Wandering Fork

I was craving a cheese steak sandwich.  The night before I had ordered a cheese steak at Elephant’s Deli. It was okay with mushrooms, onions, and peppers, it wasn’t as meat-filled as I like it.  Looking for possible venues, everything seemed to be on the east side of the river or only offered cheese steak on the lunch menu. Then, The Peoples’ Sandwich of Portland (TPSP) popped up on my search.  Close, NW, and closing in less than 20 minutes.  Eek!  Jumping in the car, I tried to temper my guilt about showing up at closing time and swore that if they were willing to scratch my cheese steak itch, I would take it to go.  

Every car pulled out in front of us.  Every pedestrian walked s-l-o-w-l-y across the street.  Every light turned red.  Seriously.  Every one.  I turned to Mister, “We’re not going to make it.”  He looked at me, the red of the dashboard reflecting of his face, “We’ll make it.”

The Peoples’ Sandwich of Portland

Mister pulled in front of TPSP with its hammer-and-sickle-inspired logo. The clock showed three minutes to closing.  The sign still said “open,” but there was no one inside.  I jumped out to find a gent on the sidewalk in front. Lifting my chin at the door, I inquired if it was his joint and if it was still open. He replied it was.  I apologized for coming so close to closing and asked if he would be willing to make something to go.  He explained that it seems he always gets one or two customers at the wire, invited me check the menu (handwritten on butcher block paper), and that making a couple more sandwiches was no problem.  

We started with an ode to the potato: handmade potato chips (thick cut, crisp, lightly seasoned, with a nice mouth bite) and curly fries (hot with great handmade tomato ketchup). TPSP also makes their own hot sauce, but I didn’t partake…this time. Then, we moved on to the main attraction: cheese steak sandwiches: chopped beef with cheese, green peppers, and onions on a soft hoagie roll.  While perhaps not an “authentic” Philly Cheese Steak, it is a solid Portland version without the interloping Cheese Whiz.  

The prices are reasonable (around $8), the food delicious, there is a vegetarian option, and a Twitter feed to keep you up to date with the menu and other offerings (e.g., soup). I look forward to returning and trying the other options including the breakfast sandwiches, veggie subs, and the Cuban.  I may be back sooner if there is any Navy bean soup with smoked Tillamook cheddar cornbread left.  Most of all, I was really impressed with how friendly and accommodating the owner was and I appreciate his willingness remain open a little later this cold, rainy evening.

Handmade Potato Chips and a Fresca

(Apologies for the cell phone photos.)

Curly Fries with Handmade Tomato Ketchup

Cheese Steak Sandwich (with bonus Tootsie Roll)

The Peoples’ Sandwich of Portland

53 NW 1^st Avenue

Portland, OR 97209

2738 NE Alberta St.

Portland, OR 97211

503.222.0525

www.sandwichofportland.com

November 11, 2009

2 Cheese Steaks (with Chips)     $16.00

1 Curly Fries                            $  3.00

1 Fresca                                   $  1.00 

1 Pabst Blue Ribbon                 $  2.00      

Total                                        $22.00

No Comments | In: Dinner, Oregon | tags: Cheese Steak, Fries, Oregon, Portland, Potato Chips, Sandwich. | #

Tonight I’m craving a latte…one with whole milk and (oh no!) caffeine.  The smell of freshly ground beans.  A divinely pulled shot by an artist that has nothing to do with Starbucks Corporate offices.  A bit of crème art that remains in the cup as I nurse its smooth caramel flavor.  An experience that puts me in that happy, satisfied place.

Tomorrow, I’m going to Barista. I don’t know if I’ll request a latte made with Stumptown, Counter Culture, Ritual or Intelligentsia beans. I’ll go early, but not too early. Their decaf selection is limited, so if I go a little later, then I have reasonable deniability that they ran out of decaf and I was forced to have regular.

Shhhhhh…Our little secret!

Barista

Latte

Barista

539 NW 13^th Ave.

Portland, OR

503.274.1211

www.baristapdx.com

Latte                                         $3.50

Total                                        $3.50

1 Comment | In: Coffee, Oregon | tags: Coffee, Oregon, Portland. | #

“It’s almost too clever for its own good,” I whispered to Mister over my menu.  The Original opened in 2009 with an edgy menu.  Reviewing the possibilities, it was clear that although it was attached to the Marriott Courtyard around the corner, I had never seen a room service menu of this ilk: a flight of hot dogs (three hot dogs: Chicago style, New York style, Portland style), Voodoo Donut burger (a burger on a glazed doughnut), and deconstructed clam chowder.

