Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
7.24.2011
Adventures lately... in pictures
Fortunately, I've been busy. Work, kids, freelancing, beery adventures... all these things are keeping me pretty booked, and I'm definitely *not* complaining.
4.20.2011
Sunday tales... Epic Adventure... Part 2
Oh, part two. I long for more of part two of our epic Sunday adventure... We ate lunch at MeeSen, delicious Thai food, stopped in at Ruby Jewel Scoops (delicious ice cream) and visited Mr. Greenbeans, the DIY emporium!
MeeSen is great - I love the interior. I feel like I'm in a well appointed hut in a Thai village; small details like tin handled cups; bottles of water at the table; lots of wood, including slatted tables, benches made from lacquered strandboard, and wood walls make it warm and cozy. We ordered the crab wonton and fried tofu to start. The tofu, while delicious, was cut into large triangles that made eating them unwieldy. The texture was right on, and they were light with just the right fried consistency. The wonton were the best I've had thus far - a clean, well rounded flavor, with a hint of chive, maybe? Delicious.
For our lunch, we ordered the Pad Kee Mao and Pad Thai, and my husband, normally impervious to voluminous amounts of heat, determined that the "medium spicy" at Mee-Sen would suffice. My Pad Thai was well balanced, with a good amount of tamarind (I like my pad thai more tamarind than peanut flavored). My only complaint about it would be the green onion, left in 2 inch lengths, and too much to eat. The waitstaff was attentive, and the food was super. Price was a tad more than we've paid at other Thai places, but the quality of ingredient and the overall experience far outweighs a couple dollars extra on the tab.
Next door to MeeSen is Mr. Greenbeans, where we discovered that our friends Brittany and Jason (of Pro-Soap Propaganda and Blac Coffee, respectively) are well known! Small town, this Portland. Cool stuff abounds in this shop - a tiny coffee stand lives there, as well as supplies for cheese making, coffee cups, green coffee, soap making... lots of stuff!
After lunch and our foray into Mr. Greenbeans, we strolled back down Mississippi to Ruby Jewel Scoops. Oh. Yum. I sniffed my way into that shop and right up to the counter. Reminiscent of Molly Moon's in Wallingford, an open, lovely space provides ample room for queuing up to get some tastes. The day we were in, there was a honey mascarpone pine nut brittle ice cream featured. It. was. delicious. I also tried the Mexican Chocolate, and the Maple Bourbon Pecan. I don't really like ice cream, even.
I ended up with scoops of Mexican Chocolate and the Honey special. The honey shone through with the cream, it was subtle and smooth. Tiny bits of brittle sprinkled the ice cream. The Mexican Chocolate had a kick of spice - not like a pepper's heat, but an intense low heat, full of subtle cinnamon/cayenne chomp. I loved it.
I totally thought about taking a picture of my gorgeous scoops, shelled into a warm waffle cone - but then I ate it all and I didn't give the picture another thought. It might have been creepy had I asked someone else in the shop if I could take a picture of *their* ice cream.
Finally home (fat and happily full of sunshine, thai food & ice cream), I called Jen Jen. She arrived carrying a BOLT of plaid fabric and a lovely square of woolen plaid for me that she'd found while thrifting. A good friend indeed, since she was keeping her eyes peeled despite my self imposed moratorium on more "stuff" until I packed up and ferreted out more items for the show in May.
What a refreshing and lovely date with my DH!
MeeSen is great - I love the interior. I feel like I'm in a well appointed hut in a Thai village; small details like tin handled cups; bottles of water at the table; lots of wood, including slatted tables, benches made from lacquered strandboard, and wood walls make it warm and cozy. We ordered the crab wonton and fried tofu to start. The tofu, while delicious, was cut into large triangles that made eating them unwieldy. The texture was right on, and they were light with just the right fried consistency. The wonton were the best I've had thus far - a clean, well rounded flavor, with a hint of chive, maybe? Delicious.
For our lunch, we ordered the Pad Kee Mao and Pad Thai, and my husband, normally impervious to voluminous amounts of heat, determined that the "medium spicy" at Mee-Sen would suffice. My Pad Thai was well balanced, with a good amount of tamarind (I like my pad thai more tamarind than peanut flavored). My only complaint about it would be the green onion, left in 2 inch lengths, and too much to eat. The waitstaff was attentive, and the food was super. Price was a tad more than we've paid at other Thai places, but the quality of ingredient and the overall experience far outweighs a couple dollars extra on the tab.
Next door to MeeSen is Mr. Greenbeans, where we discovered that our friends Brittany and Jason (of Pro-Soap Propaganda and Blac Coffee, respectively) are well known! Small town, this Portland. Cool stuff abounds in this shop - a tiny coffee stand lives there, as well as supplies for cheese making, coffee cups, green coffee, soap making... lots of stuff!
After lunch and our foray into Mr. Greenbeans, we strolled back down Mississippi to Ruby Jewel Scoops. Oh. Yum. I sniffed my way into that shop and right up to the counter. Reminiscent of Molly Moon's in Wallingford, an open, lovely space provides ample room for queuing up to get some tastes. The day we were in, there was a honey mascarpone pine nut brittle ice cream featured. It. was. delicious. I also tried the Mexican Chocolate, and the Maple Bourbon Pecan. I don't really like ice cream, even.
I ended up with scoops of Mexican Chocolate and the Honey special. The honey shone through with the cream, it was subtle and smooth. Tiny bits of brittle sprinkled the ice cream. The Mexican Chocolate had a kick of spice - not like a pepper's heat, but an intense low heat, full of subtle cinnamon/cayenne chomp. I loved it.
I totally thought about taking a picture of my gorgeous scoops, shelled into a warm waffle cone - but then I ate it all and I didn't give the picture another thought. It might have been creepy had I asked someone else in the shop if I could take a picture of *their* ice cream.
Finally home (fat and happily full of sunshine, thai food & ice cream), I called Jen Jen. She arrived carrying a BOLT of plaid fabric and a lovely square of woolen plaid for me that she'd found while thrifting. A good friend indeed, since she was keeping her eyes peeled despite my self imposed moratorium on more "stuff" until I packed up and ferreted out more items for the show in May.
What a refreshing and lovely date with my DH!
4.19.2011
Sunday tales... Epic Adventure... Part 1
Sunday was fantastic - dogs are clean thanks to the groomers, and Lala got clipped so her bloomers and undercarriage won't be magnets for mud any longer. I'm looking so forward to the sunshine this week, it felt good to have blue sky and no rain today.
We set out after the groomer's to see the living room - the chairs had just been finished this week in anticipation of the dinner event happening later in the evening... The fabric we picked for the wingback is exquisite - the perfect hues of peacock and teal, with pheasants across it. The other chair's main body fabric I had no hand in, but I did help select the most perfect contrast piping. All in all, I am so happy with how the room turned out - I think it's absolutely perfect, and I had a lot of fun getting to help. I love interiors, and working with someone who has great taste and a good eye is always fun.
After the visit, we headed over to Mississippi Avenue so I could stop in at SewPo and get the samovar I left from the party... I need it to make an orange drink for the birthday party happening here this weekend. While Lil Miss chose a spa themed birthday party, and Martha Stewart already did one, I have to say, this isn't the best party Martha has ever thrown... So I am still having to invent lots of little details and fun things without the benefit of a cheat sheet.
Upon arrival, we visited The Meadow for the first time. Wow. I love this shop. It is amazingly beautiful and so well appointed. The merchandising is fantastic, with shelves that the owners created specifically for the space and the products in mind.
It's gorgeous. An extensive selection of hand picked chocolates from all over, in a wide range of price points. I selected a Sea Salt Chocolate bar from Olive & Sinclair - astringent chocolate with a slight salt edge. I will fully admit that I picked the bar because of the packaging. It was more bitter than I was expecting, but there are great berry flavors that come through on this bar.
