Hook, Line and Sinker

It's like dangling a string in front of Otter, or reaching for Walker's favorite balls. Mention that a portion of my restaurant tab will benefit a good cause and I'm picking up the phone to make a reservation.

Oysters Apicius at Nostrana.

So all it took was hearing that during the month of May select Portland restaurants and New Seasons Markets will be donating 10% of the sales from designated menu items to The Wetlands Conservancy. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Conservancy's mission is to protect and preserve Oregon's greatest wetlands. And what better time to have that particular benefit than during American Wetlands Month?

Squid ink tonnarelli with shrimp at Nostrana.

Called the Aqua Plate Special and featuring seafood whose habitat is dependent upon the health of Oregon’s estuaries, it's not only designed to raise money for the Conservancy's efforts, but to build an awareness of the connection between healthy wetlands and a healthy food system.

Even better, at least as far as I'm concerned, is that the fishy friends to be featured include Oregon oysters, Dungeness crab and pink shrimp, as well as Pacific NW wild-caught salmon. See what I mean? Dangle that hook and I'll bite!

Details: Aqua Plate Special benefit for The Wetlands Conservancy. List of participating restaurants and markets.

Top photo from The Wetlands Conservancy. Oysters and tonnarelli from Aqua Plate introductory media dinner at Nostrana.