I started with a cocktail.  The Original makes its own original sodas, with our without spirits.  I asked for a suggestion and was told the Shake a Dilly (gin, lime, simple syrup, and triple sec) would be a good choice.  I enjoyed the drink, although it didn’t quite line up with what I had been expecting. Subsequently, I was informed that I had ended up with a different cocktail based on the citrus lemongrass soda which made much more sense to my taste buds. 

Mystery Cocktail ($6.00)

Next, Mister and I had the Liver & Onions, an appetizer of Funyun-crusted duck liver, melted onions, and sherry.  This dish was richly over the top and didn’t have a distinctive liver taste I expected or craved.  Mister, who typically avoids liver dishes and doesn’t much care for the taste, had more than few bites which confirmed that it didn’t taste like liver.  

Liver & Onions ($5.00)

I selected the entrée special, a deconstructed clam chowder.  I loved the concept of it, but it wasn’t quite successful in the execution.  The tasteless fish could not hold a candle to its potato, bacon, and cream foundation.  There were a few clams mixed in, and I would have preferred more clams and 86 the fish.  Mister’s entrée, the Beef Stroganoff, was much better.  If you are craving this classic dish, the way your grandmother made it (egg noodles, beef, wild mushrooms, and sour cream), order it here. Then go home and fall into a food coma.  The portions are large: share with a friend or expect to leave with a doggy bag.

Deconstructed Clam Chowder (Market)

Beef Stroganoff ($14.95)

In retrospect, we shouldn’t have ordered dessert, but it was so hard to resist tasting every course when you are trying a new restaurant.  Mister selected the Ode to Oregon (apple pie with a Tillamook Cheese Crust), I chose the Pure Joy (chocolate fudge cake with coconut filling, chocolate ganache and almonds).  Again, portions are large, so definitely share if you can agree on one.  During a subsequent visit, I tried the Blushing Buttermilk, their homage to red velvet.  It was dry and not as good as other red velvet purveyors in the city, therefore you’ll want to pass on it. The sundae bar is tempting since The Original makes their own ice cream, but I have other favorite spots for ice cream (e.g., Cool Moon).

Apple Pie with Ice Cream ($8.00)

Pure Joy Chocolate/Coconut Cake ($8.00)

If you can get beyond the portion size and its desire to be tragically-hip, The Original has some solid offerings and is a convenient place to eat, especially on days other restaurants are closed.  (This is where the relationship with Courtyard Marriott is of key importance: they are open seven days a week and holidays for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in order to feed the hotel guests.)  While the dishes may not be consistent, there will be moments of brilliance where they can scratch that odd itch.  For example, they have the best poutine ($7.50) I’ve ever had outside of Quebec.

The Original

300 SW 6^thAve

Portland, OR 97204

503.546.2666

www.originaldinerat.com

1 Comment | In: Dinner, Oregon | tags: Beef Stroganoff, Cake, Clam Chowder, Cocktails, Donut, Liver, Oregon, Pie, Portland, Poutine, Soup, The Original. | #

Mister and I rode the cable car as public transportation, getting from Point A to Point B, jumping off in time for Mister to get to his interview on time. I told him that I would wander the neighborhood, find a coffee, see what I could see, and then we would meet up in a couple of hours.

As I wondered down a residential part of Polk Street, I met a woman with a basset hound.  As everyone knows, I’m a sucker for a low-slung dog.  After giving the dog a little love, I inquired about the best place to grab a coffee. She directed me to La Boulange.

La Boulange is a chain of about ten restaurants in the San Francisco area.  Built on the French bakery concept, they serve pastries, brunch, lunch, and beverages to a wide variety of customers.  On a windy Saturday afternoon, the place was packed with parents and strollers, girlfriends catching up on gossip, and couples sipping their espressos while glancing through glossy periodicals.  Starving, I confirmed they were still serving brunch and ordered an omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese, fruit instead of potatoes, and a slice of toast. They made my latte (caffeinated, but don’t tell Mister!) and I wondered outside to a small table on the sidewalk.

Omelet, Fruit, Toast and Jam, and Latte

The omelet was well balanced, not too egg-y with a nice amount of filling.  The spinach was not over-cooked and the mushrooms plentiful.  The cheese held everything together nicely and lent a good bite to the flavor.  Fabulous preserves (although not as good as my homemade strawberry jam), and a solid hit of milky caffeine rounded out the meal.  I spent about 90 minutes enjoying my meal, and later an additional flakey croissant and coffee refill.  I read a couple of UK fashion magazines and picked up the Wall Street Journal Weekend Magazine from the table beside me.

