Wandering Fork

I was in Toronto, fighting G-20 event traffic, added security, and a shortage of hotel rooms.  After a long day at the office, I wanted to head back to my hotel with some take-out.  I was craving something Asian and checked out Yelp and Urban Spoon to find a nearby restaurant.  Salt & Pepper seemed to fit the bill and was only a couple of blocks away. While I am usually cautious about restaurants located in strip malls, I was in a suburban instead of city center area and decided to take a chance.

Exterior Signage

There were no customers, but it was still early (5:30 p.m.).  I reviewed the menu, informed the server I wanted something spicy and usually had Kung Pow or something similar, and asked if he could make any recommendations. He was not forthcoming with suggestions and did not seem excited about the offerings.  I ordered the Kung Pow Chicken, the Salt & Pepper Shrimp appetizer (a signature dish), an order of steamed rice, and a mango juice while waiting.  I took a seat, sipped my mango juice, took in the interior décor, and listened to an interesting mash-up of LA-based rap meets Bollywood.  I really liked the fun design of the light fixture over the cash register and thought it would be interesting for a tiki party.

Interior Light Fixture

When I returned to my hotel, I opened up my packages and was faced with too much food.  There was easily three cups of steamed rice and the Salt & Pepper Shrimp was as large as my entrée. 

Salt & Pepper Shrimp (front) and Kung Pow Chicken (back)

While I could have easily fed four adults with the amount of food, the actual food experience was disappointing.  The Salt & Pepper Shrimp was well seasoned, but over breaded. I peeled the shrimp out of their bread cocoons for consumption.  The Kung Pow Chicken, usually a safe bet, had a soupy tomato sauce base and was not spicy or well seasoned.  While I am willing to try new approaches to old favorites, the Kung Pow Chicken was not worth eating. Most of my meal ended up in the trash and I raided the vending machine in the hotel lobby.

Salt & Pepper

35 Brunel Rd. #4

Mississauga, ON L4Z 3E8

905.568-9900

www.saltpepper.ca

June 21, 2010

Salt & Pepper Shrimp                 $12.99

Kung Pow Chicken                     $10.99

Steamed Rice                            $ 3.99

Mango Juice                              $ 2.99

Total                                        $30.96 Canadian

No Comments | In: Dinner, Ontario | tags: Chinese, Dinner, Ontario, Toronto. | #

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. | #

I missed lunch and was starving by 5:00 p.m.  I asked Mister if he would be willing to go out to eat and offered to try “that pizza foodcart place that is now on Alberta.”  Apologies to owner Stephen Ferruzza, but I just couldn’t remember the name.

Inside an old brick building at NE Alberta and NE 28^th lurks the most amazing artisan pizzas. Murals cover the walls and a random assortment of tables, chairs, and sofas make you feel like you’ve dropped by a friend’s home. The menu is on a blackboard and signs announce that beer is “to go” only.  As it was starting to fill up, I left Mister in charge of ordering and grabbed a two top against the wall.  The woman taking orders and running the register bore a striking resemblance to Katie Holmes and the gents behind her provided quite the floor show by tossing pizza dough high in the air.

Mister arrived at the table brandishing two Mexican Cokes (sweetened with sugar instead of corn syrup) and informed me that he ordered a large pizza (18”) with pepperoni and black olives.  The pizza was brilliant, but huge. We each ate three pieces and still took some home. The crust: thin, crispy, and the perfect base. The tomato sauce tasted like real tomatoes and the basil was fragrant.  The black olives were the saltiest I have ever encountered, but added a nice balance to the dish.  Overall a successful and satisfying dinner, however next time I would probably try a salad, get a medium pizza 16”),  and stick with the Margherita. (Sometimes the simplest notes are the best.)

Menu

Floor Show – Tossing Pizza

Pizza Ovens

Mexican Coke

Pizza

Al Forno Ferruzza

2738 NE Alberta St.

Portland, OR 97211

503.253.6766

no website

May 1, 2009

Large Pizza                               $19.00

2 Mexican Cokes                       $ 4.00

Total                                        $23.00

No Comments | In: Dinner, Oregon | tags: Al Forno Ferruzza, Dinner, Mexican Coke, Oregon, Pizza, Portland. | #

Sometimes the best “date nights” are the ones you weren’t planning. I had just gotten my hair cut and styled by Theo Aalto, picked up a new lipstick from Nordstrom, and was enjoying a decaf latte at the Stumptown location by the Ace Hotel. Staring with amazement at my cup while my  crème art remained intact, I tore myself away long enough to call Mister to pick me up. He suggested that he meet me downtown for dinner, possibly Clyde Common?  I agreed, as it was only two doors down and I recalled they had a great selection of bourbon and whiskey.

