Best PDX Breakfast Sandwich: Bowery Bagels

Previously I mentioned a cocktail election in  Portland.  There’s also one in the food sphere. Bowery Bagels is running its own homemade cream cheese flavor election this November: the Bowery Bagels 2016 #SchmearCampaign! During August and September, they invited schmear flavor nominations through all their social media platforms, and they will let you vote on the winner in November for Election Day. The winning flavor will be featured on their menu. So get out there and vote by November 8 – not only as a good US citizen, but as a citizen of things delicious in Portland for your schmear flavor of choice soon, and this is for all ages!

The final ballot with the final three nominees are

  • Tzatziki: cream cheese, sour cream, lemon zest and juice, cucumber, fresh dill
  • Blue Cheese Honey Walnut: cream cheese, blue cheese, toasted walnuts, clover honey
  • Spicy Vanilla Chai: cream cheese, our own blend of fresh and dried Chai spices, and vanilla bean

Four years ago, when the Bowery Bagels shop first opened, they had their first Schmear Campaign, and the winning flavor has become one of their best sellers – The BOM.com, a delicious bacon, onion, mushroom schmear.

Meanwhile, they continue to be open every day at its location at 310 NW Broadway just 7 AM – 2 PM. I also like how the Bowery Bagels sandwiches on their menu – whether they be for breakfast or lunch – are named to reflect famous people in Portland’s history. Although I usually go for their Everything bagel and rotate among both their cheese and vegan schmears, I thought I’d spotlight some of their sandwiches as well as part of my PDX Breakfast Sandwich series I’ve been doing.

It’s a little unusual, but my favorite Bowery Bagels breakfast sandwich is The Oliver Lent with caramelized onions, gruyere, and egg. They also have a regular egg and cheese sandwich, as well as variations with Tail and Trotters ham, housemade bacon, or housemade maple sausage patty. Below, I have the Oliver Lent on a Parmesan bagel, I also recommend any of the salt bagels to counter the sweet of the caramelized onions.
Bowery Bagels Bowery Bagels The Oliver Lent with caramelized onions, gruyere, and egg, here on Parmesan bagel Bowery Bagels Bowery Bagels The Oliver Lent with caramelized onions, gruyere, and egg, here on Parmesan bagel Bowery Bagels Bowery Bagels The Oliver Lent with caramelized onions, gruyere, and egg, here on Parmesan bagel

Another favorite for me is the classic Sarah’s Special with Gravlax with red onion and caper schmear.
Bowery Bagels Sarah's Special with Gravlax with red onion and caper schmear Bowery Bagels Sarah's Special with Gravlax with red onion and caper schmear

You get to of course choose your flavor of bagel, and they have quite a selection:

  • plain
  • poppy seed
  • sesame seed
  • sea salt
  • salt and pepper
  • onion
  • garlic and herb
  • everything
  • multigrain
  • pumpernickel
  • cinnamon raisin spice
  • jalapeno salt,
  • parvesan (contains nuts/seeds)
  • + additional weekly specials

Bowery Bagels - assorted bagels with vegan cashew spread conveniently cut into quarters so we can try multiple types of bagels, SO perfect!
Bowery Bagels – assorted bagels with vegan cashew spread conveniently cut into quarters at a group get together so we can try multiple types of bagels, SO perfect!

The schmears available include various flavors of cream cheese as well as vegan friendly options

  • plain
  • smoked salmon
  • roasted vegetable
  • BOM.com (bacon, onion and mushroom), winner of the last Schmear Campaign 4 years ago
  • kimchi
  • fresh herb
  • hummus
  • vegan savory (no soy, cashew base)
  • +additional weekly specials

Their lunch sandwiches are available on their bagels or on Pearl Bakery Bread with meats that Bowery roasts or cures in house. These more substantial sandwiches vary from roast beef, pastrami, to here smoked pork loin, and several other options (below, the Francis Pettygrove bagel sandwich boasts Smoked pork loin, fennel and radicchio salad, and romesco schmear).
Bowery Bagels The Francis Pettygrove bagel sandwich with Smoked pork loin, fennel and radicchio salad, romesco schmear Bowery Bagels The Francis Pettygrove bagel sandwich with Smoked pork loin, fennel and radicchio salad, romesco schmear Bowery Bagels The Francis Pettygrove bagel sandwich with Smoked pork loin, fennel and radicchio salad, romesco schmear

The only thing I wish they would do is always toast the sandwiches as that brings out the right textures a bagel should have, in my opinion. If you are fan of chewy, a bit ore dense bagels without the harder outside and at a reasonable size (I would compare it to more like a Montreal bagel) to reduce the calorie bomb a bagel usually is (or have enough room to try multiple bagel types and schmears), this is the bagel purveyer for you.

