As Fresh as it gets at Ned Ludd

Even with the bounty of deliciousness that constantly surrounds us in Portland, it's not often we get to eat at an upscale, gourmet restaurant but when we do, it's always spectacular.  Our recent visit to Ned Ludd for my birthday last week gave this statement more truth, as we were surrounded by fresh, seasonal and thoughtfully prepared dishes that we'd go back for any day.

Atmosphere:
Situated on the border of NE and NOPO, you'll find Ned Ludd on the busy MLK Blvd and truth be told, it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.  The exterior is sort of rustic looking and the restaurant's signage not too prominent that you really have to look out for it.  But when you find it, you'll be glad you came - and you'll be happy to also see that it has an official parking lot, which is kind of rare.

The exterior is enticing in itself, as it adorns all the natural wood they use to power their signature wood burning oven.  I love that the vibe is very organic, rustic and doesn't look like it's trying too hard, which is definitely felt inside too.  While the interior decor feels a little thrown together, being made up of a hodgepodge of knick-knacks that look like they came from competing households, it still works together to create a charming atmosphere and in its own way, harmony.

Food:
Since the restaurant's philosophy is all things seasonal, fresh and centers around local bounty, we made sure to try a little bit of everything - especially the vegetables.  We weren't sorry in our choices and I was especially impressed with Dan's main dish:

Spiced Flatbread - Starting off with some homemade spiced pita breads simply sprinkled with course sea salt and fruity olive oil was a good idea.  Not only were they warm and airy, they paired nicely with our other dishes, especially the veggies.  It must be noted that the portion is generous and ample enough to share between 2 to 3 people.

Summer Squash Salad - I was instantly drawn to the description of this dish, which included Mediterranean flavors including za'atar and yogurt sauce.  Dan remarked that it tasted a little bit like tzatziki, which I somewhat agree with.  The squash itself was lovely, vibrant and cooked perfectly to preserve a little bit of bite.

Pastured Lamb - Being a total sucker for lamb, this was my dish of choice and while I liked it, I can't say I was in love.  Surprised that the meat was served on the cold/room temperature side, I expected something hot that melted in your mouth instead.  And while the cherry tomatoes and the pea shoots that rested on top were simply flawless, I thought the greyish eggplant puree on the bottom didn't do much for the plate's sensory appeal.

Cornish Hen - Totally opposite of the lamb, Dan's entree was a total standout.  First off, it looked absolutely gorgeous, sporting perfectly roasted skin that was sprinkled with fresh herbs and little edible flowers.  It just looked like a happy dish that you coudn't wait to dig into and once Dan gave me a generous piece, I was hooked and went back for seconds, thirds, and fourths.  The way in which it was cooked, resulting in one of the juiciest renditions of a chicken dish, was impressive.  It surpassed any expectations one may have about chicken, and while the veggies that surrounded it were fabulous too, it almost didn't even need anything to go along with it.

Service and Cost:
Just like everything else in the restaurant, the service was very much on point.  Our waiter was precise and attentive and very knowledgeable about the food.  It was he who steered Dan towards getting that amazing Cornish Hen, so if you're stuck between a few different choices, the staff can certainly help you.

Costs are on the higher side but justified given the quality and precision of everything.  The above mentioned meal with a drink set us back about $40 per person not including tip.

3 Mmmms

Ned Ludd - 3925 MLK Blvd, Portland OR 97212
503.288.6900
nedluddpdx.com

Thai Peacock is Deliciously Comforting

Just the other day, my co-workers and I ventured over to the Thai Peacock for a lovely team lunch.  Not only was it close to our office, the food and drinks proved to be delicious and certainly a place I'd like to return to again soon.

Atmosphere:
Located on the corner of SW 9th Avenue and Oak Street, Thai Peacock is set amongst other notable food and drink heavy hitters such as Courier Coffee and Maurice.  Its corner location makes it perfect for outdoor dining as well and makes for some nice people watching, especially during lunchtime.

We sat inside for lunch, as it accommodated our larger group quite well, but word to the wise - you should make a reservation in advance.  While the interior isn't huge, it's charming and quaint and includes some pretty touches such as beautiful oak tables, maps of Thailand and a few snazzy light fixtures that help set the mood.  The vibe is a little trendy but still casual enough to come by with your buds or even that special someone.  So all in all - a very versatile place.