I would recommend returning to La Boulange for an afternoon of people watching, reading, and small nibbles.

La Boulange

2300 Polk St.

San Francisco, CA

415.345.1107

www.laboulangebakery.com

September 12, 2009

Omelet                          $ 9.00

Latte                             $ 3.10

Croissant                      $ 2.25

Total                            $14.35

No Comments | In: Breakfast, California | tags: Breakfast, California, Coffee, Omelette, San Francisco. | #

I enjoy cocktails and drinks with friends, however I have never been motivated to participate in the “bar scene.”  Recently, a friend was scheduled to appear on the Ed Forman Show at Dante’s, so we decided to check out this infamous locale. 

Scheduled every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m., the Ed Forman Show is Aaron Ross’ rif on a 1970s talk show.  In his role as Forman, Mr. Ross dons an intriguing plaid sports coat (white with red checkered pin stripes) and a wig that looks like it got in the middle of escalating hostilities between a cat and a bottle of hair gel during a long car ride.  I understand that Mr. Ross has performed over a hundred shows and Forman in the last year.  If what we saw on Tuesday is indicative of his past performances, my condolences to those audiences.  I’ve read that Ross likes the challenge of improv and the interaction with the audience.  While it is obvious to me that Ross is well read and can combine some wit with intelligence, he did not show any skill in handling the unpredictability of the audience, and towards the end, an audience that was turning against him.  Ross needs a writer (or a script), an editor (to cut the dick jokes and improve his pacing), and the realization that he needs to learn how to dial back to let his guests shine.  

The headline guest for this evening was Viva Las Vegas (a.k.a. Liv Osthus) whose book and memoir, Magic Gardens, arrives in stores next week. I first met Liv a few years ago at a dinner; a bright, beautiful gamine who glanced up with a bit of shy mischief before proffering a witty retort. At that time, she never shied away from the fact she began stripping 13 years ago. Today, she does not shy away from her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy.  When taking the stage at Dante’s, she wore her hair short and dark, with a “Duluth” t-shirt as a nod to her home state of Minnesota.  She responded to Forman’s hormone-focused questions and odd Billy Idol serenade with grace.  The moment of the evening was when Forman, in a weak attempt to emulate Craig Kilborn’s quiz style, asked Liv to chose either Highlights Magazine or High Life Magazine.  Liv chose Highlights, remarking it was the first place she had been published at age seven (?!) and then recited the poem that had been published. 

Magic Gardens: The Memoirs of Viva Las Vegas    

While there was no cover, I ordered a Manhattan and Mister had a beer.  The Manhattan came in a low ball with rocks, and no discernible evidence of vermouth or bitters.  While it may be a classic cocktail, the bartender obviously had more experience with tapping kegs and mixing well drinks along the lines of rum and coke.  As I nursed the Manhattan through the show before realizing there was a fly in it.  (Really.)  Dante’ also serves pizza to soak up the alcohol, but, with only one drink, my blood alcohol level was not high enough to warrant that experiment.

Manhattan on the rocks (with fly)

Dante’s

1 SW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97204
503.226.6630

www.danteslive.com

September 1, 2009

No Comments | In: Books, Cocktails, Oregon | tags: Cocktails, Dante's, Oregon, Portland, Viva Las Vegas. | #

On Sunday, Mister and I were invited to the annual barbecue hosted by David Rounds and Jenny Tallis.  They are such an amazing couple.  Jenny is a marketing, public relations, and promotions guru who helps small and medium sized businesses grow.  When she walks into a room, she brings an amazing amount of positive energy and she is not afraid to challenge assumptions or self-imposed limits.  David has spent over a decade in wine distribution and offers brilliant, accessible wine-focused courses through Wine for Everyone.  He has embraced the current economy by providing suggested pairings with pantry favorites:  Kraft Mac n’ Cheese with Vodopivec Vitovska from the hills of Trieste anyone?  And, I love the intent behind his new class, “Drink Your Way Through the Recession.” 

When David and Jenny host a party, the wine is plentiful and the food amazing.  When we arrived, the back yard was filled with a crowd of at least three, if not four, generations sampling wine (for those 21 and over) and snacking on tacos, chips and black beans, and corn. Meanwhile the “guest” of honor was in the corner under the pear tree.  A beautiful picture of porcine loveliness.

About an hour later, the pig was pulled from the heat and set to rest.  The crowd that gathered debated the merits of cracklin’, what happened to certain “parts,” and, of course, when it would be ready to eat.  Mister explained the importance of resting the meat to me: the juices leave the muscle cells when cooking, so by letting it rest, the liquid is reabsorbed thereby insuring the meat is moist and juicy.  The taste test confirmed the theory.  Moist and juicy.