I also think they make the most unique cream cheese and vegan spreads in Portland and quite a variety as you saw from the list. Although I highlighted sandwiches here, 8 out of 10 times I just get their bagels with schmears. If you do get a sandwich, they package all the sandwiches to go, and you can get also the sandwiches delivered via Portland Pedal Power, Caviar or Postmates. The sandwiches are great to pack in a bag when you are going on a hike or roadtrip. They are open every day 7 AM – 2 PM.
Always love a toasted bagel with cream cheese
It’s too late to enter the #SchmearCampaign, but what would you have suggested? I admit I did suggest a horseradish and dill one so not exactly Tzatziki but I love the refreshing taste of dill with crea cheese. I also suggested a blue cheese with honey walnut or hazelnut, which is pretty close to the second nominee!

What would you vote for from the final three? And keep don’t forget to vote!

THE WINNER: Blue Cheese Walnut Honey Schmear, with Danish buttermilk blue cheese, toasted Oregon walnuts, Oregon clover honey, and a little toasted walnut oil!

A photo posted by Bowery Bagels (@bowerybagels) on

Bowery Bagels Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Best PDX Breakfast Sandwich: Fried Egg I’m In Love

Another Portland breakfast sandwich highlight, continuing from previous posts on Portland Penny Diner, Pine State Biscuits and Brunchbox. I’m a fan of egg sandwiches I’m many forms. When it comes to specifically a fried egg sandwiches on bread, I think of Fried Egg I’m In Love. Fried Egg I’m In Love is a food cart located at SE 32nd and Hawthorne offering about 10 sandwiches – well, ok maybe 9 sandwiches and one breakfast burrito. All the Fried Egg I’m In Love sandwiches use toasted sourdough bread from Portland French Bakery, local eggs from Willamette Egg Farms, and when fried the eggs are sprinkled with their special Magic Egg Dust spice blend.
Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is the Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese.

The sandwiches look and sound simple, but after a few bites maybe 60 seconds later you’ll realize that the sandwich you just held nestled in a it’s paper envelope has been completely devoured and you are powered up for the next agenda item of your day.

Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is the Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese. Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is the Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese.

This version is the Fried Egg I’m In Love Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese.

Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is the Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese. Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is the Free-Range Against the Machine, a sandwich with fried egg, avocado, tomato, and havarti cheese.

The signature Fried Egg I’m In Love sandwich is the Yolko Ono with fried egg, homemade pesto, parmesan, and a hand-pressed house sausage patty. It’s always a toss up for me which of these two sandwiches I’ve highlighted I will order –  I think Free Range has a more fun combination of textures and flavors, but pesto and breakfast sausage on the Yolko is so savory!
Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is their signature sandwich, Yolko Ono with fried egg, homemade pesto, parmesan, and a hand-pressed house sausage patty. Fried Egg I'm In Love Food cart specializes in toasted sour dough bread egg sandwiches with local bread and eggs. This is their signature sandiwch, Yolko Ono with fried egg, homemade pesto, parmesan, and a hand-pressed house sausage patty.

Fried Egg I’m In Love can make any sandwich gluten free (using Udi’s Gluten Free bread) and/or vegetarian – they also have vegetarian SortaSausage. Other breakfast meats include ham and bacon. Spice it up with Sriracha or their aardvark aioli. You can dine there as they have a covered outdoor dining area, or even get their sandwiches to go, or delivered via Postmates.

What do you like to add to your fried egg sandwich? Do you like fried egg sandwiches on Sourdough bread like this, or what is your bread vehicle of choice?

