Here in DC, I have had a hard time finding really good corn tortillas, and am exploring making them myself. Does anyone have experience with this, and would you recommend buying a tortilla press, or is covering a cutting board with saran wrap an adequate hack?
Some random thoughts: Roses Bakery in NW, Fire on the Mountain in N Portland for amazing wings and fries (washed down w/ good local microbrews). The gelato place across the street (to the north) from the main Powell's (and please tell me you're going to Powell's? even if you are not a big reader they have a great cookbook section).
Lots of great down-and-dirty Mexican food if you're coming, say, from the East Coast and don't get that much. I like Cha Cha Cha (several locations, I think the one on Hawthorne is best).
Andina is supposed to be nice for S. American cuisine.
There's one other that I can't remember... I'll see if I can get my sister, a local, to remind me what it was.
I have to go to San Diego in a few of weeks for a conference and had not been looking forward to it, but you've given me a new lease on my trip, especially since I didn't do well in the fish taco department last time I was there. So many thanks, Erin!
Erin! After I read the article in the NYTimes, I swore that I had to find a way to bring real frozen yogurt here to DC. What do you think? Heard any rumors? I'll even invest my own money!
Price notwithstanding, and I'm not sure what explains why pollock, etc., would be so steep, I'm really glad someone's thinking about this. Sure, cod is wonderful, and I'm a New Englander, but I get scared every time I see it on a menu. We are truly eating our fish species into extinction.
Too many people! Auuuggghhh!
I have to pick just one thing?? Torture is right. How about the pesto ricotta gnocchi?
Guacamole with sour cream or cheese??? :-O Where would that be? I'm ready to accept that there's variation in guacamole recipes throughout Latin American (i.e., it's not just Mexican); adding dairy sounds extreme to me, but I'm happy to be corrected.
depends: milk, dark, with or without nuts, fruit, other stuff... as long as it's real.
Not sure what you mean, Ed, when you say that twice-cooked pork and lion's head on Christmas don't seem right... please elaborate.
Well now, it will be interesting to see when the second copy of my post shows up now that the first version was allowed... Sorry about the eventual double post of essentially the same info.
Hope you have a good trip. It's a great place to visit.
I did a little write up in my blog last october. We loved it there!!
http://forayintofood.blogspot.com/2007/10/portland-oregon-beer-chocolate-cheese.html
All of these suggestions are great.
My number one would be, since you're here on a Saturday: Go to the Farmers' Market! Hopefully it will be a nice day in June, and browsing through all the local produce and sampling to your heart's content is one of my most favorite Portland activities. You can also get an awesome breakfast or lunch at one of several food stands.
You definitely need to check out the local microbrew scene. Deschutes Brewery just opened and they have great food and beer, as does Bridgeport Brewery.
I second the Toro Bravo rec. I've some of the best meals in my life there.
Cha Taqueria has some pretty good Mexican.
Kenny & Zuke's has awesome bagels. Oh, but coming from NY, they might not compare.
I've heard good things about Justa Pasta, and their prices are very reasonable.
The Pearl Bakery has great bread and prepared sandwiches.
For Sunday brunch, I would recommend the Daily Cafe.
Have a great time in Stumptown!
Funny, I was just reading on another big blog about PDX and Andina's for Peruvian food was mentioned as incredible. Not been there.
For good, inexpensive here are some of my faves there:
I'd have to recommend Ya Hala for Lebanese. Everything there just is better, including the desserts which I'd say get one to go if you can't eat one there (and likely you won't because they are very generous with the food).
Definitely Voo Doo. It's fun and the Memphis Mafia is amazing though there are some more risque. The Magic is in the hole. :)
I personally like McMenamin's especially the Ruby beer but the Kolsch is very refreshing and what Bud would be if it was any good (but I didn't have a beer there I didn't like and I tried them all). I'd send you to the Ringlers location at 14th and Burnside a few blocks up from Powell's Bookstore (great place to recover from) for the happy hour menu which is a limited (but still substantial) selection of the regular menu for $2.50 (or was last time I was there). The tater tots are incredible but the fries are pretty good too. So are the salads. Maybe not gourmet but fun and that's more important often. Plus it's certainly a flavor of Portland. Lots of local ingredients, and their coffee is amazing (roasted there). In fact, full bar and they make several of their own spirits and even wines.
Another inexpensive but fun eat is Hot Lips Pizza. All about the local, seasonal, and sustainable plus the pizza is pretty yummy (my favorite is the Waldorf which is by the slice on Mondays -- nothing quite like it). Get the homemade fruit soda on tap too.
