Dinner at Verdigris

December 16, 2016 by 5 Comments

Verdigris, located at 1315 NE Fremont St, is the epitome of a neighborhood gem. It’s an intimate bistro with less then 40 seats, and inside in the candlelight in the evening you dine seated in comfy and solid chairs at wooden tables with an open feel that you could imagine also inside a home next to a super well stocked and efficient home kitchen.The decor is simple, functional but elegant while still being warm, and the food is classic but with little touches of something new to keep it interesting.

For instance, it may seem like a modest restaurant, but you’ll be greeted with an amuse bouche and they make their own homemade mini bread rolls, really exemplifying of the attention to detail and extra care they put into your supper experience.
Verdigris creates homemade bread for its dinner and they are not only adorable but pretty tasty Verdigris creates homemade bread for its dinner and they are not only adorable but pretty tasty

I know for me, coming in on the Wednesday night before December 8 Snowpocalypse part 1 and being a bit frozen on my fingers and nose, that creamy decadent sip of that creamy mushroom soup amuse bouche was the perfect way to warm me and welcome me to start my dinner at Verdigris.
Verdigris may seem like a modest restaurant, but you'll be greeted with an amuse bouche and this creamy decadent sip of creamy mushroom soup amuse bouche was the perfect thing to warm me and welcome me in from the cold and put me at ease.

It wasn’t not a surprise that since that amuse bouche sip of soup made me feel welcomed that an order of the Butternut Squash-Fuji Apple Soup with Amish Blue Cheese, Red Wine Gastrique, and Parsley would be an exponential dose of comfort. It combines the classic idea of a butternut squash soup you could imagine like the thick creamy potage in a snow dusted French cottage, but modernizes the presentation and adds more complexity of flavor with the Amish Blue Cheese and Red Wine Gastrique.
Verdigris may seem like a modest restaurant, but you'll be greeted with an amuse bouche and this creamy decadent sip of creamy mushroom soup amuse bouche was the perfect thing to warm me and welcome me in from the cold and put me at ease.

Another first course dish  if you want a more substantial belly warmer is the Smithfield Ham & White Bean Cassoulet with 60 Minute Egg, Country Sausage, and Persillade. Seriously if I lived nearby I would walk through some snow and ice just to have this cassoulet because it would fortify me for the rest of a winterstorm weather warning day and the freezing temperatures.
Verdigris Restaurant in Portland, First of Smithfield Ham & White Bean Cassoulet with 60 Minute Egg, Country Sausage, Persillade

In terms of Second options or the main entree dishes, the winter menu that I saw in December was full of more options that are hard not to love when the weather is frightful, including Potato Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Sage, Hazelnuts, Orange, Parmesan; Braised Beef Bourguignon with Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, House Bacon; and finally a meat to crispy skin ratio I can get behind serving of Smoked Tails & Trotters Pork Confit with Yukon Potatoes, Fuji Apples, Chestnuts, Mustard Jus.
Dinner at Verdigris main course of Potato Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Sage, Hazelnuts, Orange, Parmesan Verdigris' Braised Beef Bourguignon with Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, House Bacon Verdigris Dinner in December entree of Smoked Tails & Trotters Pork Confit with Yukon Potatoes, Fuji Apples, Chestnuts, Mustard Jus

Not pictured are other classic hearty entree options like Braised Pork & Beef Meatballs with Creamy Semolina and Broccolini, or Madeira Braised Lamb, or a Saffron Shellfish Stew, with lots of Mussels, Manila Clams, and Shrimp served with naturally, a French baguette.

One suggestion when ordering: if getting of the big beef or lamb dishes, consider ordering an additional First to come along with the dish of the Pommes Frites with Black Truffle Aioli to accompany that big protein. The dish is enough to share for four.

Also leave room for dessert: on my winter evening in December it was Fallen Chocolat Souffle Cake with homemade coffee ice cream and housemade chocolate sauce, Pumpkin Pie with chantily cream and nut streusel, and my surprise favorite of the three, Banana Bread Pudding with housemade caramel sauce and housemade caramel ice cream.
Dinner at Verdigris Fallen Chocolat Souffle Cake with homemade coffee ice cream and housemade chocolate sauce Dinner at Verdigris dessert of Pumpkin Pie with chantily cream and nut streusel Verdigris Dinner, dessert of Banana Bread Pudding with housemade caramel sauce and housemade caramel ice cream.

