Two Evenings in September ~ The Communal Tables

The Communal Tables ~ Two Nights of Festa Italiano!
The Feast of San Gennaro.

Sunday September 18, 2011 5:00PM -AND-
Thursday September 22, 2011 6:00P

$32 per person plus gratuity. Featuring special fall harvest menus & Italianate Northwest wine varietals.

Wildlings and Winged Things

We are still reeling from the gorgeous weather Sunday in the Cascades of the Columbia Gorge where we simply couldn't wait to check our favorite mushrooming haunts. After the drenching rains of spring and early summer AND a strong and reliable tip last week from our "source" that the season was just beginning (will not mention here that the Coast Range was discussed on that day!) ~ presenting a kilo of tiny chanterelle buttons to attest ~ we set about to get the goods. No go in the central Cascades but we did harvest loads of of Evergreen and Himalayan blackberries at the foot of Wind Mountain on the north shore of the Columbia.
As always, I (Fernando) attract deer flies and every manner of undesirable flying insects. I was stung on my wrist by one such creature, although uncertain what it was. The way my wrist throbbed and swelled immediately would suggest a wasp or bee but no stinger present so uncertain. Next day with a balloon-sized wrist and hand, can only plan the dishes that will play into the day's harvest. Cattail roots, oaxalis, miner's lettuce and wild cress were among the take. A pair of fawns accompanied us while picking berries. They appeared to have no fear of us as one boldly nosed our flat of select one-ripe-to-a-cluster berries as we worked.
We'll have to wait for the salal berries, Oregon grape, huckleberries, chanterelles and such for a few more weeks.

Celebrating Julia Child's Birthday Thursday August 18, 2011

Celebrating Julia Child's Birthday for The Communal Table Thursday August 18, 2011, 6:00pm $32 per person plus gratuity. Menu

Terrace Kitchen at the International Pinot Noir Celebration: 25th Year Anniversary

One of the most enjoyable wine weekends in the world ~ Jancis Robinson; jancisrobinson.com


Each year, we celebrate our regional wines and food at the IPNC where we sign our James Beard Award wining cookbook Friday and Sunday afternoon. Also on Sunday, as participants for the Passport to Pinot where some great food is presented with dozens of Oregon's best pinots. Stop by and say hello if you are planing to attend. Buen Provecho! Fernando

The Communal Table ~ Sunday June 19 Father's Day - A Grecian Holiday

THE COMMUNAL TABLE ~ "A Grecian Holiday" Father's Day will be a great time to celebrate the Mediterranean table. Featuring favorite rustic dishes from our repertoire - Sunday June 19, 2011 5:00pm Reservations (503) 699-1136 Menu. Still just $25 per person plus gratuity. There will be a great selection of hand-picked wines to choose from.Special menus and beautifully crafted drinks. Limited seating, reserve now!

 

Who will be crowned " Quiz Wiz" at the next Communal Table event? Until then, we're on pins and needles so won't you join us for great food and wine at this convivial affair? Also, when you play

"The Quiz Gastronomique”, you may win a choice bottle of wine AND admiration from your Communal Table mates!

THE COMMUNAL TABLE ~ "James Beard ~ A Homegrown Celebration "

THE COMMUNAL TABLE ~ "James Beard ~ A Homegrown Celebration " Featuring rustic dishes from our favorite Beard repertoire -Sunday May 15, 2011 5:00pm Reservations (503) 699-1136 Menu. Still just $25 per person plus gratuity. There will be a great selection of hand-picked regional Northwest wines to choose from.Limited seating, reserve now! MENU



Who will be the L.O. Quiz Wiz at the next Communal Table event? Until then, we're on pins and needles so won't you join us for great food and wine at this convivial affair? Also, when you play "The Quiz Gastronomique”, you may win a choice bottle of wine AND admiration from your Communal Table mates!

James Beard Foundation Awards Nominees: CONGRATULATIONS FROM TEAM TK

 Join us in congratulating all our Northwest friends, acquaintances, and industry peers on the recent annoncements for the annual James Beard Foundation Awards!

We're pulling for our favorites - Jerry Traunfeld - for Oustanding Chef Award. Jerry and I made our debut presentations at the Beard House together where we presented foraged foods and dishes of the Pacific Northwest. Also to Cathy Whims whom we've known and admired for years. Andy Rikker was not only one of my favorite cooks at Fiddleheads (past Gourmet magazine top table and Oregonian Restaurant of the Year) but I came to admire his rugged "monkey factor" and his demonstrated ability to stay focused on his passions, as we've all come to know and love. Having lived and worked in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona over the past three decades, there are a lot of great cooks, writers, food activists, wine makers, spirits producers and such that we have befriended and support.