of M & P Ranches
Sakura Ridge/Sakurambo previously provided fresh lamb to the Hood River valley. However, they sold their business and their last week selling at the market was a few weeks ago.  In their place, you will find M & P Ranches, which will not only supply lamb, but beautiful hand-spun and dyed yarn, and produce as well. 
More info: www.mpranches.com
Market dates: JUNE 11, 18 25 | JULY 2, 16, 23, 30 | AUG  20 | SEP 3, 17 | OCT 1, 15, 29 | NOV 12, 19

hooray, more farm fresh eggs

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Photo courtesy of Gorge Grown/The Hood River Farmer's Market
Susan Stilmour of Stilmour farm brings eggs from pasture-raised chickens. Later in the season, she will have berries, as well. 
Available at the market these Saturdays: JUNE 4, 18 | JULY 2, 16 | AUG 6, 20 | SEP 3, 17 | OCT 15 | NOV 5, 19

Coming soon...

Gorge's Tortes has been issued its business license and hopes to secure a spot at the Hood River Farmer's Market. Owner Techy Stenge Melinda, will be serving up dessert tarts free of allergens like soy, gluten, dairy, and eggs. They're raw, vegan, organic, and gorgeous. They do contain nuts and fresh fruits. Her goal is to offer healthy but delicious desserts. When she's up and running, she will take cash or venmo (I think all market vendors have to accept tokens, too, but I'm not 100% sure on that). Her first day at the market will be June 25.
More info: Gorge's Tortes Facebook

if you have not been

One thing that's cool that the market does is SNAP matching. If you bring your Oregon Trail or other EBT card to the market, the market will double your dollars (max $15 match). So, if you spend $15 SNAP dollars, they will kick in $15 of their own farmer's market dollars, and you will have $30 to spend. In order to get the matching, please visit the token booth, where you will swipe your card to get tokens. 

Market Information
Location: 501 Columbia Street (the Full Sail parking lot)
Time: Saturdays 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
​Dates: Now-the third Saturday in November

tidbit thursday 6/9/22

6/9/2022

 

events

Mama Wes pop-up at Local Rhoots Friday and Saturday. 
Monarch Hot Chicken will pop-up at Working Hands June 10, 2022. 
Vermouth Party at Runcible Cider, Saturday

food + Drink specials

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Solstice: Arugula Pesto & Artichoke pizza: artichoke hearts, arugula pesto, shaved red onion, mozzarella & parmesan on a garlic oil base. 

Summer menu updates

Pine Street Bakery (1103 12th St, Hood River) dropped its seasonal summer lunch menu (pictured below). 
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Pfriem has released its summer menu. New items include a pate plate, pasta salad, a melon and cucumber salad, and more. ​

who's hiring

A sample of some of the food service jobs available in the Gorge right now. 
Romul's: "​Looking for a dedicated employee to wash dishes Monday through Saturday. Competitive wages and great tips, Pay Rate DOE. 1-541-436-4444."
Pine Street Bakery: "Seeking Part-time/Full-time year round Barista/Retailer. Must be available to work Monday-Saturday with varying hours between 6am-4pm. Wage starts at $18-$20/hr + benefits, free lunch & bread and possibility for performance raises. Please email your resume and cover letter to us at: info@pinestreetbakery.com."
Full Sail: "Full Sail Brewing is looking for a highly motivated, energetic and completely hands-on Assistant Kitchen Manager to help support our Chef in our high-volume restaurant. Compensation: Wage + Tips. May qualify for Medical, Dental & Time Off benefits w/ full-time work. Apply online https://fullsailbrewing.com/employment/" 

check out our classifieds

We've added a page so that our readers can connect with local businesses, whether that's for hiring a food truck for an event or finding a baker for a gluten-free wedding cake. 
BROWSE OUR CLASSIFIEDS SECTION

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We have tons of options and packages for sponsorships. Reach out to us via email (therealhreats@gmail.com) or browse our sponsorship information page. 

June brings italian pop-up to local rhoots

6/3/2022

 
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Mama Wes Italian Food to host its first Pop-up at Local Rhoots Fridays and Saturdays now-July 9
Local Rhoots has been a new destination for pop-ups. Over the past few months, it has opened its space on weekends for dine-in (order at the counter and grab a table to eat) or take out featuring things like Asian noodles and Mexican brunch. 