They also offer an option every night of having the Chef’s choice but you get three courses for just $35, your choice of meat or veggie, and the choices change daily.

Verdigris just celebrated their two year anniversary since opening, and may be doing some throwbacks in January to some of their initial opening menu in which they explored more modern touches to the dishes. They continue to offer dinner daily 5 – 9 PM and also serve a brunch (and you can make reservations!) Tues – Sun 9 AM – 2 PM.

Have you been to Verdigris? What is your favorite neighborhood gem by where you live?

Disclosure: I was invited with others to a complimentary dinner sampling, but 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.

Verdigris Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Signature

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Restaurant Review, Sponsored Post Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Food at Saraveza

November 7, 2016 by 1 Comment

Have you been to Saraveza before? The name comes from the owner, Sarah Pederson (yes! This is a woman owned bar!) and the spanish word for beer (cerveza). This beer bar in North Portland with ten rotating taps and literally a couple hundred beers by the bottle has been a mecca of Oregon beer and Midwest hospitality and community since 2008. For their 8th anniversary, Saraveza gave itself and us as its patrons a birthday present of an updated menu that now takes advantage of a new deep fryer! Here’s a closer look at Saraveza and the food at Saraveza.
Front of Saraveza at 1004 N. Killingsworth St, Portland, OR Beer at Saraveza at 1004 N. Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Second photo above of beer glass courtesy of Saraveza, all other photos on this blog post are mine

When you walk through that door, you immediately feel a bit like you’re in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls. That, and you’ll notice the large cooler areas of all the beer bottles which are grouped by type. I always check first in their “New and Seasonal” section and the “Cellar and Vintage” but if you are feeling like an IPA, stout, or sour they have sections for you too.
When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls and the brightly lit coolers of their literally hundreds of beer by the bottle in addition to their 10 rotating taps When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls and the brightly lit coolers of their literally hundreds of beer by the bottle in addition to their 10 rotating tapsWhen you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls and the brightly lit coolers of their literally hundreds of beer by the bottle in addition to their 10 rotating taps

If you want to drink beer from a bottle, select one and bring it right to where the Schlitz hand is pointing where they’ll open it up and give you glassware. Or, approach the bar to read the chalkboard beer menu of the ten rotating taps. One of the beers is always their light sessionable house beer of Breakside Wisco Tavern Beer.
When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls and the brightly lit coolers of their literally hundreds of beer by the bottle in addition to their 10 rotating taps When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls and the brightly lit coolers of their literally hundreds of beer by the bottle in addition to their 10 rotating taps

The walls are covered with the vintage beer goodies on the walls all around the booths, on the way to the bathroom and even inside the restrooms. You’ll notice here and there a nod to Sara’s Wisconsin roots and how Saraveza is a Packers Bar. The beer capped patterned tables double as a game to see if you can recognize where all the beer caps come from. Believe it or not, this is actually less stuff on display then used to be there: it looks like they curated it slightly more than before to help the pieces stand out more.
When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the wallsHopefully on your visit to Saraveza you will find a happy medium between the two art pieces on the upper left - the guy in the corner who has possibly had too much and the super cheerful guy with all the food and making sure you don't forget beer...   When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls even on the way to the restrooms -one portion is a nod to owner Sarah's Wisconsin upbringing and how this is a Packers bar When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls even on the way to the restrooms -one portion is a nod to owner Sarah's Wisconsin upbringing and how this is a Packers bar When you walk through that door of Saraveza, you immediately feel a bit like you're in a beer museum with all the retro beer paraphernalia all along the walls, including even in the bathroom

