As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea – and that definitely rings true here on the Oregon Coast. Astoria and Warrenton’s annual Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival on April 22 – 24 is a celebration of the region’s salty bounty and the Northwest’s best wines. If you plan on going coastal, follow this guide for the ultimate seafood and wine-filled visit, festival weekend or year-round. And, see below for details on how you might win a food lovers getaway, including a two-night stay at the luxurious boutique Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa.
Best Bites
Head to the tasting room at Buoy Beer for rotating specials of Oregon Quahog clams, fresh pan-fried Willapa Bay oysters and smoked Columbia River salmon. If you’ve got bigger fish to fry, don’t miss the flaky pieces of seafood heaven at Bowpicker Fish & Chips. Made-to-order in a land-locked gillnet boat, the secret is in the fresh-caught Albacore. Get there quick! They often sell out before 5 p.m. Round out your day at Street 14 Café with one of their Thursday – Sunday dinner specials like tartine with rustic bread, pork shoulder confit, cole slaw, and pickled carrots. And who doesn’t love ice cream and French fries… together? At Frite and Scoop you’ll enjoy hand-cut fries and a selection of house-made yumminess on a cone.
Dig Deep
If you want to work for your meal, schedule a Columbia River fishing charter and experience some of the best Coho and Chinook salmon fishing found anywhere in the world. Haul in a bounty of Oregon’s famous Dungeness crab, razor clams or salmon and for a nominal fee, Northwest Wild Products will clean, prepare, pack, freeze and ship your catch. Join a ranger-led razor clamming adventure at Fort Stevens State Park (year-round except July-Sept when clams reproduce; call the park for dates). Or pull up your galoshes, grab a shovel and head to the beach yourself. Permits and clam guns (easier for first-timers) can be purchased at various locations around town (KOA, Fred Meyer at Highway 101, Tackle Time, Big Five). Be sure to snag a free Oregon State Fishing Handbook for state regulations. Insider tip: Dress warm and waterproof, and be ready for changing weather conditions!
Behind the Scenes
Astoria was once known as the Salmon Canning Capital of the World and had more than 30 canneries along its riverfront. See how local seafood products are cooked fresh and packaged at one of the last microcanneries on the Oregon Coast, Skipanon Brand Seafood, located in Warrenton. This family-owned business cooks their fish in the can, which gives it a superior texture and flavor, then labels everything by hand. Stop by Monday-Saturday to see the process and sample their famous smoked Sockeye or take home some fresh seafood.
Sip and Savor
If you’re a guest of the Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, prep your pallet for the festival with their daily wine and lox reception. Or grab the perfect aperitif at The Cellar on 10th wine emporium. Sample selections in a cellar atmosphere at their wine bar or pick up a few bottles to commemorate your trip. A few blocks away, the Wine Bar at the Hotel Elliott is laden with old world charm and new world wines. Sit at the massive hand crafted bar and watch shoppers stroll by through large picture windows overlooking 12th Street and the Liberty Theater. If wine isn’t your beverage, Astoria is home to several homegrown breweries and brewpubs that offer great grub, are family-friendly and located within walking distance of lodging and attractions.
Take it home
If you want the crab, seafood and wine experience to last long after the weekend, be sure to pick up tasty souvenirs for future snacking. Bornstein Seafoods’ Warrenton Deep Sea Market sells the freshest local seafood straight off the boats – be sure to ask about the smoked scallops. Or head north along the Long Beach Peninsula and historic Oysterville to score a cooler of live Willapa Bay oysters and learn how these bivalves are farmed. Limited time? Stop by Josephson’s Smokehouse right off Astoria’s main drag, Marine Drive, for the best salmon jerky around, a bread bowl of chowder, or canned fish to go.
Win a food lovers getaway
Are you hungry yet? Click here to see a taste of Astoria’s food scene and enter to win (before March 28, 2016) a two-night stay at the luxurious boutique Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa and a sampling of the city’s great bites.
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