Blazers Announce New "Moda Center" Food & Beverage Options

The Portland Trail Blazers announced Thursday a lineup of new food and beverage options that will be available at the "Moda Center" during the upcoming 2013-14 season.

Delicious icons from Portland's restaurant scene will make their way to the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter as the Trail Blazers debut local favorites this season throughout the arena. Sandwich specialists Bunk Sandwiches (www.bunksandwiches.com), saucy wing joint Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings (www.portlandwings.com), burger masters Killer Burger (www.killerburger.biz), and pizzeria extraordinaire Sizzle Pie (www.sizzlepie.com) anchor the new local focus of the Moda Center menu. The new additions will combine with returning fan favorites and fresh concepts created by the venue's new e partner Levy Restaurants.

"Bringing new energy to the Rose Quarter is a very important goal for our organization," said Trail Blazers President and CEO Chris McGowan. "Part of this vision was to improve the overall culinary experience for our fans. Adding some of Portland's favorite restaurants to the arena is something our fans have asked for and we are really excited to provide these new options."

"The look, feel and flavors available for Trail Blazers fans and guests at our events have been infused with some of the best that our local culinary community has to offer," added Chris Oxley, Vice President and General Manager for the Moda Center and the Rose Quarter. "Portland's reputation as a thriving restaurant scene is truly global. Levy Restaurants has carefully selected a diverse cross-section of options that we feel launches the new era of the Moda Center in a tremendous way."

With a shared vision for evolving the dining and hospitality experience, Levy Restaurants and Trail Blazers executives went on a selective "tasting tour" in search of the best authentic flavors of the region. Their quest netted diverse cuisine from some of Portland's hottest spots that will enhance the experience of hungry and thirsty Moda Center guests. From the fans gathering in the stands, clubs and suites to the courtside action, guests will enjoy newly customized spaces and menus.

As an added bonus, guests of the Moda Center's exclusive Courtside Club and Sphere bar can experience Guest Chefs from around the region preparing signature dishes and award-winning recipes. And piloting the corridors adjacent to the arena's suites and party rooms will be a decadent Dessert Cart, a Levy Restaurants' signature offering and sweet indulgence.

"Pairing the action on the court with the dynamic flavors of the Portland culinary scene takes Blazermania to a new height this year," said Michael Pulscak, Executive Chef for Levy Restaurants. "We are excited to partner with home town artisans, chefs and restaurateurs to bring the very best of the City into the arena."

Moda Health, the Trail Blazers community partner in the Moda Center, will also step to the culinary stage with a nightly menu of its own specially-selected healthy options sourced locally and food cart-accessible on the arena concourses. Initiatives around healthy living and education will be a major part of what Moda Health brings both in outreach and on-site cuisine.

Other nightly guest experiences will include:

· Seven Rivers BBQ - a returning fan favorite specializing in various barbeque styles for its ribs, brisket, chicken and pork, including smoky tastes of Texas, Carolina and Kansas City.

· Bridgetown Deli - an original Levy Restaurants concept boasting hand-carved deli sandwiches piled high for the biggest of appetites.

· Guacos Tacos - also originating from the Levy Restaurants portfolio, this concept features tasty tacos and other organic Mexican fare.

· Local Cork - Oregon's famed wines and craft beers will have a special showcase all their own, including specialty brews from Portland's Widmer Brothers brewed exclusively on the Rose Quarter campus.

· Rip City Cookie Company - a unique "cookies-and-milk" concept cart that turns familiar treats into a yummy snack or dessert combination.

The Blazers replaced Ovations Food Services with Levy Restaurants as their food and beverage provider back in April, pledging to bring new local options to the arena.

In August, the Blazers and Moda Health announced that the Rose Garden would be renamed to the "Moda Center."

Earlier this month, Blazersedge reported that the Blazers' popular "Free Chalupa" promotion with Taco Bell would be discontinued this season. The Blazers expect to replace the promotion but no details have been announced yet.

PS Thanks to wmcarpenter in the FanShots who got there first.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter