Autumn is truly here, and you know what that means – Halloween! In Portland, with all our farm-to-table goodness, the stage is set for a spooky holiday with a truly appropriate setting. The ground is covered with leaves, and the Farmers' Markets are overflowing with pumpkins, apples and pears. Portland food producers have some treats ready to make your haunted day as scrumptious as possible. There are also some fun and unique events to make the day memorable. Here are some Where To Eat Guide Portland picks for your Halloween planning pleasure:
Sweet treats at Pix Pâtisserie. Photo: Stephanie Forrer
Pix Pâtisserie confections are just delightful and known to be peerless in Portland. The Trick-Or-Treater chocolates are adorable (chocolate ganache-covered pecans draped in marzipan to resemble tiny ghosts with marshmallow jack-o-lanterns). Get some for a gift for your boo. If you are ordering ahead for some spooky (and decadent) treats for your Halloween get together, call and ask Pix about cakes like the one called Un Fantôme, Un Couteau, Une Nuit ... (a phantom, a knife, a night…). It’s made with chocolate mousse, amaretto crème brûlée and raspberries on top of a chocolate sponge cake soaked in Dashe late harvest Zinfandel. Want to pay tribute to Prince? Order the Purple Rain (pistachio mousse with strawberry meringue, mixed berry coulis and pistachio cake, soaked in Kirsch).
2225 E Burnside St
Photo: Creo Chocolate
Ready for a real grown-up Halloween? Check out this small batch bean-to-bar chocolate factory. The beans are sourced, in true Oregon form, directly from the farm. Try a Purely Dark or even a 100% Cacao Chocolate Bar, or a Minty Dark or Spicy Dark Bar (better than the ones with a golden ticket, yes?). There are also Sipping Chocolates, like Midnight Truffle and Mayan Spice to enjoy by a crackling fire. Want to give a unique gift? Creo offers gift cards online. Ask about tours and events to learn more about the cacao bean and the resulting delicious products.
122 NE Broadway
Photo: Facebook/Portland Walking Tours
The best way to experience Portland? Eat your way through it, with these friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining tours presented by Portland Walking Tours. Your expert Tour Guide can lead you through a Halloween experience you won’t soon forget on the “Chocolate Decadence” Tour. Explore where chocolate comes from and how it is made into its many delightful forms. Want to kick the scare factor up a notch? Sign up for the “Underground Portland” tour to learn how the term “Shanghaiing” was coined in Portland, or the spooky “Beyond Bizarre” Tour (yes, there are ghosts!). Just love food? Ask about the “Epicurean Excursion”, “Flavor Street” food cart tour or the “We Got Tipsy In Portland” Tour.
701 SW 6th Ave
Photo: Facebook/Portland Spirit River Cruises
That lovely vessel you see cruising on the Willamette River with the happy people on board? That can be you on Saturday, October 29, for the Portland Spirit’s Boo Cruise, featuring live music by The Groove. Boarding will be at 10:30 pm at Salmon Springs Fountain. Come fully attired, ready for a costume contest! The cruise will last from 11 pm – 1 am. $30, 21+, bistro menu and full bar are available for purchase.
SW Naito Pkwy and Salmon St
Last, here is a list of amazing Halloween events around town from Travel Portland (www.travelportland.com/article/halloween-events). There are haunted houses, haunted mazes, performances and dance parties. Be safe and have fun!