Fried Egg I'm in Love Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Best PDX Breakfast Sandwich: Brunch Box

Brunch Box first attracted my attention several years ago with their food cart and has since grown to still have the food cart and also have their brick and mortar downtown on 620 SW 9th. I was initially drawn to their famous YouCanHazCheeseburger, a cheeseburger that both a nod to the cat meme and that their sandwich uses two grilled cheese sandwiches using Texas Toast for each side of the bun (I covered it in this blog entry here). What you may not know is that not only did they bring the cheeseburger to another level, but they have done the same for breakfast sandwiches as well.
Brunch Box's Sandwich wrapped to go

My favorite is the simple Omelet Sandwich. It starts off with two eggs with mushrooms, grilled onions & american cheese. You can get hash browns with it – it’s in a patty like the McDonald’s ones I used to love until I learned better are – that you can choose to have in the sandwich or in a sleeve on the side.

Then, you choose your bread, ranging from biscuit to english muffin to various bagels or Texas Toast or yes, grilled cheese can be your buns. My recommendation is to go with one of the bagels, either Plain or Everything – I chose the Everything Bagel. That’s because as you can see, they lovingly brush that bagel with butter on ALL the sides which makes for messy eating with your hands (which I lick my fingers afterwards…) but is so good!
Brunch Box's Omelet Sandwich which you can customize to your liking- to the base of Two eggs with mushrooms, grilled onions & american cheese I added hash browns on the side rather than inside the sandwich and I chose an Everything Bagel as the vehicle Brunch Box's Omelet Sandwich which you can customize to your liking- to the base of Two eggs with mushrooms, grilled onions & american cheese I added hash browns on the side rather than inside the sandwich and I chose an Everything Bagel as the vehicle

There are many other breakfast sandwich options which makes this great to grab and go before a hike in the Gorge, or get it delivered via Postmates (Use code 1i24n for FREE delivery up to $10 on your first order!) on a day you have a hangover (what? Truth!). Examples include

  • Bagel Sandwich, but not just with cream cheese: oh no, it comes with cream cheese, bacon, grilled onions & egg.
  • Start your day off with a burn via the Trial by Breakfast sandwich with fried egg, pepper jack, bacon, grilled onions, jalapenos, and aardvark habanero hot sauce. I hear spicy food is good for your metabolism. The same bread options I mentioned with the Omelet Sandwich are true here too.
  • A Black and Bleu Breakfast sandwich offers a fried egg with bacon, sausage, bleu cheese, grilled onions, fried egg & blackening spice with the same bread options I mentioned with the Omelet Sandwich.
  • On the sweeter side, again with the same bread options as the Omelet Sandwich, consider the Hawaiian Breakfast, a sandwich with fried egg with swiss, pineapple, fried egg & teriyaki sauce.
  • The Lumberjack offers fried egg with cheddar, bacon, sausage, ham, grilled onions, & maple syrup on French Toast. OR, the Monte Cristo is a version of fried egg with ham, swiss, grilled onions, & maple syrup on french toast.
    Brunch Box's Sandwich for breakfast, the Lumberjack offers fried egg with cheddar bacon, sausage, ham and grilled onions, fried egg and; syrup on French Toast Brunch Box's Sandwich for breakfast, the Lumberjack offers fried egg with cheddar bacon, sausage, ham and grilled onions, fried egg and; syrup on French Toast
  • The OMG Breakfast sandwich takes up the craziness to include fried egg with bacon, ham, spam, american cheese, and the OMFG Breakfast is everything the OMG sandwich is plus sausage!

I don’t have anything from Brunch Box often – I either really need that grease delivered in the morning, OR I know I’m doing a big hike or other physical activity later that day. After all, these are all a bit over the top – but I love that they are. I really savor that extra buttery on all sides bagel in whatever sandwich form I get each time. They are also surprisingly quick even though they let you do so much customization to your sandwich, which I also really appreciate.

Have you ever heard of or had a French Toast breakfast sandwich?

Brunch Box Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Best PDX Breakfast Sandwich: Pine State Biscuit

Another highlight of one of my favorite breakfast sandwiches in Portland. Today I’m all about a Pine State Biscuit because it also happens that the second week in September is National Biscuits and Gravy week. I’ve been a fan of Pine State Biscuits for many years, especially since I live only a few blocks from the Portland Farmers Market at PSU on Saturday and they have a stand there – I consider it my reward if I shchlep down there early enough on Saturday that the line is reasonable.

