Happy Hour with a View at Portland City Grill

On a constant quest to find great Happy Hours around town, Dan and I, along with friends, Barry and Suzanne ventured over to the well known Portland City Grill.  Located in the downtown business district in Portland, PCG is known for their spectacular view and what do you know...the happy hour!

Atmosphere:
Set in the heart of Southwest Portland on the 30th floor of the U.S. Bank Tower, Portland City Grill is designed to showcase panoramic views of Portland and its natural wonders.  On a clear day, you'll be graced with not one but three mountaintop views of Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helens and Mount Adams.  

The restaurant boasts floor to ceiling windows and booth style seating that takes the best advantage of the view.  Those seats are unsurprisingly hard to score so if you'd like to snag a booth for your party, plan on showing up early or making a reservation.  Because the happy hour is such a great deal and lasts until 7 p.m., the atmosphere during this time is busy, boisterous and far from quiet.

Food:
Loving the extensive options offered for happy hour, we ordered a few appetizers between the four of us and were pleasantly surprised by the generous portions.  It's hard to characterize the cuisine, as they have a little bit of everything - from classic American comfort food to sushi and beyond.

Kung Pao Calamari - Definitely one of the more indulgent options of the evening, it consisted of large pieces of generously battered calamari. Further dressed with Asian spices and a medley of red bell peppers, onions, and peanuts, it was everything that a good seafood dish should be - fresh, satisfying and a little bit indulgent.

Curried Fish and Chips - We couldn't resist another fried sensation and this plate was executed to a T.  From the flaky pieces of fish that separated beautifully to the spicy kimchi tartar sauce and the twice fried herb parmesan fries, it was all delectable and very filling.  The fries were especially plentiful and had we known how many come in a portion, we wouldnt've ordered a side of them as well.

Crab & Avocado Roll - This classic take on a sushi roll also delivered with a few chunky pieces of cooked crab and a not-too-ripe avocado that still provided some texture.  While sushi purists won't be too impressed, those that like to play it safe as far as their sushi is concerned will have no qualms.

Fresh Asian Spring Rolls - A healthier option, this roll offered a sampling of veggies including sprouts, carrots, and other greens wrapped in delicate rice paper.  A bed of creamy peanut sauce added a jolt of spice and flavor to this otherwise plain and maybe a little bland dish.

Service and Cost:
Despite the busy happy hour time-frame, the service remained steady and on the mark.  Everything was brought out to us in good time and our waitress did a great job of informing us of the impending end of happy hour, so we can order more food and drinks.  

Costs are inexpensive and range from $4.95 - $10.95 for eats and $4.25 - $6.95 for drinks.

3 Mmmms

Portland City Grill - 111 SW 5th Avenue, Portland OR 97204
503.450.0030
portlandcitygrill.com

Fort George Brewery - An Astoria Oregon Original

Hanging out in the "other" Astoria this past weekend was a total blast, as Dan and I once again made our way to the Oregon Coast.  Astoria has been on my must list for a while for obvious reasons but also because I heard it's a great town with lots of cool sights, shops and culinary treats.  There's also lots of breweries around such as Fort George, where Dan and I had the pleasure to lunch.

Atmosphere:
Set a few blocks down from the waterfront, Dan and I happened upon Fort George just by chance, as we turned back from the way-too-long line at Bowpicker Fish & Chips.  The brewery was nearby, located on Duane Street, just a few short blocks from Astoria's main "Downtown" area and waterfront.  We chose it mainly because they offered outdoor seating since we had Moses & Sonya's dog Bond with us too.

Enjoying the sunshine, the outdoor area was spacious and relaxing and we noticed other couples and parties like us enjoying the day with their four-legged friends.  I also had the chance to peek inside and it was great, adorning a salvaged type of feel with reclaimed wooden stools, a lovely handcrafted bar and tons of local artwork on the walls.

Beer and Food:
Even though I must admit that I didn't try the beer, Dan seemed to love his Optimist IPA, served in a sizable mason jar, describing it as hoppy, floral and delicious.

Fish and Chips - Since I had a major hankering for fish and chips, the fact they served it was a big draw for me.  A little skeptical about how it'd turn out at a brewery versus a traditional fish shack such as the aforementioned Bowpicker, I was pleasantly surprised and dare I even say, blown away?  Using beautiful pieces of Alaskan Cod, the fish was battered well, revealing a milky white middle which flaked off perfectly.  A chunky, homemade tartar sauce sealed the deal for me, which I used vehemently on fries as well as the fish.

Buffalo Wings - Although the aforementioned dish was large and enough to share between two people, IMO, Dan also wanted to try the wings.  I didn't mind, as I'm always up for a basket of chicken wings and Fort George's version delivered.  Crispy on the outside and fleshy on the inside, they were substantial pieces and a little bit went a long way.  Paired with your usual suspects such as fresh celery, carrots and ranch dressing, I think this was an overall solid app, which was again nice for sharing.

Service and Cost:
Impressed with the pleasant service, I thought our waitress did a great job, especially given the lovely day outside and therefore the outdoor area being so crowded.  Everything came out relatively quickly and we felt very well taken care of, despite the fact that one waitress seemed to be in charge of multiple tables.

Costs are moderate and we walked away paying less than $40 for the two aforementioned dishes, a beer and a single oyster shooter.  Nothing to sneeze at!

3 Mmmms

Fort George Brewery - 1483 Duane Street, Astoria OR 97103
503.325.7468
fortgeorgebrewery.com

Happy Hour at Halibuts - Fish, Chips, and Chowdah for Only a Couple of Clams

Fooditka and I finally got around to checking out The Original Halibuts the other day.  We've been meaning to go pretty much since we arrived in town; we pass by it almost everyday, as it's right in our neighborhood, and we know they have a happy hour deal.  I'm actually surprised it took us so long to get there, but you know what they say: you can't eat all of the places all of the time.  Well sometimes good things are worth the wait, and this was one of those times.  Let's get to it.

Atmosphere:

Halibuts is in a great location, between 25th and 26th street on Alberta.  There are a lot of other restaurants, bars and shops nearby, keeping the area pretty busy.  Halibuts fits right in.  Like many of the establishments along that stretch of Alberta, it has its own unique style that also vibes well with the rest of the neighborhood. The restaurant is split into two sections; half of the place is a no-frills fish and chips counter and a couple of tables, and the other half is a bar/lounge type of place that features live music Thursday through Saturday Night.  The lounge half is called Halibuts II, and that's were we sat.  It's a nice space with a bunch of tables, and a lot of posters and artwork that reflect all of the live blues music that goes on there.  It was still happy hour time so there wasn't any live music, but the bartender/waitress had her Pandora going, and it was pretty chill.  There were several people inside, also presumably taking advantage of the happy hour.  

Food:

The reason we went in was for a nice piece of fried cod and a basked of french fries, but Halibuts has plenty to offer outside of fish and chips.  The happy hour menu has quite a few selections on it including clam chowder, oyster shooters, coconut prawns and a few other things.  Well drinks and Long Island Ice Teas are discounted, and there's a pint of PBR for $1.50.  Between the two of us, we hit most of the menu.

Clam Chowder - The chowder, CHOW-DAH! as Freddie Quimby would say, was very good.  I'm a fan of clam chowder, especially New England style, but I rarely get it, so this was a treat.  Rich and creamy, and mighty flavorful, I regret not getting my own cup and only having a bit of Fooditka's.  If I would have any criticism of it, I'd say it could be a bit chunkier, with some more chewy bits of clam in there, but I'm nitpicking now. It's a solid chowder for sure.

Coconut Prawns - These were delicious as well.  The coating was perfect, and the cocktail sauce was out of this world.  It was super heavy on the horseradish, which made each crunchy bite of prawn all the more exciting.  They cost $1.25 a piece, but they were pretty big and mighty delicious.  I would have gotten another, but we ordered plenty of food, so I'll have to wait till next time.

