Portland Drink and a Bite Highlight: Imperial

For Foodie Friday today, I wanted to start a series highlighting a Portland Drink and a Bite of food that I think not only is best in class within Portland, but is a classic representation of the character of Portland. Of course, that Portland Drink and a Bite Highlight is also delicious, and unique.

For the first highlight, I go to the first duo I craved when I returned from being away for 3 weeks or so – the A Radish Walks Into A Bar… cocktail at Imperial.

A Radish Walks into a Bar cocktail, ransom old tom gin, carpano antica vermouth, radish gastrique, lemon, and cracked peppercorns, Imperial PDX, Vitaly Paley

Crafted with Carpano Antica vermouth, Ransom Old Tom gin, lemon, radish gastrique, cracked pepper and salt, and served with a beautiful cube of ice (sourced from PDX ice) that they hand carve from an ice block. This unique cocktail is savory and sour and sweet (it’s name is a nod towards Chef Vitaly Paley’s win in Iron Chef with radish as the secret ingredient). And this cocktail is one of my top 5 favorites in Portland. It’s the best radish cocktail I’ve ever had, and I keep going back to it.

Apparently Portland Monthly agrees with me – it listed it among the Top 10 Cocktails in PDX in March 2015.

I don’t even have to look at the menu – as soon as I sit down (usually maybe once a month or so) at Imperial, I order this cocktail right off the bat, along with a Parker House Roll.
Parker House roll with whipped butter and sea salt, Imperial PDX, Vitaly Paley Parker House roll with whipped butter and sea salt, Imperial PDX, Vitaly Paley

This is the best Parker House Roll I’ve ever had – larger then your fist, served warm with whipped butter and Jacobson sea salt, it’s buttery delicate softness with a hint of sweet is a perfect match for the slight peppery bite of the Radish Walks Into A Bar cocktail, making it a great starter. Every time I go into Imperial, I order the cocktail and roll. I’ve even done this when I was on my way walking to meet others for drinks and dinner – I stopped and got this first!

The rest of the Imperial kitchen and bar is firing on all cylinders, so feel free to add to your meal with a grilled salad, Dougie’s fried chicken, or many other items on the menu. This particular Portland Drink and a Bite feels like it really embodies Portland to me in it’s celebration of Chef Paley with that creative cocktail, paired with a nod towards James Beard with those Parker House rolls, and it gets you into the door of Imperial with it’s Northwest cuisine.

Have you tried this cocktail and/or Imperial’s Parker House Roll before? Do you have a favorite drink and a bite someplace that you think really represents Portland that you’d like to nominate?

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Pink Rose Happy Hour

Update: Pink Rose has closed

There have been a couple times as I was walking down NW Lovejoy that I’ve heard lovely music instead of the rumble of cars and the streetcar. Then upon getting closer to NW 13th I am distracted from my errands by the live musicians I  hear playing outside The Pink Rose on their outdoor patio that also has a waterfall and a fireplace.
Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose

Although tempted to stop and have a drink, interrupting my errands, it was only when musician friend Brian McGinty was playing one late September afternoon last year that I finally I got to experience their happy hour (4-7 PM weekdays, and happy hour ALL DAY on Tuesdays).
Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose

Being able to sit outside with a cocktail and listen to live music without being boxed inside is a wonderful treat.
Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose with the cocktail Lady Lovejoy with Medoyeff vodka, fresh pressed strawberry and champagne float

It was great, and since then I have been back other times for the tail end of happy hour on Thursdays when they have had live music (check the Pink Rose Facebook page for such events to see who is playing).

