Fratelli Partners with Local Organic Farmers for Saluté! Summer

Paul Klitsie, chef and co-owner of Fratelli, knows the best ingredients are right here in Oregon – from fresh lamb and field greens to exotic mushrooms. To celebrate our local bounty, Fratellis presents Saluté! Summer, a weekly culinary feast highlighting a local, organic ingredient and farm. The series begins on July 6, 2004 with John Neumeister and his Cattail Creek Farm lamb.

PORTLAND, OR (PRWEB) June 21, 2004 -- Paul Klitsie, chef and co-owner of Fratelli, knows the best ingredients are right here in Oregon – from fresh lamb and field greens to exotic mushrooms. To celebrate our local bounty, Fratellis presents Saluté! Summer, a weekly culinary feast highlighting a local, organic ingredient and farm. The series begins on July 6, 2004 with John Neumeister and his Cattail Creek Farm lamb.

"I have a close relationship with some of Oregons finest organic farmers," says Klitsie. "Saluté! Summer honors this partnership and encourages customers to meet the farmer and sample different menu preparations of one ingredient." Klitsie was recently honored in Italian Cooking and Living Magazine (June/July 2004) as "a talented Portland chef who believes in combining only a few ingredients. Paul brings out the natural flavors in each dish." Today, Fratelli launches a new Tuscan-inspired menu using the seasons freshest ingredients from local farms.

Saluté! Summer Tasting Schedule:

July 6, Cattail Creek Farm, Lamb
John Neumeister is a 2nd generation sheep farmer in Junction City. The secret to the flavor of his lamb is due to the year round availability of lush grass pastures, made possible by Oregons mild climate and rainfall. Cattail Creek Farm practices ecologically sound and socially responsible farming with no hormones or GMO feed.

July 14, Weppler Farms, Field Greens
George Weppler grows more than 250 kinds of vegetables on 5 acres in the Cascade foothills, including 50 types of lettuce and 18 varieties of tomatoes. George will cook with Paul Klitsie to create the Salut! Summer tasting menu.

July 20, OM Grown Farms, Oregon Mushrooms
Earl Renfrow of OM Grown Farms grows over 20 mushroom varieties on his sustainable 50-acre farm near Sheridan, Oregon. Renfrow also imports exotic mushrooms including Chinese Diamond truffles and Black truffles.

About Fratelli:
This intimate Pearl District restaurant features regional Italian cooking. As a member of the Portland Food Alliance, Chef Paul Klitsie and his partner, Tim Cuscaden are committed to using sustainable and organic ingredients. Fratelli opened in 1998 as one of the first restaurants in the newly created Pearl District and is located at 1230 NW Hoyt, Portland. Hours are Sunday to Thursday from 5:30-9:00 p.m. and weekends until 10:00 p.m.

For reservations and information, please call 503-241-8800 or visit the web site at www.fratellicucina.com.