Ok, let’s get to the food. Don’t miss one of the biggest reasons the fryer made it into the Saraveza kitchen: fried cheese curds. These are lightly battered so that the dough is not too thick and the cheese a perfect melted gooeyness. Cheese is always a perfect pairing with beer, as is fried food, so this is the best of both worlds!
Example Food at Saraveza <strong>Fried Cheese Curds</strong>, a perfect pairing with beer every time Example Food at Saraveza Fried Cheese Curds, a perfect pairing with beer every time Example Food at Saraveza Fried Cheese Curds, a perfect pairing with beer every time Example Food at Saraveza Fried Cheese Curds, a perfect pairing with beer every time

Another new appetizer to go with your beer making use of that new deep fryer are their fried oysters with remoulade. You can get this in sandwich form via from their main section a Fried Oyster Po’ Boy that adds to the remoulade also iceberg, tomato, and crystal hot sauce.
Example Food at Saraveza fried oysters with remoulade Example Food at Saraveza fried oysters with remoulade

I really liked their starter (ok, second place after the curds) of the  lamb meatballs with tomato sauce, yogurt, and sunny egg because of the rich flavors in the meatballs balanced by that yogurt.
Example Food at Saraveza lamb meatballs with tomato sauce, yogurt, and sunny egg Example Food at Saraveza lamb meatballs with tomato sauce, yogurt, and sunny egg

For a healthier option but still with flavor punch to go well with beer, check out the Radicchio salad with sherry dressing, Parmesan, olive, and breadcrumb (I think their best salad). Or for a smaller portion for one person, the Butter lettuce salad with green goddess dressing, soft boiled egg, bacon, and red onion pickle. There’s also a Mixed Greens salad with candied hazelnuts, chevre, and champagne vinaigrette.
Example Food at Saraveza Radicchio salad with sherry dressing, Parmesan, olive, and breadcrumb Example Food at Saraveza Butter lettuce salad with green goddess dressing, soft boiled egg, bacon, and red onion pickle

A main dish option if you’re looking for dinner is they now offer a buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and braised chard and tarragon gravy. It’s at the expense of the mac and cheese which is no longer on their menu, but I think it’s a fair trade in terms of swapping that comfort dish for this one since there’s so many mac and cheeses on brewpub menus but not everyone can offer fried chicken with mashed, and this is a more filling comfort dish.
Example Food at Saraveza buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and braised chard and tarragon gravy Example Food at Saraveza buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and braised chard and tarragon gravy

Also new are Manila Clams with house bacon, herbs, beer, cream and baguette (another always perfect beer and food pairing besides cheese). Or fancy it up with Bavette Steak with celery root puree, broccoli rabe, cipollino onion and demi glaze. Or keep it casual with your beef and beer with this Smoked Brisket Sandwich with pimento cheese, red onion pickle, and arugula. Look at that big piece of brisket sticking out of the sandwich! Usually it comes with your choice of a salad or potato salad but I passed on both to enjoy the side snack of Potato Melt with cheddar, scallion and ranch dressing which are a little reminiscent of thick cut wedge potatoes.
Example Food at Saraveza Smoked Brisket Sandwich with pimento cheese, red onion pickle, and arugula Example Food at Saraveza Smoked Brisket Sandwich with pimento cheese, red onion pickle, and arugula Example Food at Saraveza Smoked Brisket Sandwich with pimento cheese, red onion pickle, and arugula Saraveza appetizer of Potato Melt with cheddar, scallion and ranch dressing

Don’t worry, they still have their classic trademark pasties that they have been serving since they opened. The meat pie of the Pasty of the Day has fillings which vary based on the day, this one happens to be ham and cheese.
Example Food at Saraveza trademark pasty, a meat pie of which fillings vary based on the day (this was ham and cheese) Example Food at Saraveza trademark pasty, a meat pie of which fillings vary based on the day (this was ham and cheese)

Although not listed on the menu, they still have their goblet of Chex Mix if you ask nicely. Other classics from their original menu still here are their boards of cheese, charcuterie or smoked trout and their appetizers of pickled eggs, deviled eggs, soft pretzels, pickle plate, and soup of the day (a great pairing with the pasty of the day for a meal). On the mains section of the menu the Bratwurst survives served with potato salad and sauerkraut.

Thankfully they have more for vegetarians and vegans now with additions to the menu of a vegetable section that includes for instance broccoli rabe or roasted cauliflower, now the ho hum hummus has been replaced by a more hearty Vegan Bowl with delicata squash, cauliflower, chard, and quinoa.