There are two ways I prefer the biscuits. My favorite Pine State Biscuit breakfast sandwich, a tempestuous guilty pleasure of a too rich breakfast that can get scarfed down in 10 minutes it’s so delicious, even though it contains probably half my calorie allotment for the whole day, is the Reggie. Fried chicken, bacon & cheese topped with gravy between a buttermilk biscuit. Make it a Reggie Deluxe and add an egg to this, which is the Thrilllist pick for one of the top 21 breakfast sandwiches in the country.

Pine State Biscuit at the Farmers Market, Reggie sandwich: Fried chicken, bacon & cheese topped with gravy between a buttermilk biscuit

For a less messy version, sans gravy is good too…

Pine State Biscuit, Portland Oregon, biscuit sandwich

When I’m trying to be more reasonable, I just go for a biscuit rather than a sandwich but order it with the pimento cheese spread to give some tang to the creamy softness of the biscuit

Pine State Biscuit, Portland Oregon, biscuit sandwich

Or, get it just with gravy – they have a sausage gravy and a vegetarian mushroom gravy for you to choose from.

Pine State Biscuit, Portland Oregon, biscuit sandwich

Besides their market stand at the Portland Farmers Market on Saturdays, Pine Street Biscuit also has brick and mortar locations at 22nd and NE Alberta, 11th and SE Division, and NE Schuyler. The brick and mortar locations are open every day for breakfast through mid day, and then Thurs-Sun at the NE Alberta and SE Division locations are also open in the evenings until 9 PM for breakfast for dinner.

Where do you get your biscuits in Portland? How do you like your biscuits?

This is the second of my favorite breakfast sandwich highlights, the first was from Portland Penny Diner.

Pine State Biscuits Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Recap of Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015

Every year for the past four years, Portland Monthly has thrown a wonderful event in the spring called Country Brunch. It features samples of brunch fare from a handful of restaurants, and also a Bloody Mary Smackdown where participants vie for the title of Best Bloody Mary from either the Judge’s Choice Award or People’s Choice Award. 100 percent of net proceeds will benefit Zenger Farm.

This year, the location of the event was Castaway, just as it was last year. This gave attendees the benefit of an indoor area where we could grab our bloody mary samples and dine indoors while listening to country music (this year provided by Hank Sinatra and the Atomic Cowboys), and also an outdoor garden/sculpture area that had additional seats and booths including lounge chairs and couches by Spade and Archer, as well as the photo booth. Emcee Poison Waters was back as emcee to have her cheery voice keep us reminded of the activities available.
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Hank Sinatra and the Atomic Cowboys Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Hank Sinatra and the Atomic Cowboys and emcee Poison Waters

I love bloody marys (hey, it is a legitimate way to get some vegetables in…) so this was my third year returning. I also attended and recapped the Country Brunch 2014 and Country Brunch 2013.

Here’s the recap of Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015 bites and bloody marys!

Bloody Mary Smackdown

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Raven and Rose of Full Bloody Irish. Blending the spiciness of chile pepper-vodka and a touch of nitro stout topped with a skewer that contains an Irish breakfast including potato and black and white pudding Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from The Original of The OG Soup, Sandwich and a Pickle Bloody Mary. Comfort food in a glass, this Bloody Mary features a housemade 'tomato soup' and a mini grilled cheese with pimento cheese

Raven and Rose

Full Bloody Irish Mary by Dave Shenaut of Raven and Rose. Blending the spiciness of chile pepper-vodka and a touch of nitro stout and topped with a skewer that contains an Irish breakfast including potato and black and white pudding. This was the Judge’s Choice winner for 2015.
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Raven and Rose of Full Bloody Irish. Blending the spiciness of chile pepper-vodka and a touch of nitro stout topped with a skewer that contains an Irish breakfast including potato and black and white pudding Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Raven and Rose of Full Bloody Irish. Blending the spiciness of chile pepper-vodka and a touch of nitro stout topped with a skewer that contains an Irish breakfast including potato and black and white pudding

Levant

This Levant Bloody Mary by Abel Beazley is a harissa based Bloody served with za’atar spiced salt rim, and topped with house pickled vegetable and a pickled quail egg

