get your fun on before the festival
Want to do something cider and mead related before Saturday's Festival? Here are the local establishments that will be hosting events and offering deals leading up to the Cider and Mead Festival.
As more information becomes available, we'll provide that here so be sure to check back.
THE BARNACLE
The Barnacle is a cozy little cocktail bar in town serving creative cocktails made with locally produced, house-infused spirits, Northwest wines and island-brewed beers. The menu features local produce, meats and seafood snacks.
They will be serving up a special cider-based cocktail the week of the event.
DOE BAY CAFE
Doe Bay Resort’s historic waterfront Café’s vegetarian and fresh seafood options are guaranteed to satisfy one’s quest for the finest in dining.
They will be doing a special dish the week of the event.
Hogstone serves up some of the best wood-fired pizzas in the Northwest, and their small plates will blow you away too. Creative. Innovative. Simple. And super regional. Hogstone's chef, Jay Blackinton, was nominated by the James Beard Foundation this year for the Rising Star Chef of the Year.
They will be doing a special dish the week of the event.
The Inn at Ship Bay is an 11 room inn and restaurant at the top of a bluff with unobstructed southern views over the waters of Ship Bay. The Inn is built around the historic 1869 Adam's farmhouse in the center of heirloom plum, pear and apple orchards. It's located 1 mile from town
Their restaurant will be doing a special dish the week of the event.
The Kitchen has a farm-to-table Asian-influenced menu, featuring fresh organic produce, fish and meats from Orcas Island farms. It's located in a courtyard setting in the heart of town, The Kitchen is a very informal, walk-up counter service, with picnic style service-ware.
They will be featuring awesome specials with ciders and local produce and products such as locally caught sockeye salmon, Mexican wild prawns, Draper Valley free-range chicken breast, Jones family grass fed beef and ground pork, Turtle Island organic tempeh and Wildwood extra firm tofu. You'll also be able to purchase cider to accompany your meal. Meals range from $12 - $17.
The Loft at Madrona offers a fresh menu, ranging from local heirloom salads to creative main entrees including steaks and local seafood and finishing with elegant yet simple desserts. You can also enjoy classic cocktails on the deck with sweeping views of the sound or overlook downtown Eastsound while sitting at the bar.
They will be doing a special dish the week of the event.
Located over water in downtown Eastsound, The Madrona Bar & Grill has sweeping views of the bay with a small outdoor deck. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, soups, salads, and burgers. For dinner, you can enjoy local pasta, steaks and fresh seafood. Enjoy the full bar with local microbrews, and an array of wines from the Pacific Northwest.
They will offer lunch and dinner specials using cider that week. They will also will have a couple drink specials as well.
FABULOUS FRUIT FERMENTATION
Orcas Island Food Co-op, upstairs Community Mezzanine
Learn about the health benefits of lacto-fermented foods and observe a demo on how to prepare lacto-fermented foods. Participants will be also able to do fermenting themselves and take home a jar of lacto-fermented fruits.
Deals
Orcas Island Growlers will be at the Festival selling the beautifully unique growlers. 20% of each sale will go to benefit the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program.
Their growlers are meticulously handcrafted on Orcas. From inception to completion, each 64oz Madrona growler and 32oz MiniMoon growlette is designed, molded, slip-cast in porcelain, and finished with a permanent glaze in our studio. The by-hand glazing process creates beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces of functional artwork for craft cider and beer drinkers to enjoy.
Wanderlust is offering 10% off of their published nightly rates on glamping tents if you come out for the Festival. Their tents are in Moran State Park and surrounded by over 5,000 acres of wilderness. Just enter or mention the promo code ‘Cider Matters’ when booking.
What is glamping? It's a canvas wall tent on a cedar deck platform with a queen size bed, linens, towels for the washroom that’s a walk away, soaps, tables and chairs, a dresser, coat rack, mirror, lanterns and flashlights. Now that’s cushy camping!