Jumpin' Jupiter: Chefs Rock Out With Their Smocks Out at Indulge

Tuesday, 29 September 2009 10:00

FOODIE HEAVEN: Last Thursday The Jupiter Hotel transformed an expansive courtyard into an intimate carousel of culinary consumption, aka "Indulge."

The first neighborhood festival of the culinary arts to celebrate Portland’s Eastside eateries and boite spots. it was a benefit for Ecotrust’s Farm to School program.

My understanding is that some of the people behind the event hope that "Indulge" could replace the fabulous and much-missed art event, "Affair at The Jupiter," that once graced this space.

And let's hope so.

The event itself was well organized (even though the most vital vittles disappeared long before it was scheduled to end), featured entree-sized samples, and included many of the best and brightest restaurants/chefs/distilleries in this region, let alone Southeast.

It was a great opportunity to try out all those new restaurants you've been dying to go to, but either a) couldn't get a reservation; b) was beyond your budget; or c) didn't fit into your damn diet regime. But here $30 including tastes from thirteen local restaurants and bakeries, as well as signature cocktails crafted onsite in the Jupiter’s renovated guest rooms. And, as we all know, samples don't count as calories, right?

It was a trip to finally come face-to-mouth with one of Tommy Habetz's famous Bunk sammies, Xocolatl de David's salted caramels, Laurelhurst Market's salted cod fritters, Bakery Bar's maple bacon scone and Velo's incredible coffees. And that was just my first time around the courtyard. Indulge. They definitely named this event correctly. Now, if they can only talk all these amazing restaurants into doing this again next year. That would be truly indulgent.