Food:
There's tons of delicious things to choose from for both lunch and dinner, but in terms of lunch specifically, there's a few specials that you can get for under $8 and the portions are generous.

Honeydew smoothie - I wanted to try something a little different to drink and went with the bright green honeydew smoothie you see above.  What really sold me on it were the tapioca balls that you see on the bottom that reminded me of the delicious bubble tea I used to get in NY's Chinatown.  The overall taste of this smoothie was milky, vibrant and not too sweet, which was appreciated.  As the ice melted, it tasted more and more like a tasty milkshake, and I'd be eager to try the other flavors too.

Kaeng Mamuang - A type of curry dish, this one incorporated fresh ingredients such as chunks of mango, bell peppers, peas, carrots and fresh basil.  It was a visually stunning plate of food that I also chose to have with some nicely cooked beef.  The curry powder used in this dish was pretty spicy, as it was the red kind, and a little hint for people with more sensitive palates is to get it mild or medium.  You'll still feel the spice that way, trust me.

Service and Cost:
I have absolutely no complaints about the service, and especially given our larger party which is usually a recipe for disaster.  While not all of our dishes were brought out at the same time, generally most of the meal's service went off without a hitch.

Costs are reasonable and for lunch will set you back anywhere between $8 - $13.50 for an entree and about $10 - $16 for dinner entrees.

3 Mmmms

Thai Peacock - 219 SW 9th Avenue, Portland OR 97205
503.228.2310
thaipeacockpdx.com

Happy Hour in Style at Urban Farmer PDX

Deciding to switch things up a bit today, Dan and I happy houred Downtown at a swanky joint called Urban Farmer.  Located in The Nines Hotel on SW 5th Avenue and Morrison Street, it's one of the fancier places in town and offers a beautiful city view from the 8th floor of the hotel.

Atmosphere:
Sleek, sophisticated and a little earthy, Urban Farmer offers some great visual candy right as you walk in.  I was surprised to see that it's nestled inside the lobby of The Nines hotel - as in right in the center of an indoor courtyard.  Instead, I thought it'd be facing the city but you still get some majestic views when you get off the elevator and explore the hotel.

The restaurant is spacious and offers some diverse seating options, including a nice bar, some high top tables, communal seating and the like.  I love its mismatched banquette seating and the beautiful plants and flowers that separate the bar area from the main dining room.  Overall, everything about this place says elegance and style and you expect the food to mirror that as well.

Food:
Loving the rich variety of food options on the happy hour menu, we didn't have trouble deciding what we wanted, but instead had a harder time with the drinks.  The cocktails are still on the expensive side but sounded lovely, so after some deliberation, Dan and I both went with classic Bloody Marys.

Deviled Eggs - The most impressive dish of the night, we oohed and ahhed at the presentation of these bite-sized goodies that were topped with house-made bacon maple strips.  The latter was a big highlight, as the texture was a little chewy, the flavor smoky with a touch of sweetness from the maple.

Beef Slider - Even though the size of the slider was rather small, the quality of the meat trumped everything.  If I had to guess, I think the beef was grass fed and didn't need much to complement it.  The buttery parker house roll that sandwiched this baby was the perfect way to enjoy it and soaked up all the delicious juices coming of the patty.

Lobster Salad Roll - I love me a good lobster roll and haven't yet tried one here on the West Coast.  This was definitely on the fancy side, bejeweled with pickled celery and soft pieces of a cooked egg that lightened things up.  Once again, the bread was soft and moist, absorbing all those yummy lobstery bits of the generously sized sandwich.

Glazed Beef Meatballs - Dan ordered the meatballs, which offered another high-end spin on a classic comfort food.  Resting on a thin layer of dijon mustard sauce, we loved dipping the tender meat into it, as it gave it an unexpected hint of spice.  While I loved the texture of the meat, I thought it could've benefited from a little less salt.

Bloody Mary - Using a homemade Bloody Mary mix, I enjoyed the hearty flavor and the thick consistency of this cocktail.  It wasn't overly spicy and I could've done with a little more horseradish or even pepper to heat things up.  Once again, they went heavy on the salt around the rim of the glass.

