Olympic Culinary Adventure

Washington is a beautiful state with amazing scenery, great restaurants, and fun things to see and do. If you adventured with us last year to the Olympic Peninsula, you know that the area has so many things to experience, it's best to make more than one trip to take it all in. That's why we've expanded the Olympic Culinary Adventure this year and made it easier to enjoy.

The Olympic Culinary Adventure has gone from 16 destinations to 29, expanding the route and giving you much more to savor. We've always had wonderful restaurants, wineries, and culinary retail spots on the tour. There are more of those this year, along with lodging options as well.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Tied into the Olympic Culinary Loop Association, the Culinary Adventure puts you in touch with people who grow, harvest, catch, and serve you the bounty of the Olympic Peninsula, what they call Olympic coast cuisine. With a rich Native American heritage, pioneering farm families, and a new group of young farmers putting down roots, it's a fascinating area to explore. The cuisine reflects diverse microclimates, coastal proximity, and history of the Peninsula. Farm to table experiences are everywhere with sustainable locally-grown and foraged fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries; locally-hunted game; the freshest local seafood; and handcrafted wines.

The Peninsula is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Hood Canal, on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and anchored by the Olympic Mountains. There is no other place in America that matches the diversity in terrain and weather in such a compact physical area. You'll find lakes, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, beaches, and rain forest.

Making several trips to the Peninsula ensures that you'll get to enjoy different seasonal foods, outdoor scenic adventures in different light, and the flow of the seasons that, as a way of life, city dwellers don't closely experience. Talk to producers to find out how they make their cheese, wine, and food products. Talk to the chefs who produce delicious dishes from local sources, and learn about the history of the area. Make it a family adventure, a romantic getaway, or a "break the too-busy cycle" of daily life. No matter what your reason, it's an opportunity you don't want to miss.

Salmon dinner at Alder Wood Bistro

We've dropped the trivia contest this year and lengthened the Culinary Adventure from April through October to make it easier for you to find the time to fit a trip or two into your schedule. You can find the Olympic Culinary Adventure map and list of destinations by clicking here. Print it out (legal sized paper) and be on your way!

If you can't resist a contest, we do have four prizes to give away that include a two-night overnight stay with a cooking class at The Resort at Port Ludlow, a dinner for two at The Fireside restaurant, a dinner for two at Linda's Wood Fired Kitchen, and a dinner for two at Wildfire Grill. By emailing your feedback about your adventure to  connie@seattledining.com, you'll be entered into a random drawing for one of the prizes.

Finnriver Cider

Take your taste buds on a tour and enjoy!

 Connie Adams/April 2012