Mangia

Mangia has moved to tumblr

2011-06-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

My hiatus has turned into a major blog lapse, but I recently became inspired to start a tumblr.

Follow me over to tumblr . . .

MangiaPortland.tumblr

Friday, April 1st, 2011: Clyde Commons

2011-04-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

To say I needed a drink tonight would be an understatement. I've spent the past 8 days with teenagers and came back to the hell of planning a school wide assembly. Clyde Commons was exactly what I needed.

Via Unknown Source

One greyhound in and the worries of my world were washed down, as did the fact I'm gluten intolerant. But on this Friday night, the rules went out the window. I will get drunk the night before wine tasting, I will eat gluten after a week of southern buffet bouncing and I will order dessert even though I gave it up for lent :) God understands that tonight is the exception. And whoever says food and alcohol can't solve your problems couldn't be more wrong. Let me tell you, I feel 95% better now.

We had the most delightful waiter who suggested blue cheese on my burger. Oh the burger . . . but why, when I told him it was incredible, did he have to tell me they hand grind the meat themselves daily, adding pork fat to it? Adding fat to fat isn't usually appetizing, but tonight I just smiled, loving the extra fat and feeling my face blow up two sizes. The burger was obviously perfectly cooked medium rare, because this is Clyde Commons and they know what they are doing--smoothly melted blue cheese, a perfect hint of pungent, without overshadowing the beef.

Via unknown source

I also ordered their $3 happy hour salad of mixed greens with a berry vinaigrette. And they brought us a small plate of their salted foccacio bread, with olive oil and crushed pepper. Melted. In. Our. Mouths. The simplest of things at Clyde are extraordinary for some reason; I can't put my tongue on why.

I think our waiter was amused by our chatter--ranging from law school, how to pronounce the menu, dating men 20 years older, how many fun size candy bars make up a real bar and things of that nature--and so when I asked for the dessert menu and the girls all said no and I exclaimed, I've had the most stressful week of my life, I'm getting dessert, he promptly brought me over a class of champagne to go with my Baked Alaska. God bless his heart.

The champagne-buzz-dessert combination is what really erased the past 24 hours of my life, leaving me worry free and knowing that life's OK. The Baked Alaska: chocolate mouse, along side a chocolate cookie, topped with bruleed merengie. Here's the kicker, which makes Clyde Commons just so spectaculare, inside the merenge is bourbon ice cream!!!! And to the side, in an adorable miniture pot, are toffee crumbles. Ahhh its all too much; I love it so.

So my advice friends and enemies a like: know that life will never be so difficult that you can't eat and drink your way to a better understanding of your challenges.

Salad Rollin'

2011-03-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have a sick obsession with Thai salad rolls. I think about them more then I probably should. Recently I discovered that, what used to be Sweet Basil Thai--now Oasisba, has delicious salad rolls for $2.25 during happy hour!!! This steal is beyond spectacular. Now from 5:00-6:30 daily I'm haunted by my salad rolls.

Oasisba is a little "different" then your average Thai joint. Not only because they offer Thai infusion, but because their servers are men dressed as women doing stand-up karoke throughout the evening. Yes, its exactly what you are picturing: drag queens taking your order, but before placing it, jumping up on tiny 5x6 foot stage to sing some show tunes, Celine Diane and even some Florence in the Machine.

This makes for a tiny bit of awkwardness when I have to get my salad roll fix by my lonesome, as I'm doing now. Those passing by doing a double take and for the life of me I can't figure out if it's because I'm sitting alone in a drag queen restaurant or if they are thinking what I am thinking, which is damn he's really hot for a girl??!

So now I'm sitting here jealous that his legs are much nicer then mine and that I'm a loner eating salad rolls in a drag restaurant as people judge me. Let me reassure you though. . . I'm perfectly content: salad rolls, Willamette Weekly in hand and watching you stare at me, as we both wonder if "you're thinking what I'm thinking."

Oh and if you're wondering about anything else besides the salad rolls . . . I'm not too impressed. Its average Thai food, but the major perk is their entertainment. My roommates love their House Special Curry, which is a yummy peanut sauce curry. Their happy hour menu is large, but practically everything else is fried. My advice is to go for a pre-dinner/gym/yoga /after Oprah snack.

Hiatus . . .

2011-03-12T15:31:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I've been away from you lately. It's not that I haven't been eating either--its just that I haven't been eating like I was. On these dark and rainy days I cook because putting on boots and running from car to restaurant gets oh so old. For that, I am sorry. Don't fret though, as soon as we get to spring, I'll be that full force restaurant goer you've grown to know.


Joy The Baker

And the only thing I want is this sweet sweet cinnamon pull apart bread from Joy The Baker. I took away dessert for lent. Jesus-please poke my eyes out. I wonder if its possible to make it sans gluten and sugar??!

Dick's Portlandia Kitchen

2011-02-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

I wondered over to SE Belmont tonight to try Dick's Kitchen and their gluten free burger . . . feeling much in need of some red meat.

I knew I was pretty close to Hawthorne, but really, Portlandia in full force at this joint. We were sat at a long community table, filled literally with 7 kiddlets. Feeling a bit like I had just entered child's happy hour, we ordered a few cokes and our wide eyed vegan waitress asked us if we'd like it sweetened with cane sugar, agave or honey . . . in which Bridget responded, "can you sweeten it with my ass?" Hmmm, "No, sorry." apparently they hadn't figured that one out yet.

Sustainable, local, grass fed, naturally sweetened, baked not fried; any other health conscience buzz words you can think of insert "here." Dick does it the healthy way. Which often isn't the case when you think of burgers, fries and milkshakes.

Chocolate Coconut Bliss Milkshake. Devine. There is NO dairy diarrhea happening from this shake! And guess what, it tastes identical, let me repeat that, identical to your everyday milkshake and yet, there is no dairy. If you don't like coconut, stay away though. For those who aren't familiar, Coconut Bliss is a dairy free ice cream created from coconut; its really amazing.

Their "Not Fries" are air baked (get it, not fried, hence the name). These also taste just like fries and yet are not fried. Wow, healthy can be fun and tasty! The one complaint here, as much as I appreciate house made sauces, I need some Heinz Ketchup when I'm eating a burger and fries--even if they're called "Not Fries." I'll bring some in my purse next time . . . the one sweetened with cane sugar, not high fructose corn syrup, of course.

The burger was lean and tasty. Make sure to slap on their housemade pickles and some whole grain mustard and the spicy garlic sauce.

If you're in the mood for a burger and don't want to feel guilty, head to Dick's. If you've already eaten 2-3 burgers in the span of a week, but need one more, head to Dick's. If you care about your health, head to Dick's. If you still believe in "au natural" head to Dick's.

Nacho Sunday

2011-01-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

Growing up my mom used to make giant Nachos. We would have Nacho Sunday's. I didn't appreciate these as a kid. Shame on me. As a grown up and now one that avoids gluten, I'm pretty into Nachos, especially ones that cost a mere $4.00 and fill four people up.

Casa Del Matador is their name. Nachos are their game. Oh and tequila. I don't drink tequila, but I do eat nachos. Daily from 4:00-6:00 and again from 10:00-1:00, you can order up their piping hot nachos for four buckeroo's. You can also add steak, chicken or chorizo for an additional $2.00. I prefer the chicken. This reminds me . . . the Superbowl is this Sunday and although I don't remember who's playing, I do know that nachos must be present.

These Nachos as an appetizer and a bowl of their Roasted Tomato Chicken Soup, made with a house-made chicken stock and flavored with lime, garlic, cumin, cilantro, onion, tomatoes, polenta and avocado, was overly filling and appetizing beyond belief.

I'll be back very soon to try their Goat Cheese Overstuffed Jalapenos . . . which are stuffed with ummm . . . bacon. Yes, it's true.

**Matador has an online Gluten Free Menu for those in need. Lots of choices and many substitutions can be made.

Bravo Toro!

2011-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Since I recently hit up Tasty N' Sons I decided it was about time I finally try the much talked about Toro Bravo. What took me so long? So on Sunday night I ventured over to the east side, in tow with an adorable date.

The wait was 45 minutes . . . this I knew to expect, but decided not to share with my Toro Bravo accomplice, in fear he may suggest going elsewhere. We went upstairs to Secret Society for a drink and appetizer. What I won't recommend is Secret Societies pickled deviled eggs (they taste like pickles dipped in mayonnaise--who pickles an egg anyways??).

Before we knew it the phone was ringing and I was running down the stairs for Toro!

They sat us, in what I think is always the best seat in the house, at the bar overlooking the open kitchen. There is something intimate and wondrous about sitting where you can see the chefs and sous chefs busy at work. It must be the smell of the dishes and heat from the ovens and stove tops. It's almost like you are a part of the cooking experience.

Toro Bravo's menu is extensive and as a first timer I have to say I was quite overwhelmed, even though I had looked up their menu countless times before arrival. How does anyone make a decision when everything sounds so intriguing?

We decided on the . . .
Orange Salad; blood oranges drizzled with olive oil and topped with an olive tapenade.

Potatoes Bravos; diced potatoes fried and smothered in a rich tomato sauce and topped with a creamy aioli.

Chicken and Clam Cataplana; baked chicken in a tomato sauce with steamed clams and chunks of jamon.

Ham Cocito; thick slices of ham, house made hotlinks, with a chickpea, onion and carrot stew.

Over all I was very pleased with Toro Bravo. Our order was a tad on the rich side, so next time I would mix it up, getting more greens involved and definitely add the polenta and dessert . . .

**Pardon the pictures, I was working with candlelight and one photography lesson on aperture.

So Tasty: Tasty N' Sons

2011-01-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

Fair well 2010. Hello 2011. Many of my friends this year were ready for 2010 to be over. It was a year many lessons learned--some harder than others. It was a year of a lot change, some good, but some difficult to accept. As I wrapped up my page and half of new resolutions and looked back on those from last year, I realize I came out on top and am more ready then ever to take on this new year.

#11 on my NY resolutions 2011 list: Stop procrastinating and eat at restaurants that have been on your "To Do" list.

Perfect, Tasty N' Sons had been on my list since opening day. I braved the wait and loved every second of it.

Went with a good friend who's been out of town, which accomplished #5 on my NY resolutions 2011 list: Make quality time for your friends.

And so in one morning, I knocked off two resolutions and was off to a fabulous start.

Now for the meal . . . Tasty N' Sons carries its name because it is just that: TASTY.

Everything is delicious. The presentation, the maple glazed sweet potatoes, the use of spices, the variety, the cherry red bloody Mary's with a hunk of beef jerky on top.

It was hard to decide what to order though. Everything looked incredible. After a very promising recommendation I opted for the Polenta with Sausage Ragu, mozzarella and a fried egg, $8. I was in heaven. 2011 heaven.

The polenta was creamy and the sausage ragu rich and flavorful and the yolk from the egg saturated the entire dish, not allowing me to put my fork down for even a moment.

I'm someone who wants a bite of everything, so the 'shared meals' concept worked very well for me. My friend ordered their seasonal Vegetable Frittata with squash, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, rapini & feta ,$7. Can't wait to go back. My recommendation is to try for a weekday to avoid some of the rush.

Tis' the Season for Sugar

2010-12-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

My absolute favorite part about Christmas are the Christmas cookies that come out of the woodwork during this time of year. I love Russian Tea Cakes, the peanut butter ones with the Hersey kiss in the middle, but my absolute favorite . . . sugar cookies!

I was overwhelmed by gluten free cookie recipes that included up to five different types of flours and a little thing called xanthan gum (what is this stuff??).

So when I stumbled upon Sugar Plum's Gluten Free Sugar Cookie, that didn't have a page list of ingredients, I jumped for joy! The secret . . . cream cheese. I know, it threw me too. I used Bob's Red Mill White Rice Flour, but any white or brown rice flour will work.

Be warned, the dough will be stickier then your typical sugar cookie dough. Use a hearty amount of flour when rolling them out. They will also be whiter and more fluffy than other recipes.

I was literally in shock when I compared these cookies to our flour filled ones. I liked them 10x better and I know you will too!!! I took a giant plate to work today, mixed the GF with the regular and the teachers were totally tricked!

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
By Emily, Sugar Plum Blog

1 1/2 cups white rice flour
2 teaspoons meringue powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat cookie sheets with cooking spray.

To make the cookies, in a medium mixing bowl, stir together white rice flour, meringue powder, baking powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together butter, cream cheese and granulated sugar until creamy - about 1-2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture until combined. Chill dough for 30-45 minutes in the refrigerator, or until firm.

Sprinkle additional rice flour on a work surface, and roll out in batches, to a 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out heart shapes and place on cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light golden and set. Cool 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

I'll Take the Whole Sea: Masu Sushi

2010-11-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

Obsessed. Obsessed like the movie Obsessed. In order to cleanse from the Thanksgiving extravaganza, I was courted to Masu Sushi. This however was not a cleanse. I ate a sea worth of sushi. I died and went to sushi heaven. It was a nice place made of wasabi clouds. It rained sake.

This is shi shi sushi. This is tres chic sushi. Not cheap . . . keep that in mind.

We ordered the menu. I know my pictures don't prove this, because this asshole I was with was "embarressed" of my photography skills, complaining that the flash was bothering other patrons. I was able to snap a few pictures before the camera was snatched from my death grip. It was OK though, I needed my full attention on the sushi.

Their specialty rolls are ridiculous.

…..death by sushi . . . salmon, unagi, crab, avocado and cream cheese rolled and fried then topped with masago, green onion, fantasy and eel sauce 6 pieces $12.

…..st. helen’s volcano . . .whitefish, crab, scallops, shrimp and avocado baked with our volcano cream sauce, eel sauce and smoked bonito. 6 pieces $12.

. . . . ragin’ cajun . . . dungeness and softshell crab and cucumber inside topped with cajun seared tuna and avocado finished with fantasy sauce, green onion and togarashi. 8 pieces $17.

. . . japanista . . . spicy crab, spicy tuna and kawaire with seared hamachi, cilantro and red jalapeno on top served with our hana and sweet chili sauce. 8 pieces $15.

. . . .on the cheap . . . The Caterpillar role is probably the best value. Large and only $9. Their happy hour is practically half off of sushi (minus the specialty rolls). Rolls are between $3.50-$5.00. They also offer some non-traditional Japanese for your less cultured friends--like a kobe beef burger with house tonkatsu for $8.

Park in the Indigo Garage for 2hrs of parking validation.

Foodbuzz 24x24: An Italian Thanksgiving Goes Gluten Free

2010-11-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a time of . . . well in my family, being very gluttonous. It means eating for 8 hours straight. It means having antipasti plates to feed 40 when we’re only serving 20. It means wine, wine and more wine and of course, a multitude of desserts.

The word glutton reminds me of the word gluten. A thing until very recently I relied on for practically every meal. Gluten intolerance has left me ~~dumbfounded~~ curious with the many GF alternatives. An Italian goes gluten free; the predicament of this very statement. Rice pasta, quinoa flour, flourless anything! And so I explore . . .

My sponsor, Foodbuzz, does a monthly challenge called 24x24. 24 Featured Publishers across the world are chosen to blog about a unique meal and all within 24 hours. Mangia was chosen. November’s challenge: Get creative on a Thanksgiving meal.

The task at hand: turning the most gluten-ous Italian Thanksgiving into GF deliciousness. Oh, and no one can know . . . Italians are very proud of their gluten.

Thanksgiving Menu

Caprese salad

Antipasti plate

GF French Bread

Fruit and Vegetable platters

Malone y Prosciutto

Turkey

Penne Rice Pasta with Chicken Sausage Marinara

Orange Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce

Grandma’s Sausage Stuffing with Dessert Lab Gluten Free Bread

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Quinoa Flour Gravy

Brown Sugar Yams

Green Beans with Pancetta

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie

Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

Dessert Labs Apple Pie

Fresh Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

The De Marco stuffing if I may say so myself, is not only our signature dish, but the best stuffing in all of the world. It’s not your typical dried out mush. Its full of flavor and texture. We decided to have a little test –which stuffing was better? GF or G filled? Let me just say the table was passing around both stuffings and not a word was mentioned.

Sides, sides and more sides . . .

Pancetta Green Beans--to die for. Nothing more then beans, olive oil and pancetta.

Our 26 lb turkey. Perfectly roasted. Cheers to dad for not drying it out.

On to dessert . . . Pumpkin Pie, GF Apple Pie from Dessert Lab and homemade Chocolate Cheesecake with a gluten free hazelnut crust. Brilliant and delicious.

Mi Familia . . .

Grandma’s Sausage Stuffing

1lb Italian Sausage (ground)
1 lb pancetta or bacon
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2-3 cloves garlic
2 cups white onion
2 cups chopped celery
3 bags of spinach
1 cup red wine
1 cup chicken broth
2 eggs
1 0-16 oz dried bread crumbs (depending on how bready you like your stuffing)
*We bought gluten free breadcrumbs from a local bakery
1 teas sage
1 teas marjoram
1 teas rosemary

Cook Italian sausage and bacon and put aside. Sauté mushrooms, garlic, onions and celery in ½ cube butter. Once cooked add spices and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Steam or boil spinach and drain. Don’t cook longer than 60 seconds. Transfer cooked vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add sausage and chopped bacon, bread crumbs, spinach, eggs, red wine and chicken broth. Mix the stuffing together until its well coated. Stuff the bird and enjoy!

Hola Esparza's!

2010-11-16T20:37:00.000-08:00

Tostada Guacamole; $9.95

Close your eyes and imagine you have to pick one region of food to eat for the rest of your life . . . what would it be? When I ask this of people, they more times then not tell me Mexican food (in which I usually feel offended that they wouldn't choose Italian food).

But I do like Mexican food. I like Mexican food with huge portions. I like it with refried beans, guacamole, sour cream and salsa with kick!

Esparza's on SE 28th is best known for their smoked meats. Smoked chicken. Smoked pork. Smoked beef brisket. Smoked wild boar. Smoked lamb. Yes, they have lamb.

Their menu is unique and expansive.

The Trailblazer: Smoked salmon enchilada with chipotle marinated shrimp and topped with jack, cheddar and jalapeno cheese.

Dale Evans: Smoked lamb flour tacos covered in mole sauce.

Of course we went more traditional . . . which was just as good.

Belly Dance Your way to Morocco: Marrakesh

2010-11-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes its a Thursday, but it feels like a Friday. Sometimes there's nothing you want more then to just leave, get out of town, skidaddle. But then you realize you have 4 weeks accrued vacation, but no money to go anywhere. And that's when you decide its time to go to Marracco.

"I've been to Morocco" -Margot
"Oh no, this is way better, this is like 'real' Marracan food." -Jerry

We lack restaurants in Portland that transfer you with the restaurants ambiances to the region of the cuisine. This is Marrakesh's speciality. Everything from sitting on plush pillows on the floor, to the waitresses washing your hands in a basin, to the voluptuous belly dancers.

But this isn't the only reason Marrakesh is wonderful--this is simply just the first reason--their food is incredible and if you've never experienced the flavors and textures of Moroccan food, well it will blow you away.

The Marrakesh experience includes a 5 course meal for $18.95. You will leave fuller then you thought was possible. If you are dining with 4 or more people, you can get their Royal Feast, which includes 5 entrees, including a special. I've done this, but nothing and I mean nothing, beats their Honey Plum Chicken. The chicken is coated with a honey plum and almond sauce and falls from the bone. You won't be able to get enough.

I told you this blog wouldn't become all about my new gluten free lifestyle, but for those of you in my same hellish boat, you'll appreciate this info. They were incredibly accommodating about my GF needs. The only thing you can't have is the bread (obviously) and the B'Stilla Royal, which is an egg and chicken in phyllo dough. They switched out the soup, which has a bit of flour, for a vegetable soup, which I thought was better then their lentil soup anyways. Also, they brought me a large salad of my own, since you typically dip bread in the large ones to share.

Pinot; An American Brasserie

2010-10-31T21:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome Pinot; the most accommodating and gracious $$$ restaurant I've been to in ages. Ruth Reichl (acclaimed food critic) wrote about the concept of spending money on a meal and paying not only for superb food, but for the experience and service. Nothing is worst then putting down a hefty dollar on a dinner and having the service be mediocre or worst.

Pinot may be new, but the chef and restaurant staff know how to make every costumer feel at home in their French kitchen. We were placed at the "chef's table," where we were able to see and feel all the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and see every exquisite meal being prepared.

Miss. Sarah's birthday dinner at Pinot was complete with a complimentary bottle of champagne (and when asked for strawberries, they implemented with raspberry sorbetto, in which they dolloped into each glass).

While I was obnoxiously taking pictures of cheese their platters, my nose practically touching the place, they simply offered me the plate; "That's an extra, would you like this one for your table? Otherwise I'll just have to give it to the staff."

Would I like a cheese platter?! Do you know who I am?

The dinner was spectacular. I had a "young hen." I wonder how young it was. I hope at least a teenager.

whole roast young hen roasted potatoes, carrot, onion and tomato

baby tins filled with fresh bread

Add captionskate wing potato gnocchi, brussels sprouts, preserved lemon, brown butter

alaskan salmon cauliflower and red potato gratin, horseradish

tagliatelle carbonara pork belly, shaved parmesan, duck egg

Birthday girl and Elizabeth

chocolate mouse

A New Beginning: Prasad

2010-10-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal, $6.50

Another month of cleansing. No sugar. No dairy. No gluten. No caffeine or alcohol. No fun. This detox is sucking the fun out of life. I'm that annoying patron asking, "is this vegan and gluten free; oh and is there sugar added?--ok, I'll just have water" Ugh. I hate the word gluten-free.

In order to prove to me that my life wasn't over a friend recently took me to this peaceful place in the Pearl, called Prasad. Suddenly I was at a home I never thought would be my home. Health and yoga nuts come from all over to chow down on their all gluten-free/vegan menu . . . oh and I should mention, its delicious!!!

I put on my ~~lululemon~~ generic brand yoga pants, ordered some healthy breakfast and fit right in. There's something tranquil about Prasad. I'm not sure if its the connecting yoga studios energy or the fact that the people eating here are probably well-balanced, healthy individuals who read magazines like Yoga Journal and books on 'mindfulness.' I kinda want to be like them. Oooommmmmmmm.

Their made to order gluten-free oatmeal is a perfect start to any morning with dried figs & currants, Brazil nuts, fresh fruit, vanilla and cinnamon with a side of coconut or almond milk and maple syrup. Its hearty and filled with the combining textures of the apples, bananas, peaches and nuts. Their fruits change from day to day. Lately I wake up thinking about this oatmeal.

I like my oatmeal sweeter then most. I've been known to order the oatmeal brulee from Gravy--encrusted in sugar. Surprisingly the maple syrup and coconut milk add just enough sweetness to this oh so much healthier version.

They juice their own juices and have a wild combination of smoothies. I like the Lucy Blue; blueberries and bananas. I'm dying to try the Stumblebee; peanut butter, cacao nibs, coco powder, Stumptown coffee, banana and the Popeye; spinach, marionberry, blueberry, banana.

New Cascadia gluten free teff bread with butter and homemade jam.

It's hard to explain this to you, but I left perfectly full and happy and healthy. Thanks Prasad. Gluten-free can be good.

P.S. I promise not to turn this into a Gluten-Free blog

The Last Supper. . . Little Big Burger

2010-10-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have some very, very bad news. Some news that might change my world as I know it, change my blog and on the flip side, change my stomach.

I found out . . . I'm gluten intolerant. I know I about died when I heard this news too. How could I, a foodie and anti-gluten hater be intolerant to the very thing that makes me, well me? No pasta, no bread, no cheesy burgers? How could this be true?

I can't tell you what this will mean for us. I hope you understand. I'll do whatever it takes to keep lots of gluten on this blog. And for those in the G-Free pact, get ready for some blogs dedicated to you ;)

Thank God I stopped by Little Big Burger in the Pearl before I heard the bad news.

A gourmet burger for $3.75, done, I'll take it. Fries coated in white truffle oil? Yes! Over 20 types of canned beer and root beer floats; not to mention their homemade ketchup!!! I love it all.

Catsup or Ketchup?

Root beer float with Tillamook vanilla ice cream.

Your choice: chevre, Tillamook Cheddar or blue cheese

Men and Meat: Stepping Stone

2010-09-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Bacon-Spinach-Cream Cheese-Tomato Scramble, w/ a homemade biscuit, $8.25

Last week I had a student ask me if I'd ever tried "The Farm" at McDonald's. "Well no, I don't think I have," I responded, "what is that?" "Its when you order a Double Pounder and a McChicken, put the chicken on the Double Pounder and add bacon. Want me to get you one?"

This must be a high school thing I thought . . . until I went to Stepping Stone and realized this a man and meat thing.

I have these three completely obnoxious friends that I think someday I'll make my bridesmen. They are hilarious, inappropriate, honest to a fault and coincidentally single . . . most likely more protective then my actual brothers, but non the less family. When they are wed, I will cry. Not out of happiness, but rather because sometimes I feel like I'm in a polygamist relationship with them.

We like food. We all like to stuff ourselves silly.

Saturday morning was no exception when we showed up to Stepping Stone (Lucio not surprisingly drunk from the night prior) ready to eat. I had been sick the week before, so found it the perfect excuse to consume my weeks calories in one meal before 11:00 am.

This is how you have to do Stepping Stone: drunk, hungover, diet-free, depressed and/or starved.

Order the scramble. Always ask for cream cheese in it. Substitute the toast for their homemade biscuit. Their biscuits are massive and so buttery. A biscuit a day . . . keeps the doctor astray.