Service and Cost:
Since we went in for an early happy hour meal, the restaurants was on the empty side, which was A-OK with us.  It just meant that we received really great service and that things came out pretty fast and we never felt neglected.

Costs are excellent for happy hour items, ranging between $4-$10 for the food and $5-$6 for drinks.

3 Mmmms

Urban Farmer - 525 SW Morrison Street, Portland OR 97204
503.222.4900
urbanfarmerportland.com

Decadence Found at Cupcake Jones

Yesterday was a total day of decadence, as I got spoiled by my co-workers - first at lunch and then with an irresistible dessert.  The minute the word cupcake was uttered though, I couldn't say no and before we knew it, off we were buying a jumbo sized six-pack of specialty cupcakes from Cupcake Jones in the Pearl District.

Atmosphere:

Located in the heart of the Pearl, Downtown, Cupcake Jones is just a hop, skip and jump away from Oven and Shaker where we had lunch that day.  A quick walk from my office on NW 10th Avenue, it's conveniently set in a heavily trafficked area and especially during lunchtime.

The space itself is pretty small and taken up mostly by the actual bakery where all the magic happens.  There's no place to sit really, which is why you must take these treats to go but on a lovely day, who wouldn't want to stroll around the Pearl with a beautiful cupcake in hand and a fragrant cup of coffee in the other?

Cupcakes:
With so many options of cupcake flavors available, making a decision wasn't easy but we did it!  It's nice to see that each flavor also comes in a miniature size in addition to jumbo, but since it was Friday and there was a few of us, we went for the gold so to speak.

PB & J - Attracted to anything with peanut butter these days, I couldn't resist a classic PB & J cupcake.  Everything about this treat was fantastic - from the fluffy frosting to the moist cake and the peanut butter mousse inside.  As far as the jelly, it tasted like homemade strawberry that was made with lots of love and care.

The Pearl - Paying  homage to its posh surroundings, The Pearl cupcake was studded with elegance and sophistication.  Consisting of a white velvet cake with silky vanilla bean pastry cream inside, it felt very simple and clean but was perfectly executed.  A pretty little chocolate pearl rested on top, adding a pop of color and classic dark chocolate flavor.

Service and Cost:

The staff at the shop kept customers happy by keeping things moving.  They had great suggestions for gluten free and vegan alternatives that we also took advantage of.

Costs are expensive but we spotted a Friday Happy Hour special of 6 cupcakes for $18, which is far from cheap but still offers a little break.  Each jumbo cupcake will usually set you back anywhere from $3.75 - $4.25.

3 Mmmms

Cupcake Jones - 307 NW 10th Avenue, Portland OR 97209
503.222.4404
cupcakejones.net

A Chocolate Attack at Ruby Jewel Ice Cream

Since days have gotten longer and warmer, I'm always looking for an excuse to go out for ice cream.  Trying most of the places in my direct neighborhood, it's always nice to switch things up so Dan and I along with friends, Barry and Suzanne headed to Ruby Jewel the other night for some frozen treats.

Atmosphere:
Located right across the street from Stormbreaker Brewing on Mississippi Ave, Ruby Jewel was the perfect place to hit up after visiting the brewery.  On a weekday evening, we found it quite busy and had to wait in line for a few minutes, showing testament to its popularity and goodness.

The space itself is lovely, adorned in cheery colors and photography that displays the delicious ingredients they use as well as people enjoying ice cream.  There's some fun quotes displayed on the wall too that are good conversation starters while you wait for your ice cream - helping the anticipation build.  It's also great to see that there's an extensive seating area inside with an open air atmosphere that's just so pleasant on a mild night.

Ice Cream:
There's a few flavors of the month you can choose from as well as their "always flavors" that are (you guessed it), consistently on the menu.  Dan and I went with the former while Barry and Suzanne chose the more classic flavors. I'd say we all won and our empty cups and devoured cones were the evidence.

Black Forest Cake - I couldn't resist trying something chocolatey, which is why this was my choice and I loved it.  Boasting a few chunky bits of chocolate cake and cherries, it was as rich, creamy and delicious as they come.  Even though this is definitely full fat ice cream, it didn't feel heavy in my belly.  This went down easy and was just as enjoyable a few minutes later as when I was eating it.

Mexican Hot Chocolate - Dan got this flavor in a sugar cone and it was fantastic.  Not too sweet and pretty cinnamoney, it reminded me a little bit of Horchata (the Mexican rice-milk and cinnamon drink).  The cone smelled and tasted divine and added sweetness and crunchy texture to each bite. 

Oregon Strawberry - Recently getting my dose of local strawberries at Sauvie Island, I knew Suzanne would be in for a treat.  Sure this flavor is simple and classic, but that's just what makes it so great.  The strawberry flavor is earthy, clean and palate cleansing.

Service and Cost:
Even though I mentioned there was a line, it progressed quickly and once we ordered, our ice creams were in our hands in minutes, and not long after in our bellies.  The staff seems generally happy to be there, and doesn't mind letting customers try different flavors before making a final decision.

Costs are on the higher side, but still lower than at a place like Salt & Straw, setting us back about $15 for 4 various sized portions.

3 Mmmms

Ruby Jewel - 3713 N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland OR 97227
503.954.1345
rubyjewel.com

Stormbreaker Brewing Good Eats

When it comes to Portland living, there's never a shortage of great breweries to explore.  Peppered throughout the city and across the entire state of Oregon for that matter, you can find countless microbreweries around and the truth is that they're all really good.  So when NY friends, Barry and Suzanne came to town, we thought we'd show them a good time by taking them to Stormbreaker Brewing on Mississippi Ave.

Atmosphere:
The best thing about Stormbreaker is not only its location, which is on Beech Street, right in the heart of the Mississippi shopping and restaurant district, but also its extensive outdoor space.  That's in fact why we chose it as our dinner destination, given the mild weather outside and the long-lasting sunshine.  

Boasting a number of communal picnic tables as well as an outdoor fire pit section, Stormbreaker is perfect for a gathering of small and larger groups.  It reminds me a bit of the beer garden action I used to enjoy in Astoria and just like in the former, the vibe is casual and laid back--making you feel comfortable to just hang around and stay a while.

Food:
Ironically, given the plethora of beer, most of our party ordered mixed drinks and lots of food.  I'm going to talk about the latter here, as it was memorable, fresh and definitely a highlight of our experience.

Pickle Jar - A colorful, vibrant mason jar filled with all sorts of pickled veggies was the perfect way to start our meal.  I loved getting through all its layers and discovering more goodies such as the tender pickled beets at the bottom, the crunchy pickled radishes and the curried cauliflower.

Jucy Lucy Burger - Served on a soft sesame bun, this burger was pretty much flawless.  Loving the generous amounts of fontina cheese that oozed out the middle and the sweet onion jam on top, this burger contained the right amounts of savory and sweet elements.  Even though the menu description says it's a double patty burger, it's essentially just one thick patty that's made of super tender meat, regardless of the way you get it cooked.

Charred Cauliflower - Dan ordered this as a side and it very much appealed to Suzanne and me.  The preparation was simple but executed nicely with pretty char marks on the outside and a bit of crunch from the hazelnut romesco, sweetness from the raisins and some bite from the capers.

Service and Cost:
Even though we chose to sit outside which can sometimes produce slower service, this was far from the case at Stormbreaker.  Helped right away and receiving attentive service with a smile throughout our time here, I'd highly recommend it to locals or visitors in search of an authentic Portland experience.

Costs are affordable at $7-$14 for appetizers, $8-$12 for main dishes and $5 for sides.

3 Mmmms

Stormbreaker Brewing - 832 N. Beech Street Portland OR 97227
971.703.4516
stormbreakerbrewing.com

Donut Byte Labs - Bliss Found in a Donut Hole

On a constant quest for great donuts, yesterday, my co-workers and I headed over to the Donut Byte Labs food truck in search of some mini deliciousness.  Needless to say, the experience more than delivered, reminding me of the yummy mini donuts found at Pip's - only these were even fancier.

