For people who go cuckoo for culinary arts, there’s one region of the Pacific Northwest calling out your name to come visit next month. Washington’s wine country in Walla Walla County is celebrating all things food and wine during it’s month-long February is for Foodies extravaganza.
Dozens of Walla Walla wineries and restaurants will be celebrating the joyous marriage of wine with food, specifically with chocolate and other confectionaries. The county will offer cooking lessons, tastings and pairings of chocolate and wine, three course meals and even an outdoor excursion hosted by the Blue Mountain Audubon.
A full list of participating venues is still coming together, but so far we know at least a half dozen restaurants will offer month-long specials, such as Olive Marketplace & Café’s three-course chocolate truffle and local wine pairing and Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen’s three-course prix fixe also paired with local wines. Many Walla Walla wineries will offer a little something special in their tasting rooms as well. Charles Smith Wines will be pairing aged gouda with their Syrah for just $5 and Northstar Winery will be offering Bright’s Candies truffles for as little as $4 to pair with its 2011 Columbia Valley Merlot.
Don’t live in Walla Walla, but the thought of an entire county celebrating food, wine and chocolate tickles your fancy? You’re not alone! Several local hotels offer month-long special February is for Foodies rates. Some deals are simple—such as Hampton Inn & Suites’ 10 percent off or Best Western Plus Inn & Suites’ $79 for a room with a queen-sized mattress—but others are downright luxurious—such as Marcus Whitman Hotel’s package deal that includes chocolates, a bottle of champagne and an $80 meal voucher for their award-winning The Marc Restaurant.
For more information check out the February is for Foodies page on the county’s website. Happy indulging!
