Palio Di Portland at Nostrana

Races, prizes, rustic Ferragosto inspired buffet on the patio and more

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 27, 2010) - Calling all Portlanders! Each July and August huge crowds flock to the Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy, where representatives from ten of the seventeen city wards compete in Il Palio, a harrowing horse race around the famous tilting Piazza.

On August 15, 2010, Nostrana is bringing the race to Portland, and even better, this year’s Il Palio brings even more reason to celebrate because it coincides with Ferragosto, a national Italian holiday that involves elaborate, rustic picnics. On August 15, from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Nostrana will throw its own "Palio di Portland" complete with races, horse heads on broomsticks, a rustic Siena feast, bottles of Rosé and Prosecco, prizes and more!

Executive Chef/Owner Cathy Whims - 2009 and 2010 James Beard Foundation Best Chef Northwest finalist - will serve a Siena-inspired buffet on the patio with dishes like: Frisedda -- tomato caper and chili rusks; Scarpaccia -- zucchini, spring onion and egg pie; insalata Toscana -- rice, cannellini bean, tomato and olive salad; fried Carlo sausages, peperonata-pepper and onion stew; watermelon with and without sambuca. The lunch is served with two glasses of wine for $25 or unlimited Prosecco for $35, and lunch is offered for kids twelve and under for $7. Gratuity is not included.

Guests are encouraged to bring family, friends, their competitive spirit and of course, any Palio memorabilia, because between bites all are encouraged to participate in the races, which will take place just outside Nostrana. Races will begin at 1:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony to follow at 2:45 p.m. - prizes will be awarded! Feel free to bring your own 'steeds' (hobby horses, roller-skates and tricycles).

Reservations for the event are recommended. Please call Nostrana at 503.234.2427 to secure a spot in the races and a seat at the "Palio di Portland" party. The restaurant is located at 1401 SE Morrison, Portland, OR 97214. For more information about Nostrana, visit www.nostrana.com.

 

# # #

 

About Nostrana: Nostrana - literally 'ours' in Italian - serves classic Northern Italian cuisine built on simple preparations, fresh, local ingredients and the traditional method of cooking with fire. Nostrana was founded in 2005 by Executive Chef and Owner Cathy Whims and in 2006, Nostrana was named Oregon's Restaurant of the Year by The Oregonian. Cathy Whims was a 2009 and 2010 James Beard "Best Chef: Pacific Northwest" finalist and continues to be a long-standing advocate of the Slow Food Movement.

Media Contact:

Watershed Communications

Katie Burnett/ katie@watershedcom.com / 503.827.6564