About Donut Byte Labs:Opened just a few months ago, Donut Byte Labs is still new on the Portland donut scene, but is quickly making a statement.  Located not far from the Burnside Bridge on SW 4th Avenue and Burnside Street, you can't possibly miss this royal blue truck with a deliciously sweet smell emanating from it.

Two mad scientist type dudes work inside the truck to concoct some really fancy mini donut toppings such as bacon maple, salted caramel, Burnside cream, peanut butter cup and more.  The atmosphere outside of the truck is lovely too, as there's a little blue patio table and chairs where you can relax and chow down on your donuts while they're still fresh.

Donuts:
Opting for the fanciest of donut flavors, my compadres and I ordered a dozen fun flavors including bacon maple, Burnside cream, Peanut Butter cup, chocolate sprinkle, creme brulee and more.  While the donuts were teeny tiny, they made for a hefty bite once dressed with all those toppings, and were even sharable - allowing us to try a few.

Peanut Butter Cup - My all around favorite donut consisted of a (surprise, surprise) dark chocolate and peanut butter combination.  I loved it so much because not only did you find peanut butter on top, but also in the center, and it was ooey gooey.  The dark chocolate frosting was like a ganache, bringing a gourmet touch to this comfort food treat.

Salted Caramel - Another favorite combination of sweet and salty flavors, this one also delivered, especially on the salty part.  Using both delicate salt flakes and a dusting of salted caramel sugar, this donut gave your tastebuds a run for their money.  If you're a savory foods lover, you'll appreciate it, but all of you donut purists may not fully approve.

Service and Cost:
Because the donuts are all made to order and then dressed individually by the guys I mentioned above, we waited for about 10 minutes for them to be done.  One way to avoid this is by choosing more simple/classic flavors, but we went for the gold.

Costs are dependent on the complexity of flavors you get and range from:

$1.25 for 6 minis or $2.50 for 12 minis - plain
$2.50 for 6 minis or $4 for 12 minis - powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar
$7 - $10 for 12 minis - advanced flavors

3 Mmmms

Donut Byte Labs - 12 SW 4th Avenue, Portland OR 97204
503.801.7321
donutbytelabs.com

Yama Sushi & Izakaya - Japanese Happy Hour Yummies

The other day, Dan and I ventured over to one of my favorite parts of town in Portland, which is the Southeast.  Wanting to catch an early movie, we planned for happy hour in advance and decided on Yama Sushi & Izakaya on charming Clinton Street.

Atmosphere:
It's interesting to note that our visit to Yama was the first Japanese-style restaurant we've visited in Portland.  Knowing that it's an Izakaya as well, I knew there'd be other options besides sushi.  Loving their extensive happy hour menu, which goes til 6:30 p.m., it gave us plenty of time before the movie and because it was still early, the restaurant wasn't crowded and instead perfectly comfortable.

In terms of the vibe here, it's relaxed, open and sleek.  The sake barrels, which serve as a primary decor element very much reminded me of the ones we saw in Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.  There's an open air feel to the whole place, and you get to observe the sushi chefs do their magic if you wish.  I love that there's plenty of light in the restaurant that comes in through the large floor to ceiling windows, creating that natural, zen atmosphere often associated with a Japanese aesthetic.

Food:
Taking advantage of their fruitful happy hour menu, there was lots to choose from and we went with everything from traditional sushi hand rolls to tempura rolls, fried seafood and more.  Here are my specific food highlights:

Shishito Bacon Skewers - Mmmm...everything about this dish spoke to us.  I love me some shishito peppers, and mixing those together with the smoky bacon just added more greatness.  The bacon was was nicely cooked, being crispy and chewy too, while the shishitos added a little spicy punch.

Popcorn Scallops - Consisting of poppable little bay scallop bites, I was impressed with the happy hour portion.  The dish made for a great appetizer and its flavors came alive even more when spritzed with a little bit of lemon.  Overall, it was a solid dish and I'm happy to report that the scallops tasted fresh and sumptuous.

Baby Octopus Kara-age - Not familiar with the terms "kara-age," we asked our knowledgeable waitress to explain what we could expect from this dish.  She basically described it as another tasty deep fried concoction, which was A-OK with us and upon seeing it, we knew we were in for a treat.  Fried to perfection, the octopus exemplified a nice balance of crunchy texture and once again fresh flavor.  Dipping it into a bit of soy sauce amped up its level of savoriness.