They have one standout happy hour item that is worth visiting again and again. And that’s the happy hour $6 pork cheese fries I had that includes Carlton Farms smoked pork, Tillamook cheddar, scallions, Sriracha aioli.
Pink Rose Happy Hour item of happy hour $6 pork fries I had that included Carlton Farms smoked pork, Tillamook cheddar, scallions, Sriracha aioli on fries

Smaller bites might be the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms with Painted Hills beef house chorizo and Manchego cheese ($5) or the Bacon wrapped Dates with Medjool stuffed dates, toasted almonds, Rogue blue cheese ($4).
Pink Rose Restaurant happy hour option of the Bacon wrapped Dates wtih Medjool stuffed dates, toasted almonds, Rogue blue cheese plus the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms with Painted Hills beef house chorizo and Manchego cheese Pink Rose Restaurant happy hour option of the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms with Painted Hills beef house chorizo and Manchego cheese

They also have a few interesting cocktails to choose from on their cocktail menu, like here when I had the cocktail Lady Lovejoy with Medoyeff vodka, fresh pressed strawberry and champagne float.
Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose with the cocktail Lady Lovejoy with Medoyeff vodka, fresh pressed strawberry and champagne float Hearing the music of modern troubadour Brian McGinty from NW Lovejoy and 13th on the patio of the Pink Rose with the cocktail Lady Lovejoy with Medoyeff vodka, fresh pressed strawberry and champagne float

Another favorite is the Patio Punch Mason Jar– because it is a quart sized mason jar that you can call whether it is filled with Sangria or Blueberry Basil, Citrus Sage punches with your choice of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, bourbon well or call. I’m not sure if these photos effectively communicate the scale of a jar you have to hold with two hands.
Patio Punch Mason Jar at Pink Rose Restaurant - a quart of your choice of Sangria or Blueberry Basil, Citrus Sage punches with your choice of vodka, gin, tequila, rum, bourbon well or call. Pink Rose Restaurant happy hour option of the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms with Painted Hills beef house chorizo and Manchego cheese plus Bacon wrapped Dates wtih Medjool stuffed dates, toasted almonds, Rogue blue cheese to accompany a Patio Punch Mason Jar (quart size!) of sangria

Besides Happy Hour, Pink Rose’s other main claim to fame is the $14 bottomless mimosas at their brunch, which they do not hold back on at all and serve Saturday and Sunday 9 AM – 3 PM.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go to brunch to enjoy their Fried Chicken and Waffle with Draper Valley Chicken that is buttermilk battered and fried, served on a malted waffle with bourbon syrup. The chicken and waffle entree is both on their regular weekday menu as well as at brunch, so you don’t have to wait until the weekend.
Fried Chicken and Waffle at Pink Rose Restaurant with Draper Valley Chicken that is buttermilk battered and fried, served on a malted waffle with bourbon syrup Fried Chicken and Waffle at Pink Rose Restaurant with Draper Valley Chicken that is buttermilk battered and fried, served on a malted waffle with bourbon syrup

As an extra perk, they hold a Best Instagram contest weekly on Sunday! You have to post your photo on Instagram and tag them with #pinkrosepdx & follow @pinkrosepdx. They select a photo entrant weekly to win a $30 gift card… which you can clearly consider using towards a happy hour pork cheese fries or a mason jar or bottomless mimosa.
Pink Rose Restaurant happy hour option of the Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms with Painted Hills beef house chorizo and Manchego cheese, plus Bacon wrapped Dates with Medjool stuffed dates, toasted almonds, Rogue blue cheese to accompany a quart sized Mason Jar of sangria Pink Rose Happy Hour item of happy hour $6 pork fries I had that included Carlton Farms smoked pork, Tillamook cheddar, scallions, Sriracha aioli on fries

My favorite excuse though is still for those fries and a drink al fresco while supporting local musicians.

Pink Rose Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Ox Blood Cocktail Recipe with Dickel Whisky

Last month, I had the honor of being invited to a special Whisky Dinner featuring George Dickel Tennessee Whisky at Ox Restaurant. As part of the event, I was able to sample various whiskies from the Dickel Whisky portfolio (you can see me in green in the second photo!):
The various whiskies from the George Dickel Tennessee Whisky portfolio Doug Kragel at the Portland Ox and George Dickel Whiskey Dinner - you can see me in green at the table listening!

