Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeWednesday, Jul. 30, 2008
Foodies will enjoy walking tour in Portland
By Loretto J. Hulse, Herald staff writer
PORTLAND -- Planning a visit to Portland? Then you might want to include a tour of some of the city's rich and decadent flavors you can find hidden in the Pearl District.
Book a guided Epicurean Excursion -- a culinary walking exploration -- and you'll visit some of the city's foodie hot spots.
The numerous stops for sips and nibble change from time to time, but often include locally roasted coffee, hand-crafted chocolates, gourmet cupcakes, Oregon distilled spirits, fresh sushi, hearty hummus, cheeses, mustards, artisan breads and breakfast pastries, local produce and renowned wines from around the region.
The tours are unscripted behind-the-scenes peeks at the city's booming urban neighborhood, its innovative architecture, sustainable living and, of course, tasty treats. If you watch the Food Network or consider yourself a foodie, this is the adventure for you.
Tours are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The morning tour focuses on bakeries, beer and teas; the afternoon tour on chocolates, coffees and cheeses.
Tours run less than four hours and cover 1 1/2 miles (no hills. Cost is $59. Epicurean Excursion tours are limited to 16, and regularly sell out.
Meet your guide inside and upstairs in the mezzanine library in the Heathman Hotel, 1001 S.W. Broadway at Salmon.
Do not wear open-toed shoes on this tour because it goes through the working areas of breweries, bakeries, restaurants and other places food is prepared. For more information or to book a tour, go to www.portlandwalkingtours.com or call 503-774-4522.
Just beers on this one
Beer Here is a brewery tour of three of Portland's 39 breweries.
On the three- to four-hour tour you'll discover art and science of brewing. You'll find out what made Portland the epicenter of America's craft brewing renaissance, learn some of the history of Portland's transformation into one of the world's premier craft brewing centers, and, of course, you'll also get to sample a variety of brews.
Cost is $39 per person with a minimum of $312. That doesn't mean you need to have eight people to book a tour, just that everyone will be billed the additional costs if you do not. A mandatory 18 percent gratuity is added for bartenders, servers and guide.
This walk doesn't operate on a regular schedule and is available only for private groups. For more information or to book a tour, go to www.portlandwalkingtours.com or call 503-774-4522.
* Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com
@Nyx.CommentBody@