If you sit at a booth, here’s how to read the Saraveza printed beer menu (which represents what is on the chalkboard above the bar only – you have to visit the coolers to see the bottles. You can order whatever is listed on the left side in the column for On Tap, unless it’s crossed out and there’s an arrow showing what in the On Deck column has replaced it on tap.
If you sit at a booth, here's how to read the Saraveza printed beer menu (which represents what is on the chalkboard above the bar only - you have to visit the coolers to see the bottles. You can order whatever is listed on the left side in the column for On Tap, unless it's crossed out and there's an arrow showing what in the On Deck column has replaced it on tap. If you sit at a booth, here's how to read the Saraveza printed beer menu (which represents what is on the chalkboard above the bar only - you have to visit the coolers to see the bottles. You can order whatever is listed on the left side in the column for On Tap, unless it's crossed out and there's an arrow showing what in the On Deck column has replaced it on tap.

Besides going to visit soon to try the new menu and latest beers, you might also consider going specifically on this upcoming Saturday November 12. That’s because Saraveza is hosting one if its many special beer events, and this one is Fire and Brimstone 2016. All day on November 12, Fire and Brimstone festival means Saraveza will be offering ten specially curated beers that contain smoke, chili, or are both smoky and spicy! You will be able to order full pours or 5 ounce pours of the beers. I’ve attended this festival for multiple years and it’s among my top five favorite all year in Portland.

For the festival they will bring back their special edition “Smokin’ Bamberg Onion Plate”, a traditional Rauch beer meal served with Schlenkerla smoked beers. The dish is composed of Bamburg Onion filled with pork braised in Aecht Schlenkerla Urbock beer and served with mashed potatoes w/ Rauchbier gravy. Ok, it may not be the most beautiful plate, but it is a wonderful mouthful of smokey savoryness with a bit of creaminess from the gravy and crunch from the onion that pairs so well with the beers of this festival.

Saraveza's Flight of Five Chili and Smoked Beers for Fire & Brimstone... Burnside Sweet Heat always glows in the glass it seems (front right) Saraveza Fire & Brimstone 2012 food pairing of the Smokin' Bamberg Onion Plate, a traditional Rauch beer meal, that consisted of a Bamburg Onion, Mashed Potatoes w/ Schlenkerla gravy, salad, side of vegetables and a Sugar Pimp Peach-chili dessert
Photos of what I had at a previous Fire and Brimstone year

You might also consider checking out their event calendar not only for other beer events, but also for when you might walk in and the whole bar is full of patrons in green and gold. Other events are when they host live music (first Sunday every month) and every Tuesday is Geeks Who Drink Quiz night in their event space the Bad Habit Room next door.

Saraveza is located at 1004 N Killingsworth St (an easy 5 block walk from the yellow line N Killingsworth Max station) and open everyday 11am to midnight.

Have you heard of Saraveza before, did anything I mention pique your interest?

Saraveza Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Disclosure: I attended a free media event where I was able to try some of the dishes, but also returned on my own to try other new dishes on my own dime, and I’ve been visiting Saraveza before this and after this post so already am a fan. 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.

Hopefully on your visit to Saraveza you will find a happy medium between the two art pieces on the upper left - the guy in the corner who has possibly had too much and the super cheerful guy with all the food and making sure you don't forget beer...
Hopefully on your visit you will find a happy medium between the two art pieces on the upper left – the guy in the corner who has possibly had too much and the super cheerful guy with all the food and making sure you don’t forget beer…

Signature

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Restaurant Review, Sponsored Post Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail

November 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The latest play to hit the US Bank Main stage at Portland Center Stage is the October 29 – November 20 2016 run of The Oregon Trail. Here’s my thoughts as well as listings of how you can make a ticket to Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail a full date by taking advantage of free discussions, happy hours, DJs playing music and board games.
Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail By Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Rose Riordan Art by Mikey Mann October 29 - November 20 2016
Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail At Portland Center Stage October 29 – November 20 2016. By Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Rose Riordan Art by Mikey Mann

The description for The Oregon Trail play reads

You have died of dysentery! For those who grew up playing “The Oregon Trail” computer game, dysentery was serious business. In this fresh and funny retelling of our history, two Janes traverse The Oregon Trail. “Now Jane” is playing the computer game in 1997; “Then Jane” is in a covered wagon in 1848. A judgey game show narrator, a domineering sister and two oxen try to corral the two Janes. Fate maneuvers them both to a conclusion that changes their lives and sends them to the end of the trail.