  • Dickel Foundation 1 is a clear, unaged whisky that pretty much doesn’t seem like a whisky. I would characterize it as more of a category of clear liquors, similar to vodka, gin, rum that you would want to mix in a drink. Although it comes from the same mash bill and cold mellowing process, the flavors are very light.
  • Dickel Classic 8 is the the most common, standby Dickel whisky. Dickel whiskies go through a cold mellowing process by which they chill their whisky to 40 degrees F before filling vats with chips of special charcoal from sugar maple timbers, producing a smoother whisky compared to that other Tennessee whisky company that uses the Lincoln County Process as well but not with the steps to chill or fill vats. This classic Dickel is well balanced and easy drinking. The whisky is aged 5 – 7 years.
  • Dickel Superior 12 is an aged blended version (barrels are aged 7 – 9 years), giving it more smokiness, the texture gets more soft and round, and there’s a hint of vanilla. I like a lot of smokiness and buttery texture to my drinks (or anything…) so this was my personal favorite.
  • Dickel Rye Whisky has a notable spicy taste you can detect. I found this honestly a bit difficult to drink neat like 8 or 12, but it was great when paired with a Breakside Pilsner.
  • Dickel Barrel Select are created from only 10 barrels hand selected by the Master Distiller, and all the barrels have already been aged 10 – 12 years. This gives the flavors of the whisky a complexity that includes smoothness like the 8, smokiness and vanilla and some roundness in mouthfeel like the 12, and some spice like the Rye.

Although I enjoyed tasting the little sips of whisky, what made the strongest impression in my mind was this gorgeous looking and incredible tasting cocktail they served using Dickel whisky. It is very simple, with only 4 ingredients, but packs a huge payback in terms of presentation and flavor. It doesn’t hurt that it also uses the Dickel recipe that I liked the most (and now own a bottle of!).  So I thought I would share the Ox Blood Cocktail Recipe with Dickel Whisky…
Ox Blood Cocktail with Dickel Whiskey

Ox Blood Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1.3 oz. George Dickel Tennesee Whiskey No. 12
  • 1 oz. Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz. Beet Syrup (2:1 Beet Juice:Sugar mix)
  • Tarragon Sprig

Directions:

  1. Fill rocks glass with ice.
  2. Shake George Dickel No. 12, beet syrup and lemon juice.
  3. Pour over rocks.
  4. Garnish with tarragon.

I think Ox Blood Cocktail with Dickel Whisky is a cocktail anyone can enjoy – and if you don’t want to make it yourself, it is still on the menu at Ox or next door to them at Whey Bar. The stunning appearance could work for Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, a Game of Thrones or horror movie themed party with its quite bold appearance… or no occasion or reason at all on any day.

I had the chance to enjoy the drink while eating Ox Restaurant Oysters and Squid & Octopus Salad. The conversation was enthralling, so the cocktail also lasted into the Ox starters like Empanadas of Spiced Beef with green olive and raisin, a Bruschetta of Dungeness crab, avocado, cucumber, radish and shiso, and also their House Baked Ricotta with button mushroom confit in balsamic brown butter and grilled bread – and all the food went well with the cocktail.

Considering how variant in taste those four dishes I mentioned are, the Ox Blood cocktail is incredibly versatile so it’s not just good looking.
Ox Restaurant Oysters and Squid & Octopus Salad Ox Restaurant starter of Empanadas of Spiced Beef with green olive and raisin Ox Restaurant starter of Empanadas of Spiced Beef with green olive and raisin Ox Restaurant starter of Bruschetta of Dungeness crab, avocado, cucumber, radish and shiso Ox Restaurant starter of Bruschetta of Dungeness crab, avocado, cucumber, radish and shiso Ox Restaurant starter of House Baked Ricotta with button mushroom confit in balsamic brown butter and grilled bread

As you might not be surprised to hear, grilled food goes really well with whisky in general because of the shared flavor component of the earthiness and smoke. No wonder that Dickel picked Ox Restaurant as the host restaurant. Some of the other dishes of the evening that I enjoyed with various samplings of Dickel whisky, served neat:

  • Starter of Spicy Braised Beef Tripe & Octopus, Mint Aïoli, Crispy Sunchoke
  • Charcuterie of Smoked Beef Tongue en Vinagreta, Horseradish, Ensalada Rusa, Sweetbread Croutons
  • From the Grill dishes of Wild Alaskan Halibut on the bone with Nettle Pistou, Lemon, as well as House Chorizo, there was Beef Ribeye and Skirt Steak, and Maple-Brine Pork Loin Chop
  • Side dishes like
    • Leaf Lettuces, Mozzarella Milanesa, Spicy Anchovy Vinaigrette, Marcona Almond and Avocado
    • Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Chive Mascarpone, and Smoked Salmon Roe
    • Fried Russet Potatoes, Horseradish Aïoli, Dill
    • Maple-Glazed Heirloom Carrots, Chèvre, Tarragon, Truffle-Salted Pistachios
    • Roasted Broccolini, Charred Poblano Romesco, Toasted Pecan, Pickled Red Onion

Ox Restaurant starter of Spicy Braised Beef Tripe & Octopus, Mint Aïoli, Crispy Sunchoke Ox Restaurant Charcuterie of Smoked Beef Tongue en Vinagreta, Horseradish, Ensalada Rusa, Sweetbread Croutons Ox Restaurant From the Grill dish of Wild Alaskan Halibut on the bone with Nettle Pistou, Lemon Ox Restaurant House Made Chorizo Sausage Ox Restaurant side dish of Leaf Lettuces, Mozzarella Milanesa, Spicy Anchovy Vinaigrette, Marcona Almond and Avocado Ox Restaurant side dish of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Chive Mascarpone, and Smoked Salmon Roe <Ox Restaurant From the Grill meat dish, Ribeye Ox Restaurant From the Grill meat dish of Maple-Brine Pork Loin Chop Ox Restaurant side dish of Fried Russet Potatoes, Horseradish Aïoli, Dill Ox Restaurant side dish of Maple-Glazed Heirloom Carrots, Chèvre, Tarragon, Truffle-Salted Pistachios Ox Restaurant side dish of Roasted Broccolini, Charred Poblano Romesco, Toasted Pecan, Pickled Red Onion Ox Restaurant From the Grill meat dish of grilled Skirt Steak

And then there was dessert:

  • Pineapple-Cucumber Sorbet with Mandarin Orange Granita
  • Bittersweet Chocolate-Olive Oil Cake, Fudge Sauce, Peppermint Ice Cream, Molasses Anglaise
  • Warm Hazelnut Brown Butter Torte, Honey-Chamomile Ice Cream, Honeycomb Candy

Ox Restaurant - save room for dessert like this Pineapple-Cucumber Sorbet with Mandarin Orange Granita Ox Restaurant - save room for dessert like this Bittersweet Chocolate-Olive Oil Cake, Fudge Sauce,Peppermint Ice Cream, Molasses Anglaise Ox Restaurant - save room for dessert like this Warm Hazelnut Brown Butter Torte, Honey-Chamomile Ice Cream, Honeycomb Candy
Even served family style, I was not the only one staggering out the doors at the end of the meal just completely stuffed with food. Family style is definitely the way to go with Ox Restaurant because we got to try so many things, as you can see!

Have you ever heard of or had Dickel whisky? What do you think of the Ox Blood Cocktail idea?

Have you dined at Ox Restaurant before, what did you think of their Argentine inspired Portland food?

Have you ever paired whisky and grilled meats or vegetables before such as at a BBQ? It’s definitely an upgrade on normal bbq beer… though since beer also can serve as a beer back after whisky, maybe you could serve both?

Disclosure: I was treated to a whisky sampling and meal that was hosted by George Dickel Tennessee Whisky and Serious Barbecue at Ox Restaurant with talks by Dickel spokesperson Doug Kragel and Adam Perry Lang promoting Dickel Whisky. However, I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences I may be given. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own. Thank you Taylor Strategy for providing the Ox Blood Cocktail Recipe with Dickel Whisky to me and the first three photos of this post.

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