Tempura Salmon Roll - Opting for a cooked sushi roll, this one didn't disappoint, especially in terms of portion size.  I loved the big chunks of salmon that were placed on top of the rice and seaweed bundle and you hardly needed any other fixins to enjoy it.  The spicy mayo and a sweet soy glaze on top went a long way, too.

Service and Cost:
Yama's staff are knowledgeable and friendly and some proved to be Japanese natives.  Impressed by their level of expertise, I had no doubt about the restaurant's authenticity and would happily return here in the future.

Costs are wallet friendly, especially for happy hour, setting us back just $36 for 6 small plates and a drink (tip included).

3 Mmmms

Yama Sushi & Izakaya - 2038 SE Clinton Street, Portland OR 97202
503.231.2859
4 Bus to 20th and Division
yamasushiportland.com

Batter Up with Fried Chicken & Falafel Waffles

Since the weather proved to be gorgeous in Portland this Saturday, Dan and I ventured to brunch at Batter, a new waffle dedicated restaurant in the Northeast.  I've been eager to try it for some time, but just haven't had the time to drop in so I was grateful to finally get the opportunity.  Still in its soft opening, the restaurant has a few kinks to work out but it's undeniable greatness shined through.

Atmosphere:
Located on a bustling block on NE Fremont Street near 44th Avenue in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, Batter completes an area of culinary greatness with Bang Bang Thai, Smallwares among others.

The restaurant itself is spacious and open, with an unfinished industrial look.  While this looks like a part of its charm, a few elements inside prove to be a true work in progress which I hope will be tidied up before their official opening.  However, there's many positives including a mix of different sized seating arrangements which suit any kind of party, as well as plenty of outdoor space for nice days.  Even though we didn't sit inside, the whole front of the restaurant was open, so you felt like you were dining al fresco anyway.

Food:
I love the generously large menu of specialty waffle dishes (some traditional and some not) as well as their pancake offering.  Everything about this speaks to me, as I love me some carbs for brunch and all the dishes sound inherently comforting.  Here's what we tried last week:

Chicken and Waffles - Being staunch chicken and waffle fans, we couldn't pass this up.  Happy to see a generously sized portion, Dan and I quickly realized we could've easily shared this between us and been totally satiated.  The chicken was tender on the inside but perfectly crunchy on the outside and to our surprise boneless.  This was a big plus, as it allowed us to seamlessly dig in and enjoy big forkfuls of the savory chicken and sweet waffles, which we generously doused with sweet syrup.  It provided a perfect brunch combo that I'd order again in a heartbeat. 

Waff-lafel - A more non-traditional dish, the waff-lafel actually consisted of chickpea batter waffles topped with generous scoops of hummus, a side of tzatziki and a Greek salad.  The chickpea batter was innovative, giving the waffle an earthy taste and if you closed your eyes, you'd almost not know you were eating brunch.  Because of its hearty ingredients, a little went a long way and we ended up taking a lot of it home, which made for delicious leftovers.

Dan also ordered the Bloody Mary cocktail you see above, which he praised as being flavorful, peppery and delicious.  I liked the unique touch of a pickled asparagus, which I'm not sure I've yet seen in a Bloody.

Service and Cost:

As I mentioned above, Batter is still getting its footing in this initial soft launch phase.  Our waitress was friendly and did her best, but due to the steady crowd (which is a great sign for a new restaurant) got a little overwhelmed. I can't say that the service wasn't affected but when we did get our food, it was delivered to us in a cheery, pleasant manner.

Costs are affordable and offer great value at just $10 and $9 for the respective dishes above.  Together with tip, we walked out of there for under $20 per person.

3 Mmmms

Batter PDX - 4425 NE Fremont Street, Portland OR 97213
971.271.8784
batterpdx.com

Back to Eden Bakery Pod Comes to Division St.

Image by Back to Eden Bakery

While visiting the Division St. food truck/pod area this past weekend, I noticed a brand new eye-catching pod with a big "Bakery" sign.  Looking into it further, I learned the pod is dedicated to the well known Gluten Free bakery called Back to Eden, with a brick and mortar locale on NE Alberta Street. 