This month, Amiee Cannon, known as Mama Wes, will launch her Italian pop-up. The menu features fettuccini alfredo, shrimp scampi, lasagna, charcuterie (pictured above) and more. Prices for entrees range from $17-$19. A hot tip: we've been told people love Amiee's lasagna, which is 5 layers of cheesy, noodly goodness made with her family's recipe for sauce. 

Here are a few more details about the pop-up: 

When

Fridays and Saturdays in June as well as the first two weeks in July from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where

Local Rhoots: 1301 Belmont St. Order at the counter for either to-go or dine-in. 

Dietary accomodations

Gluten free noodles available for two of the entrees
Vegetarian option available 

pament methods accepted

Cash, card, Apple pay

Menu

Appetizers
Artichoke Tapenade & Crostini $10
Mason Charcuterie $13
Ceasar Salad $8/$13
Entrees
Fettuccine Alfredo $18
Green Chili Shrimp Scampi $19
5-Layer Lasagna $18 single/$59 family 
Pappardelle with Asparagus and Mushrooms $17
Dessert
Chocolate Panna Cotta $6
Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce $7
Tiramisu $8
Kids
 Chicken Strips $9
Butter and Parmesan Noodles $9
Alfredo Sauce with Bowtie Noodles $9 
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About amiee

Amiee, owner of Mama Wes, has lived in Hood River for 30 years. She began cooking for the masses when her son, Wes, was in high school theater. She took it on herself to make dinner for the entire cast of his plays when they'd have long rehearsals, including the band members. The kids called her "Mama Wes." After he graduated, she went on to culinary school and then interned at Celilo, where she works to this day. One day, she would like to open a food truck in Hood River. 

This post has been sponsored by Mama Wes Italian Pop-Up.

tidbit thursday 6/2/22

6/2/2022

 
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Pride month happenings and specials

KickStand Coffee & Kitchen: Serving up a special pride month cocktail called the Queen of Drag. According to KickStand, "$1 from each Queen of Drag cocktail sold will be donated to @trevorproject, supporting 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for the LBGTQ community."
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Mylan Wines: Hosting a month-long fundraiser for The Trevor Project. 15% of sales will be donated to the charity. People can also donate directly to the project under the Gorge account at ​https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/3919198. All businesses are also welcome to join the fundraising efforts and should reach out to nate@gorgeonwines.com with any questions. 

Upcoming Food Events

Spaghetti Western Co. at The Griffin House July 12, 2022: A pop-up dinner featuring a 6-course meal + wine. More details and tickets here. $225
Change The Way We Waste June 25, 2022: A summer talk about waste and sustainability at 1009 12th St. Hood River. FREE
Beer Belly .5k Fun Run, June 4: Fun run for those 21+. Cider or beer at the finish line. Race starts at 11:30 a.m. More info here. $20

changes to bar & restaurant hours

pFriem Family Brewers: Has switched to summer hours. ​Open every day 11:00 am - 10:00 pm.

summer food activities for kids

The Makery at Roots: Your little ones can spend their summer learning how to make crumpets and jam or even how to pickle things! More info here. Available for kids aged 5-12. Please check Roots for days and classes. $295

upcoming openings

Golden Goods is delayed a bit. 
No news on Votum. Is it still a thing? We don't know. 
​No news on when Baseline Biscuit will reopen. 

tidbit thursday 5/19/22

5/19/2022

 
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​Photo courtesy of Runcible Cider
It's Thursday, which means it's time for some updates on the Hood River food scene.
  1. Downwinder Tacos downtown is still going strong, but has updates its name to Love & Hominy Tacos.
  2. Grab your FREE cookbook from Hood-Gorge.com featuring 15 recipes from local chefs: https://www.hood-gorge.com/tastebound
  3. The Solstice Wood Fire Pizza mobile truck is back at the waterfront operating 3:30-7:30 Wed-Thur and 11:30-7:30 Fri-Sun.
  4. Balch Hotel has a new head chef, more to come.
  5. ​Runcible Cider will be open on Saturday from 12-5, serving up 3 special releases along with food pairings. Picnic offerings will also be available for sale.