My other choice was a French Toast Chocolate bar from Komforte Chockolates. A smooth, moderately flavored chocolate, the french toast comes through as dulce de leche to me, with bits of crunchy deliciousness sprinkled through. This bar was upon the recommendation of my friend Molly, from The Guild. Good choice, Molly!
There are gorgeous flowers on the center table - vases full of wild flowers, deeply scented roses, and tulips. Across from the wall of chocolates, an entire wall dedicated to salts, with another half wall dedicated to pepper varieties. The staff is extremely kind, and very knowledgeable. There are also serving pieces - salt cellars, grinders, and slabs. Finally, a gracious selection of bitters and wines rounds out the feast for the eyes.
Beautifully stocked, this is a shop that I will return to for gifts for the chefs and connoisseurs in my life. I can't wait to go back! A nice touch was the "menu" I found in my bag when I got home. Wahoo! An extra reminder of the items carried, it was a fantastic touch and a wonderful way for me to refresh and affirm the fact that this was a great visit.
Sunday tales... Epic Adventure... Part 2... perhaps tomorrow...
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
 |
We set out after the groomer's to see the living room - the chairs had just been finished this week in anticipation of the dinner event happening later in the evening... The fabric we picked for the wingback is exquisite - the perfect hues of peacock and teal, with pheasants across it. The other chair's main body fabric I had no hand in, but I did help select the most perfect contrast piping. All in all, I am so happy with how the room turned out - I think it's absolutely perfect, and I had a lot of fun getting to help. I love interiors, and working with someone who has great taste and a good eye is always fun.
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
After the visit, we headed over to Mississippi Avenue so I could stop in at SewPo and get the samovar I left from the party... I need it to make an orange drink for the birthday party happening here this weekend. While Lil Miss chose a spa themed birthday party, and Martha Stewart already did one, I have to say, this isn't the best party Martha has ever thrown... So I am still having to invent lots of little details and fun things without the benefit of a cheat sheet.
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
Upon arrival, we visited The Meadow for the first time. Wow. I love this shop. It is amazingly beautiful and so well appointed. The merchandising is fantastic, with shelves that the owners created specifically for the space and the products in mind.
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
It's gorgeous. An extensive selection of hand picked chocolates from all over, in a wide range of price points. I selected a Sea Salt Chocolate bar from Olive & Sinclair - astringent chocolate with a slight salt edge. I will fully admit that I picked the bar because of the packaging. It was more bitter than I was expecting, but there are great berry flavors that come through on this bar.
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
My other choice was a French Toast Chocolate bar from Komforte Chockolates. A smooth, moderately flavored chocolate, the french toast comes through as dulce de leche to me, with bits of crunchy deliciousness sprinkled through. This bar was upon the recommendation of my friend Molly, from The Guild. Good choice, Molly!
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
There are gorgeous flowers on the center table - vases full of wild flowers, deeply scented roses, and tulips. Across from the wall of chocolates, an entire wall dedicated to salts, with another half wall dedicated to pepper varieties. The staff is extremely kind, and very knowledgeable. There are also serving pieces - salt cellars, grinders, and slabs. Finally, a gracious selection of bitters and wines rounds out the feast for the eyes.
 |
| picture by emily engdahl (c) 2011 |
Beautifully stocked, this is a shop that I will return to for gifts for the chefs and connoisseurs in my life. I can't wait to go back! A nice touch was the "menu" I found in my bag when I got home. Wahoo! An extra reminder of the items carried, it was a fantastic touch and a wonderful way for me to refresh and affirm the fact that this was a great visit.
Sunday tales... Epic Adventure... Part 2... perhaps tomorrow...
4.15.2011
Soluna Grill (aka Yum Town).
