By Aziza Cooper-Hovland
Columbia Gorge News
TROUTDALE — Sugarpine Drive-In, located at the edge of Troutdale on the Columbia Gorge Historic Highway, is featuring Hood River pears in its February special menu. This is a collaboration between the restaurant and USA Pears, to highlight the theme “Winter Comforts, French Roots.”
“Our menu is about the foods we reach for when the weather turns cold and dreary — dishes built around warmth, richness and care,” added Ryan Domingo, co-owner and creative director of Sugarpine Drive-In.
As a drive-in, they have a very compact operation, tucked near by the Glenn Otto Community Park just across the way from Lewis and Clark State Park. They have a small footprint and make the most of the that space with a downstairs prep area, an upstairs service line, ice cream station, pastry area, and even an outdoor prep station where chefs cook down tomato soup, pear butter, and other slow and low items.
“We designed our February pear month menu as a love letter to Oregon’s state fruit,” said Emily Cafazzo, co-founder and executive pastry chef at Sugarpine. “We considered the versatility of the fruit and represented it in as many sweet and savory preparations as possible, from caramelized pear and ginger jam to Riesling-poached forelle pears baked into a chewy snickerdoodle to Bosc pear cream soda.”
The menu includes sandwiches like the Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich, and the Pear Monte Cristo, a special pear ice cream sundae created with Chef Althea Grey Potter of Bar Nouveau, the pear cookie special, and a variety of pear beverages. “A pickled pear ‘cornichon’ with Oregon hazelnuts features in our Montreal smoked pastrami sandwich, while dried pears in our winter trail mix fortify those who hike no matter the weather,” continued Cafazzo.
“We love featuring the best of the Northwest and pears are one of the few local fruits available in the winter,” said Cafazzo.
This is the second year Sugarpine Drive-In and USA Pears has partnered to showcase this local treat. “Sugarpine Drive-In is inspiring visitors with creative ways to use and enjoy a wholesome USA Pears crop,” said CarrieAnn Arias, president and CEO of USA Pears. “With 10 varieties, each with unique flavor, color and texture, these homegrown pears add richness and complexity to a range of preparations — from drinks to desserts — while adding a boost of fiber and nutrition. In our second pear menu collaboration with Sugarpine, visitors will marvel at the flavorful creations with Bosc, Red Anjou and Forelle.”
Domingo added, “They’re humble, versatile and especially good in winter. For Pear Month, we wanted to let the fruit speak for itself and cook with pears in as many ways as possible to showcase the fruit’s versatility throughout its various ripening stages.”
The forelle pears featured in the snickerdoodle cookie come from the Hood River Fruit Company. “We love to support our local growers and community here in the Columbia Gorge,” said Cafazzo, “and the Pacific Northwest is one of the world’s largest pear growing regions, with more than 700 growers in Oregon and Washington, producing 88% of all fresh pears grown in the U.S. We are committed to supporting local food systems and center our menus on seasonal produce. We are open year-round and hope to welcome you to the drive in soon.”
This special pear menu is available through Feb. 28 at Sugarpine Drive-In, located at 1208 E Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale, and open Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Along with their drive-in option, Sugarpine offers heated seating areas and tables for customers to enjoy.
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