Oyster Shooters - Another bullseye, the oysters themselves were some of the biggest, plumpest I've ever eaten.  Seriously, they were huge, to the point of being almost intimidating.  Served in a dixie-cup with some of that rocket-fuel cocktail sauce, they went down very easily.  Fortune smiled upon me somehow, as the waitress brought me two instead of just the one I ordered, so I got to double down.  Yum.

Fish and Chips - Finally.  After all that goodness, I thought we might not have room for the main dish.  We did though, not to worry.  Any of the fish can be cooked gluten-free, and it costs the same as gluten-full, so I opted for the no gluten option.  Fooditka got the traditional variety, and I'll say hers definitely looked like the tastier of the two.  Mine was really good, though.  The cod is incredibly white and flaky, and the overall crunch and flavor of the batter was right on.  The tartar sauce was also terrific, with a tangy creaminess that complements the crunch impeccably.  It's like they have their own genius saucier on retainer cranking out these diabolical twists on traditional condiments.  The other half of the dish, the chips, were as well executed as the rest of the food, and went equally well with both the tartar and cocktail sauces.  The happy hour portion is one piece of cod in a decent sized basket of fries.  Other varieties of fish are available, in either full or half orders that you order off the regular menu.

Service and Cost:

The waitress/bartender was by herself, but she did a fine job, and all of our food came out quick and hot.  She was friendly and polite, and took good care of us.  As we stuck to the happy hour menu, the final bill was totally palatable at around $15 for the food, plus the drinks.  I can't wait to go back.

3 Mmmms

The Original Halibuts - 2525 NE Alberta Street Portland, OR 97211

503.808.9600

theoriginalhalibuts.com

Crown and Goose – Classic English Pub with a Culinary Twist

Something that simply can’t be missed when being in London is visiting a classic British pub. Even though some may feel a little grungy and the opposite of “posh” they’re a lot of fun, and their divey feel is very much a part of their charm.

A few of us from work visited one of these classic pub establishments called the Crown and Goose, in honor of our colleague Kylie’s going away party. She’s getting married soon so we wanted to do a proper send off, as well as to celebrate the holiday season.

Atmosphere:
Located on Arlington Road, which is just off Camden High Street, otherwise known as the main drag in Camden, the Crown and Goose is easy to get to. I like that it rests in a slightly more residential area, which is quieter and much more laid back, suiting us well in the middle of our hectic work day.

The interior showcases a classic pub design with a mahogany bar, and a mix of stool and table seating. There’s an upstairs dining room, which is great for bigger parties, and this is exactly where we sat and conversed. It made for a festive atmosphere, especially when they turned up the music, still to a very comfortable level where we were able to chat with each other easily.

Food:
To be honest, I didn’t have the highest expectations when it came to food since at home, classic pubs or dive bars have pretty standard food. However, Crown and Goose’s gourmet offering pleasantly surprised me, delivering on all levels.

Roasted Duck – Originally ordering the pork belly dish, I was disappointed to find out they no longer had it available. The duck I’m about to describe was actually its substitute, which turned out to be a very happy and delicious happenstance.

Boasting a generous portion of a beautifully roasted duck leg, I truly enjoyed the delectable meat that I dutifully picked off its bones. Another highlight was the crispy skin, which was flavored with a sprinkling of fragrant spices that totally exemplified the holiday season. In terms of sides, the duck was accompanied by an earthy succotash, baked potatoes and string beans, which all worked well together and accentuated the flavors in the duck.

Service and Cost:
Just like in any good neighborhood pub, the service felt casual, friendly, making us relaxed and comfortable. I was impressed with the organization with which the Crown and Goose is run, as we were asked to put in our order ahead of time, so the staff could adequately prep for our large group. All dishes came out in good time and I couldn’t help but have a little food envy when I saw some of the other amazing plates come out, especially the fish and chips.

Costs are moderate to a little expensive by NYC standards, but fit the bill when it comes to London. My roasted duck dish and a cider set me back about 20 pounds or $32.