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Levant of Levant Bloody Mary, a harissa based Bloody served with za'atar spiced salt rim, and topped with house pickled vegetable and a pickled quail egg Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Levant of Levant Bloody Mary, a harissa based Bloody served with za'atar spiced salt rim, and topped with house pickled vegetable and a pickled quail egg

The Original

The Original OG Soup, Sandwich and a Pickle Bloody Mary from Kyle Anderson. Comfort food in a glass, this Bloody Mary features a housemade ‘tomato soup’ and a mini grilled cheese with pimento cheese

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from The Original of The OG Soup, Sandwich and a Pickle Bloody Mary. Comfort food in a glass, this Bloody Mary features a housemade 'tomato soup' and a mini grilled cheese with pimento cheese Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from The Original of The OG Soup, Sandwich and a Pickle Bloody Mary. Comfort food in a glass, this Bloody Mary features a housemade 'tomato soup' and a mini grilled cheese with pimento cheese

Urban Farmer

The Spicy Bell Pepper Bloody Mary by Matt Christianson of Urban Farmer has a hint of smoke and spice from the roasted peppers
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Urban Farmer of a Spicy Bell Pepper Bloody Mary with a hint of smoke and spice from the roasted peppers Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Urban Farmer of a Spicy Bell Pepper Bloody Mary with a hint of smoke and spice from the roasted peppers

Doug Fir

The Antidote, a combination of spicy, smokey, sweet and tart flavors was Joshua Merrion’s entry to defend the Bloody Mary title (Doug Fir was the 2014 People’s and Judges’ Choice Winner). Doug Fir won the People’s Choice for 2015.
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Doug Fir with The Antidote, a combination of spicy, smokey, sweet and tart flavors Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Doug Fir with The Antidote, a combination of spicy, smokey, sweet and tart flavors

Interurban

The Sandia Sunrise from Jeff Seymour of Interurban includes two types of hot sauce including hatch green chile and a splash of Tecate
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Interurban with The Sandia Sunrise that includes two types of hot sauce including hatch green chile and a splash of Tecate

Brunch Bonanza

Levant

Levant Chef Scott Snyder offered Za’atar biscuits with merguez gravy, a housemade spicy lamb gravy on a flaky southern style biscuit
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Levant offered Za'atar biscuits with merguez gravy, a housemade spicy lamb gravy on a flaky southern style biscuit Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Levant offered Za'atar biscuits with merguez gravy, a housemade spicy lamb gravy on a flaky southern style biscuit

The Sudra

A healthy vegan option by Chef Tori Rubi of The Sudra with Tofu scramble with kale, red onion, and house made green curry paste served over appam (rice and coconut crepe) topped with charred and spiced pasilla and Anaheim peppers, as well as a little dish of Black Rice Porridge with coconut cream and almond oat crumble and fresh apple

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, The Sudra offered a healthy vegan option with Tofu scramble with kale, red onion, and house made green curry paste served over appam (rice and coconut crepe) topped with charred and spiced pasilla and Anaheim peppers. along with Black Rice Porridge with coconut cream and almond oat crumble and fresh apple Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, The Sudra offered a healthy vegan option with Tofu scramble with kale, red onion, and house made green curry paste served over appam (rice and coconut crepe) topped with charred and spiced pasilla and Anaheim peppers. along with Black Rice Porridge with coconut cream and almond oat crumble and fresh apple

Fried Egg I’m in Love

From Chef Jace Krause of famed food cart Fried Egg I’m in Love a breakfast sandwich called Yolko Ono featuring house pork sausage with pesto served on toasted sourdough with an over medium fried egg and a sprinkle of parmesan

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Fried Egg I'm in Love brought a breakfast sandwich called Yolko Ono featuring house pork sausage with pesto served on toasted sourdough with an over medium fried egg and a sprinkle of parmesan Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Fried Egg I'm in Love brought a breakfast sandwich called Yolko Ono featuring house pork sausage with pesto served on toasted sourdough with an over medium fried egg and a sprinkle of parmesan Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Fried Egg I'm in Love brought a breakfast sandwich called Yolko Ono featuring house pork sausage with pesto served on toasted sourdough with an over medium fried egg and a sprinkle of parmesan

