It’s that time of year! Feast Portland is coming up. If you don’t remember my posts about last year’s Feast experience you can find them here and here and here.
Feast is a wonderful festival celebrating the PNW chefs, restaurants, bars, and artisans. It’s amazing to see the talent and innovation as you walk through Feast events. The Pacific Northwest has so much to offer!
Today I am sharing an interview with Alise Moffatt from Shift Drinks here in Portland. Shift Drinks is a new bar in town that is getting a lot of hype, for good reason. The drinks are creative yet classic. Each one has its own personality- you just have to try them all! They also have a great wine, beer and food menu. Alise will also be participating in Bon Appétit Shaken, Stirred And Buzzed Drink Tank panel for Feast Portland. She will be sharing her knowledge and experience for you in this event. Don’t miss it. Now let’s get to the interview!
What is your coffee drink of choice?
Iced Coffee. Always iced, no matter how cold it is outside. I grew up in Southern California so I never really got the taste for hot drinks.
I moved to Portland not knowing a soul. Found one of by best friends Hana in a philosophy class. She got me a job at Gotham Tavern. From there with hard work and the friends that I made I ended up working at Rontoms, Bunk Bar, Gruner, House Spirits Distillery, Spirit of 77, Multnomah Whisk(e)y Library, (which is where I met my business partner) and Angel Face before opening up Shift Drinks. I have done lots of private work along the way as well. I tried in the past never to say no to a job. I sought out new experiences.
Who is your role model and why?
If you had a time machine that only worked once, where in history or the future are you going?
I would go to the future mostly because of the fact I’m a woman. I would most likely try to go to Endor.
What are your favorite activities to do in your free time?
Read. Sleep. Research. Eat.
What is your proudest achievement?
Being where I’m at now. Waking up everyday trying to be a little better then I was the day before.
Your house is burning down, what three items do you grab?
If my cat and roommate are OK I would grab my mothers diamond ring, my great grandmothers quilt, my passport and my phone.
What are your vices?
I smoke, drink and cuss.
What was the best thing to happen to you this week?
I slept over 5 hours the other day. Its was amazing.
What’s in your fridge?
Beer samples, vermouth, sherry, pickles and salmon roe. My roommate runs a bar as well so there is never much food around.
You can invite 8 people to a dinner party. Who is on your list? And who is your first alternate guest?
My staff and Portland family. Whoever had the night off.
What is your favorite meal/ dish?
Oysters and Champagne
What is one piece of advice/ quote that you try to live by? Or your favorite.
“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; its who is going to stop me” – Ayn Rand
It was a pleasure chatting with Alise, she is so passionate about what she does, it’s tangible. I am very excited to watch Shift Drinks grow and become more and more successful. Make sure to stop by as soon as you can. Tell them Rachel sent you! Also don’t miss getting more of Alise at Feast Portland. Tickets to her event are found here.
Shift Drinks is great – Such a bright and inviting spot with quite the impressive wine list. Great interview!
I love Shift Drinks, especially the bruschetta! So excited for Feast!!
I love these interviews. So glad you did another one! I also love Shift Drinks. I didn't know it was owned by a woman. I admit it makes me like it a little more. I always think female bartenders are awesome.
I love the spirit behind never saying no to a job. As a freelancer, I rarely turn down work either, and even if it makes me crazy-busy I rarely regret it. Great interview!
Such a great interview! I love her story.
Wake up everyday and be a little better…I love that!
Nice interview! Sadly, I'm missing FEAST this year for a food conference in Seattle, so I'm excited to read everyone's posts about the festivities.
So excited for this Feast event, even more so now that I know a bit more about Alise. Great interview, thanks Rach!
Love this! So glad you are doing this series again, it's always so fun to read.