Roasting

Resting

Carving

Hops in their back yard…because man cannot live on wine alone.  

August 23, 2009

No Comments | In: @ Home, Dinner, Oregon | tags: Barbecue, Oregon, Portland, Roasted Pig, Taco, Wine. | #

I am rather fond of club sandwiches. Meet my favorite club sandwich in Portland, OR, and probably one of the consistent best I’ve had throughout North America.  It is produced by Vista Spring Café, a small restaurant at the corner of Vista and Spring Streets across from Ainsworth Elementary School.  I’ve ordered this sandwich on and off for the past four or five years, and found it has always been consistent in its high quality.  I usually go with sourdough, although whole wheat and rye are available.  The bread is always perfectly toasted, the tomato tastes like a tomato, the lettuce is green and crisp, the bacon a subtle counterpoint to the turkey, and a good dollop of mayonnaise.  (Yum, mayonnaise.)  The sandwich comes with Kettle Food brand potato chips, a local favorite with solid roots in the local and sustainable food movements.

Vista Club Sandwich

I admit that their club sandwich can make my day a little brighter or the hassles a little less.  Some days, eating it even becomes transcendent.

Mister ordered the French Cheeseburger.  An interesting combination of cheeseburger with French Dip sauce on the side. Tasty, but sits a bit heavy.  It placed him in a bit of a food coma for the afternoon. 

We also had the clam chowder, New England style, with fresh dill sprinkled on top.  I don’t often order a starter, but was in the mood. Mister followed my lead. A traditional cup size, there were plenty of potatoes and clams.  I felt it needed a little salt and pepper to bring out the flavors. The soup came with bread, fresh out of the oven and still piping hot.  Based on my experience, the bread is much better straight out of the oven then when it has cooled.  Therefore, you want to catch them on baking day around 11:30 a.m. when they open for lunch.

Clam Chowder (Cup)

Fresh Bread (Camera didn’t capture the steam rising!)

To drink, I had the fresh squeezed lemonade.  I will not order lemonade if it is out of a gun or if I suspect it is from a mix.  The version at Vista Spring is sweet with a little bit of tart and I would definitely consider it as a mixer to their cocktail menu in the evenings.  Another good choice: Italian sodas. They have a wide variety of syrups to choose from and I can recommend cherry, grape, orange, and lime without hesitation.

Lemonade

Vista Spring also has tasty personal-sized pizzas with a wide variety of toppings and combinations that are quite imaginative as well as tasty.  Crusts are thinner, but can be a little tough if you are saving for leftovers.  I understand they have just started serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays.  Stay tuned.

Vista Spring Cafe

2440 S.W. Vista Avenue

Portland, OR 97201

503.222.2811

www.vistaspringcafe.com

August 24, 2009

Clam Chowder (2 cups)              $ 9.90

Club Sandwich                          $ 9.50

French Cheeseburger                 $ 9.50

Iced Tea                                    $ 1.75

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade        $ 2.50

Total                                        $33.15

No Comments | In: Lunch, Oregon | tags: Clam Chowder, Club Sandwich, Italian Soda, Lemonade, Lunch, Oregon, Portland, Sandwich, Soup, Vista Spring Cafe. | #

Mister likes food with “flavor.”  Loosely translates, this means he likes dishes that are bold enough to look him in the eye without blinking: spicy, vinegary, salty, or peppery…but not necessarily hot.  I like to think of my taste as a compliment to his, as opposed to the opposite.  I go for sweet and like a good burn. Together, we can be a most appreciative audience.

Pambiche is one restaurant that we can both agree upon. This Cuban restaurant caters to his love of Latin and my love of high octane caffeine and sweet pastries.  He will start with a juice such as orange or orange pineapple.  I will start with a café con leche made with Stumptown Coffee. Milky and sweet, this drink will wake me up and keep me going for about four hours.  (Note: Mister limits my intake to one. The last time I had two, I turned into a hyper-active teenager talking at two to three times my normal speed and jumping from topic to topic without break.) 

Orange Pineapple Juice

Café Con Leche

I may go for the Cuban Omelet (Tortilla Cubana).  These are much more savory than the omelets you may find elsewhere. I love the Spanish or Basque versions which are almost as big as the Chinese plate they are served upon.  I would recommend sharing with another person and splitting a side basket of pastries ($5.00).