Tastebud

From Chef Mark Doxtader and Jason Barwikiwski, Tastebud brought their signature Wood Fired Montreal style Bagels. They came in mini size, and were either topped with fish or brisket

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Tastebud Wood Fired Mini Bagels. It is a montrel style bage, and were either topped with fish or brisket. Shown here is brisket Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Tastebud Wood Fired Mini Bagels. It is a montrel style bage, and were either topped with fish or brisket. Shown here is brisket

Ya Hala

Breakfast Canape with grilled potato, tomato marmalade, egg relish, and smoked lamb bacon was assembled on the spot by Chef Mirna Attar and team of Ya Hala
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Yahala's Breakfast Canape with grilled potato, tomato marmalade, egg relish, and smoked lamb bacon Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Yahala's Breakfast Canape with grilled potato, tomato marmalade, egg relish, and smoked lamb bacon

Daily in the Pearl

Dessert by Daily in the Pearl owner Andrea Sherman was a Candied Ginger Shortcake with tarragon scented whipped cream
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Daily in the Pearl Candied Ginger Shortcake with tarragon scented whipped cream Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Daily in the Pearl Candied Ginger Shortcake with tarragon scented whipped cream

At only $30 for both the six samples of bloody marys and the six brunch bites, I think this event is not only for a great cause, but a great value. The music is always wonderful, and during the entire event there is a cart offering glasses of Crispin Cider or Manmosas (beer + orange juice) made with Miller High Life, and Stumptown Coffee (including in spiked form!). It’s also a family friendly fundraiser, as you can choose to only buy the brunch bites ($20) and kids 5 and under are free. As extra bonuses this year, an impromptu pizza party started with many pizza boxes delivered by Sizzle Pie, and Crispin cider built a tower of sparkling cider. Everyone left satiated like a full meal.
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, surprise pizza party thanks to Sizzle Pie Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Fried Egg I'm in Love brought a breakfast sandwich called Yolko Ono featuring house pork sausage with pesto served on toasted sourdough with an over medium fried egg and a sprinkle of parmesan Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Tastebud Wood Fired Mini Bagels. It is a montrel style bage, and were either topped with fish or brisket. Shown here is brisket

Also, last year the Belmont Goats visited… this year, it was a docile miniature horse, <3 Squeakers <3 is so sweet!
Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015 benefiting Zenger Farm had a docile miniature horse to say hi to

Zenger Farm is opening their Urban Grange in June this year, a new facility that will help this urban farm double its capacity and services, including summer camps, youth field trips, healthy eating workshops, and farmer trainings, and the new food business incubator program.

Which of the bloody marys or brunch bites sounded most interesting to you? If you are interested in any of the bloody marys, they are available at current and previous Bloody Mary Smackdown contenders, as well as other establishments below, until May 11! This includes:

Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Brunch bite from The Sudra offered a healthy vegan option with Tofu Scramble and black rice porridge along with a Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Urban Farmer of a Spicy Bell Pepper Bloody Mary with a hint of smoke and spice from the roasted peppers Portland Monthly Country Brunch 2015, Bloody Mary Smackdown entry from Raven and Rose of Full Bloody Irish. Blending the spiciness of chile pepper-vodka and a touch of nitro stout topped with a skewer that contains an Irish breakfast including potato and black and white pudding

See the Portland Monthly recap of the brunch here

I also mentioned that the Judge’s Choice winner was the bloody mary by David “Neon” Shenault from Raven and Rose. Well, on Sunday, May 24th, at 3PM Raven and Rose is having a cocktail class focused on brunch cocktails. The description reads

Some of the most delicious cocktails in existence are brunch classics – think Bloody Marys, Ramos gin fizzes, Mimosas, Irish coffees, Singapore Slings…. the list goes on and on.  Our resident bartenders extraodinaire, “Neon” Dave Shenaut & Estanislado “The Silver Fox” Orona, will share history, recipes, and methods of a few of their favorites as well as modern twists on the classics.

Email dshenaut at ravenandrosepdx.com or call Raven and Rose to reserve a place in the class at 503-222-ROSE (7673). The class price is $50 per person and if it is similar to the cocktail class I took previously at Raven and Rose, includes not only cocktail recipes and you tasting all the cocktails but also snacks. You must be 21+.

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