Tidbit thursday 5/12/22

5/12/2022

 
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Pictured above: Taro root latte at Ground Coffee (picture by Ground)

  • Celilo is OPEN again as of last night. 
  • Grasslands is back to a regular schedule for the spring/summer season. Open Saturdays & Sundays 11 a.m. until sold out. They plan to add in Friday hours in summer. The menu for now is:​ *Saturday*  Brisket, Pulled Pork, Burnt Ends, Black Pepper Chicken, Hatch/Cheddar Sausage, Fried Smashed Potatoes and a new Asparagus dish we’re still tweaking *Sunday* Same menu, minus Brisket but replaced w/ Beef Ribs and Pulled Lamb w/ Serrano-Mint Pesto! (Menu words 100% plagiarized from Grassland's Facebook post) 
  • Looking for a fun spring drink? Ground is serving up a gorgeous Taro root latte.
  • China Gorge will be closed Saturday, May 14, for a private event. 
  • Monarch Hot Chicken will be popping up at Working Hands tomorrow, Friday, May 13. Menu here.  

Shop Local: Mother's Day gifts 2022

5/7/2022

 
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Mother's Day is tomorrow, Sunday, May 8. A shoutout to all of those maternal figures out there, from those with children to those that act as mother figures to anyone. In memory of those who are gone and in celebration of those who want to be mothers but are struggling. You count too and I see you. If you celebrate the day and are looking for gifts, here are a few ideas. 

A picnic blanket from red thread & co. 

We love our Red Thread and Co. blanket. We take it everywhere we go because it's light yet warm and machine washable. We cannot believe how much use we have got out out of it. We like this pattern, but any of the blankets/throws are worth grabbing. This design is called the Multnomah and runs $89-$129. Buy here.
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Chocolates from columbia gorge confections

Columbia Gorge Confections has tons of options for Mother's Day, like this chocolate jewelry box. Available at the store or online. (​112 7th Street Hood River Oregon). 
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A game from hood river hobbies

110 4th St, Hood River, OR, United States, Oregon
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a gift basket from packer orchards

Tons of gift baskets available in the shop. 3900 Highway 35, Hood River, OR
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A mug or picture from Made in the Gorge

​108 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031
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May pop-up theme at local rhoots: mexican brunch

5/5/2022

 
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This month, join Local Rhoots (1301 Belmont St.) for a Mexican pop-up. The menu will be served at Local Rhoots on Saturdays & Sundays in May from  8 am-12 pm. Order at the counter, pay, and then sit down and enjoy your food or take it with you and enjoy it at home. The menu this month comes from one of the Local Rhoots chefs, Chef Carmen. 

Menu

Pozole y Taquitos | $15
A hearty stew made with hominy and pork shoulder cooked in a juaillo chili sauce and garnished with shaved radish, cilantro and cabbage.  Served with house-made taquitos.
Menudo y Tortillas Hechas a Mano | $15
A traditional Mexican soup made with beef tripe immersed in a red chili sauce, seasoned with hominy, onion, lime and cilantro, and serves with house-made corn tortillas.
Fideos con Pollo 
Tamales de Puerco | $3 cada
Quesadilla Frita

Con queso | $8
Con queso y pollo | $12
Postre | $11
Cinco Leches
Not 3, but 5 milks in this leches cake
Jericaya
A custard dessert dating back to the 18th century that is similar to a French Creme Brûlée, but uses ingredients native to the town of Jerica where it originated in a convent.
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The details

When: Saturdays and Sundays in May . 
​Where: Local Rhoots (1301 Belmont Ave.)
What: A pop-up event with Mexican food. 
Questions? Reservations? (541) 340-4364.

Additional details

Seating is first come, first serve. Both nonalcoholic and adult beverages are available (A Rhubarb Mint Margarita | $12). Kids items available. We think this is an excellent option for Mother's Day brunch, if you don't already have plans.

Opinions here are Melissa's. This post has been sponsored by Local Rhoots. Local Rhoots is a locally-owned business that uses local ingredients to make ready-made meals, which you can either pre-order or grab out of the grab-and-go case. 