3 Mmmms

Crown & Goose – 100 Arlington Road, Camden, London NW1 7HP
020 74858008
Underground to Camden Town Station
www.crownandgoose.co.uk

Market – Organic, Seasonal Eatery in London’s “East Village”

One of my last meals in London fulfilled my wish of having the signature English, fish & chips. However, where I had that meal wasn’t at a traditional pub, but at an organic, locally-driven eatery in Camden Town called Market.
A funky, trendy and a little off-beat neighborhood not far from London’s Regents Park area, it reminded me of NY’s East Village. I went out with a colleague and friend, Nursel who was up for trying anything and since she hadn’t yet been to Market, we were both looking forward to exploring something new.

Atmosphere:
We immediately fed off the nice vibe here – it was simple, clean looking and incorporated earthy elements. I liked the dark, rich wooden tables and chairs that provided nice harmony with other design elements such as pretty green color tones, exposed brick walls and warm lighting.

The place was hoppin’ for lunch, and nearly every table was occupied. I liked this because it showed that the place was popular, and probably pretty good. Some other fun décor elements I noticed were rustic green and black metal water jugs (they reminded me of something my grandmother would have), vintage mirrors and rustic pots and pans that hung from the ceiling.

Food:
While the menu wasn’t long, I liked this because it kept us focused and we were able to choose something quickly. We noticed that Market was running a 2-course lunch special for 10 Pounds, so we went for that, as we felt it offered us the best bank for the buck (I mean…Pound).

Bread – While I wouldn’t usually talk about this pre-meal course, I wanted to briefly touch upon it here because I really liked the way it was presented. Two rustic, thick cut pieces of bread were accompanied by three little ramekins – one with soft, creamy butter, another with thin morsels of fleur de sel and the third with coarsely ground black pepper. I loved the rustic quality of this and we used the contents of each little ramekin to spice up our rustic bread. It was as the Brits say, “lovely.”

Appetizers – The two apps we chose for this course (and the only 2 available in fact) were chicken livers on toast and a spinach, onion, cheese quiche. Nursel chose the former and I the latter, but we had a bite of each other’s dishes. Out of the two, I really enjoyed Nursel’s, as I have a soft spot for chicken liver, which dates back to my childhood. I liked that the meat was soft and not overly chewy, and the thin gravy with which it was dressed was flavorful and made the meat even moister.

My quiche was nice too, packed with soft caramelized onions, melted cheese and yummy earthy spinach. I liked its buttery crust too, which made it a bit decadent and a nice way to begin the meal. The only issue I had with it is that it could’ve been warmer.

Main Course – Again, each of us choosing one of the two main dishes on the lunch specials menu, I had my much-dreamed-about fish and chips and Nursel tried the pork chop with red cabbage and lentils on the side. While I didn’t try her dish, it looked gorgeous, the pork dressed with apple sauce, and boasting a lovely golden crust. Nursel said she really enjoyed the meat but the side of cabbage and lentils fell short on flavor.

My fried haddock fish and chips were very delicious and I was so glad I got ‘em. The crust on the fish was excellent and super thick. It didn’t feel greasy and once I got to bite into the moist, flaky fish, I fell even more in love. The side of tartar sauce was used to its last drop, as I dunked each bite of fish and chips into it – so much so that I could’ve used another ramekin. I was also missing some ketchup for my chips but since the waitstaff seemed super busy and a little flustered, I didn’t get around to asking for it. Oh well!

Service and Cost:
While the service was fine, I wouldn’t go out of my way to say it was spectacular. There were a few mishaps such as when Nursel got her appetizer before me to only have it immediately taken away, but overall, I think it was still satisfactory. The busy atmosphere could’ve contributed to a few hiccups.

Costs are expensive and even with the lunch special, we paid 22.50 Pounds including gratuity. That’s nearly $40, which I think is a bit much for lunch. Regardless, it was fun to try and the company was fabulous.

2 Mmmms

Market – 43 Parkway, NW1 7PN Camden Town, U.K.
020 7267 9700
www.marketrestaurant.co.uk

Chip Shop - Fry Me Up, I'm Done

Chip Shop - 383 5th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11215
718.CHIPSHOP
R Train to Union Street
www.chipshopnyc.com

This weekend, Dan and I spent time with my brother Peter and his girlfriend Fiana who live in Park Slope.  I always enjoy visiting their neighborhood, as there's never a shortage of amazing restaurants and bars to try.  This time, we decided on the much-talked-about, Chip Shop, which specializes in everything fried - even candy bars. 