The new SE Division Street pod location comes at the perfect time, especially as the weather gets warmer each week.  It was great to see the friendly staff eager and happy to service customers with their gluten free cakes, cupcakes, pies, breakfast pastries and even soft serve non-dairy ice cream.

While the pod is still in its soft launch, look out for their official grand opening on May 1st when they'll surely be doing some special promotions for loyal customers.  However, if you want to stop by now, go right ahead, as they're open pretty much the entire day from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Back to Eden Bakery Pod - 2880 SE Division Street, Portland OR 97202
backtoedenbakery.com

Smaaken Waffle Sandwiches had me at Hallo

Being that it was such a gorgeous day today and also because we were watching Mo & So's dog, Bond, we decided to hit the food trucks on Division street.  Knowing it'd be a busy time, we still decided to go for it, as it's a great place to come and enjoy a lot of exciting food with a dog in tow.

After circling around the hefty food truck lot on Division St. and 28th Avenue, we got a good sense of the yummies offered that day - and there were plenty.  After spotting a Korean food truck, Dan quickly chose a bulgogi beef platter for his lunch while I went for Smaaken, the Dutch waffle truck.  I'm about to spill the deets about the latter, which I thought was a fabulous choice I'd like to have again.

Smaaken Waffle Sandwiches - Located in a little pod, resembling a quaint Dutch cottage, Smaaken sandwiches are the real deal.  Immediately drawn to its eclectic menu that boasts not only sweet but savory sandwiches as well, there was lots to choose from.  I also liked the pod's location, which is strategically set near the communal tables in the middle so if you are with dog, like we were, it's easy to just hang out there until your name is called.

Sardou Waffle - After much deliberation, I selected a brunchie type of waffle with eggs, gouda cheese, artichokes, steamed spinach and lemon aioli to tie it all together.  The combination was fabulous and unlike any breakfast sandwich I've had--the eggs being perfectly fluffy, complemented by the tangy gouda and the soft lemon artichokes.  Even if you're not a vegetarian, I think you'll appreciate the sophistication and bright flavors in this sandwich.  But before I wrap this up, I must also talk about the excellence of the crispy waffle itself, which served as the sandwich part of this meal.  Not only was it cooked to perfection, boasting a beautifully golden exterior, the interior was airy and light, and didn't weigh you down at all.

Service and Cost:
Compared to some of the other waiting times in the food truck lot today, I think Smaaken surpassed expectations and expedited their orders pretty quickly.  Since everything is made to order, I was impressed by the 5-7 minute completion time for each order.

Costs are inexpensive and include anywhere from $4.50 - $8.50 for a waffle sandwich, depending on the ingredients.

3 Mmmms

Smaaken Waffle Sandwiches - SE 28th Avenue and Division Street, Portland OR 97202
smaaken.com

Brunch at Woodsman Tavern Blows My Mind

While there's been many a times when I've enjoyed Portland's brunch offerings, I haven't yet been truly blow away until recently.  Visiting Woodsman Tavern last week for a business meeting, the restaurant happens to be a part of the Stumptown Coffee empire, owned by Duane Sorenson.  This was no doubt a great indicator of quality and needless to say, their brunch menu proved all sorts of enticing.

Atmosphere:
Located on the East end of Division Street on the corner of 45th Avenue, Woodsman is a bit removed from the popular eateries and businesses on the main drag.  However, being that it's right next to the Stumptown Coffee storefront gives it more curb appeal.

The restaurant itself is lovely and elegant with dark rich furnishings that have a touch of industrial and refurbished elements.  While some of it feels like a collection of different pieces, they all seem to go together nicely and make me think of the coveted things I admire at a store like Rejuvenation.  In terms of seating, I like that it's a combination of traditional two and four top tables, as well as communal seating and bar stools as well.  So basically, you can adapt your experience to anything you want.

Food:
Although Woodsman's brunch menu isn't huge, the items on it all look interesting and sophisticated.  While my week was spent eating lots of eggy dishes due to Passover, I decided to go for something different and chose the pancakes instead.