If you are man and want to develope heart disease when you're older or if you're already old and you want to speed up this process, order what the boys got: Smothered B.A.- a slab of chicken fried steak, hash browns, onions, jalapenos, Tillamook cheddar all wrapped into an omelet and wait for it . . . smothered in sausage gravy.

Don't order the Eggs Benedict. This is not the place nor the time.

Order a Mancake, $3.50 to share with the table.

Fancy Mac N' Cheeze

2010-09-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

Velvety Mac 'N' Cheese, $5.00

How did I miss this one? It was staring me straight in the face too. I had no clue. I was clueless. Davis Street Tavern's happy hour is now on my hit list. By hit list I mean spots to hit up . . . not shoot up (in case you were confused).

I have one complaint, but I'll wait until after I tell you about this Mac N' Cheese to share it. Davis Street Tavern has incredible, superb, to-die-for, mouthwatering, ooey gooey, cheesy macaroni and cheese. Three cheese bechamel they say. I'm guessing . . . an aged white cheddar, cream cheese and a blue or gorgonzola which hits just at the end.

The waiter literally had to pry the plate from my hands.

Ok, so you're lactose intolerant. Not to worry. They have a Bar B Que Pulled Pork Sandwich with Apple Fennel Slaw and Blue Cheese Potato Salad ($5.00).

Succulent pork. Brightly flavored. Smokey. Ohhh soo good.

One of their specials was Fish Tacos with Guacamole.

Going back very, very soon for the Strip Loin Burger, Crab Bisque and Seared Albacore Carpaccio.

Oh ya my complaint . . . Old Town in the daylight . . . sometimes not so appetizing. Good thing it will start getting dark at 5:00 pm.

Practice doesn't make perfect when no one will allow you to practice . . .

2010-09-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family-

You are rude.

You encourage me to blog and chip in to buy me a camera that is worth more than my car. Yet, when we go eat you give me devilish looks for pulling out my camera.

Click. You're embarrassing us. Click. The flash is bothering those people. Click. Just let me eat. Click. Those pictures don't look very good. Click. That click sound is annoying. Click. Can we eat yet, can we eat yet??

No you can't eat yet--I'm trying to capture this meal before you destroy it with your man hands.

Until you can handle my new found art and start posing without posing for pictures, the $2.00 a month that I earn from Foodbuzz will not be shared. And next time you call me frantically searching for a restaurant, I'll tell you nothing. Oh and I'm not afraid to put those really hideous pictures of you stuffing your face on the internet.

So here are the only decent pictures that turned out from our Lorenzo meal . . .

Put the BBQ Away; Summer is Over

2010-08-31T21:28:00.000-07:00

Its back to school. Registration is tomorrow. The kids will be walking down the halls in a matter of days. The rain has already begun and overnight the leaves have slowly started to turn. I can't help but get excited about neon post-its, new office supplies and pulling out the blankets. Scalding hot coffee. Stocking up on EmergenC and bleach. Running from my car to . . . everywhere. Hello fall.

Portland likes to kick it though. We like to pretend it doesn't rain so much; like putting carts up all over the city and having outdoor venues. Amnesia is Portland's way of saying F-it. We refuse to put away our BBQ's; we will prosper, even in the rain. We will eat burgers outside in the fall, winter and on the darkest, dreariest days of spring.

We will sip on beer to keep us warm and on the sunny days we will guzzle it like its going out of style.

Burgers. Sausages. Beer. That's the menu. Take it or leave. I would suggest taking it . . . Spicy Kielbasa?

Their burger . . . makes me feel like summer may never end. So juicy. So flavorful. Especially when reminiscence of charcoal smoke stain my clothes and flood my sense of smell.

Lucca's is Not Only For Locals

2010-08-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

Family dinners can often be ~~horrifically stressful~~ a challenge. We are a low key group--or maybe we aren't lowkey, maybe we are more the opposite--high stress neurotics--one giant Seinfeld episode. And one thing we all have in common is food. Going out is something my family only does on special occasions, so any excuse to have my parents pay for my dinner, ends with me spending hours on restaurant websites scanning menus and trying to decide on the perfect meal for the occasion.

But like I said, we are "casual group," so for my dad's 50th birthday ( wink) I decided to counter my families stress with a comforting restaurant, close to the place I will soon no longer call home. Lucca's is female owned and operated, by Portlanders who know exactly what NEP families need; an affordable Italian restaurant with a comforting atmosphere and true Italian food. They are your classic neighborhood restaurant, tucked away just far enough, that only those living in a small radius knows about them. Lucca's however is too good to only serve locals and suddenly people will be coming from near and far to dine here.

Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about the food and wine and automatically recognized us from our Mother's Day dinner. He convinced us to get the seasonal antipasti of peaches wrapped in prosciutto, aside crostini with creamy goat cheese. Mmmm. A sinful combination of sweet, salty and tart.

The antipasti plate was filled with thinly cut meats, roasted garlic, cheese, pâté, olives and Italian beans.

We then took the waiters recommendation of the Arrbiatta Pizza, with Calabrian chilies, fresh garlic and crushed tomatoes, adding the sausage and farm fresh egg. Spicy and garlicky with a nice creamy affect when dipped in the egg yolk. Their stone oven was shipped from Italy. It knows how to make pizza.

Chicken under a brick

The Taglitelle with a classic meat ragu was the perfect comfort food and paired nicely with our Chianti Classico.

Lastly, we were treated with a complementary dessert of Profiteroles filled with homemade caramel gelato, chocolate sauce and salted toffee brittle.

Operation Summer Countdown: Ruby Jewel Treats

2010-08-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Sandwich, $4.00

Was it just me or is summer dwindling before our very eyes? I feel like suddenly we are counting down the days until fall quickly approaches and sweaty nights, cut off shorts and fresh basil are only faint memories.

Perhaps this is because I wasted all of July being a sad puppy or maybe its because Portland's summers, although spectacular at their best, don't start until July 1st.

No matter what it is, they go to quickly and for the next two weeks, my goal is to live up summer like its never been lived.

I just couldn't resist myself when I stumbled across Ruby Jewel's new NE Mississippi store front, where you get to choose your cookie flavor and your ice cream.

Homemade ice cream. Fresh baked cookies. Ice cream in-between cookies = deliciousness.

Chocolate Chip Cookie and Marionberry Pie Ice cream

What are you laughing at . . .?

Wait for it . . . intoxicated shirtless man imitating a baby inside. Weird.

Buon Compleanno

2010-08-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

To everyone who wished me a happy birthday, near and far, directly and indirectly, my most gracious thoughts go out to you for making my day of birth celebration special ;)

To celebrate we threw a small get together with my closest friends and family. The party was certainly bitter sweet as my childhood home is being sold (sale pending--could already be sold). I've had over 20 birthday parties in this backyard and to think this could be the last . . .

But we are moving on to bigger and better things. A kitchen that serves my mother's spectacular baking skills, an island for us all to stand around and hopefully a cozy guest room for me to sleep on Christmas Eve night.

Menu:
Prociutto e Melon
Caprese Skewers
Cheese and Crackers
Spinach Salad with goat cheese, pine nuts, red onion
Fettuccine with my mother's homemade bolognese sauce
Vanilla Cupcakes with Fresh Strawberry Frosting
Tiramisu

Wine, Wine and more Wine . . .

Let The Birthday Festivities Begin: Meriwethers.

2010-08-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

I'm a little champagne tipsy, stuffed to the brim with dessert and I just happened to have met my future in-laws tonight, so I would say the evening was a success. The "girls" took me out for the start of my week long birthday celebration. I'm spoiled, I know.

Love you girls!

Meriwether's outdoor patio is incredible. I can't believe I had never been and if you haven't either, I recommend you do so, and stat, before Portland's fall interrupts these calm summer nights. As soon as we sat down we were paraded with complementary champagne and then suddenly we began talking to the most adorable couple from the east coast, who were very aggressively trying to set me up with their son (who apparently is a chef!). The next thing I know I'm seeing wallet sized pictures and they are buying our bottle of wine.

My future in-laws, who also look like they could be my parents.

The outdoor garden

We practically ordered their entire dessert menu and sampled each one, passing the plates around and around. I hope the pictures speak for themselves. They were superb. Meriwether's has a high price point, but going for dessert and a drink on their patio is a perfect way to enjoy all that they have to offer.

Fresh Fruit Shortcake

Creme Brulee

Chocolate Coffee Torte

My favorite: Limoncello Custard Pie

Freaky Friday

2010-07-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Italians are extremely superstitious. I'm half Italian, so I'm half superstitious and half practical. For the past two nights I've had the most lucid dreams and neither one makes any sense--a starving baby, nakedness and a drowning cruise ship . . . I've played them over and over in my head and all I can figure out is that they are just weird and creepy. I'm torn between trying to find the meaning and just saying the hell with it, it's probably just because of this Inception talk.

So to take my mind off my bad dreams, I've daydreaming of my Mangia kitchen. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

All pictures found on The Kitchen

The Night We Drank Port and Ate Chocolate Cake

2010-07-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Blueberry Shortcake and Chocolate Cobbler, $7.00 each

Last Sunday, after a day out under the sun, we showered, put on our Sunday best and went for happy hour at Basta's followed by dessert and port at Serrattos. I'm not posting about Basta's because their happy hour is still under Mangia investigation. The time before last happy hour was delicious and I was astonished by their burger and anti-pasta plate, but this time around, the burger was over salted, the risotto under salted and the spaghetti only mediocre. Its funny how with wonderful people, even bad food can taste pleasant though.

Apparently I am on a happy hour binge; Saturday I had happy hour at Serratto as well, so we went back Sunday for dessert. I must say this restaurant goes quite overlooked, especially for their happy hour (which I'll post about soon). The restaurant is huge and gorgeous with rustic, blue Italian chairs, large wood tables and large windows looking out onto NW 21st. Their outdoor seating is perfect for people watching, but its also nice because its on the quieter end of 21st.

As I said, for this outing we went for port and dessert. Their dessert menu changes daily and on this Sunday they offered a Blueberry Shortcake, with a blueberry sauce, fresh shortcake and creme chantilly (a fancy word for whipped cream, I'm only copying their prestige). The shortcake was moist with a hint a salt and a sprinkling of sugar on top.

We also ordered the Chocolate Cobbler. Why they called it a cobbler I do not know; perhaps for the same reason they called whipped cream, cream chantilly on the menu. The Chocolate Cobbler tasted like hot molten lava cake, minus the hot fudge in the middle. It was delicious and the richness complimented by the homemade vanilla bean gelato.

Some Like it Hot and Spicy: Eat; An Oyster bar

2010-07-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Jumping for Cajun joy!

Shrimp Etouffee, $10.00

I don’t like oysters, except for in clam chowder, oh wait those are clams; so I guess I don’t like oysters unless they’re in an oyster bar, where I can get something else. I don’t like oysters; Oysters have the texture of phlegm. Sorry, I know that isn’t all that appetizing, but I had to put it out there. It’s ok if you like oysters, I know lots of people who do, I’m just not one of them.

Eat: An Oyster Bar, has plenty to offer besides oysters. Their southern Creole menu is small, but their dishes pack heat. I ordered the Shrimp Etouffee—a southern stew made with spicy as hell tomato roux, shrimp and tons of cayenne pepper, smothered over a bed of white rice. It’s delicious with succulent shrimp, but be aware, hot, hot, hot.

They offer your classic Cajun dishes; Po Boys, Jambalaya, Seafood Gumbo, BBQ Shrimp, Frog Legs, Blackened Catfish and a Whiskey Bread Pudding. Oh and did I mention they serve oysters . . . and that oysters feel like swallowing your own congestion.

Eat’s décor is eclectic southern with a N. Williams feel, mix matched kitchen chairs and a fun southern waiter, who thought the Shrimp Etouffee was spicy, but failed to say it’s SPICY!!!! I loved the atmosphere here and can’t wait to go back for a drink and some more hotness.

Gumbo

Baked Oysters: I hear when they are baked the texture changes, but I'm too scared

Shrimp Etouffee

Po Boy

Let Be and Be Free: Eat McDonald's Breakfast

2010-07-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

As Monica wrote, this morning was "just one of dem days." I slept horribly and thought my new neighbors were blaring their TV until the wee hours of the morning, all to find out, I had left my TV on; which really kills me, since I could have slept well had I just turned off my TV. On top of that, last night was some cosmic oddety with a moon, straight from Moonstruck, that was shining through my window all night--tricking me into thinking I had to get up every few hours.

The neurotic sleep didn't help matters when I got out of bed, drowned in my coffee, which I clumsily doubled with sugar and suddenly found myself on Facebook when I was just trying to check the weather. Late again, I stumbled into work without breakfast, to find two teens straddling each other. Not the best visual before 9:00 am. Luckily I had grabbed a packet of oatmeal before flying out the door--which I then somehow managed to burn. I burned oatmeal people. How is this even possible?? So the heck with it, I'm sitting at my desk, giving advice to another student on high school boys (could dating in high school be worse then dating in your 20's?) and eating an Egg McMuffin from McDonald's and thinking, I regret not splurging for the hash browns , but life's not that bad: McDonald's really does make everything better.

