Pacific Northwest Restaurants Make Local Fresh Cuisine An Art Form

Having just returned from a one-week stint in the Pacific Northwest I can say emphatically that there was no lack of great restaurants in that part of the world. Both my fiance and myself traveled to Oregon to attend the 25 annual AANP Convention, and also took some time to enjoy a little tourism. The most exciting development I have seen, from an environmental and health standpoint, is the creation of several restaurants that serve local, fresh, and whenever possible, organic cuisine.

Probably the best restaurant we ate at was located in the beautiful small town of Astoria Oregon. Astoria has a rich history (and once made the bulk of its money from the generous Columbia Salmon run that was once teeming with fresh fish). Unfortunately, like many business that are based on natural resources, the economy experienced a boom and then bust collapse leaving many locals out of work. And now, Astoria has reinvented itself and become a sleepy and beautiful tourist town with great local restaurants and artist.

When you do visit Astoria Oregon, be sure to visit on a Sunday, if you can, so that you can enjoy a walk through the local Sunday Market. And then afterward, visit the Restaurant Clemente’s for lunch. The owners, Gordan and Lisa Clemente, buy their vegetables and fish from local businesses and never freeze anything. The food is always fresh, preferably caught or picked that very day (the fish we had eaten for lunch, had been caught by Lisa’s brother that very morning). And the delicious salad we ate contained vegetables grown from the local family farm.

With out a doubt, the food was the best I have ever had and the attention and respect that the chef (Lisa prepared our meal), gave to every detail of the meal was exceptional. Afterwards, Lisa came and spoke to us about her vision of creating an excellent restaurant that incorporated local organic food with minimal negative impact on the earth. Another great thing about the restaurant was the local art. Clemente’s makes an effort to exhibit and promote the works of local artist (many of whom are quite exceptional).

A similar great meal was also had when we visited a local restaurant in Portland Oregon a few Days later. We chose to eat at a local gem called The Farm. This restaurant also has its produce, cheese and meats supplied by local businesses. The concept of both of these great restaurants is to attempt to minimize the environmental impact of shipping food from far away. Instead, both these restaurants attempt to buy within 50 miles of their location. They buy organic whenever possible. The impact on the environment is far less damaging and the food itself is much fresher and healthier then the food you would otherwise get at a more conventional restaurant. The great thing about this type of eating is that you are not only helping to support local businesses, and the environment, but you are having a meal that is having far less of a damaging impact on the environment and far better for your health over all.