Besides the nod the The Oregon Trail, there are multiple nostalgic nods to the 90s peppered through the play, varying from floppy disks to Teen Spirit to more prominently, music that somehow crosses over between Now Jane and Then Jane to hilarious effect. I loved the staging of the entire production with the screens framing the world of Then Jane in slight sepia toned lighting while in front, Now Jane passes through middle school to her mid 20s in cool white lighting or in darkened lighting illuminated by the glow of a computer screen. A turntable is used wonderfully during a ford the river scene, and a tumbleweed doubles down on conveying the environment around the wagon.

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail By Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Rose Riordan Art (L-R) Sarah Baskin as Now Jane and Alex Leigh Ramirez as Then Jane At The Armory October 29 through November 20, 2016. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv
Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail Sarah Baskin as Now Jane (front) and Alex Leigh Ramirez as Then Jane in Bekah Brunstetter’s “The Oregon Trail,” running at The Armory October 29 through November 20, 2016. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.

The journey that both Janes are on is more internal despite that Then Jane is physically traveling in her story. Both women suffer from “a melancholy” – Then Jane from the loss of her mother and home, Now Jane from it seems depression. Then Jane is forced to travel daily along the trail to Oregon, and her heart aches as every step takes her farther away from what has been left behind. Meanwhile, Now Jane is in a state of inertia: friendless, feeling unimportant so as to be left waiting at school, and then later wallowing in an unemployed rut.

Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail By Bekah Brunstetter Directed by Rose Riordan Art Sarah Baskin as Now Jane (front) and Alex Leigh Ramirez as Then Jane At The Armory October 29 through November 20, 2016. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.
Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail Sarah Baskin as Now Jane (front) and Alex Leigh Ramirez as Then Jane in Bekah Brunstetter’s “The Oregon Trail,” running at The Armory October 29 through November 20, 2016. Photo by Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv.

Both women also have to contend with a seemingly perfect older sister (both played by the same actress in both time periods) who can’t understand why her sister Jane can’t just get up and move forward. You’ve wasted your privilege and have a bad attitude, the judgey game/life narrotor thunders mockingly to Now Jane, and her sister similarly tells her there are others who have had it much worse and can be sad but Now Jane’s life hasn’t been traumatic enough to be this way. It’s a painful reality for people who face depression: people who think depression can be controlled, or fixed.

I didn’t expect everything to be wrapped up in a happy ending, though I was still surprised at how to me the play seemed to end suddenly. I still am thinking about it since I saw it last night, wondering what do I want from the end that would have closed the story better. If you see the play, what do you think of the ending?

I do recognize that part of the message was about accepting depression and sadness as part of oneself, and that you are not alone. And I greatly appreciate that this is a play not about events that are happening, but the voices of internal struggle within that too often, we hide and don’t talk about when the most helpful thing is to be vulnerable and express it and be listened to.

People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain. ~Jim Morrison

This October 29 – November 20 2016 run of Portland Center Stage The Oregon Trail is on the US Bank Main Stage. The performance runs for approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. All performances are at the Armory (128 NW 11th Avenue, in the Pearl District). See more details and other ticket specials for groups, students, military, or learn about rush tickets here.

  • Tuesday – Sunday 7:30 PM. ($25-60 for adults Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun, $25-70 for the Fri-Sat evening performances)
  • Saturday and Sundays at 2 PM and Thursdays at noon  ($25-55 for adults)

The Oregon Trail at The Armory of Portland Center Stage

As always, PCS is hosting special events so you can explore more about the play or something about the play’s theme, which in this case is gaming! You can enjoy $10 off select tickets using promo codes especially for some of the events below to make it more than just seeing a play – enjoy happy hour, music, board games, and food and drink and get a discounted ticket! Also be sure to like Portland Center Stage on Facebook as there are additional promotions that are often listed there.