Around the World in Thirty Minutes

2010-07-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

N. Greeley Food Carts
Portland has clearly gone cart crazy—we are off the deep end, obsessed with food carts and these little clusters are popping up on every empty lot. This of course is a major plus for me because I’m cheap.

In my first visitation to the N. Greeley carts, my friend and guest photographer, Barbi Farney and I went to Thailand, Venezuela and Guam. We were very tired upon our return to work. This cart gathering began about 4 months ago and quickly grew to 15 carts. It is quite a nice bunch, with a good array of countries and also a quaint seating area in the middle—something you miss out on during downtown's cartlands. Eating while standing is something I try to avoid.

We began with Pineapple Fried Rice from Sila Thai ($5.50). The rice was brilliantly flavorful and moist, with large pineapple chunks, cashews, carrots and onions. This fried rice was no joke and the serving was HUGE.

Next we ventured to Caraquena, where cart owner Michelle recently moved from her SW 5th and Oak location. Here we experienced the Plate of the Day, featuring a maple beef arepa, sweet chili pork empanada with house cabbage, rice, molasses black beans and a house salad ($7.00). The maple beef arepa was incredibility rich and tender. I could have eaten 5 more.

We then stopped over to PDX 671, for some Guam cuisine . . . it’s not every day Portland Guam fusion hits the stage. There we sampled their Kelaguen Mannok ($5.75)—tiny chopped chicken, mixed with lemon, grated coconut, peppers and onions, served alongside Titiyas or Chamorro Flatbread; grilled, coconut flavored flat bread. The chicken is very smokey and the flatbread sweet and light. The combination makes for the perfect pairing.

Lastly we grabbed a corn on the cob from Starsky and Husk, oh and an ice cream cone from Scoop. Both delicious.

Oui, Oui

2010-07-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

Fruit Tartlet, $3.75
I’m on a me kick. This entails a Facebook hiatus, yoga, lots of daydreaming about Paris and the French countryside, a New York Times Bestseller, writing and as much park and Ipod time as possible. I had a dream I was in Paris the other night . . . then I listened to French music and coincidentally enough I posted on my Facebook—pre hiatus—that I wanted to go in September. You won’t guess what happened next, suddenly I found myself in front of Petit Provence. So I took it all as one big sign that I must have a Fruit Tartlet and guess what? I was right; I was supposed to have a tartlet.

La Petite Provence gives the Oregonian the perfect boulangerie fix and for a reasonable fair. Their breakfasts are large and rich and their homemade pastries are out of this world, or at least out of the states. Allow me to digress; I have trouble making decisions. I spent over 30 minutes in Powell’s today deciding which color August to August day planner to buy. I am that crazy woman walking back and forth, away for a moment and then back again, pacing the shelves, trying to make a simple decision. I almost always walk away feeling regretful.

So you can imagine my dismay tonight when the dessert choices at La Petit Provence were endless. Finally, with a little guidance I choose the Fruit Tartlet. I did not regret. I ate each bite slowly, savoring the plump blueberries, sweet strawberries and custard filling; adoring the gelatin over glaze and buttery crust. I even licked my fingers clean of the last few crumbs on my plate.

If for anything else, maybe you’re gluten free or something (I’m getting annoyed of you people), go to Le Petite Provence so that you can sit in their beautiful boulangerie, which they’ve clearly spent tons renovating. Sit next to the open windows and forget you are on the most gentrified street in Portland. Forget you have work tomorrow, that you spilled wax all over your tile floors and that you have 3lbs to lose. Sit, breathe and eat pastries.

Forget Taco Bell

2010-07-04T12:48:00.000-07:00

Al Pastor Taco, $1.25
The only way to end a night of drunken messiness is with a hardy meal, before passing out makeup and all. For awhile this meant weekend trips to the McDonald’s walk up window and then driving a cab through Taco Bell--which was obnoxiously expensive--but anything to get your fix. Dante’s Pizza is of course in there plenty of times and I often stay away from VooDoo Doughnut because of that story I told you about where I ate an entire bucket of doughnuts. A new found favorite was just discovered and if you knew about this and didn’t tell me, I officially dislike you.

I might be super late on this one, but I was introduced to Taqueria Las Piedritas, on NW 4th and Davis St. Friday night. Taqueria Las Piedritas: a lone midnight taco cart, serving a short menu of classic Mexican, including fresh tacos with homemade corn tortillas for $1.25 and massive burritos for $4.50. Why have we been supporting Taco Bell when this place existed? I’m ashamed. The Al Pastor Tacos were incredible and the homemade tortillas were so fresh. You don't even need to feel guilty, because unlike the Tachos I inhaled last night this midnight snack is fresh fresh fresh! See you there tonight?

Food Cart Frenzie

2010-07-01T20:12:00.001-07:00

Summer To Do List

Drink champagne for no reason at all
Read in the park
Eat raspberries, cherries and nectarines
Buy a Digital SLR camera for you ;)
Eat from a new food cart every week

Khao Man Gai, $6
Her name is Nong and she serves traditional Thai street food. Apparently the streets of Bangkok are filled with venders selling Khao Man Gai (rice and chicken). Don’t be fooled by its simplistic appearance—Khao Man Gai is some serious cart food. Nong poaches a whole chicken and then with its carcass creates a Thai seasoned broth in which to cook the rice. The meal is complimented with Pungeon sauce: pureed soy beans, ginger, garlic, chilies, vinegar and dash of sugar. It’s served with few sprigs of cilantro, slices of cucumber and a small bowl of light, lemony soup to balance out the meal.

This little cart on SW 10th and Alder creates quite the stir, with constant lines, even aside from lunch rush hour. Her one item menu has even been recognized by Gourmet.com and the Oregonian votes it in the top 8 of carts. If you haven’t yet explored the SW carts, this is a perfect place to start.

Doughnut Pool Party: Tonalli's Doughnut's and Cream

2010-06-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Deep dark secret: last summer, the students drove me to eat an entire bucket of doughnuts. I know, sick right? I couldn’t eat a doughnut for six months and ever since Voodoo Doughnuts kind of make me weary. But my doughnut eating days are back and in perfect time for school and iced coffees. I'm a huge doughnut fan--probably my biggest vice is binge eating doughnuts. Confession: I used to go to church for the doughnuts. Most recently I have fallen in love with Tonalli's Doughnuts.

Tonalli’s Doughnuts and Cream is a family owned (Roosevelt Roughrider family coincidentally) doughnut and ice cream shop. They began on Alberta and stuck through when they could have easily been pushed out by some $3.00 fancified doughnuts. Lucky for us, they’ve pushed through and have even expanded to a store on N. Lombard (Yay doughnuts at work daily!). The N. Lombard store looks pretty . . . hmm, how to do I put this . . . sketch? But in all seriousness, both doughnut shops offer incredibly tasty doughnuts that are fresh, fresh, fresh. This is your classic doughnut shop, stocked full with every imaginable variety and for .75 cents apiece it feels like stealing . . . Their cake doughnuts literally melt and I mean melt in your mouth.Their maple bars and twists are light and fluffy and their cake doughnuts glazed to perfection. Try their doughnut holes too.

Came across this blog post: Holy Foods with a fabulous overview of Portland Doughnuts: live it, learn it, love it.

It's True, I've Never Been to Pok Pok

2010-06-22T23:30:00.000-07:00

You know those restaurants you can’t stop hearing good things about and you spend months thinking/planning a time to go, but it just doesn’t happen and then suddenly you’re the elephant in the room who hasn’t been? But by this time, you feel like you can’t even go, because everyone has hyped the place up so much that the food is supposedly better then sex and it’s just never going to be as good as anyone has made out to be and so you find yourself, a food blogger, avoiding a very, very good thing, for very, very bad reasons. Welcome to my Pok Pok situation.

Saturday night, my two fake sisters were in town and what a better occasion to do it up. We made reservations for 6 at 6, I wore my new strappy wedges that make me oh so tall and I anticipated my virginal Pok Pok meal for count em’ 3 days.

We left all decisions in the hands of our waiter (smart choice) and as each dish was brought out, he explained in detail the ingredients and how to eat each item. I was too excited though and I couldn’t take pictures, comprehend ingredients and eat all at once, so I sat dumbfounded for a moment or so and then just started grabbing food as fast as I could, because as it goes with family style—when its gone, it’s gone.

The food was exquisite, the flavors unique and bursting with spice. I started with a special cocktail, made with mango infused vodka and coconut milk; it was like a very mellow version of a piña colada straight up. The Khao Soi Kai, a delicious soup had a bone-in chicken leg and thigh in it, with the meat literally melting off the bone into the broth. Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings were as good as everyone describes them— spicy, garlicky and yet caramelized with a hint of sugar. The Kuung Op Wun Sen— gulf prawns cooked in their shell with pork belly, soy, ginger, whiskey . . . had too many ingredients to even doubt their prestige. Everything was like nothing I’d ever tasted.

The table favorite was the Muu Paa Kham Waan—boar collar meat smothered in garlic, coriander root and pepper, and then glazed with soy and sugar, grilled and served with a spicy chili-lime-garlic sauce. We paired the small slices of meat with sticky rice. They serve you mustard greens covered in crushed ice to chew on post spice.

We ended the meal with two desserts: the Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich—ice cream made with coconut and pieces of jackfruit (a mango/papaya tasting fruit) a top a sweet bread and drizzled with chocolate syrup and the Pok Pok Affagato—condensed milk ice cream drizzled with Vietnemese coffee and served with two homemade doughnuts.

Anticipation equaled about 3 days and some odd hours. The meal was prepared in about 40 minutes and it was consumed in about 10. Brilliant, delicious, can’t wait to go back, relax and enjoy it all again.

Burger Bust: 23/Hoyt

2010-06-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

$5.00 Happy Hour Burger
23/Hoyt went through a little makeover since last summer and this “new American tavern” now offers a $5.00 happy hour burger, which is to die for. Their burger is made with fresh ground beef from Strawberry Farms, white cheddar, aioli on a brioche bun. I’m not sure exactly what makes this burger so delicious—perhaps it’s the white cheddar and brioche bun, making it sweet and savory. The beef is tender and well seasoned and cooked excellently medium rare.

If you are into happy hour burgers or burgers in general, 23/Hoyt should definitely be on your radar. However, be fair warned, their staff needs a straight attitude check. I just called to double check their beef resource and the beezy’s attitude almost just got her Mangia cut! Sit outside so you don’t have to deal with people that think they are the ish for working on 23rd. Ok, now I’m just pissed—but seriously their burger is bomb, so you should try it.

Elephant Ears and Beer

2010-06-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

I may have been more excited about the elephant ear than the beer Friday night at Zoo Brew (don't judge). Nothing compliments a beer buzz more than fried dough, melted butter and loads of cinnamon and sugar. When life takes some unexpected turns, you just need to sit back and eat an elephant ear. A staple to the Portland Zoo.

June marks the beginning of elephant ear season—zoo trips, Rose Festival, Saturday Market, Oregon State Fair (etc). Although it feels like summer may never come this year . . . at least we have elephant ears to make us think that summer is in the near future.

For beer enthusiasts, a copious amount of breweries offered tastings- 50 to be exact. You also had the option to purchase more tokens for, yes you guessed it, more beer. There was so much beer, I witnessed four people fall on their faces, including a dear bestie of mine (love ya!). Still, nothing warmed me as much as that elephant ear- hot, crispy, doughy goodness.

Do yourself a favor; celebrate the beginning of summer with one of Portland's finest treats, the elephant ear. You won't get enough.

Ken’s Artisan Bakery Pizza Mondays

2010-06-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Arrabiata Pizza $13.00

A few weeks ago I went on a little pizza date. You know when you haven’t had pizza in like 5 days and suddenly you can’t stop thinking about it and even boxed pizza seems like it will suffice? But then you realize that you will spend $5 on a frozen pizza, which is practically 2 slices of good pizza . . . ok, so now you understand my eternal pizza struggles.

via

I happened to remember that Ken’s Artisan Bakery on NW 21st makes pizza’s in their brick oven every Monday evenings! I have wanted to try Ken’s Artisan Pizza for quite some time, but every venture to SE leaves me undetermined to wait over an hour.

via

We walked in and were seated right away. Shhh, we don’t want all those SE folk knowing our Ken’s ‘no wait secret.’ We ordered two pizza’s; the Soppressato Pizza, with tomato sauce, spicy soppressato, fresh mozzarella and basil and the Arrabiata Pizza, with tomato sauce, hot Calabrian chilies, mozzarella and basil. The Arrabiata was topped with a small dish of sea salt and dried chilies. Both were delicious; the crusts were crispy and the sauce tasted just as it does in Naples.

So currently I’m feeling really torn. When it comes to Italian style pizzas, I've been a Nostrana’s girl, but after trying Ken's, I'm realizing that Nostrana's has some serious competition . . . I’m undecided as to who’s pizza is better. What do you think??

via

Happy Graduation Roosevelt Seniors!

2010-06-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

My nostalgia about the Seniors graduating is in full force, so I decided to buy a school lunch today and spend one of the last lunch periods with Roosevelt's soon to be graduates. If you were somehow unaware of what we are serving youth these days, look very carefully and tell me if that chicken is from a bird.

FYI, PPS is still using Styrofoam plates and those pears are covered in high fructose corn syrup and cinnamon! YUM! The plate may taste better than most entrees. However, they out did themselves with the fried spicy chicken nuggets and the cornbread was *fire.*

Can I just rant for hot second? Roosevelt HS serves a population where 76% of the students receive free or reduced lunch—meaning many students are eating meals at school for not one, not two, but three meals a day!!! And this is what we are serving them?! Believe you me, this is not the first time I’ve thought about the issue and if the staff wasn’t dealing with the districts highest teen pregnancy rates, dropout rates at 50% and mental and social health issues on an hourly basis, we may be able to get together and boycott the fair.

Sriracha hot sauce to cover up the taste of almost anything.

Until then, cheers to school lunches and to the 2010 graduates who have eaten Nutrition Services food for the past 12 years of their lives. We love you!

Sandwich Saturdays: Meat Cheese Bread

2010-05-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Chicken Salad Sandwich, $7.95

Saturday. Sandwich day. Not your brown bag sandwich variety though; Saturdays are for complex sandwiches and Meat Cheese Bread stands and delivers (figuratively, they don’t actually do deliveries). Have I ever told you that I used to be a sandwich extraordinaire—making sandwiches at a hole in the wall deli for 3 years in high school? If I know anything, its sandwiches.

Meat Cheese Bread, with its quaint retro-southern feel, has a short list of 8 sandwiches; each distinctly unique and complex. With a staff suggestion, I decided to try the Smoked Chicken Salad. This sandwich was remarkable. Let’s begin with tender chicken in a smokey mayo with diced water chestnuts for an added crunch. The chicken salad was then topped with grilled onion, slices of avocado and lettuce, all atop a toasted flaky baguette, tasting practically like a croissant. Everything about this sandwich worked; the smokey chicken with the creamy avocado and sweetness from the bread.

My sandwich eating partner in crime decided on the Roasted Mushroom sandwich. I’m not typically a fan of mushrooms, due to paranoia of getting slipped magic mushrooms. However, I put my fears aside and sandwich also packed a huge flavor punch, with sherry onions, smooth and creamy goat cheese and thick, smoky bacon, and frisee on a sweet roll. Be advised, in a matter of minutes this sandwich will melt together and if it’s not consumed fast, you will have yourself a delicious mess, with a soaked roll.

Everything about Meat Cheese Bread works and I will be visiting again soon to try their Park Kitchen, with flank steak, pickled onions and blue cheese aioli.

Can I Take the Plates Home with The Take Out? Cha'Ba Thai

2010-05-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

I had been hearing rave reviews from some fellas who used to live on deep Sandy about a little hole in the wall Thai restaurant called Cha’Ba Thai. Well just a few weeks ago, Cha’ Ba opened their second location (good work!), taking over the old Vita Café spot on NE Alberta.

I was able to go before the Alberta crowds knew what was up. The food was excellent and their new set up is perfect for summer Thai nights in their large . . . side yard really. Our server was this sweet gentleman with the softest, most calming voice—I think he was trying to hypnotize us.

Cha’Ba is super cheap—four us ordered Pad Vegetable with Cashew, Red Curry, Pad See Ew and two orders of Fresh Rolls and it was $9.00 each!!! We were all perfectly full. The vegetables were cooked with the right amount of crisp and every dish was incredibly flavorful. I can’t wait to go back! Tuk Tuk has a new competitor . . .

Pad Vegetable with Cashew Nut and Chicken

Fresh Rolls with Tofu

Red Curry with Tofu and broccoli

Pad See Ew with Tofu

NEW Cha'Ba Thai
3024 NE Alberta

This Little Piggy Went to Cochon 555

2010-05-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Beloved Foodbuzz gifted me tickets to Cochon 555. Probably haven’t heard of this event unless you are a serious farmer, foodie, chef or wine connoisseur. Cochon 555 (French for pig) is a culinary competition to raise awareness for heritage pigs and the 555 comes from 5 top chefs, 5 winemakers and 5 pigs make this event, where each chef creates a tasting menu using, wait for it . . . the whole pig. This event spams 10 metropolitan cities and in the end, one chef is marked the Chochon winner.

Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon

Naomi Pomeroy, Beast

Andy Ricker, Pok Pok

Chathy Whims, Nostrana

Jason Barwikowski, Olympic Provisions

If you are vegetarian, stop reading now and DO NOT SCROLL DOWN! I’m about to show you a picture of a skinned pig head. I’m a carnivore and this was even a lot for me. So before I understood this event in the slightest, I thought some meat heads had gotten together to eat a lot pork. However, after some research, I saw that these foodies are actually saving the world and heritage pigs (pigs that have bloodlines that go back hundreds of years; we’re talking 1700-1800’s) from becoming extinct, due to commercial farmers and a loss of demand. These breeds have distinct flavors that you simply cannot find in commercial hogs.

Local chefs and restaurants are bringing heritage pigs back and tonight I had a sampling from Portland’s finest culinary geniuses.

my favorite: coppa di testa, polenta, grana padano
Olympic Provisions

larb, Pok Pok

pulled pork and coleslaw
Le Pigeon

Lovejoy Bakers.

2010-05-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

Egg and Ham and Cheese Sandwich $6.00

Oooh Ristretto Roasters—how I love you. When I wake up in the morning and my eyes are practically swollen shut, I think about swimming in your goodness. Welcome Lovejoy Bakers—Finally a spot that serves Ristretto Roasters in NW. A warehouse-esque bakery that recently opened in the pearl, with clean white walls, lots of seating and good baking and people watching (and sorry to say because I still love my Acai bowls, but who will most likely run Sip and Kranz into the ground if they don't get their act together!). Ristretto Roasters, Egg sandwiches and cute bakers sounds like the perfect
coffee house . . .

Their egg sandwiches are delish—I ordered the ham and egg and added fontina. They have a small menu of only 4 breakfast sandwiches. If you like a more complex breakfast, try their Deluxe Egg Sandwich, which is rich with blue cheese and bacon. All sandwiches are on their homemade ciabatta bread, toasted and spread with salted butter.

deluxe egg sandwich.

exposed pastry rack.

latte.

croissant.

ristretto's new location on n. williams.

photos via lovejoy bakers and ristretto roasters

Happy Mothers Day Momma

2010-05-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

My mother is sweet like sugar and sassy like lemons, so for Mother's Day I'm gonna make her these beautiful Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. I frequent Cannelle et Vanielle, the most beautiful food blog I've ever seen. Her pictures are stunning and every post is cheery and fresh. This will be my first attempt at one of her recipes. Wish me luck ;)

I'm gluten tolerant and like to indulge in all the flour I can eat, so to make this recipe gluten filled, all you have to do is use add up all the flour amounts and use all purpose flour instead. Omit the xanthan gum and use melted and cooled butter instead of olive oil.

Soaked Lemon, Poppy Seed and Olive Oil Cakes
(Gluten and Casein Free)
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs grated lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract (gluten free)
1 cup superfine brown rice flour
1/2 cup millet flour
2 Tbs tapioca starch
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 Tbs poppy seeds
1 cup olive oil (I used Arbequina)

Lemon Syrup
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar

Whip the eggs, sugar, lemon zest and vanilla extract for about 5 minutes until they are light and thick.In a bowl, whisk together, the flours, xanthan gum, salt and poppy seeds. Fold the dry into the whipped egg mixture. Be gentle not to deflate the batter too much.Take about 1/2 cup of the batter and whisk it with the olive oil. Incorporate this to the main batter and fold gently. Pour into baking cups and bake at 350F for about 18-20 minutes.

In the meantime, make the simple syrup by boiling the lemon juice and sugar. When the cakes come out and are still warm, poke holes on the top and brush them with the lemon simple syrup until well soaked.

*Pictures and recipe via Cannelle et Vanille*

Love you momma!
P.S. Will you help me make these?

Hipster Zza: Dove Vivi PIzza

2010-05-02T17:57:00.000-07:00

Slice- $3.75 Half- $10.00 Whole- $20.00

I'm obsessed with Dove Vivi. I go to bed dreaming of their crust. I like pizza. I'm pretty much down to get down on pizza any night and now that I've found my new favorite pizza place in town, my pizza eating days have just taken a new low . . . or high?

I had driven by Dove Vivi on NE Glisan countless times and neither noticed it nor knew or heard anything about it. People of Portland: Why are you keeping pizza secrets from me? Finally my friends brought me home left overs and even their luke warm pizza scraps were enough to get me hooked.

Its all in the crust and theirs is like crusty cornmeal pie. I can't explain to you how good it is, you'll just have to go and see for yourself, because me explaining it is just going to make it sound weird and your gonna be like that sounds like some hipster pizza and it is kinda hipster, but it is smazing hipster pizza.

goat cheese and pesto pizza.

They use local ingredients and have a way of making every pizza unique. I Tried their Goat Cheese, which of course has goat cheese and mozzarella, marinated green peppers, rosemary and marinated roasted tomatoes. It was divine. Their Sausage pizza has homemade fennel sausage, caramelized onions and marinated green peppers. They offer combination's that will blow your pizza loving mind--Fig Pancetta with fresh fig jam, greens and mozz, Tasso Ham with fontina and sauteed greens, Caramelized Onion with blue cheese and thyme. They know what's up with pizza.

fresh spices.

outdoor seating.

fresh green salad.

Taste of the Nation: Heaven on Earth

2010-04-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

As part of the Foodbuzz Foodie Correspondent Program, I was able to attend a fabulous event: Taste of the Nation. A night of the most delicious tastings around town. Wine. Beer. Cocktails. Desserts. Tonight I may have actually died and gone to heaven--I just wish I could have brought all my friends.

My favorites from Taste of the Nation

Garden State
Crostini with Confit of Pork Shoulder, Giardiniera Relish and Arugula

Vindalho
Lamb Kofta with Tomato Yogurt Curry

Nel Centro
Home Made Cracker with Fresh Ricotta and Peperonata

Urban Farmer
Cheese Steak Sandwich with Oregon raised, grass-fed beef
(the sliced beef is then fried into patties)

Seres
Tofu Salad Rolls

Seres
Crispy Prawns with Honeyed Walnuts

Accanto
Panini Misti

Ruth's Chris Steak House
Seared Midwestern Beef

Celilo
House Smoked Salmon on Lavash Cracker

Cheese Bar
Raclette

Bamboo Sushi
Albacore Carpaccio

Ruby Jewel
Cinnamon Ice Cream Sandwiches

Screen Door
Banana Toffee Pies

Organic Living: Portland State University Farmers Market

2010-04-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

Bacon Bagel Sandwich $5.50 and Coffee $1.25
Ok, so this new concept of things happening organically in my life has been stirring in my brain lately. I’m what they like to call “a planner” and I’m starting to realize that the more you plan, the less your plans ever live up to your expectations and the things that just happen naturally and spontaneous end up being so much more fulfilling. So last night was a perfect example of starting my new organic party life and the night took me where it wanted to which was to a karaoke bar, which I normally despise, with my best guy friend singing Meet me Halfway (which is also my fall theme song) and my brothers and cousin getting wasted and one of them rapping in that poor little flower man's face. The night was so weird, so unexpected and yet, so perfectly imperfect.

beautiful apples from hood river, oregon

To the food: I decided to continue this organic road I’m on and eat some organic food and what better way to do that then at the PSU Farmers Market? Hung to the over, we took the trolley over to PSU and pushed through crowds to admire the fresh fruit, veggies and baked goods.

My first inkling—Pine State Biscuit stand. I’ve been dying to try these biscuit sammy’s forever now, but I opted out of the 20 minute line and headed to a fresher, more organically available option; Tastebuds. Tastebud bagels are rustically, hand-formed, wood-fired Montreal-style bagels. They are smaller than your typical bagel, but denser and boiled in malt water and then baked in a brick oven. I went for the Bacon Sandwich, which is a bagel, covered in cream cheese, Italian plum jam, arugula and two strips of delicious bacon.

They also have a Rhubarb & Cream Cheese sandwich, Egg Salad & Radish Sandwich and what looked the most delicious was a Lox Sandwich, with smoked salmon, dill cream cheese, onions, capers and pickles.

everything bagel with chive cream cheese

a crowded cafe in the market

fresh bread from fressen

my friend and co-worker alison working at blue gardenia

wanting to take my dad back for an italian sausage sandwich!

WIN WIN WIN!!!

2010-04-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

A night of food, wine, cocktails and fighting hunger . . . Mangia just won tickets for an awesome event called Taste of the Nation, put on by Share our Strength, a national organization that fights hunger in America. Share our Strength creates inventive culinary experiences and has raised over $265 million, which help to fund over 1,000 of the most effective hunger-relief organizations in America.

The event features samplings from over 50 of Portland's finest restaurants, chefs and mixoligists, allowing guests to taste to their hearts desire. Tickets range from $75-$175 and 100% of the proceeds go to stopping childhood hunger.

Everyone loves a raffle . . .

Wanna come? I was given a FREE ticket to raffle off to my dear readers. To enter, comment on this blog post, telling me your favorite place to eat in Portland and follow my blog if you're not already doing so! I'll use an online raffle generator to pick the lucky winner!

Taste of the Nation Portland
April 26, 2010
6:30-9pm

LUXE Autohaus
410 NE 17th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232

Seattle or Bust

2010-04-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Just got home from a fabulous and very, very full weekend in Seattle. I think we may have spent 70% of our time in Seattle eating and about 80% anticipating where next to eat.

We started out Friday night with sushi at Blue Fin and then headed out to Black Bottle for Presecco and rich lava cake filled with vanilla bean ice cream.

The next morning we ate a breakfast at Etta Cafe and spent the day perusing
Pike Place Market; watching doughnuts being made, fish being thrown and
bouquet after bouquet being bought.

We had an amazing antipasto plate at The Pink Door and couldn't get
enough of their fresh bread and lemon infused olive oil.

We stumbled across The Chocolate Box, where I bought a mini eclair and some gelato.

The trip ended with breakfast at The Portage Cafe. They so
brilliantly have a 'toppings bar' where you can dress your own
pancakes, waffles and french toast. The fruit was delicious, fresh and even organic!

Sydney, Jamie, Chelsea, Annie and birthday girl Margot, thank you for a wonderful weekend.
I already miss you Seattle!

Southern Comfort: Screen Door

2010-04-12T21:58:00.000-07:00

Aahh how Sex in the City we were on Sunday. Breakfast with the chicks and before 9:00 am, I might add. Screen Door has been much chatted about in the Portland brunch scene, but with lines that form around the restaurant at 8:30 am on Saturdays and Sundays you need to be pretty serious about brunch to come here. Today we were most definitely serious about brunch.

Ok, so you need to remember that Screen Door is Southern comfort food and not for the faint of heart and also not for the dieting hearts or for those who have recently suffered heart problems (I’m talking about actual heart problems, i.e. heart disease, not broken hearts. For broken hearts this place is actually quite perfect).

Everything, I mean every single thing on the menu looks and sounds divine. Deciding what to order will be your biggest challenge. My one advice: do not think about leaving without trying their Bananas Foster French Toast; Oh my God it was so good, I’m still drooling over it. They use 1 ½ inch pieces of fresh break, sprinkled with cinnamon and drenched in their caramelized rum bananas and sauce. The dish is topped with powdered sugar and dollops of fresh whipped cream. OMG, OMG, OMG.

The Cajun Scramble was also a hit, with andouille sausage, bell peppers, onions, green onions and melted cheddar cheese. Spicy and still hearty with the bell peppers and sausage. Cheesy grits on the side; which, did you know taste just like a savory Cream of Wheat? Am I the only one that grew up on Cream of Wheat?

Traditional Eggs Benedict perfection—you may want to go crazy and try it with oysters.

Two girls ordered the Breakfast Sandwiches, with homemade sausage patties, eggs, cheese, tomato jam, on a brioche bun. Everything here is huge, including these burger sized sandwiches.

Regrettably we didn’t order: Biscuits and Gravy, Waffle and Fried Chicken or the Praline Bacon Waffle. Their daily specials list was also long and everything on it sounded incredible. Soon. I will be back very, very soon to try these.

Birthday Wishes with Egg Sandwich Dreams: Bakery Bar

2010-04-07T23:15:00.000-07:00

Egg Sandwich $6.00

This weekend I’m certain that alcohol will be involved in my Friday night routine, as a very special ‘best friend since kindergarten’ will be celebrating her birthday. I’m also confident that Bakery Bar will be my saving grace on Saturday morning and that’s exactly where you’ll find me.

Bakery Bar is not a bar. It is however a delicious bakery, with the most amazing biscuit egg sandwiches. I die for them. The biscuits are of course made in house and specked with fresh pepper. They are flaky and buttery and absolutely wonderful. Topped with an egg over medium, some white cheddar and ham; I’m in hangover heaven.

Bakery Bar is oh so clever with their 8 breakfast sandwiches (numbered 1-8), adding originality with bacon-apple caramelized onion jam, house prepared sausage, marmalade and pimento cheese. I like to keep it simple with the Number 3. They serve Stumptown Coffee for good measure. Oh and they also have homemade English Muffins—I didn’t know you could make English Muffins, but apparently you can. I would always choose a biscuit over an English muffin though, but please, take your pick.

Don’t forget to bring home dessert for your Sunday dinner—their cakes, cupcakes and tortes are delectable and decorated with intricate detail.

To my Best Friend Bridget, whom I‘ve known for 19 years: I love you like a sister and if I didn’t work for a non-profit, in a failing high school, I would buy you a cake from Bakery Bar, with big bright flowers and raspberry cream inside. Xoxo.

Better in a Bowl: Por Que No

2010-03-25T23:03:00.000-07:00

Bryan’s Bowl, $6.50

Since the beginning of Mangia, Por Que No has been on my “To Do” list. For some crazy reason though, every single time I go, I’m without my camera. Finally last weekend, during the most beautiful spring day, Por Que No’s Bryan’s Bowl was finally caught on tape!
Por Que No has been packed since the moment they opened and known across town for delicious authentic Mexican tacos. However, the budget foodie will notice the Bryan’s Bowl—a splittable meal for two.

The Bryan’s Bowl unites all of their fresh Mexican ingredients into one delicious meal: shredded or grilled chicken or beef, with rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, cojito cheese, lime and salsa. Take your pick of chips or soft tortillas to dip and fill—kindly ask for double to make sure there’s enough for two! This bowl will make you want to implode it’s so tasty. Squeeze the lime on top and savor the moment.

Tuesday night’s Por Que No celebrates being cheap with .50 cents off tacos and $1.00 off drinks and chips and salsa! If you’re not anxious about the crowd, take advantage of the steal. One more word to the wise, perhaps it’s an obstacle illusion, but I’m almost positive the “to-go” bowl is much smaller than the piled high one “for here,” so opt to eat there!

One down side (which to some may be an upside): walk up counter and little signs on all the tables asking you not to sit down before ordering. This challenge is enough to make anyone stressed, especially when the little shack like restaurant is packed and you are starving, suddenly imaging you will have to eat in your car. Tables seem to always open up and even if you do have to eat in your car, I promise you—even your car will thank you!

A Little Bite of Paris: Saint Honoré Boulangerie

2010-03-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Brie Bartlett $7.40 and a Mini Pain au Chocolate $1.75

Sometimes life gives you lemons and as the old saying goes, you are supposed to make lemonade. Well today my friends, I did something even better—I decided, as life was throwing me lemons, I would pick them up and head to Paris.

Saint Honoré Boulangerie has become my dear lemon avoiding friend. Saint Honore’s wraps me up and suddenly I’m engulfed in sweet smells of buttery croissants, rich coffee and sandwiches with names I cannot pronounce, but that I know sound beautiful.

Simply going into Saint Honorés is enough to take every ounce of sadness in the world away; I mean come on you’re in Paris in Portland, sadness is not allowed. The high vaulted ceilings, the tower like brick bread oven, the pastry cases filled with Canelet, Pain au Chocolate, Choquettes and Coffee Éclairs. Mouth watering goodness from the people that know sweets best.

And then you walk further, to the sandwich case and realize you mustn’t just eat sugar for lunch, mainly because they have a baguette that is drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and then layered with prosciutto, large slices of brie and then topped with caramelized pear, onion and arugula. Bon appetite.

Now I know, when life throws me a lemon, I’m heading straight to Paris, sitting outside of Saint Honoré's, surrounded by smiling people soaking up the spring sun, enchanted in conversations and taking delicate bites of Parisian food.

Desserts Galore: Mother's Bistro

2010-03-04T22:30:00.001-08:00

For the specialist of occasions, you need a night with champagne and multiple desserts. Papa Hayden's is clearly known around Portland for their fabulous desserts and although they almost never disappoint, I have found that Mother's Bistro not only matches their dessert echelon, but succeeds their dry, white table ambiance. Mother's bar, The Velvet Lounge offers a hip spot to sip champagne with sophisticated velvet-flocked wallpaper and crystal chandeliers.

What a better way to celebrate then to pass around four delectable desserts, and that's exactly what we did--passing them around frantically not able to get enough and practically getting in a fight over which four to choose.

Mother's dessert list is much larger than most restaurants and constantly changes. All desserts are made in house as well. You can be certain they will always have a Pie of the Day, Dessert Du Jour, Crème Brule, House made Sundae with homemade ice cream and sauces, Seasonal Fruit Cobbler or Crisp and a changing M.O.M Dessert.

We had the scrumptious Coconut Cream Pie, which was both light and richly textured with creamy, fresh shredded coconut filing, a moist chocolate crust and piled high with whipped cream and drizzles of chocolate sauce.

Brownie Sundae. This take on a typical brownie and ice cream was almost too good, with a homemade fudge brownie hot out of the oven, a large scoop of homemade Kailua ice cream (so unique and interesting), fresh whipped cream, topped with spoonfuls of homemade chocolate and caramel sauce. A table favorite and the only dessert with nothing but melted ice cream left.

Hot Apple Crisp. Large slices of green apples topped with hot crunchy crisp and a large dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Three Layer chocolate cheesecake. I know someone who loves cheesecake so much he once ate an entire one to himself in less than a week. I will be bringing him here for this to die for cheesecake. The bottom layer is made with darker chocolate—leading up to the two top layers that are lighter. So rich, so delicious.

The staff was incredibly nice, as they always are at Mother’s and they even comped us a dessert for the birthday girl; what a gentlemen. Can’t wait to come back for more.

Pho You: Pho Vinh

2010-02-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

Pho Ga, $7.50 (large)

So this retched flu is still going around; perhaps the biggest downfall working in a high school where deep cleaning is few and far in-between. So for all my friends suffering from the sniffles, your best cure is a big bowl of Pho.

My recent favorite pho joint is Pho Vinh, on 73rd and Fremont. This was highly recommended by my Vietnamese friend, who says this is the only place his family will eat pho when they aren’t making it themselves! Pho Vinh, like so many other pho restaurants, is family owned and is run by the sweetest couple and grandma that helps too. They are more than accommodating and happy to make your pho experience enjoyable. They serve their pho with incredibly lean meats (none of that fatty chicken in here) and flavor it perfectly without too much nutmeg, which can sometimes be overbearing and over sweeten pho.

Pho Vinh is clean, traditional and yum. A couple of spoonfuls of chili sauce, a handful of jalapeños and you will on your way to recovery. One more thing I love about pho . . . its soo cheap. For .50 cents more get the large and I promise you will have lunch for tomorrow.

By The Way . . . Byways Cafe

2010-02-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

Blue Corn Pancakes, 3 for $7.25, 6 for $9.25 or Sunrise Special (one egg, two strips bacon and three cakes) $8.95

Do you need a pancake pick-me-up? Byways Café on NW 12th and Glisan has just the pancake for someone looking for flap jacks that are a little out of the ordinary . . . Blue Corn! Yes, exactly like blue corn chips. These pancakes are thicker than your average variety and if you like texture (I’m big on different food textures) then you’ll love the Organic stone-ground corn meal these pancakes are made with. Do you love corn bread, then you’ll adore these cakes and if you like butter (who doesn’t like butter?) then you’ll just about flip for their homemade honey pecan butter. Drizzle these little puppies with maple syrup and you have yourself a lovely breakfast!

Another Day, Another Breakfast

2010-01-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

Breakfast Sandwiches, $8.95 (very splittable)

Biscuits are a comfort food. They warm you up and make you feel good inside. They add an extra oomph to any meal and turn a boring, so sad breakfast sandwich into something that melts in your mouth. Can we talk about breakfast sandwiches for a second? I love em’. I love having all my breakfast items packed nicely into a sandwich. However, your everyday bread, toasted and loaded up with an egg and cheese will be one giant mess, not to mention the fact that your mouth will be bleeding from the roof top from the toasted bread. There are some cooks who recognize this agony and actually do something about it; Cricket Café keenly places their breakfast sandwiches on a biscuit. Making for a most delicious start to my day.

Cricket Café, on SE Belmont has what I like to call GIANT breakfasts. They are almost all splitable! Cricket doesn’t look like anything special on the outside, but inside is a cute, nicely attired café, filled with Belmont’s hipsters. Don’t worry though, they aren’t exclusive and the vibe inside is not hipsterish in the least.

My friend ordered the Big Farm Breakfast, $9.00. I think they call it the Big Farm Breakfast because there is enough food to feed a farm. The meal includes 2 eggs anyway you like, two crispy slices of peppered bacon, a choice of either challah french toast or a pancake, potatoes or fruit and toast. This meal is HUGE and should be split!

I of course ordered their breakfast sandwiches with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and Canadian bacon ham, on a homemade biscuit, with hash browns. I was thinking one breakfast sandwich would come out and was soo pleased to see two! And their hash browns are cooked up perfectly golden. The breakfast sandwiches are the kind that are dangerously good and make it impossible to leave without being stuffed to the brim. Even after finishing one, I was so full and decided to take one home for my dinner. It didn’t of course last until dinner, but my intention was good.

Cricket Café is all about choices, with an extensive menu—including “make your own scrambles/omelets.” I can’t wait to try their Oatmeal Cinnamon Pancakes next time.

Pie for Breakfast? Helser's on Alberta

2010-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

Pear and Havarti Pie, $7.50

Only a step away from the ever hectic Alberta, Helser’s offers a calm, quaint backdrop to your morning dining. I’ve been hearing about Helser’s for awhile now and with a few hours to spare on a Friday morning, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to beat the long lines which wait outside on the weekends.

Their menu is small and meals stay reasonably priced. I enjoyed their ability to step outside of the typical Portland scramble box (although I do love my scrambles!) and offer Dutch Babies, Pigs in a Blankets and Pepper Bacon and Cheddar Hash. I decided to ignore my constant urge for benedicts and tried the Pear and Havarti Pie: Bartlett pears and havarti cheese baked in an egg custard and served with crème fraiche, fresh fruit and a toasted crumpet.

Paying no attention to its name, I was surprised it came out looking like a piece of pie. But indeed it was a piece of pie, made with creamy egg, almost like a crustless quiche. The thick slices of pear were delicious and the melted havarti added a pleasant touch to the creaminess of the eggs and soft pear. My favorite part was the crème fraiche on the side, bringing a slight tartness to the pie. The crumpet was a nice change from the typical “whole wheat toast”, but disappointingly enough they dropped the ball on the jam. They simply had a small bowl filled with Smucker’s individual jellies. This was an IHOP mistake—we are in Portland; give us some homemade jam please! Even some sweet butter and honey would have been better then these. Nonetheless, the egg pie was unique and tasteful.

I will certainly be back soon to try the Smoked Salmon Hash and of course their Eggs Benedict.

Stinkin’ Stanich’s

2010-01-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

“The Special” The World’s Greatest Hamburger and fries, $7.75

I was at the gym this Saturday morning and the trainer standing next to me was blindly telling his client that he was headed to Stanich’s that afternoon. He was describing their heart attack burger and she oohed and ahhed, while dripping with sweat on the bike. My first thought was that I hadn’t been to Stanich’s in ages and my second thought was just pure confusion as to why this idiot trainer was torturing his client by telling her about this must have burger that she clearly shouldn’t have.

Stanich’s, a family owned burger joint on NE Fremont, has been around since 1949 and most likely hasn’t been deep cleaned or upgraded since. This adds to their beloved character—oh so much character at Stanich’s; from their oversized, poop brown vinyl booths, wood siding walls covered in outdated college flags, to their dingy carpet and psychedelic juke box. Don’t worry about leaving crumbs on the floor, they may be the single establishment left that owns a Dustbuster.

These trades make going to Stanich’s like a visit to your grandparent’s basement and that first bite of their unmistakable burger is that much more interesting for them. But nothing and I mean nothing could take away from their burgers. I’m gonna say it; I’m just going to throw it out there: Stanich’s has Portland’s and most likely the NW’s and according to them, the worlds, GREASTEST BURGER. I know, you have your favorite, but nothing, not even the $21 chic burger, trumps Stanich’s. When I say burger, I’m talking about their Special: they start with a soft bun, topped with lettuce, onions and a secret sauce. Then they place a hot of the grill patty of ground chuck with melted American cheese. This is where they get all special on you, adding a piece of ham, then bacon, and topping it off with a fried egg! Pure protein overload. Maybe that woman at the gym could eat it?

Add their house cut fries and some RC or a $3.00 pint and you are set. Splitting this burger isn’t a bad choice at all. Half a burger is plenty filling with fries.

P.S. you will be burping up your Stanich burger for at least 4 hours—but that should be the least of your concerns . . .

Patty's Got Cakes

2010-01-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

Be Bop a Rebop Rhurbarb, $1.50

Ever heard anybody say, “She’s got cakes”? Ok, well I work in a high school, so this term is making its way to the masses and starting with our local teens. It’s slang for meaning a girl has a nice booty. Well, the when I first heard this term, I thought the reference was to cake—cupcakes? Chocolate cake? Coffee Cake? I didn’t know what kind, but suddenly I was searching down the halls for the girl who apparently had cake. To my disappointment, the girl had nothing but a tight pair of jeans.

But then I went to Jim and Patty’s Coffee shop on NE Fremont and realized that Patty really did have cakes—coffee cakes. In fact, the most scrumptious, fruit topped coffee cake in town! Blueberry, raspberry, rhubarb, peach, the list is endless; and each one with a goofy name, like Naughty Supermodel Marionberry. Jim and Patty’s, who in the past few years moved to a brand new location down the street from their old hole in the wall, know about coffee—bold, strong, make you jitter kind of coffee. They are the original Coffee People! Now serving Stumptown coffee, their second specialty, which in my book might even trump the jitters, is their homemade, fresh out of the oven, sour cream coffee cakes. They have so many to choose from, and each one is moist and crumb topped.

Now here’s the secret— the day old coffee cakes sit in a basket next the register and trust me, these are just as good as the day of cakes and for half the price ($1.50, compared to $2.95 fresh). One more thing, if you mourn Coffee People’s Black Tiger drinks and shakes as much as I do, besides the Portland Airport (concourse C West and B); this is the only place in town that still offers them.

Mangia, Mangia, Mangia

2010-01-16T00:20:00.000-08:00

Finally, my long awaited for blog design is here! A huge thank you to Penny Lane Designs for their style and patience while I laid awake at night picking colors. I hope you enjoy the new style update as much as I do.

Eat Up.

Mangia Gets a Makeover!

2010-01-09T14:57:00.001-08:00

You may be wondering why there haven't been any new blogs in quite awhile. Do not fret; Mangia is on a short, but much needed hiatus. In lieu of the the big 2010, Mangia will be coming back bigger and better and with a whole new design. Hold tight and check back soon for the unveiling.

Pancakes Please: Jam on Hawthorne

2009-12-17T22:59:00.000-08:00

Lemon Ricotta Pancake with blueberry compote

Make Your Own Scramble: Bacon, Tomato, Green Onions and Cream Cheese w/ a Lemon Ricotta Pancake on the side= 10.75 split with a friend = 5.50

Another key player in the Portland breakfast scene is Jam on Hawthorne. A small establishment with a good size menu, including all the standard breakfast items: scrambles, omelets, egg sandwiches, sweets and Stumptown coffee. However, one thing separates Jam for the rest: Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, smothered in blueberry compote.

Pesto Scramble, $8.25

Whoever came up with the brilliant idea to add ricotta to pancake batter is God sent, because the cheese makes the pancakes moist inside, but still allows them to get a good crisp on the top and bottom. The hint of lemon adds a touch of zest and then they sprinkle powdered sugar on top and smoother the entire thing in their homemade blueberry compote. These pancakes melt in your mouth and trust me; they are like nothing else you’ve ever tasted.

El Paso Scramble, $8.25

I like to split a “make your own” scramble and then add a Lemon Ricotta Pancake on the side for only $2.00. This allows me to get the sweet and savory combo I always crave at breakfast.

This holiday season, give someone the gift of pancakes. Tie a ribbon around a bottle of Trader Joe's maple syrup and attach a gift certificate for Jam on Hawthorne. Jot down my blog address for them and recommend the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes!

Baby it’s Cold Outside: Moonstruck Chocolatier

2009-12-06T21:15:00.000-08:00

Hot Cocoa $2.90

Nothing is more holiday-esque then hot cocoa and peppermint flavored chocolates. So this afternoon, in the blistering cold, my girls and I walked up to NW 23rd to get hot cocoas and chocolate. I felt like a child knowing that I was about to be served “special” hot cocoa, made from the very best chocolate in the world. Tim Allen in Santa Clause anyone? This little adventure actually brought up many movie references: Chocolat and of course Moonstruck. And so, we sat in the café, sipping our hot cocoas and gabbed and gabbed and gabbed until suddenly our cocoas were gone.

The cocoa was rich and creamy—even with my request of non-fat milk and no whip (I’m sorry, but I have some holiday dresses I need to fit into). Moonstruck is really something else and if you haven’t had a chance to visit their quaint little chocolate factory, this is the perfect time of year to do so. These chocolates are sent all over the nation and lucky for us, their only Chocolate Café’s are in Portland.

Each chocolate is handmade, exquisitely designed and their ingredients are from the Pacific NW. Needing to get someone a gift, want to get your wife in the mood, stocking stuffers. . . even one chocolate in their tiny single chocolate boxes are adorable and with one bite they will be transformed as were the French townspeople in Chocolat. These are not your everyday Hershey chocolates. And believe me, if there is a skeptic out there it is moi. I’ve been hearing for years these chocolates are too good to be true and in a sip I was made a believer. The chocolates are almost so delicate you don’t want to bite into them. However, at $2.00 a pop, you must take on the motto less is more here.

Ok, cocoa isn’t your thing—but I know wine is. A bottle of red with these chocolates will send you . . . well, straight to bed.

Tis' the Season for Long Lines

2009-12-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Italian Cured Meat Sandwich, $9.00

A line outside of an establishment always means there is something delicious waiting for you inside. For the more tightly wound folk (my father), lines equal stress, anxiety, crowded places with inadequate safety exits and a change of plans. So you can imagine my dismay when, after circling a few times on Morrison, trying to find Bunk Sandwich that when we did and there was a line, I was in for some confrontation. Automatically he wanted to leave and go to Meat, Cheese, Bread (next on my sandwich endeavors). No, no no, I protested, just as I did when I was a child. I was determined to try a Bunk sandwich and the line only made me want it more.

After only a few minutes we were in the door and able to see their sandwich board—an entire wall turned into a chalkboard, with daily changing sandwiches. The shop is pretty small, with a handful of tables inside and out and a small bar with a about 8 or so stools. The roast beef with caramelized onions, horseradish and cheddar caught my eye. But then so did the Italian cured meats with Mama’s lil’ peppers and provolone. And if I hadn’t been so sick of turkey from the Thanksgiving, their roasted Turkey with Grandma’s sage sausage stuffing looked amazing as well. This is a sandwich shop that thinks outside the box. How do you feel about Grilled Chicken with Romaine, Garlic-Anchovy Vinaigrette & Spicy Avocado Dressing? Or what about Fried Mortadella with Teleme and Green Apple Mustard, Beans and Cornbread or Oxtail Confit with Celery & Hot Pepper Relish?

We settled on splitting the Italian cured meat sandwich. It came out on a black tray with butcher paper on top. Simple and to the point, with a handful of Kettles chips on the side. The sandwich was oozing olive oil, the meat slightly warmed and the provolone melted onto the rustic sub roll. The Mama’s Lil’ peppers were spicy hot and a perfect pairing with the salty salami and prosciutto.

I can’t wait to go back and try more of these sandwich geniuses’ daily creations! I would say it’s even worth the wait. You may be thinking that $9 is a little steep for a sandwich. You must understand these are gourmet sandwiches, made by people that call themselves: sandwich aficionados. You are paying for quality ingredients and more than anything a sandwich that’s out of the ordinary. Check out more of their “possible” specials online.

Is it true? Is Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour Coming Back?

2009-11-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

Drum roll please: three servers run to your table wearing old fashion vests, two are caring the Farrell's Zoo atop a wooden tray. The third lags behind bagging the ever famous Farrell's drum. What they put in front of you is nothing less then magic: a trough filled with five flavors of ice cream, three flavors of sherbet, five delicious toppings and whipped cream, cherries, nuts and bananas. Topped with little plastic zoo animals! Please tell me you remember this. Rumor has it that Farrell's, which used to sit on NE Weidler, will be returning . . .

After doing some ice cream research, this is what I found:

"In 1963, Robert "Bob" Farrell opened the first Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour in Portland, Oregon. It immediately became a huge success and by 1970 the company had grown to 58 restaurants. In 1971, Bob Farrell was approached by the Marriott Corporation who subsequently bought the company. He continued to work with Marriott as the company grew to 130 locations nationwide. Under his watchful eyes, Farrell's never experienced a restaurant failure.

Bob Farrell left the company just prior to its sale from Marriott to a San Francisco investment group in 1985. Bob became an author and motivational speaker. Now under new ownership, the Farrell’s concept was changed from a unique celebration restaurant to a traditional family style restaurant. By 1990 almost all Farrell's locations closed and the trademark reverted to Marriott who stopped development.

In 1996, a new company whose mission was to bring back the heydays of Farrell's past acquired Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours. From this purchase, a few legal tussles from 2003-2008 again stopped Farrell's development.

