PORT TOWNSEND — While there is no defined “Port Townsend cuisine,” the Taste of Port Townsend offers a chance for people to sample the town’s libations with variations of everything from soup to nuts.
“This is a great way to rediscover your favorite restaurant and find some new ones,” said Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
“Restaurants find that their foot traffic picks up after the Taste, and they get new customers.”
The 23rd annual Taste of Port Townsend takes place from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 13.
Ticket-holders can visit each restaurant to get samples of its specialties, which are often new items that aren’t yet on the menu.
Debut dishes
“A lot of times, restaurants are trying out a new dish,” Mullen said.
“The first time the Silverwater [Cafe] served its oyster shooters was at the Taste of Port Townsend.”
This year’s taste has a numerological significance.
“We usually have 10 to 12 restaurants but decided to do 13 this year because it’s 2013, and the event is on the 13th,” Mullen said.
The Brickhouse Bistro, situated at 232 Taylor St., is a little hard to find because it is downstairs and underground, so owner Kirk Stott hopes the Taste will let people know the restaurant exists.
Once inside, visitors will enjoy its special offerings, he hopes, including apple and chicken Gorgonzola pizza.
Stott, who opened last summer, said he gets a lot of tourist business, with customers visiting because they heard about the restaurant from other tourists on international airplane flights.
The Taste, he hopes, will help get more local business.
“We really want to support the community and offer things that everyone here will enjoy,” he said.
Mullen said the menu offerings include vegetarian and gluten-free options in addition to the usual meat-and-pork fare.
Main Street fundraiser
The event is a fundraiser for Main Street, with ticket proceeds going toward the program that supports downtown businesses.
Restaurants don’t pay to be included, though they must foot the bill for the food served.
All but three of this year’s stops are downtown; there will be no uptown sites.
Mullen suggested that attendees either start or end at Manresa Castle and The Cup, both located on Castle Hill south of town.
The Food Co-op at 414 Kearney St. is located in between the two end points.
Four of this year’s participating restaurants — the Cellar Door, Addie Mae’s Southern Kitchen, the Brickhouse Bistro and Doc’s Marina Grill — have opened recently, while The Cup and Water Street Creperie are participating for the first time.
Additionally, the Manresa Castle Restaurant and Lounge has changed management.
Returning are the Food Co-op, The Belmont Restaurant, Perfect Dreams Cupcakes, Silverwater Cafe, The Boiler Room and Khu Larb Thai/Little Rose.
Tickets are $25 until Saturday and $30 thereafter, and are available online at www.eventbrite.com, as well as at Quimper Sound, Safeway and the Food Co-op in Port Townsend.
For more information, phone 360-385-7911.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