Chinese Food/Pho/Vietnamese (with a touch of Thai even) at My Cahn. The pepper-salted green beans are divine.
If you do the Farmer's Market there's a portable brick oven in one corner that's very popular (the menu depends on what's at the market). I had a sandwich there last fall of chickpeas, arugula, and delicata squash with tahini and chili sauce in a fresh wheat pita they baked that I hope they'll serve again this fall.
At the Saturday Market in Old Town under the Burnside Bridge is a Polish food cart which is pretty good. In fact there's actually quite a few good carts in town. It's about the food there.
Pambiche for Cuban, and it looks as if Super Torta is the place for authentic Mexican.
Higgins for a spendy Northwest treat. Pretty much something there for any diet even gluten-free vegetarian.
Sisters of the Road is a restaurant that helps the homeless and those down on their luck. You can get something to eat yourself for a little change or buy some meal tickets to hand to those who ask for change (rather than give cash).
There's also the regional fast food chain of Burgerville which has Oregon Country beef (never frozen) for their hamburgers. Probably the best burger I've ever had. They too source local, seasonal and sustainable.
There's a bunch of other places (you need to extend your stay) but perhaps check out the independently and locally owned New Seasons markets if you want to grab something quick, inexpensive and healthy (or stock up on hotel goodies). They have an organic deli with a lot of seasonal and local ingredients. This includes a great salad bar, sandwiches made to order, daily soups, pasta of the day, and ready made food. Where else can you get roasted Brussels Sprouts for $4.99 a pound?
Have fun! :)
Mexican just reminded me: La Sirenita way up on NE Alberta is excellent, very much "down and dirty," one of the rare good Mexican places in PDX. There's another decent spot downtown, right next to Mary's (the strip joint; I think they share a bathroom even), but La Sirenita is classic.
And Pambiche on 28th and Glisan (also NE) is terrific for slightly upscale Cuban food.
Man, back when I lived in Portland I had way more disposable income for restaurants! I guess that comes from my rent having been 1/6 of what I pay in NYC. Have fun!!
@pestogal,
You are right, I should have been more specific! I will need at least three breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. My budget is my stimulus check ;) so should be more than enough unless Portland is more expensive than my imagination... I'll be there Thur to Sun, so if there are hard to get reservations, I should try to get them on Thur? Neighborhood is no problem because I will rent a car specifically to get to fooding destinations. =P
@charm city cupcake
Yea, everyone recommends Le Pigeon! Oh, I really have to try to get in there!
@bennettstarnes
Pizza sounds like a great idea!
@producestories
VooDoo donuts is definitely on my list now, thanks! And all your other suggestions sound awesome too!
@Kim Nyland
Wow, what a list! It is going to take me some time to get through that, and I really appreciate all your thought into putting together that list! Thanks! :)
@Beth M
Thanks for the vegan suggestion. I am an omnivore, and vegan sounds good :)
@emily20008
Oh yea, good idea about the Mexican food! I am coming from NY, so maybe I'll give that a shot :) Thanks!
I enjoy Food Network! I AM SO GLAD THAT THEY FINALLY PUT AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THERE TO SHARE SOME RECIPES THAT I CAN RELATE TO. I am not interested in panini or vinaigrette....give me soul food & my family is happy!! I am glad that they are more diverse now & I will watch them even more now, since I will be getting recipes that my whole family are used to & will be able to enjoy! THANX FOOD NETWORK...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Also, dont be so hard on Rachel Ray....she is not a chef & it just shows how food network is not so fast to judge others, they accepted her & the audience saw themselves in her & that is how she has became so famous. She IS goofy, but that just reminds me that she is human! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK RACHEL!! JUST (PLEASE) get rid of the goofy laugh....she laughs at LEAST 4 times a show & it is beginning to DRIVE US CRAZY!! lol
Thank you for the link on Ceylon Cinnamon. I was amazed how sweet it tastes compared to the Cassia we buy locally.
The Cinnamon was delivered to me within 3 days from Ceylon which is half around the world.
I have to disagree about Artie's. I've only eaten there once and the fries, hot dogs, and pastrami were all mediocre. It's nice to know the place is up on the UWS if necessary, but I'm definitely not putting it in the same category as Ben's Best, Sarge's, or Katz's. \
i would be very interested to know what you use three bottles a week in/on. i go through maybe one bottle every year, and i love cinnamon.
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