Atmosphere:
Modeled after a casual British fish 'n chips restaurant, Chip Shop pays homage to England through its eclectic decor.  We had fun admiring the fun wall hangings, from funky T-shirts with a tongue-in-cheek "Make Tea Not War" slogan to pictures of the Queen, posters of British rock groups and more.

Overall, the vibe was laid-back, whimsical and very conducive to eating down-home fried food.  The crowd, which is both old and young (even some families with kids) portrays Chip Shop's all-inclusive mentality, because let's face it, fried food knows no age, color, gender or race.  We're all equal opportunity fried food consumers.

Food:
As I already mentioned, almost everything here is fried, and 95% of what we ordered that night was indeed fried, with the exception of the Shepherds Pie.  I guess they draw the line somewhere.

Fried Pizza - I heard about this monstrosity from a fellow blogger and was so intrigued.  We ordered it as an appetizer and cut it into little pieces because who are we kidding, we couldn't each eat a whole slice.  The crust was deliciously thick and crispy and the batter had a slight sweetness to it.  They use great quality oil, because despite its utter gluttonous nature, it didn't feel heavy and was actually a nice way to start this fried feast.  The thing to remember is to share it and cut it into bite size pieces.

Fried Mac 'n Cheese - Less intrigued by this option, since I've already had it elsewhere, my dining companions felt otherwise and wanted to dig in.  "What does fried mac 'n cheese look like," you ask?  Like a big round rice ball actually, except for the interior, which consists of creamy macaroni and mild cheese.  Overall, I wasn't too impressed by Chip Shop's version, as I think it lacked flavor that could've been fixed with simple salt and pepper seasoning.

Fish 'n Chips - We all shared two orders of battered Haddock and chips, which I liked very much.  The fish was really excellent, with a crisp, airy batter that wasn't greasy, while the interior was fresh-tasting and perfectly flaky.  I liked that the piece of fish was generous and more than adequate to share with another person.  But the chips, although plentiful, were on the soggy side, which was disappointing--especially if your name is "Chip" shop.

Classic Shepherds Pie - This is where Chip Shop's English cooking shined.  We all agreed that the classic beef Shepherds Pie was hands-down the best we've had to date.  The top was baked and on the well done side, which I love.  As for the actual potatoes, they were silky smooth and buttery, and once mixed with the juicy ground beef, our tastebuds went on a joy ride.  Yet another plus was the side of giant peas, which were wonderful on their own, or mixed in with the potatoes and beef.

Fried Candy Bars - I can't even emphasize how much I looked forward to eating a deep fried Bounty bar, which for those of you who aren't familiar with it, is like an Almond Joy.  The batter it was coated in reminded me of the pancake batter used in fried oreos.  Frying the candy bar brought out its goodness further by warming it up and slightly melting the chocolate and the coconut inside.

Peter and Fiana went for the fried Snicker's bar, which was also tasty but not my favorite, as I'm not a huge fan of peanuts.  Dan's fried Twix on the other hand was total, utter bliss and I think I'll be getting it next time.  In addition to the candy bars we got, Chip Shop also offers Mars Bars, Twinkies and Reeces Peanut Butter Cups in a fried version. Yowza!

Service and Cost:
We were delighted with the kind service and everyone's cheery attitude.  While not all employees are British, everyone sported a British-style hospitality that was infectious.  Our waiter called us lovely patrons, which I thought was cute, and we walked out feeling happy and not as guilty as we should've, considering the crazy amounts of fried foods we consumed in one sitting.

Prices are moderate and include:

Fish, Meat & Chips - $8.50 - $12.75
Shepherds Pie - $10 - $12
Other English Entrees - $5.50 - $14
Sides - $1.50 -$6.50
Dessert - $3.50 - $5.50

3 Mmmms