Tidbit Thursday 5/5/22

5/5/2022

 
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It's Tidbit Thursday and here's the news we have for you this week: 

Highlights 

Local Rhoots will be hosting a Mexican pop-up called Estelita in May. All month, it will be hosting weekend brunch. We'll have more details available as well as a menu up later this week. 

Openings and re-openings

Mt. Hood BBQ will open tomorrow in the 1301 parking lot (1301 Belmont St.). Find their menu for opening week above. On Friday, they'll also have  ribs on special. On Sundays, they'll serve handmade sausage. Opening at 11, closing at 6 (if they don't sell out). 
Columbia Gorge Crepes has secured its former location near Pacos Tacos and the movie theater. It will open Saturday, May 7. See the company's Facebook page for more info. 

Temporary closures

Celilo will be closed through May 10, re-opening May 11 to provide staff with a break before summer. 

Mother's day 

Mother's Day is upon us and a few places are offering special menus or brunch. 
  • Columbia Gorge Discovery Center will be offering brunch but at the time we gathered this information, tickets were sold out. 
  • The Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa will be offering brunch buffet. The menu is available here. Call (541) 386-5566 or check online for reservations. 
  • Riverside has a special menu for Mother's Day. See it here. 

Cinco de Mayo

Kickstand has a special menu for Cinco de Mayo. Additionally, Crush Cider Cafe will have a dj and Mexican food handmade by Michoacan Grill, and Finnriver Cidery will pop by to takeover the taps for the day. 
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More news

Parklets are back! Taphouse 64 already put theirs up. 

Got news to share? Email Melissa at therealhreats at gmail.com

Businesses featured in the highlights section of Tidbit Thursday are often our sponsors and may have paid to have their content placed in the highlight section. 

Golden goods to open downtown

4/29/2022

 
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Soon, a vegan sandwich and bake shop will open in downtown Hood River. The new spot, called Golden Goods, will be at ​111 Oak St, Hood River, OR 97031 (look next to Andrew's, where the fro yo places used to be). 

The shop is the creation of Savannah and Chad Hinman. You may recognize the couple from the various hats they wear around town. Chad at Broder Ost and Savannah used to manage Basik Acai Cafe. 

The duo plan to open the doors some time in May. Then, they'll shut down for a few weeks as they welcome their first child. 
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We dropped by today and the space was sunny, bright, and inviting. Savannah and Chad have brought their own touches to the space, including tiling they did themselves. Look around and you'll see the influence of their friends on the space. Audrey Mae, known for her rad artistry, painted two pieces on their walls.
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So what's there to know? Golden Goods will be Hood River's first fully-vegan eatery. It will serve veggie-forward sandwiches focused on real food instead of meat substitutes (think: lentil meatballs on the meatball sandwich). Much of the bread and baked goods will be made in-house, but some things, like any gluten-free vegan bread, may be brought in from elsewhere. There will be kid-friendly items on the menu. For drinks expect kombucha, juice, espresso and hopefully beer and wine (with time, their application is under review with the OLCC). 

That's it. That's what we know! We're excited to see everything when they open soon! 

tidbit thursday: 4/28/22

4/28/2022

 
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Halley's food truck to open friday, april 28

You may remember Halley from a write-up we did a bit ago about a pop-up she did. Well, she bought the Huck Truck, renovated it to fit her Puerto Rican theme, and will open Saturday, April 30. Hours will be 11-2 p.m. for opening weekend (or until sold out, stay tuned to Halley's Facebook page for updates). The truck will be parked where Huck Truck was at 415 W Steuben. 
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FishPeople Seafood offering mother's day pre-orders

FishPeople Seafood will be offering both brunch and dinner kits for Mother's Day. Order for 2 or 4 (or multiple sets to feed more). A sample basket for brunch for 2: a dozen farm-fresh eggs, mimosa makings with juice from Columbia Gorge Organics (the bessssttt), salmon, potatoes, asparagus, and rémoulade. Make whatever you want with the ingredients or follow the included directions to make a bomb frittata. $39 feeds 2. Order by calling (541) 436-3474. 
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Mt. Hood BBQ expected to open May 6 

Mount Hood BBQ is on track to open May 6. We'll update you if anything changes. It will be parked in the parking lot of Local Rhoots/1301 at 1301 Belmont St. 
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Boba on hold

Remember when we got excited about the new boba truck? We may have got over-excited. The truck hit some snags and is on hold for now, from what we understand. More info to come. 

