One of the most fascinating aspects of last weekend’s spectacular Feast Portland festival was the Dinner Series and its intriguing teaming of chefs. Matthew Lightner (Atera) with Sean Brock (Husk and McGrady’s), for example. Or how about Jenn Louis (Lincoln and more) and April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig and more) with Hedy Goldsmith (Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink)?
I was most excited, though, to attend dinner by Inaki Aizpitarte and Daniel Patterson. I had a fabulous meal at Aizpitarte’s Le Chateaubriand in Paris last year, and the same at Patterson’s Plum in Oakland. (I’ve yet to try his Coi restaurant in San Francisco.) Working together, I knew their food would be inventive, and I was not disappointed.
The dinner menu listed ten courses, and the meal would run five hours. Wine pairings and wonderful company–some top names from the food industry–made the time fly by and provided resources to help figure out the rhyme and reason for the dishes.
What I like most about Aizpitarte and Patterson is that their food makes me think, with deliciousness a bonus. Sadly, lighting was low, making it a challenge to fully appreciate the colors and plating of the food, as well as to take quality photos. Still, I encourage you to check out the slideshow above for a look at the menu, dishes, and kitchen action. The dishes were like works of art, so I offer them to you with minimal explanation (little more than the chef’s descriptions) to allow your own interpretation.