Although Happy Hour was just ending, it was relatively quiet at the bar.  (Subsequently I learned that the Blazer’s game had a serious impact on business that evening.) I easily found a seat at the bar and ordered a cocktail: The Ivy League (bourbon, walnut liquor, cherry brandy, and Fee’s old-fashioned bitters).  Mister showed up looking quite spiffy and joined me.  As we made it through our first round, Mister asked the barkeep about making an El Presidente.  The last time he ordered this rum-based cocktail, I swore it smelled like Orange Crush, but tasted like something on which you could run an automobile.  Our barkeep pulled out an old cocktail recipe book (a.k.a. bible) and found two versions of this drink: Cuban and American.  Mister ordered the American version, and offered me a taste. Surprisingly, it was well balanced and much more appealing than his first foray into that area.  While ordering dinner, Mister waxed poetic about a Singapore Sling he had last year at the Carlyle Restaurant.  And, wouldn’t you know it, our barkeep was the person who put it on the menu at Carlyle before moving to Clyde Common.  Mister and I looked at each other and I promptly ordered a Singapore Sling while Mister ordered a second El Presidente.

Dinner consisted of chicken fried chicken liver served with arugula, bacon, and orange preserves and a half order of the tagliatelle with tuna, anchovy, tomato, olives, garlic and chili. Mister ordered the crispy beef tongue with cornichons, olive oil poached octopus, and fries.  I have a passion for liver, but I think the octopus may be the best starter on the menu.  I had some orange preserves left over and hoped that the kitchen may be willing to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me as dessert, but apparently the kitchen is very stringent about happy hour food versus dinner food and n’re the twain should meet.  Next time I’ll pop by during happy hour (3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 11:00 p.m. – close Monday – Saturday), and order the Nutella and jam press sandwich ($3.00).

After dinner, we walked a block to Powell’s Books and spent 20 minutes picking up a few goodies.  (Note to self: drinking and driving is bad, but drinking and book shops are a hazard to the AMEX.)

The Amazing Crème Art Experiment at Stumptown – Part 1

The Amazing Crème Art Experiment at Stumptown – Part 2

Clyde Common Bar Menu

The Ivy League

El Presidente

Singapore Sling

Chicken Fried Chicken Livers

Tagliatelle with Tuna

Crispy Beef Tongue

Poached Octopus

Clyde Common

1014 SW Stark Street

Portland, OR 97205

503 . 228 . 3333

www.clydecommon.com

April 24, 2009

Five Cocktails                           $42.00

Beef Tongue                             $10.00

Octopus                                   $11.00

French Fries                              $ 5.00

Chicken Fried Chicken Livers      $10.00

½ Order Tagliatelle                    $  9.00

Total                                        $87.00

No Comments | In: Cocktails, Coffee, Dinner, Oregon | tags: Beef Tongue, Chicken Livers, Clyde Common, Cocktails, Creme Art, Dinner, El Presidente, Happy Hour, Ivy League, Latte, Octopus, Oregon, Portland, Powell's Books, Singapore Sling, Stumptown, Theo Aalto. | #

I had a lovely dinner with three co-workers at Simon and Seafort’s in Anchorage.  We didn’t have reservations, therefore our part of four waited in their very busy bar about 15 – 20 minutes for a table. Once seated, I was impressed by the classic feel (wood paneling, oil paintings, old photos) and beautiful views of the Cook Inlet.

Touted as the Great Alaskan Dinnerhouse, both the main menu and the specials were filled with intriguing options, making it difficult to choose.  I started with the Seafood Deviled Egg Trio on the main menu. It consists of six deviled eggs topped with various seafood delights including Dungeness Crab Louie, bay shrimp cocktail, and smoked salmon with crème fraiche. Of the three flavors, I preferred the smoked salmon which worked well with the spicy deviled egg filing.  The bay shrimp and crab were okay and clean-tasting, but the flavors did not blend as well. 

I was able to “trade” a bite of my appetizer with my dining companion who had ordered the Baked Oysters Rockefeller. The restaurant bakes these individually to order and they are topped with Pernod, spinach, and bacon.  Because of the individual preparation, it takes a little longer for these to be served, but it is well worth it and had to be one of the best versions of this dish I’ve ever had.

By the time I got to my entrée of Halibut Cheeks with mashed potatoes and vegetables, I was already full.  The halibut was buttery and sweet, but there was too much to get through.  Needless to say, I was unable to partake of any dessert. Although the fresh berries and cream at the next table looked quite nice, I settled for a well-made latte.

If I have the opportunity to return, I will probably focus on their small plates, soups, and salads so that I can partake of a number of dishes and still have room for dessert.  Maybe the quick fried calamari with plum sauce and jalapenos, Hibachi style grilled oysters with a soy ginger sauce, Broadway pea salad, and the pudding trio for dessert.