GORGE DELIVERIES expanding to white salmon

4/26/2022

 
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For some time, Ethan Fuller and his team of 3 drivers have been delivering takeout to Stevenson, Carson, Stabler, Home Valley, North Bonneville, and Cascade Locks. The 19 year-old plans to hire two additional employees and expand to White Salmon, Bingen, and parts of Snowden this May. We chatted with Ethan about his business and what sets it apart from other delivery services.

What sets Gorge deliveries apart 

"We don't make money by taking a cut of the order total. That ensures that customers can still support local businesses, without a delivery service taking a cut of the profits." 
​- Ethan Fuller, Owner of Gorge Deliveries 

Restaurants currently working with Gorge deliveries

Walking Man Brewery 
Nasy's Kitchen
Coronas Mexican Food
Tacos Pepe
Big T's
Clark and Lewie's
Main Street Market

*Each restaurant has its own delivery hours, please check Gorge Deliveries for the most up-to-date delivery schedule. 

restaurants ready to work with gorge deliveries when it expands

EAT 14
Pizza Leona
Harvest Market

how to order 

Instead of calling the restaurant you want to order from, head to gorgedeliveries.com. Find the restaurant you want to order from, hit "order now" and select your items, then check out. Food will be delivered to the address you put in during checkout. 

Minimum $$$ for Delivery 

None

cost per delivery 

$8 for most deliveries, but up to $14 (not including tip). 

delivery hours

Currently 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. However, each restaurant has specific hours delivery is available. Head to gorgedeliveries.com for the most up-to-date schedule. 

Spring menus

4/24/2022

 
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Pictured above: Prawns and Calamari from Kickstand's large plates  menu. Photo courtesy of Kickstand.

Spring menus are here! 

In the past few weeks, several restaurants have swapped their menus to reflect the season. 

Pine Street Bakery 

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pFriem Family Brewers

pFriem's spring menu keeps favorites like mochiko chicken, mussles & frites, and the fried chicken sandwich. It adds seasonal selections like smoked salmon dip, roasted beets, paprikash, and a spring salad. Find lots of gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options. See the full menu below. pFriem is located at ​707 Portway Ave #101. See their menu online at www.pfriembeer.com
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KickStand Coffee and Kitchen

Kickstand's spring menu features a poke bowl, year-round staples like the street tacos, and what you see in the picture above: a grilled prawn and calamari platter with garlic rice, baby bok choy, green onions, and soy sauce. You'll also notice the return of the Ricky Bobby sandwich (eggs, fried chicken, sausage, cheese, and green onions on a biscuit). 

Below, find the full menus. Find Kickstand at 1235 State St #100 and online at kickstandcoffee.net

Celilo Restaurant and Bar

Chef Ben is always innovating at Celilo Restaurant and Bar. This spring's menu features items like seafood risotto, mushroom and coconut ravioli, ricotta gnocchi with roasted cauliflower, and, of course, a pasta loaded with spring veggies like artichoke hearts. The bar menu remains the same with happy hour from 5-6 daily. Find the full menu below or at Celilo  (16 Oak St.) and online at  www.celilorestaurant.com. 


pesco

Elizabeth changes her menu monthly, rotating through the cities and regions of Italy. This month, she takes us to Sicily. Start with an order of  Panelle (a chickpea fritter with handmade lemon aioli), then order some fresh, handmade pasta with pistachio pesto. We can't wait to try it. Have you? Find Pesco online at pescohr.com and in person in the Windance parking lot (​108 OR-35).
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Gorges beer co.

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Photo Courtesy of Gorges Beer Co. 
The spring menu focuses on sharable plates like deviled eggs, fries, charcuterie, and farro salad. Other mains include things like mushroom risotto and spring seafood stew.  Find them in person at 390 Wa Na Pa St, Cascade Locks or online at gorgesbeer.com
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