Out and about – Portland

Portland, Oregon that is…here’s a fun food snapshot from my good friend (and my first guest blogger!) Vanessa Cavallaro:
Portland is one of the hippest cities I’ve ever visited—it is creative, artsy and laid-back. About 2 hours south from our cozy beach-town of Steilacoom WA (45 minutes south of Seattle), it was a quick drive…a straight shot down I-5, similar to driving from Boston to CT on the Pike…just with much greener, lush views and happy cows grazing on grass.
This was our third attempt at a weekend in Portland. And as they say, third time’s a charm—on Friday morning we spontaneously booked a hotel and hopped in the car.
Beast

As we rode over the bridge into Portland, I was giddy….on the car ride we booked a reservation at Beast—Top Chef Master Naomi Pomeroy’s restaurant. We checked into the hotel, changed and flew out the door. Right away, we realized that this was a town that likes to eat—and they prefer their food local and sustainable. There are food trucks everywhere…. there are parking lots filled with food trucks. You can get all of your usual favorites and more! The most unique were a pie truck selling colorful mini, in-season fruit pies, one with southern biscuits just about any which way you like them, a gourmet Italian truck open only 4 hours daily and finally a beer bus—the taps were on the side of the bus. While we were sure all of our food cravings could be satisfied…we were concerned there wouldn’t be enough stomach space to fit it all.

Finally after gallivanting around town, we arrived promptly at Beast for our 8:45 reservation.  Beast is quite unassuming, nestled on a cozy neighborhood street that kind of reminded me of Brookline—just way funkier. It is a pretty small restaurant seating 24 at two long rectangular tables. Luckily our tablemates were as fun as we are. I was completely star struck watching Naomi plate each course.  She appeared to be genuinely enjoying herself.

Charcuterie plate
Each course was deliciously balanced.  And while I wanted to eat everything all over again, I felt totally satisfied.  We started with a delicate turnip & spring onion velouté which had subtle undertones of celery.  We moved on to a charcuterie plate (pictured) of diverse textures and flavors.  I was apprehensive because while I eat various types of charcuterie, it isn’t something I crave.  This plate changed my mind and I am still dreaming of the quail egg toast and foie-gras bon bon.   

 
We then moved on to an elderflower brined poussin. If anything, this was my least favorite part of our meal. I looked like a scavenger eating this 28-day chic—while the flavor was chickeny, it was messy and difficult to eat. As you can imagine, there wasn’t much meat either—after all, it was only a little chick. We moved on to Hal’s favorite dish, a new potato salad—it was a deconstructed and refined version of your mom’s potato salad—tangy, with a little crunch. The potatoes were the perfect firmness. I was stuffed when the selection of cheeses arrived…I pilfered what I couldn’t eat to our tablemates so it wouldn’t go to waste. Somehow though, when the rhubarb soufflé arrived…my appetite was back and I happily devoured the whole thing. The soufflé was light and airy that was both tart and sweet. It was a beautiful dinner and we both agreed we must go back. 


We woke up Saturday and stumbled on the city’s Saturday afternoon market on the River. We browsed the wares of local vendors and listened to music. Then we made our way across town to Pok Pok…a traditional Thai spot that we saw on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and is apparently every Portlander’s favorite spot. We thoroughly enjoyed the Fish Sauce wings (pictured).  They lived up to all of our expectations—they were crispy yet gooey, sweet with a little kick at the end.
 

Fish sauce wings


After Pok Pok we spent the rest of the day meeting people and bar hopping.  Our last stop en route home was Old Towne Pizza, a popular spot known not only for its pizza, but the haunted hotel where it is located. The pizza was the perfect way to end the weekend—the crust was airy, light and crunchy it was topped generously with cheese and the sauce was just acidic enough.

All in all it was a great trip, with even better food. The City of Roses is a must-see little town that has a lot to offer.

The rundown:
Beast
5425 NE 30th Avenue


Food Carts Portland (a guide to food carts in Portland)


Pok Pok
3226 SE Division Street


Old Towne Pizza
226 NW Davis

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Published by kbecker57

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