I'm a big fan of Chocolatefest, big fan. Ever since it began, 11 years ago, what? 11 years ago? Whoa. I'm proud to say I was there back in the early years. It started up at the World Forestry Center as a fundraiser and then it grew, almost too big for it's britches and had to move to the Oregon Convention Center where it opens again this weekend, Jan 22-24. Tonight was opening night and catered to the 21+ crowd and so there were no young ones to worry about stepping on or tripping over as I ran to my next confectionery grab. There was a lot of deliciousness to grab for. Let's begin with what I enjoyed starting my evening with: Tito's Vodka Chocolatini. Smooth, warm, Tito's Vodka distilled small batch in Austin, Texas and poured up rich and delicious, chocolate milk style. Yes and Please and Thank you, all at once. A nice way to begin the evening.
I want to go on and on about some of my favorite vendors but I know I've written about them before and I don't want to be redundant. But I must, at the very least, implore you to try their wares because thinking about them right now makes me happy and I want to share them with you. Perhaps the Chocolatini is prompting me with an "I love you, man" kind of mood but seriously. If you go to Chocolatefest this weekend or if you ever happen upon the chance to try out one or more of these vendors, please do yourself a solid and go for it. Who at that show warrants this kind of love and affection? Arrowhead Chocolate out of Joseph, Oregon comes to mind. My favorite will always be the Ginger Cream Truffle, no wait, the Stein Whiskey Truffle, no no the Juniper Gin. Dang! You get the point. Sea and Sage Shrubs, a delicious drinking vinegar, and of course, Cupcake Jones, are all great folks to visit.
There is definitely a lot of sweet going on here but with all of the sugar, chocolate and alcohol that was flowing, K and I knew we needed something of more sustenance. We headed to the Eat area (see food court) and were delighted to find some nice chocolate complimentary entrees. We went with the Convention Center's catering table Pacificwild and their Cinnamon Dusted Pork Loin with Chocolate Stout Mole and seared polenta. Oh! Seriously. This was Convention Center catering and it was delicious! I know! I'm shouting! I would go back to this restaurant if it were a restaurant I could go back to. 
Now on to my new Chocolatefest discoveries. I have found it! and by it I mean the perfect toffee. and by perfect, I mean Perrrrrrrrfeeeeeect. Cowboy Toffee Company out of Oakdale, California. How can I describe this toffee. First off, Sam McGinnis, one of the delightful owners, noticed K and I were drinking some beer (Rogue Chocolate Stout) and asked us to please try her Ghost Town Toffee ( dark chocolate, almond dust, roasted ghost peppers, salt). She knew it would be a perfect pairing and she knows her product. I was frightened at first. Mentioning Ghost Peppers in your ingredients intimidates me but this was some serious deliciousness. The toffee itself has a texture that most toffees wish they could attain, light airy, just chewy enough without sticky tooth residue. You won't loose your fillings to this but you will lose your heart. The dark chocolate is a perfectly creamy compliment hugging the toffee. Love at first bite.
Speaking of love, fera wyn's motto "Forget Love, I'd rather fall in chocolate" No truer words spoken when speaking of these delightful artisan style chocolates. I'm a little sad they didn't have the Green Fairy with them but I thoroughly enjoyed the Limoncello. The tang and zip were perfectly balanced. creamy but not too sweet. The Hawt Date was delightful. Not too hot with the lovely nutty chewy date finish. I will be ordering more.
I'm also a huge fan of Lillie Belle Farms' Most Awesome Chocolate Bar Ever. It really is. And Goldfinch Caramels. Creamy, delicious (love love love the Rosemary) Just great caramel.
Finally, and worth the wait, we have Thomas and Sons Distillery. When I say wait, I mean wait because there were lines at this place All Night Long. but K and I finally just said forget about it and waited at the side for our turn to be served. Like I said "worth the wait". I have never had a liqueur distilled from tea and most likely neither have you because, as far as I know, these are the only people doing it. and I'm not talking about tea infused alcohol. I'm talking about Tea and sugar distilled into liqueur. It is surprisingly delicious and they have liquors that run the gamut from White Tea right through bitter black and onto my favorite, Smoke Tea. Smoke Tea is distilled smoke Lapsang black tea flavored with Vanilla Bean and blackberry honey. It seriously is camping in a bottle. I know they were using all of their liquors in mixed drinks but I don't think I would want to mix this one. It would be a nice long sip by the campfire, or the couch or the kitchen table, wherever. The new release from Thomas and Sons is the Bluebird Liquer. I'm not quite sure what it is but it reminds me of maybe St. Germaine or other herb and spice based spirits. Warm, yet fresh. Sweet and spicy. The perfect end to a delicious evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment