New Providence Park After Renovation

May 30, 2019 by 4 Comments

There are now 19 new dining destinations, and 30% more point of sale locations that have been added offering food and beverage services and hopefully reducing lines. Classics and favorites are on the menu, but so are over 20 new menu items this year. The managing hospitality brand, Park Provisions (powered by Levy which has experience managing other sport arenas as well) includes new restaurant partners and beverage providers, as well as partnerships with local companies that provide ingredients going into the food.

I had a chance to get a preview of the new offerings of the new Providence Park after renovation. Besides the obvious expansion of seats (which blend seamless into the rest of the stadium), there are more screens, larger screens, more cover from roofs, the $85 million dollar renovation also extends to the food and beverage stands. Here’s the scoop for the June 1 Timbers home game opening!

Preview of the New Providence Park After Renovation Preview of the New Providence Park After Renovation

For example, the hot dogs and sausages you’ll find at Providence Park are from Zenner’s Sausage Company, made just half a mile from the park. I didn’t get to sample it on my preview visit, but I’m pretty excited for the Tillamook Mac and Cheese Hot Dog with Zenner’s Smoked Sausage that I saw on the new Tillamook Grill concession stand Evergreen Corner by Section 113. I’ll have a Mac and Cheese Hot Dog and a side of Mac and Cheese please.

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Perfect Pasta at Maccheroni Republic

May 24, 2019 by 2 Comments

While I was in LA a week ago helping to host my youngest sister’s baby sprinkle, my 2 sisters and I, as well as my brother in law and niece, went on a lunch excursion downtown to Maccheroni Republic.
Maccheroni Republic in downtown LA offering homemade fresh organic pasta

There are so many delightful eats in LA, and Maccheroni Republic stands out for its homemade pasta being made fresh and that it is all organic, made with organic flour and organic semolina. I wanted to order the whole menu. In fact that’s partially why we went with us 3 sisters, to give the opportunity for my LA resident sister to rationalize ordering even more pasta!

It was a mind-blowing pasta meal. I hold the same opinion as my sister that if this was closer to me I would definitely be a weekly regular. There’s enough on the menu plus throw in the daily specials to keep you coming back all the time for favorites and what’s new.

Menu at Maccheroni Republic in downtown LA offering homemade fresh organic pasta Menu at Maccheroni Republic in downtown LA offering homemade fresh organic pasta

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Restaurants for Raphael House 2019

May 13, 2019 by 7 Comments

In a few days – this Wednesday, May 15th –  it will be the annual Restaurants for Raphael House day. This is the 10th year for this worthwhile dine for a good cause event. For any meal or snack or drink all day at nearly 60+ participating restaurants all over Portland, you are helping support families and programs to prevent domestic violence.
Restaurants for Raphael House, enjoying a shake at Ruby Jewel Restaurants for Raphael House, enjoying happy hour martini at the lounge of Mother's Bistro

By spending your money in any way you like at these businesses on this day, a portion of proceeds will go towards this non-profit. Founded in 1977, Raphael House of Portland is the largest domestic violence shelter in Multnomah County.

Raphael House offers emergency shelter in a confidential location as well as transitional housing and advocacy programs to men, women, and children. They also have a 24-hour in-house crisis line, and work to bring an end to violence through community outreach and education.

Restaurants for Raphael House, enjoying happy hour martini at Tilt

You don’t have to purchase any particular dish or drink – they all count. You don’t even have to dine out actually – many of the participants also offer delivery (some via delivery services like Caviar, Postmates, etc.)  and those orders count too towards the calculation of percentage of proceeds for the day.

You can find the complete list on their website along with a map, but here’s my list that includes a few of my personal picks for a Portland quadrant. Where do you think you’ll go?
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Little Bean PDX is the best vegan ice cream

May 10, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Summer is definitely here now that we are up to hitting 90 degrees F with that 12 hours and more of gorgeous sunshine beaming down on us. That also makes it ice cream season. Have you been to Little Bean PDX, which recently opened at NW 12th and Johnson in the Pearl? It’s worth the hype – Little Bean PDX is the best vegan ice cream I’ve ever had. And, they have much more going for them then ice cream, if that isn’t already enough.

Little Bean PDX is based entirely on the non-dairy, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, non-GMO, sustainably-produced, environmentally-friendly chickpea. They offer ice cream as well as excellent toasts and other baked goods, most of which are vegan Little Bean PDX is based entirely on the non-dairy, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, non-GMO, sustainably-produced, environmentally-friendly chickpea. They offer ice cream as well as excellent toasts and other baked goods, most of which are vegan

First of all, the ice cream is made of chickpeas – and you can’t really tell. They offer many satisfying fun flavors that go well together mixing and matching to make your favorite combination. My favorite is Orange Caramel with Cold Brew Coffee, which brings together orange creamsicle with a nod to affogato. It just barely inches it way to my top pick over the Szechuan Strawberry with Cherry Chai.

Little Bean PDX is based entirely on the non-dairy, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, non-GMO, sustainably-produced, environmentally-friendly chickpea. They offer ice cream as well as excellent toasts and other baked goods, most of which are vegan. My favorite combo of flavors is Orange Caramel with Cold Brew Coffee which brings together orange creamsicle with a nod to affogato. Little Bean PDX, chickpea ice cream flavors

Other flavors for your consideration include Triple Chocolate, Blackberry Basil, Mint Matcha, and Lemon Ginger. The texture is creamy and rich, even though the ice cream is non-dairy, nut free, soy free. I have always preferred ice cream in a cup so I can use a spoon and combine flavors in my bite and it’s less messy, but you can also opt for one of their plain or chocolate chickpea waffle cones.

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A Dinner at Monteverde in Chicago

May 7, 2019 by 7 Comments

Last week was my birthday, and I decided the best gift to myself was not only going to be delicious, but it was going to be pasta. That’s how I decided on a dinner at Monteverde in Chicago. Located in the West Loop and owned by run by a former Top Chef finalist and former alumni of Michelin starred Spiaggia, Chef Sarah Grueneberg, this excellent modern Italian restaurant prides itself on all the handmade, housemade pastas.

A Dinner at Monteverde in Chicago A Dinner at Monteverde in Chicago

If famous opinions matter, Eater named Monteverde one of >America’s 38 essential restaurants in 2017. Monteverde was among Bon Appetit’s 50 best new restaurants in 2016 as well as making other best lists from Food & Wine, GQ, Chicago magazine, and more. If you want to form your own opinion, well here’s a look at my experience that justifies my opinion, and then you should visit and decide for yourself.

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