Seafood Deviled Egg Trio

Baked Oysters Rockefeller

Halibut Cheeks                         

Simon & Seafort’s

420 L Street

Anchorage, AK 99501

907 . 274 . 3502

www.r-u-i.com/sim/

April 13, 2009

Seafood Deviled Egg Trio        

Baked Oysters Rockefeller        

Halibut Cheeks                         

Frogsleap Chardonnay (2007)   

Latte

No Comments | In: Alaska, Dinner | tags: Alaska, Anchorage, Deviled Eggs, Dinner, Halibut, Oysters, Simon and Seafort’s. | #

Watch out Portland BBQ joints, Slabtown Ribs & BBQ is not only scrumptious, but pulling in the trophies and ribbons on a regular basis.  Mister and I decided to drop by for a quick bite one evening after our previous engagement fell through.  Walking in, the smell made my mouth water and I felt like I was stepping back in time to 1977 and a BBQ joint in Johnson County, Kansas. 

I ordered the pulled pork sandwich which was fabulous and moist on a white bun with a side of baked beans.  I chose the Kansas City Classic sauce which was sweet, but not overly so.  Mister had the half rack of pork spare ribs with a side of baked beans. Quite a nice size portion of ribs, he enjoyed them for dinner, and again the next morning for breakfast.

I’ve had better BBQ sauce when living in Texas, or even Portland’s own Ghetto Gourmet, but overall the meat was so tender and my sandwich so well proportioned, that I will be returning on a frequent basis.

Slabtown Signage

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Slabtown Ribs & BBQ

2606 NW Vaughn Street

Portland, OR 97210

503 . 821 . 7844

(no website)

April 8, 2009 

1 x Pulled Pork Sandwich          $  7.50 

1 x Half Rack Pork Ribs             $13.00

Total                                        $20.50

No Comments | In: Dinner, Oregon | tags: BBQ, Dinner, Oregon, Portland, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Slabtown. | #

When living in Houston, Mister intrigued me the first time he described a “puffy” taco.  Shortly thereafter in 1998, he took me to Henry’s Puffy Taco (at the second location) because puffy tacos and tortilla soup brought back memories when he lived in San Antonio.  We met some folks he had worked with at St. Mary’s before sitting down to a fabulous Tex-Mex dinner which was tasty and inexpensive.

Recently, when I was scheduled for a business trip to San Antonio, I was determined to visit Henry’s again: both for the memories and the ability to call home and brag about it.

A lot has changed since 1998.  The new location is slick in a Joe’s Crabshack or Chili’s kind of way.  The interior lighting has improved, and the staff is friendly and attentive, however it feels more Disney-fied than the Henry’s of old.  The food is still inexpensive and I’d consider joining friends for happy hour (weekdays 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.), but the reality does not live up to my memories. 

For those who haven’t had experienced it, the puffy taco is a taco in a “puffed” shell and filled with meat (chicken, beef, pork) or, for vegetarians, beans and cheese or guacamole, and topped with shredded lettuce and tomatoes.  For $0.25 extra you can add cheese or sour cream to your taco or get a side of jalapenos.  The tacos are filling, so I wouldn’t recommend more than two, although I made it through three during dinner.  I was disappointed that the infamous puffy taco shell was greasy and a bit dough-y in the middle. 

The chips were solid and the salsa had a nice light burn. The margarita was okay, but I had swerved away from my traditional rocks and salt so I only have myself to blame there.  However, the lemonade was quite good, although there are no free refills. 

Overall, I have satiated my need to relive the past.  While I may not return because I didn’t have a beautiful food moment, I would recommend the food over some of the establishments on the Riverwalk.  It can be difficult to get to immediately after 5:00 p.m. due to 410 Loop traffic, but the location is family friendly and the servers will let you sit and chat long past dinner’s end.   

Margarita and Chips

Beef and Chicken Fajita Puffy Tacos

Henry’s Puffy Tacos Cantina

6030 Bandera Rd.

San Antonio, TX 78238

210 . 432 . 7341

www.henryspuffytacos.com

April 1, 2009 

3 x Faj. Taco w/ Cheese             $ 6.60

2 x Chicken Taco w/ Cheese       $ 4.40

1 x Side Sour Cream                 $ 0.25

2 x Lemonade                          $ 3.90

1 x Margarita (Small)                  $ 3.95  

Total                                        $19.10

I also want to thank Rosie for being willing to humor my dinner whims and taking this picture.  It made Mister laugh.

Puffy Taco v. Wandering Fork

No Comments | In: Dinner, Texas | tags: Dinner, Henry's, Margarita, Puffy, San Antonio, Taco, Tex-Mex, Texas. | #