February is for Foodies

A Walla Walla Must-Do

Year 4 of February is for Foodies draws the west-siders over the pass, along with pulling locals out of their homes. A month-long celebration of food and wine includes cooking demonstrations; prix fixe menus at local restaurants; food, wine, and chocolate pairings; lodging discounts; and even airfare specials from Alaska Airlines for those who just don't want to drive.

This year, there are four cooking demonstrations and the first one is already sold out (Chef Andrae Bopp of Andrae's Kitchen and AK's at the Co-op). Class #2 is Intro to Molecular Gastronomy with Chef Chris Park of the Courtyard by Marriott. Class #3 is about blackened Alaskan sockeye salmon with cranberry mostarda, saffron risotto and local green garbanzo by Chef Scott McLean of the Marcus Whitman Hotel. These classes are $50 per person per class. Class #4 is a Chocolate Experience with Paul Jenes of Bright's Candies, and costs $25. Book as soon as possible as space is limited in the classes.

Dining options abound in February. Here are a few:

Fat Duck Inn - four-course seasonal dinner, BYOB with no corkage. Dinner is served at a communal table. $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Stay two consecutive nights at the Inn and you'll get a gift certificate for one free Gastro Bistro dinner.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen - three-course prix fixe dinner, $35. Paired with local wines, $50.

Whitehouse-Crawford - three-course prix fixe, $35.

Maple Counter - white chocolate raspberry pancakes; bacon, sausage, or veggie links; Walla Walla Roastery Coffee; fresh squeezed juice of your choice; $10.

Olive Marketplace & Café - three-course truffle and wine pairing flight. $12 wine and truffle tasting. $6 truffle sampler.

Vineyard Lounge at the Marcus Whitman Hotel - three-course $25 menu throughout the month.

T. Maccarone's - special menu items throughout the month.

Needless to say, wineries are a big part of the month's events. Specials at Adamant Cellars, Browne Family Vineyards, Charles Smith Wines, Dunham Cellars, L'Ecole No. 41, Northstar Winery, Spring Valley Vineyard, Three Rivers Winery, Walla Walla Vintners, Waterbrook, Zebra Cellars. Specials include tastings, plus items like cupcakes, candies, chocolate bacon, cheese, and more.

Lodging specials can be found at Best Western Inn & Suites, Blue 32, Courtyard by Marriott, Fat Duck Inn, Gallery Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inns & Suites, Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, Walla Faces Inns Downtown.

For details, go to www.wallawalla.org/february-is-for-foodies. New deals keep being added; check back to see what's new.

January 2016