Basque Omelet

Sometimes I skip a traditional breakfast and go for the Cuban Continental Breakfast (Desayuno Tipico) which includes a coffee drink (my café con leche) and a basket of pastries for $7.00. For an additional $2.00, you can add a glass of juice or fruit medley which reminds me of a really good fruit cocktail.  The pastries range in flavors, and some are hurt-your-teeth sweet such as the pineapple or papaya and cheese filled little pies…something that Hostess should have tried distributing in the 1970s.

Mister enjoys the scrambles, but swears he is going to try something different every time and continues to surprise me.  The fritters and croquettes are lovely as appetizers and the beans and rice a solid offering.  

Larger groups are harder to accommodate.  The inside is small and crowded with closely-spaced tables.  I recommend sitting outside, weather permitting.  Be sure to put them on your earlier morning options: they open at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast….perfect if you need to fuel up before morning commitments. 

Pambiche

2811 NE Glisan

Portland, OR 97232

503.233.0511

www.pambiche.com

Orange Pineapple Juice             $  3.00

Café Con Leche                        $  3.25

Basque Omelet                         $10.50

Cuban Sausage Scramble          $ 9.50

Total                                        $26.25

P.S. Look for some interesting street art…or positive affirmations: “She’s beautiful in the corners of her eyes.”

No Comments | In: Breakfast, Oregon | tags: Breakfast, Coffee, Cuban, Omelette, Oregon, Portland. | #

Okay.  Since no one else seems to have asked, I will.  

What the heck happened? 

When Sal’s Famous Italian Kitchen on Nob Hill first opened, they were our natural go-to for dinner when we were too tired to cook because it was a quick drive, the prices were very reasonable, and the quality was high. And when we didn’t want to leave the couch, they delivered!  It was like being in New York City and being able to have the corner restaurant drop something by.  Then, as expected with the economy, we started cooking at home more and Sal’s received less of our custom. 

We visited a couple of times in the last 90 days.  The people watching can be quite fun: during our last meal a table of four dashing older men were celebrating a birthday and were flirting madly with the server and surrounding tables.  However, the service seemed one to two steps behind, forgetting drinks, leaving water glasses empty, ignoring empty break baskets, or remaining silent on entrees that seemed to have been delayed.  Further, the food was average for Portland and I found I actually prefer the lasagna at Whole Foods ($6.00) to Sal’s ($13.00) which was swimming in and overwhelmed by its sauce-drenched presentation.

Caesar Salad

Lasagna - Extremely hot dish (should come with a warning label)

Sal’s Famous Italian Kitchen

33 NW 23rd Pl.

Portland, OR 97210

503.467.4067

www.salskitchen.com

Caesar Salad                            $  5.00

2 Lasagna                                 $26.00

Total                                        $31.00

No Comments | In: Dinner, Oregon | tags: Caesar Salad, Dinner, Lasagna, Oregon, Portland. | #

Mister and I have been eating at the Daily Cafe more frequently over the last six months.  I prefer the relaxed ambiance of breakfast at the Daily Cafe on Saturdays.  The crowds are smaller and more laid back, and there isn’t the jostling for outside tables in the morning sunshine.  But, I also like their brunch on Sundays when they serve a prix fix menu of three courses: bread basket, appetizer, and main course, for about $13.95 per person.

Their bread basket consists of three small noshes: a muffin, a biscuit, and a scone.  The muffin and scone are my favorites, the biscuits tend towards a bready instead of flakey layered consistency.  

Bread Basket

For the appetizer course, you cannot go wrong.  I usually get the granola because it is the best in the city (crunchy, nutty, toasted, sweet, and filling) and served with a banana.  Mister goes for the papaya with lime.  The oatmeal is solid and my eyes have rolled into the back of my head with pleasure after consuming their crepes. As a side note, if you don’t want the entire three-course menu on Sundays or want to save money, you can order appetizers for $4.50 each…and did I mention the granola is filling? 

Granola

Papaya Slices with Lime

For the main course, there is always plenty of options to fit your mood including basic eggs, breakfast meat, and toast, a scramble or fritatta, pancakes, a breakfast sandwich, something with salmon, and usually something off beat (like a curry, traditional English fry-up, or other non-American favorite). 

Eggs, Sausage and Toast

Mexican Eggs

Mushroom, Zucchini, and Red Pepper Scramble

Frittata

Daily Cafe

902 NW 13^th St.

Portland, OR 97209

503.223.6919

www.dailycafe.net

No Comments | In: Breakfast, Oregon | tags: Breakfast, Eggs, Granola, Oregon, Pastry, Portland. | #