Woodfired Pineapple Pancake - I was surprised to see a non-traditional combination of pancakes and pineapples, which I haven't yet tried but that sounded delicious.  Made up of two very fluffy pancakes with thin slices of charred pineapple both in between them and on top, it turned ordinary pancakes on their ear, together with toppings such as prosciutto, pickled cherries and the piece-de-resistance, gouda butter.  I couldn't even imagine what the latter would taste like and sure enough it was an absolute standout with its creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor.  I let my dining companions try some and needless to say they were VERY impressed!

Other Dishes - Also very satisfied with their dishes, my dining companions went for savorier options including Woodsman's signature Eggs Benedict and a beautiful cured salmon plate.  Both things looked gorgeous and super fresh, especially the fiery red salmon, which I just may have to get next time.  I loved its rustic arrangement, together with fixins such as onions, capers and some bright herbs.

Service and Cost:

Indicative of its overall quality offering, the service here is also excellent.  The staff seems to have a lot of knowledge about the menu and on the whole we felt very well taken care of - not having to wait for anything for too long.  At the same time, when we were done with our meal, we didn't feel rushed.

Costs are on the expensive side but I'd return any day for such a stellar ambiance and exemplary food.  You can expect to shell out about $17-$20 per person together with a beverage such as coffee.

3 Mmmms

Woodsman Tavern - 4527 Division Street, Portland OR 97206
971.373.8264
woodsmantavern.com

Smallwares - Happy Hour with a Punch

In the mood to try another fun happy hour in our neighborhood, Dan and I recently visited Smallwares, a modern Asian fusion restaurant in the NE Fremont area.  Attracted to their creative menu, offering street style Asian dishes, we knew we'd be in for a treat.

Atmosphere:
Set in the lovely, residential NE Fremont strip of shops and restaurants, Smallwares is located in the center of this commercial area, which makes it easy to find.  Known for its red and white modern motif, the inside reminds me of a cheery Ikea catalog, as the space feels sleek, breathable and attractive.

Dan and I happened to sit outside since it was such a beautiful night, so we didn't really experience the vibe of the interior but we'll have to come back for that.  The outdoor tables are great and provide for some good people watching - and I must say that the alfresco service doesn't suffer at all.

Food:
The happy hour menu, offered from 5-7 p.m. each day isn't extensive, but it's fun and creative and definitely piqued our interest.  There's also a number of cleverly named drinks that made the happy hour menu truly complete.

Chicken Pot Pie Bao - The "gold standard" of the night, the bao provided something inventive and different and I couldn't get enough.  Presented on a fluffy, almost pretzel-like roll, it was stuffed with a savory filling of shredded chicken, peas, carrots and a hearty stew that tied it all together.  My only complaint was that it was so tiny, and I would've loved if the portion included two rolls instead of just one.

Pork Skin Ragu - Intrigued by the description of this dish, it also delivered and instead of being served with pasta, it was was accompanied by sticky rice cakes on the bottom of the bowl.  The latter was my favorite aspect of the dish, as it soaked up the hearty ragu beautifully.  While the ragu was lovely and bright, and speckled with tons of fresh ingredients, it was a tad too salty for my taste.

Shrimp Meatballs - Non traditional in appearance and flavor, the shrimp meatballs looked more like flat patties, which was OK.  Also small in size, the flavor was interesting and included lots of Asian spices, resting on a bed of sweet soy sauce.  Once again, a pretty dish but a tad too salty.

Oysters - The oysters too, were on special for happy hour, so Dan decided to indulge.  Accompanied by natural accouterments such as seaweed, fresh cilantro and lemon juice, it had a flavor-of-the-sea essence, which evoked freshness.

Service and Cost:
From the beginning to the end, our waitress was nothing but attentive and helpful.  As I already mentioned, she made sure we were well taken care of at our outdoor table and always refilled our water glasses, brought us new chopsticks when I dropped mine and had an overall lovely disposition.

Costs are decent but a little high for happy hour, given the modest portions.  We paid about $30 including tip and a specialty cocktail as well.

2 Mmmms

Smallwares - 4605 NE Fremont Street, Portland OR 97213
971.229.0995
smallwarespdx.com