The West End News Food & Travel section. Local reviewer James Fereira visits your favorite local eateries and shares all the good with a little snark. And West End independent travel agent Nancy Dorrans takes readers around the world in search of adventure.
A California startup that taught a computer to ‘taste’ wine is using the technology to help winemakers improve their products and attract new customers. – CNN Business, May... Read more
By Nancy Dorrans When travel stalled or more likely came to a screeching halt at the start of this pandemic, Adventure Marketplace was mostly hibernating. I remained positive and... Read more
By Nancy Dorrans In the spring of 2017, a small Adventure Marketplace group began an almost three-week journey of Namibia and Botswana. There were seven of us: my aunt Henrietta and her best... Read more
By Layne V. Witherell It is time to move away from the mundane and take two steps into the miraculous. The photo is your author in our study in front of an ancient gong purchased serendipito... Read more
Exploring the Val d’Orcia on Foot By Nancy Dorrans Outside is forever where I’d rather be. A hiking adventure in the Val d’Orcia region of Italy is sure to always provide beautif... Read more
By Layne V. Witherell There have been three dramatic changes over the past year in the world of wine. The first, of course, is the disappearance of your favorite local restaurant. Bummer. Th... Read more
Layne’s Wine Gig CELEBRITY WINES By Layne V. Witherell MASSTIGE: Mass produced, relatively inexpensive goods that are marketed as luxurious or prestigious. There are several reasons wh... Read more
Layne’s Wine Gig WEN AT 20: Thoughts on food and wine By Layne V. Witherell The tourist is led; the traveler seeks. -Todd Kliman, food critic We have lived in the West End long enough to try... Read more
Layne’s Wine Gig Presents NEW FARM TO TABLE By Layne V. Witherell Just stepping inside the new Batson River Brewing and Distilling on 82 Hanover Street in Portland is a total revelation in w... Read more
By Nancy Dorrans As a travel counselor, I strive to navigate my clients on authentic experiences, safely out of their comfort zone and into an appreciation of other cultures, landscapes, tra... Read more