PORT TOWNSEND — Founded in 1991, “The Taste of Port Townsend,” scheduled Thursday, has matured like fine wine, and that’s exactly what’s new this year: wineries and cideries.
A Port Townsend Main Street fundraiser, The Taste of Port Townsend is best known as an annual chance to meet the chefs and eat some of their best — on the fast track.
The tour this year features fine cuisine at 15 restaurants and treat-making establishments throughout Port Townsend. The hours have been extended from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Wine and cider tasting
As the food tour draws to an end, the wine and cider tasting begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. at Manresa Castle.
Tickets are on sale in Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles.
One ticket gives guests admission to the 15 food venues on the tour. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and younger.
There is an option to buy an expanded ticket for wine and cider tasting at the Banquet Room at Manresa Castle, Seventh and Sheridan streets, for an additional $10.
“Port Townsend is becoming a culinary destination and The Taste is a great way to celebrate our local cuisine and our town,” said Johnpaul Davies, Main Street board member and owner of participant Castle Key Restaurant and Lounge in Manresa Castle, and Key City Fish.
“This year’s event has a new offering with the wine and cider tasting and the participants are excited about it.”
Said Betty Harriman, a Main Street committee member and a coordinator for The Taste: “This is a great way to have a delicious night out on the town.
“Guests can visit with friends and restaurateurs, sample new menu items and support our local Main Street program all at the same time.”
The wine and cider at Manresa Castle includes vintages from FairWinds Winery, Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Eaglemount Wine and Cider, Wildfire Cider and Sorensen Cellars.
Participating restaurants
The 2010 Taste of Port Townsend participating establishments are:
T’s Restaurant, 141 Hudson St. at Point Hudson; The Belmont, 925 Water St.; Castle Key Restaurant, Seventh and Sheridan streets at Manresa Castle; Elevated Ice Cream & Candy Co., 631 Water St.; Fins Coastal Cuisine, 1019 Water St.; Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar, 211 Taylor St., Hanazono Asian Noodle, 225 Taylor St.; The Food Co-op, , 414 Kearney St.; Sweet Laurette’s Cafe and Bistro, 1029 Lawrence St., uptown; Perfect Endings Cupcakes, 922 Washington St.; Wild Sage Teas, 924 Washington St.; Khu Larb Thai, 225 Adams St.; Jordini’s, 929 Water St.; The Public House Grill, 1038 Water St.; and The Silverwater Cafe, 237 Taylor St.
Perfect Endings Cupcakes and Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar are new to the tour this year, and it’s T’s Restaurant’s first year at its new Point Hudson location.
Maps of the venues are available with tickets.
“A cheerful Main Street will be there to greet you,” said Mari Mullen, Main Street executive director. “Follow the balloons.”
The event originally opened at Jefferson County Fairgrounds’ Erickson Building, but it became so crowded that a new location was necessary, Mullen said.
“The restaurateurs wanted to have the people in their restaurants, so we moved it there,” Mullen recalled.
Tickets available
Tickets in Port Townsend can be purchased at Safeway on Sims Way and Quimper Sound (cash and checks only) 230 Taylor St., and Key City Fish Co. in Port Townsend Boat Haven Industrial Park.
Tickets are also on sale in Port Angeles at Port Book and News, 104 E. First St., and in Sequim, at Pane d’Amore artisan bakery, 150 S. Fifth Ave.
Those who visit 11 dining establishments are eligible to win the “Tasty Prize,” a selection of $100 in dining gift certificates donated by local restaurants.
For more information, see www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Port Townsend-Jefferson County Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.