Epicurean Walking Tour... tasting all the good food in Portland!

A few years ago when I experienced my first Epicurean Walking Tour in Portland, I was still so new here that I had to do a little research before going.  First of all, what the heck did "epicurean" really mean and why was the food in Portland such a big deal.  Well, now I may not know where ALL the good food in Portland is still but I can assure you that it is my lifelong mission to try and find it!

If you aren't sure what "epicurean" actually means literally, go and google it.  Or you could possibly just imagine... this sweet cup of some of the best chocolate found in the world warmed to a perfect temperature for sipping and it was like drinking hot liquid chocolate mousse.  Decadence on my palate, a pure chocolate experience that is so unlike any other.  It was said that our guide on this food tour has seen people tear the cup apart after consuming the chocolate to lick every corner and surface to be sure to get it all.  If they didn't know what "epicurean" meant before, they did then!

One of our very first stops was at a Portland Food Cart.  How appropriate is that!  I can't say much for fear that I won't get invited back but just an FYI... watch for yet another decadent tour coming up!

Now on to my waffle.  From a food cart, this waffle without its adornment of pure maple syrup was to die for!   Just the perfect amount of crunch and sweetness that I seriously took my time to enjoy every single bite.  And yes, the food cart folks in Portland seriously know what they are doing but there are so many to choose from and there's only a certain amount of food a person can digest in a day.

These darlings were found at the Pearl Bakery.  Croissants, Gibassiers and some little chocolate things that I can't remember the name of and are not pictured here because we probably devoured them already.  Liking it to a Panatone or Challah bread, the Gibasier with that hint of sugar on top with orange peel inside was my favorite.  A great pairing with a cup of hot black tea on a cold day in Portland.

I have to say that I accredit my tour that day a few years ago to a lot of things.  I think by my experience then and the same tour just a few days ago, I will be spurred on to find even more great food experiences in Portland.  But, it also will remind me just how great the food is everywhere in Oregon.  Being born of this particular Epicurean Walking Tour in Portland, our Albany Nosh Tours have and are continuing to be so much more that what we expected.  Thanks to our chef's, our restaurateurs and their knowledge and love of really good food, our food tours are quite popular and endear us and our tour guests even more with our beloved Willamette Valley bounty.


Thanks again David, Bob and Portland Walking Tours for hosting us from Albany Visitors Assn, Travel Lane County and Travel Portland. We had an awesome day and we'll be back!