In 2009, now under the ownership of Orange County, California based, Parlour Enterprises Inc the company began moving ahead with the return of Farrell's. Their ongoing goal is to stay true to the philosophies upon which the original company was founded. Bob Farrell is providing input every step of the way as Parlour Enterprises brings Farrell's into the Twenty First Century.

Parlour Enterprises and Farrell's Pacific are dedicated to continue Farrell's legacy in the restaurant industry. You will once again step back in time over 100 years to see servers dressed in pin-striped vests, old fashioned ties, and cane hats. The restaurants feature the distinctive “old Farrell's” appearance of a century past ice cream parlor. The newspaper type menu, old fashioned candy and delicious food and ice cream will let you experience or re-experience what made Farrell's famous all across the U.S" (farrellsusa.com).

What it sounds like to me is that Farrell's may be making its way back up to its original city: Portland. I put a little message into the new company. If I were you, I would do the same--the more they know Portland wants Farrell's back, the better chances we have of eating troughs filled with goodness.

If you know any information about this email me: mangiapdx@gmail.com

Wingin' It

2009-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

Wings, 18 for 15.95

You those nights that don’t go exactly as planned? When you anticipate a perfect dinner in your head, with a hefty wait that makes you more excited with each passing minute, candle lit tables and unpronounceable entree names. Sometimes those nights just don’t work out and you have to throw out the agenda and wing it.

This is exactly what happened Friday night. Hunger struck a little earlier then hoped and suddenly Fire on the Mountain was thrown into the horizon. Not a disappointing venture in the least. I used to hit up the original Fire on the Mountain, on N. Interstate—this was before they became a big deal; back when their menu was itsy bitsy and they had no dessert. The new Fire on the Mountain, on SE Burnside makes their other shop look like a BBQ shack. Nonetheless, their fancy location continues to uphold amazing wings, yummy grilled and crispy sandwiches, interesting chicken salads and now more choices!!! Being pro-choice, I really value my restaurant friends that allow me this freedom on a daily basis. Sorry to get political on you, but sometimes, I want something specific and when it’s not on the menu, I feel cheated in a way and then like a snob for ordering something off the menu. This isn’t the case at Fire on the Mountain—because they are dedicated to giving their customers many choices. This begins with their array of sauces.

You must be thinking, array of sauces? Isn’t this a BBQ joint? Isn’t there just one BBQ sauce? But no, there isn’t just one, or two or even three—Fire on the Mountain brings the customer 12, count em’ 12 sauces and I’m here to tell you they aren’t all BBQ sauces either! They have Raspberry Habanera, Bourbon Chipotle, El Jefe and even a Spicy Peanut. Now that is some choice.

Since we were wingin’ it, and being the laid back, casual, non-planner that I am, I even allowed my date to pick the sauce, since he claimed the Spicy Peanut sauce on the wings to be “the best.” And although I really doubted this choice—I decided to continue on with my “go with the flow” attitude and trusted that someone else for a change may be right.

And he was right!!! The Spicy Peanut Wings were absolutely delicious—they were a little sweet from the peanuts, perfectly spicy (about a medium) and then with a little added kick when dipped in their sharp blue cheese sauce. I would have never thought of putting a Thai spin on these wings, but it worked.

Next I want to try their new Emma Sandwich, which includes grilled chicken, blue cheese sauce, bacon and the works. And for good measure I think its necessary I try their fried Oreo’s as well.

However, although you will want to lay down after these wings, I will not compromise next time—this is not a to-go meal, you must eat here, allowing for finger lickin’ and all in front of the other patrons.

Sophisticated Women

2009-11-11T22:18:00.000-08:00

Pour Wine Bar & Bistro: Pour Choice glass of red, $3.00 & Butternut Squash Ravioli with a Gorgonzola sauce, $8.00

Candle lit tables, windows frosted with steam, white walls and vinyl chairs, a glass of red wine and sultry background music—how sophisticated. The atmosphere at Pour is unmistakably sexy; perfect for two things: a date or drinks with the girls, to talk about dates. During their daily happy hour they offer $3.00 glasses of wine, which they call “Pour Choice.” You mustn’t be a wine snob for this though—because as stated, they choose the surprise pick for you, which changes daily and sometimes even from person to person. Did you hear that--$3.00 glasses of wine! I just want to reiterate what a steal that is and that Pour is a Wine Bar, meaning their livelihood is good wine.

How do more people not know about this? Supposedly this mod bistro sits quiet on most nights, perhaps because Pour is a polished bar, on an uninviting part of NE Broadway. It goes unnoticed and forgotten with little to no walking traffic.

I ordered the “Pour Choice” and was served a tasty Italian blend. Their food menu is small but offers something for everyone. We ordered the bread and Trio of Dips/Spreads—which includes a honey, blue cheese spread, white bean hummus and a salsa fresco. All three were tasteful and unique. They also offer a cheese plate, a few salads and escargot. They have three small plate entrees: Macaroni and Cheese, Risotto of the Day and Ravioli of the Day. For $8.00 each, these are great options and incredibly flavorful. My Butternut Squash Ravioli with Gorgonzola sauce was the perfect blend of sharp from the cheese and sweet from the squash and butter. The pasta was cooked as it should be, al dente. This meal could have easily cost $25 at any restaurant and the quality was superb. I want to go back to try the Macaroni or their Smoked Salmon Panini.

I have a motto: no drinking until its dark outside. Now that it’s dark at 5:30, I think Pour will be my new sexy retreat.

Mamma Maria Got Old and Now Smokes, But her Pizza is Still F*&$ing Good

2009-11-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

Small House Combination Pizza, $13.00, split.

Caution: If you’re a vegetarian you might be offended by what I’m about to suggest to you, so you should probably stop reading right about now.

For all of you that don’t mind layers and layers of succulent meat, you must try Mamma Maria’s Combo. This pizza is legit, but not everyone can handle the offerings, which consist of medium thick crusty crust, with of course sauce and thin slices of Molinari salami, spicy pepperoni, and chunks of Italian sausage. The De Marco’s then add olives and the pizza is topped with whole pepperoncinis. Delicious.

Now for the difficult part; Mamma Maria’s is on 52nd and Powell. If that’s not discouraging, it’s also a very stinky, dingy, middle aged bar/restaurant. I’m sure you’re wondering where I came about this mouth watering pizza, in a dirty little bar. Well I’ll tell you. Mamma Maria’s used to sit as a simple, but cute restaurant on SE 21st and Powell. It was at this time that the youthful Don and Linda De Marco used to come for date night; splitting a large Mamma Maria Combo and beers. As Don and Linda got older, they had three children and I was one of one them. The whole family would come to the restaurant and eat this fabulous pizza, the children sipping sodas and Don and Linda now sipping vodka on the rocks.

Ignore the pineapple; the person I was with only eats pizza with pepperoni and pineapple, weird, I know.

Disaster strikes—Mamma Maria’s is forced to move and the De Marco’s pizza joint is moved up to 52nd and Powell and now turned into a shady bar. That didn’t stop them though; Linda would and still does get an inkling and drives across town to deliver the family their Mamma Maria’s combo. “Mamma, why can’t we go to Mamma Maria’s like we used to?” my brother would ask.

On Friday night, I found out why we always bought the pizza to-go. As I walked into Mamma Maria’s to order a pizza, the bar smelt like a smoked in retirement home. The restaurant on one side sat empty and three middle aged men sat drinking in the bar area. Duck paraphernalia scattered around the room, a fish tank behind one table and a non working radio behind the bar. The bathroom stall doors hold six inch spaces between the sides—allowing for little privacy (but who’s to worry, since no one is here?).

Check out the overload of pink. Not so appetizing.

As soon as our pizza was ready, we rushed out and grabbed some to-go drinks at the connected 7/11. The counterman saw our pizza. “AAAAhhh, you got pizza from next door? That place if F*&$ing bomb. It’s sick inside but that pizza is F*&$ing good. You wouldn’t F*&$ing know, but F*&#ing is!” If the locals like it, it must be good.

Once home, with my pizza in front of me, all was resurrected with one bite. The spicy salami and juice from the pepperoncinis and the crust that’s unmistakable, is all too good to be true.

The moral of the story: if you want a sketchy night with incredible pizza, go to Mamma Maria’s and eat there. If you want crazy good pizza and don’t want to wince at odd smells and middle aged men, then take your pizza to go.

5234 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97206-2950
(503) 788-4698

A Night for Soup: Alameda Brewhouse

2009-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

Cup of Whisky Crab Bisque, $3.95 and a Small Side Salad, $4.95. Total: $8.90

NE Fremont has a few staple restaurants that every family in the Neighborhood frequents: Amalfi’s, Staniches, McPeets, Alameda Café, Red Fig and then at the end of restaurant row sits Alameda Brew Pub. Growing up only blocks away from these little eateries, I have acquired a standard meal or two at each one. Today we will discuss the Whisky Crab Bisque at the Pub.

I don’t know a thing about beer. I like Sessions and Coors Light, but besides that, I’m pretty clueless. I do however know a thing or two about soup and Alameda Brew Pub has the most amazing bisque I’ve ever tried. Note: you will find it under, Homemade Soup of the Day, which is funny considering it’s the soup of the day everyday—stated on the menu as being available 350 days a year. Hmmm, interesting. The tomato based soup is strewn with plump crab meat and spiced with the perfect kick to keep you on your toes; finished off with a sprinkling of chives. The best part of the meal: soaking the warmed French bread into the soup.

I like to pair the bisque with their small side salad, which technically is a large salad, since its served on a large dinner plate. Their homemade blue cheese dressing is a few notches down from Amalfi’s garlicky blue cheese dressing down the street, but still a competitor.

Oh, I hear they make their own beer here too—I’ve just been too busy with my soup to care.

Skip the Corn Maze—Eat a Caramel Apple Instead: Kruger’s Farm

2009-10-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Carmel Apple, $3.00

Apples picked from trees only yards away. Carefully placed in wooden buckets and brought into the farm. One by one they are washed and dried. Then the farmer, wearing jean overalls and a straw hat takes a wooden spike and sticks it into the bottom of the apple. He then dips the glowing red apple into a near boiling pot of homemade caramel sauce. It’s turned multiple times to make sure the caramel dries evenly and smooth. Small children wait patiently.

In a mere 20 minutes, you too can be out of the city and enjoying one fall’s greatest pleasures: the caramel apple. Kruger’s farm knows just how to make these, with giant apples and soft, creamy caramel. These aren’t the caramel apples mom used to buy at Halloween that just about ripped your baby teeth out. I would say skip the creepy corn maze and come to Kruger’s to enjoy a nice fall afternoon.

On the weekends Kruger’s bar-b-que’s excellent Zenner hotdogs, Polish dogs, pulled pork sandwich, burgers and an incredible veggie burger. Step inside the farm to find your caramel apples, pumpkin pie and other goodies. Don’t leave without saying hello to the frightening cow sized pig in back.

Kruger's Farm
17100 NW Sauvie Island Road
Portland, Oregon 97231
(503) 621-3489

Open Hours:

Sunday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday + Saturday: 9 a.m - 10 p.m.

Its the Real Deal, It's the Whole Bowl

2009-10-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Small Whole Bowl, $5.00

Ok, I get it, we are in an economic crisis. Apparently that means all of Portland is cutting costs as both business owners and consumers and only eating out of these things called, “carts;” which are these fake little restaurants that sit in random places around town and somehow the little people inside of these “carts” are able to make all this really good food. I don’t know how it’s done and kind of don’t believe that these places aren’t illegally preparing food in their homes and selling from these two wheeler cars. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not at all against food carts, I’m just a little apprehensive to know what’s really going on in there.

I’ve been hearing all about this place called the Whole Bowl. When I hear the word “whole” I think of Whole Foods, which also makes me think of whole wheat, which makes me think of really bland food and then I start thinking about those really healthy crackers that taste like cardboard. So you can imagine why I put off trying this place. Then I heard it was in a “cart” and I really felt hesitant about trying cardboard that someone cooked at home and brought into a motorless vehicle.

Long story short, I decided to try it and found out they had a small cartless version of the restaurant up on Hawthorne, past all the people and places that make Hawthorne so annoying. In a quaint little alcove on 44th and Hawthorne sits a very small shop. The bowl was whole alright and wonderfully flavorful with layer after layer of fresh brown rice in a special secret sauce, red and black beans, melted cheddar cheese, olives, avocado, salsa and a dollop of sour cream and sprinkling of cilantro. This crammed pack bowl of protein was healthy and yet flavorful enough to eat on a regular basis. I also love the simplicity of their concept: one thing to order, no big decisions. Big bowl or small bowl. I was shocked to see yellow colored rice—however, it didn’t taste at all like curry.

I can see why workers around Portland are flocking to this place and why waiting in a long line is ever so worth it when you get to go back to work with such a happy stomach. Plus, for $5, you can’t get a better deal. If only I could figure out what their secret “Tali” sauce is made of . . . any ideas?