Fighting Hunger By Gorging

This evening Darr and I attended Taste of the Nation at the Oregon Convention Center. Now we are at home, sort of feeling sick and lethargic and bloated and ugh. But! we had a fabulous time. Okay, so it is sort of strange that an event that deals with fighting hunger has a set up where those that get tickets can come and feast on a smorgasbord of food prepared by local restaurants while consuming a number of different beers and wines. Wouldn't it be more eye-opening to have us come and not eat so we can remember what it's like to be hungry? That premise makes for a more challenging sell to would-be participants but it seems more in line with the issue. Considering the cuisine sampled at this year's event, I'm glad the marketing folks didn't take the starvation route to try and drum up support. It's nice to know the following: (1) we're spending money on a good cause, (2) 100% of the proceeds go to the cause, and (3) the cost of the tickets is tax deductible (a plus since the bastards reinstituted an expired higher property tax for folks in Multnomah county to pay for schooling now that the ITAX fiasco is over). Here's a list of just a few of the items we were able to hork (see #22) down tonight -

1. Rhubarb Galette - Baker and Spice
2. Nido di Pasta (fresh pasta sheets with wild mushrooms and truffle cream) - Balvo
3. Pavlova (with passionfruit) - Bread and Ink Café
4. Bistecca Toscano - Fulio's Pastaria & Tuscan Steakhouse
5. Braised Imperial Stock Ranch Lamb - Hudson's Bar & Grill
6. Lobster Corndogs - Olea
7. Beer Floats - Pix Patisserie
8. Grilled Beef Tenderloin - Portland Steak & Chophouse
9. Viande-Spiedini Bianco (proscuitto wrapped mozzarella) - Viande Meats & Sausage

Don't even get me started on the libations. We were able (thanks wine guy who shall remain nameless!) to taste a wine that a certain winery had brought and kept under the table until the right peoples (i.e., Darr and I) came along. Sometimes a little ass kissing gives you access to a whole other wine world. :)