We all know I love food. I come from a wide ranging family of cookers, chef-wannabe's, gourmands, food snobs, and makers. Down home... Pac NW gourmet... International cuisine, comfort food, baked goods. If I could figure out a way to make eating my profession, surely I would. I can eat my way silly, and it's infrequent that I am truly impressed by a neighborhood restaurant. Sometimes, admittedly, it's because I don't get out much. But I've had my share of meals out and about, and they're usually just ok... Now say what you will about how I need to get out more often, and further away from home. I know this. But every once in a while, it's nice to have an opportunity to really enjoy the food close to home. Soluna Grill is just one such place.
On Tuesday, Boss called a meeting - we were going to explore the new weekday lunch service for our group of 6, under the guise of "staff meeting." Though she'd made arrangements the week prior, reservations aren't needed yet (the lunch service is so new it's still quiet there! so get there quick!), so we enjoyed a cozy spot on the back wall (I have been here many times and I always LOVE the cushioned bench! It's the best seat!!) and had plenty of privacy the first hour to discuss business. What a refreshing change of pace! The waiter was delightful, Chef Dan was visible, attentive, and knowledgeable - the kitchen staff was diligent, and the food! OH. the food...
I have NEVER had anything by Chef Dan that's been less than exemplary. Even the coffee is great (which is saying a lot, because quite a few restaurants here in pdx somehow miss the boat on coffee, despite the awesome local choices which abound). Our group started with the house made potato chips & warm blue cheese (excellent) and continued with varied entrees (all reasonably priced). Two had the Ahi Nicoise (and we were delighted that the waiter had no problem swapping chicken for the ahi on one as a special request). I had the gorgonzola ravioli, with kale and roasted beets. I could have eaten five plates it was so delicious. Other lunches were Caribbean chicken sandwich, the turkey panini, and the soup & salad. Unanimous rave reviews across the board.
We split three desserts, and while we were sad that they were out of the cheesecake and the brownie, we were satiated by the creme brulee (one of the best I have ever had), the caramel bourbon bread pudding, and the chocolate pear tarte.
The service was excellent. The ambiance is fantastic. My only regret is that I'm not able to visit more. Love everything (and everyone) at Soluna. And I personally find it both a fantastic anchor for fine dining in our neighborhood, and far more approachable (and delicious) than Fife ever was.
On Tuesday, Boss called a meeting - we were going to explore the new weekday lunch service for our group of 6, under the guise of "staff meeting." Though she'd made arrangements the week prior, reservations aren't needed yet (the lunch service is so new it's still quiet there! so get there quick!), so we enjoyed a cozy spot on the back wall (I have been here many times and I always LOVE the cushioned bench! It's the best seat!!) and had plenty of privacy the first hour to discuss business. What a refreshing change of pace! The waiter was delightful, Chef Dan was visible, attentive, and knowledgeable - the kitchen staff was diligent, and the food! OH. the food...
I have NEVER had anything by Chef Dan that's been less than exemplary. Even the coffee is great (which is saying a lot, because quite a few restaurants here in pdx somehow miss the boat on coffee, despite the awesome local choices which abound). Our group started with the house made potato chips & warm blue cheese (excellent) and continued with varied entrees (all reasonably priced). Two had the Ahi Nicoise (and we were delighted that the waiter had no problem swapping chicken for the ahi on one as a special request). I had the gorgonzola ravioli, with kale and roasted beets. I could have eaten five plates it was so delicious. Other lunches were Caribbean chicken sandwich, the turkey panini, and the soup & salad. Unanimous rave reviews across the board.
We split three desserts, and while we were sad that they were out of the cheesecake and the brownie, we were satiated by the creme brulee (one of the best I have ever had), the caramel bourbon bread pudding, and the chocolate pear tarte.
The service was excellent. The ambiance is fantastic. My only regret is that I'm not able to visit more. Love everything (and everyone) at Soluna. And I personally find it both a fantastic anchor for fine dining in our neighborhood, and far more approachable (and delicious) than Fife ever was.
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