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- Every time I visit them, my retired parents try to convince me of the cosmopolitan merits of Beaverton. Normally I smile and nod politely, but after a trip to the almost hidden Cafe Beignet off 185th, I might have to agree with them. Taking pointers from the world famous New Orleans institution, Cafe Du Monde, this local spot serves up some of the best beignets this side of the Mississippi, a decent cup of joe and a wide range of wraps, quiches and fresh salads. My pops and I rolled in last week, sat at one of the five tables amid Mardi Gras mask decorations and gentle Billie Holiday music, and reminisced about New Orleans. The friendly staff tried to tempt us with various delicious quiches, ... |
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- With the turning of the year, we often make plans to eat better and to make more time for ourselves. As a foodie, I love growing my own food in the summer when I have the time. However, I do work outside my home and gardening is often the last thing I want to do when I'm at the end of my day. So instead, I know the best places to pick up produce in Portland: Giusto Farms 3518 NE 162nd Ave 503-253-0271 The best things sometimes take a bit of to drive but are amazing and worth every minute. |
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- Five years ago I moved from Corvallis (go Beavs!) to Portland and left my favorite restaurants behind, only to discover some new favorites, of course! Here are a few at the top of my list: Casa Colima 6319 SW Capitol Hwy 503-892-9944 This Mexican restaurant on the west side of the river, in the Raleigh Hills area, is probably my favorite “hometown” |
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- Before we even had an apartment in Portland, a veteran PDX Italian dining couple had told us about Caffe Mingo. They proclaimed the gnocchi there be the best in Portland. We did not, however, jump on this suggestion. Walking by it during the day, it was mysterious and a bit foreboding, dark and shrouded with curtains. We have considered going there several times, but we have to be in the right mood to dine out in the Alphabet District. |
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- While I’d never argue that colonization is a good thing, some remarkable culinary achievements can arise out of decades of forced food fusion. One of them is the French-Vietnamese sandwich known as Bahn Mi, light baguettes smeared with butter or pate, stuffed with crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs and cured or grilled meats or tofu. Watch the jalapeños! |
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- Put an extra sweater on, honey. That sky looks mean today; if you’re not careful, you could catch a dreadful cough in just a few minutes. Ask any doting grandmother the world over, and just about every single one will chime in that wintertime demands some more meat on the bones. |
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- On Christmas night, my family had dinner from Legin in Southeast Portland, as we have for the last three years. Driving east down Division St. towards 82nd, you can’t miss Legin: It’ |
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- I had a Rosemary Gin Fizz a few weeks ago at a new bar called Tiga on NE Prescott Street (only open for just over a year). This was a night we were glad that we had gotten out of our Southeast house and discovered somewhere new. A friend in the DJ spot at this chic Northeast hangout motivated us out on a weeknight even. What we found was a remarkably relaxed atmosphere. |
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- If you are a fan of top-tier, gourmet food, but can't regularly shell out the exorbitant prices, Meriwether's is the perfect cure. If you haven't heard of the three-year-old Northwest institution, rest assured it is an exceptional establishment that offers the region's freshest ingredients in gastronomic treats from former Mario Batali chef Tommy Habetz. Fine dining such as this naturally weighs in on the pricer side and normally wouldn't be a spot to drop in on a whim. A place of this caliber, rather, calls for a special occasion unto itself. |
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- When I was a very little girl I played tea with my stuffed animals. Now I hunt out places to have tea and conversation, and there are some amazing spots in Portland to visit and be a "tea snob." Rimsky-Korsakoffee House This longtime Portland gem serves dessert, coffee and tea nestled in a traditional Craftsman-style home. |
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- The New Old Lompoc had the pleasure of my company last week. My friend Abbey and I spent a couple of hours at the bar with one of the most fun-loving bartenders we've ever met. Whitney lauded our taste in beer (the seasonal sampler tray, and then a Blitzen and a Barley Wine), gabbed with us when it got slow and even asked another patron (without so much of a nod our way) whether he was single or not for us. (For the record, the very cute guy in the back booth was taken!) If you ever need a good laugh, join Whitney at her bar and enjoy the company. |
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- I attempted to go to this gourmet pizza place on SE Hawthorne three times prior to actually tasting a piece of their pie. The first time I was alone, terrifically hungry, but at 7:45pm on a Saturday night, I was turned away because they had no dough. And then...again, with my boyfriend, when we were at that hungrier-than-hungry point about a month later. |
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- I don’t know why, but magic happens inside a grilled sandwich. The bread crunches, flavors combine and mellow, the cheese oozes everywhere. The Parkside Deli and Fine Foods just north of Mt. |
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- With the unfortunate dominance of fast-food chains sullying the venerable institution of the classic American burger, it is often difficult to find a worthy example of our notorious national extravagance. But all my cynical woes took a hike recently with the first exquisite bite of the perfect bacon burger from the one and only Humdinger on SW Barbur Boulevard. The extensive menu covers all its bases, including even seafood alongside its quarter- to full-pound burgers, salads, dogs, dippers, hot and cold sandwiches and a host of specialty burgers. And then there are the milkshakes… |
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- I head out on Fridays with a friend of mine to get away from my office in Wilsonville and try out the local restaurants for lunch. We really love to go out for sushi, Thai, and anything else that our significant others don't eat. These are some of our top picks for a midday meal: Sushi Track 8750 SW Citizens Drive 503-570-8888 This is a busy Kaitenzushi (circulating sushi) place. I recommend the seared salmon, the stuffed mushrooms, the dragon roll, unagi and the skewers. |
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- Last Wednesday, before attending a CRAVE Portland party, my friend Crista took me to Chez Jose (West). This fantastic Southwest Portland restaurant isn’t new to me; I had driven by numerous times and even peeked in before. I’ |
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- But just make sure that it's between 4:30pm and 6:30pm on any day of the week. Because this, my friends, is happy hour. A recent work luncheon prompted my mad craze of needing to try said Bluehour happy hour. |
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- Last Friday my kids and I had this wonderful Portland food moment. We were on our way out of Alma Chocolate picking up yet another gorgeous gilded icon when the lady from Butterscotch next door offered us some cookies. Yes, I accept cookies from strangers off the street, especially cookies like these. |
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