San Francisco based freelance writer Laura Fraser looked to Watershed for culinary and wine country recommendations when assigned a story on Portland for Frontier Airline’s Wild Blue Yonder magazine. Watershed worked with Laura to craft a story on Portland’s spectacular restaurant scene and Oregon’s beautiful wine country.

Laura uncovers the gems of Portland and Oregon’s wine country in her feature story “Portland in its Prime,” published in the September issue of Wild Blue Yonder.

You can also read this story on Wild Blue Yonder’s website – http://www.gowildblueyonder.com/

Cafe Nell was profiled in the August 21st issue of Just Out.  Cafe Nell serves American Brasserie cuisine and is located in Portland’s Nob Hill.     

Springfield Creamery, the makers of Nancy’s Yogurt, was profiled in the Fall 2009 issue of Food & Drink magazine. Springfield Creamery was the first in the U.S. to introduce yogurt with live acidophilus cultures and is located in Springfield, Oregon.

Check out the profile below by Staci Davidson.

Check out our clients in the August/September issue of Ultimate Northwest. The Country Cat, Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Ten 01, Tabla and Nostrana were all included in the Best Restaurants: Editor’s Picks roundup.

Chef Adam Sappington of The Country Cat was also pictured as winning the 2009 Original Portland Iron Chef competition.

Congratulations to Tabla Mediterranean Bistro for a fabulous review by Food Dude on Portlandfoodanddrink.com!

Tonight’s happy hour at Wildwood looks amazing!  Chef Dustin Clark will be outside on the patio grilling up some tasty dishes. Check out tonight’s menu below.

Grill menu August 4, 2009

Alaskan halibut skewers
Sweet corn flageolet bean salad and aioli

Garlic and oregano sausage
Pickled green beans and blackberry mustard

Nectarine crostini
Basil, arugula and mascarpone

Wildwood also offers a variety of drinks on their happy hour menu, including a white and red wine, cocktail and selection of beers.

Gather some insights about chef-farmer relationships, the benefits of buying local and more in this month’s NorthWest Stir Q&A piece between Cattail Creek Lamb Owner John Neumeister and Nostrana Chef Cathy Whims.

Burgers galore! The August issue of Portland Monthly contains two burger focused stories – “Create the Perfect Burger” and “Eat Me”.

“Create the Perfect Burger” was a competition between three local chefs and judged by three other culinary professionals/chefs including Nostrana Chef Cathy Whims and Mother’s Bistro and Bar Chef Lisa Schroeder.

“Eat Me” is a best of round-up of burgers in Portland. Ten 01’s Chorizo Burger was a runner-up in the non-beef category.

From high-end restaurants to happy hour joints, check out where you should go to get your next burger in the August issue of Portland Monthly.

The 3rd Annual Maritime Heritage Festival kicks-off today at 2:00 p.m with the largest flotilla in 50 years making its way down the Willamette River.  The Portland Fire Boat will lead the flotilla of 45+ classic vessels from the Broadway Bridge to the RiverPlace Marina.  If you are joining in on the fun at the Oregon Brewers Festival, that is also taking place on the waterfront, be sure not miss this spectacular of classic boats coming down the Willamette!  The Portland Fireboat will be sure to show off its stuff by performing a water demonstration (pictured below).

The Maritime Heritage Festival will be taking place all weekend long at the RiverPlace Marina & Docks.  Here are some highlights of the planned public events:

Friday, July 24, 2009

2:00-4:00 pm:
- Arrival of boats:  Ship Flotilla & Water Parade

Saturday, July 25

10:00 am-4:00 pm:
- Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Concours d’Elegance
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 am & 2:00 pm
- Vintage water skiing show

12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:00 pm
- Festival ends for the day

Sunday, July 26

10:00 am-4:00 pm
-  Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 a.m. & 2:00 pm
- vintage water skiing & water sports demonstrations

12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:30 pm
- Festival Ends

It’s Oregon Craft Beer Month, the Oregon Brewers Festival kicks-off this Thursday on the waterfront and barbecue season is in full swing.  LAD worked with the Oregon Brewers Guild and asked several Portland chefs what they would recommend as the perfect barbecue and beer pairing. John Foyston of the Oregonian picked up the pairings and posted them on Oregonlive.com.  Check out the full list of pairings here.

Whether it is ribs with a Bridgeport Blue Heron Pale Ale or lamb with a Terminal Gravity IPA, check out these recommendations from local chefs and try them out at your next barbecue.