PORT TOWNSEND — After several years of operating out of individual restaurants, the “Tastes” of Port Townsend will take place under one roof on Thursday.
“We wanted to do it in a different way,” said Mari Mullen, Port Townsend Main Street executive director.
“We wanted to show off the variety of cuisine in Port Townsend and get to showcase the diversity of the local restaurant landscape.”
Tickets are available now for “Tastes” of Port Townsend, which will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.
It will showcase 14 food and nine beverage vendors, up considerably from a total number of nine participants in 2014.
The cost is $35 for food tasting and $50 for food and beverages, which include seven alcohol vendors.
The full admission includes tickets for 23 tastes, which can be spread around or all used in one place.
The first Taste event took place at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and the Port Townsend Community Center before being presented at individual restaurants in 1995.
It did not happen in 2015, when it was replaced by a celebratory picnic for Main Street’s 30th birthday.
Throughout the years, the event has met with varying success, mostly because of the weather, according to program coordinator Dawn Pierson.
Protected from elements
“When we have it under one roof, it doesn’t depend on the elements,” Pierson said.
“It makes it more of a party.”
The multiple locations also affected ticket sales for what has become the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s primary fundraiser, Mullen said.
Due to the liquor service, this year’s event is restricted to those 21 and older, Pierson said.
Included in the price is a raffle ticket that awards a basket of food-related gifts and gift certificates from local restaurants.
The runner-up prize is a basket of treats from Jane Dough Gourmet Shortbread.
Participating restaurants are the Cablehouse Beach Canteen, Dogs-a-Foot, Elevated Ice Cream and Candy Shop, Ichikawa Sushi Bar & Steak House, Port Townsend Chocolates, Port Townsend Food Co-op, Port Townsend Fudge Co., Sirens Seafood Bar, Taps at The Guardhouse, The Belmont, The Boiler Room, the Old Whiskey Mill, the Silverwater Cafe and The Tin Brick.
Beverages will be served from Eaglemount Wine & Cider, FairWinds Winery, Finnriver Cidery, Lullaby Winery, Marrowstone Winery, Pippa’s Real Tea, Port Townsend Brewing Co., Propolis Brewing and the Sunrise Coffee Co.
Tickets are available from www.eventbrite.com; the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St.; the Lively Olive Tasting Bar, 929 Water St.; and the Food Co-op, 414 Kearney St.
For more information, go to www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
