Story by Willow Casella

A culinary walking tour in Portland’s flourishing Pearl District delights the palate of locals and visitors alike.

It’s no secret that Portland is a foodie paradise, but even the most seasoned gastronome will learn a thing or two about the Rose City’s culinary treasures on the Portland Walking Tour’s Epicurean Excursion. The tour features Portland’s edible assets on every level, from the most fundamental—pristine Northwest rainwater—to the most complex creations the city’s chefs have to offer.

On the morning of my tour, I met the rest of the group at Pioneer Courthouse Square armed with comfortable shoes and a healthy appetite. While we headed to our first stop, our guide Tina pointed out that as Americans, we have forgotten how to savor our food. She encouraged us to use all of our senses when tasting, and to embrace the “F.L.O.S.S.” philosophy of food: Fresh, Local, Organic, Seasonal, and Sustainable. With that, we arrived at Elephant’s Deli and enjoyed a sample of one of their most popular soups. (The mystery ingredient? Orange juice.)

From there, we headed straight into the heart of Portland’s Pearl District for a tour and tasting at Bridgeport Brewery, Oregon’s oldest craft brewery. While we waited for the streetcar, Tina wisely handed out
some tasty Paley Energy Bars, created by renowned Portland chef Vitale Paley. (Apparently she didn’t want 12 drunk tourists on her hands.)

At the brewery, we sampled three different beers, ranging from a crisp Blue Heron Pale Ale to a malty Ropewalk Amber Ale.

We also crunched on roasted malt and rubbed fresh hops between our hands to release the citrusy fragrance.

As we wove through the neighborhood, the parade of tasting continued. We went behind the scenes in an artisan bakery and sampled handcrafted specialties fresh from the oven. We crunched through the crust of a gourmet pizza slice, tasted the difference between regular and organic apples, sipped tea, and sampled a bevy of other local treats including wine, mustard, and gelato. By the time we made our last stop, I had tried more than 30 items and was well on my way to a blissful food coma.

As we sat savoring our last treat, a tiny truffle, I learned more about my fellow tasters. No food snobs here—most were locals who just wanted to learn more about the city they call home. One woman was in town for the Portland Marathon. “I had no idea what kind of foods were from Portland, and this was a great way to find out,” she explained.

Robbin and John Lynch came from Kirkland, Washington, to explore the Pearl from a food-lover’s point of view. “Actually, we’re kind of on a diet,” said Robbin laughing.

“But I’d drive three and a half hours for that pizza anytime,” added John.

Offered at 10 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays, April 1 through November 25, the Epicurean Excursion begins at the Portland Visitor’s Center in Pioneer Courthouse Square and is limited to groups of 15 people per tour to preserve the personal nature of the walk. Everything is included in the $59 price per person. Tours are vegetarian, last approximately three hours, and require less than 2 miles of walking. For more information or
to book tickets, contact Portland Walking Tours (503-774-4522; www.portlandwalkingtours.com).

Willow Casella grew up in Florence, Oregon, and returns every chance she gets. She currently lives in Portland, where she works as a freelance writer and sings in a retro funk band.

Northwest Travel Magazine March/April 2007