Happy Hour: The Oregon Trail

There are several opportunities for happy hour and discussions related to Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail before the show.

  • November 5 – Hang with Playwrights. Join Bekah Brunstetter, playwright of The Oregon Trail, and local playwright group Playwrights West for an informal happy hour with conversations about playwriting. November 5 | 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Mezzanine | FREE, complimentary snacks and drink | Use the Promo Code “PWEST” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!
  • November 9 – Music and Board Games Join The Armory and Stumptown DJs with ’90s music for a pre-show happy hour with board games before The Oregon Trail show on Wednesday night. Say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to all your worries and “MMMBop” your way to some good times before the show and enjoy snacks a complimentary drink provided by the Armory Café. There will also be a collection of board games, including The Oregon Trail Card Game and the original Oregon Trail video game may make an appearance as well! November 9 | 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Mezzanine | FREE, complimentary snacks and drink | Use the Promo Code “CAPSTONE” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!
  • November 13 – Music and Play Independent Games Play games developed by independent Portland game creators PIGSquad and Oregon Games Association while DJ Scotty D plays video-game inspired tunes and enjoy complimentary snacks and drink specials. Try out a new board game prototype or never-before tested video game. November 13 | 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Main Lobby | FREE, complimentary snacks and drinks | Use the Promo Code “PIGSQUAD” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!

Post-show Perspectives Series for The Oregon Trail 

Take part in discussions after the show! These are post-show discussions developed in partnership with PIGSquad, Rose City Games and the Oregon Games Organization following these Sunday matinee performances of The Oregon Trail.

November 6, 12 and 13 | 3:30 p.m. | U.S. Bank Main Stage | FREE | Use the Promo Code “PIGSQUAD” for $10 off your ticket to The Oregon Trail!

  • November 6 – With Paul Culp, CEO of SuperGenius and P. Renee Shimek, gamer and Ph.D. candidate in Psychology, moderated by Kelsey Tyler
  • November 12 – With Corey Warning, co-founder of Rose City Games, and Mo Cohen, founder of Queermo Games, moderated by P. Renee Shimek
  • November 13 – With Will Lewis, co-founder of Rose City Games, and Peter Lund, COO of SuperGenius, moderated by P. Renee Shimek

Movie Night with Girl, Interrupted

November 7 – This is a new kind of event – a movie night?! PCS is offering a chance to get ready for the coming-of-age travails in The Oregon Trail with a screening of Girl, Interrupted which is a brilliant pairing before or after you see this play. Arrive at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy complimentary Sizzle Pie pizza and soda before the movie! November 7 | 7:30 p.m. showtime; 7:00 p.m. pizza | Ellyn Bye Studio | FREE | Use the Promo Code “MOVIENIGHT” for $10 off your ticket to Oregon Trail

As always, the Armory Bar before the show (since there is no intermission) has interesting specialty cocktail choices to select from featuring local ingredients and themed to match the show for your consideration. Don’t feel the pressure to drink it all before going to your seat – you can bring it in with you if it’s in a plastic cup with a lid!
Specialty cocktails for The Oregon Trail at Portland Center Stage

Disclosure: I was invited to see this production of Portland Center Stage: The Oregon Trail, but 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.

Signature

Filed Under: Sponsored Post, Theater Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

VoteSom Cocktail Election

November 2, 2016 by 12 Comments

Starting yesterday and until Monday November 14, there’s another way you can make your vote count – and thankfully it’s not so heavy as the future of this country and your local government that will be decided. Instead, this is a more fun election: a VoteSom Cocktail Election, aka Pok Pok’s #VoteSom Election Week Cocktail Competition.
Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegar comes in a variety of flavors that includes ones that are available all year round and special edition ones

Pok Pok Som Drinking Vinegar is doing an election-inspired cocktail competition event called #VoteSom happening at bars all around Portland. All of the participating bars were offered three seasonal flavors of Pok Pok Som drinking vinegar to choose from:

  • Cranberry
  • Szechuan Peppercorn
  • Honey

Pok Pok Som Honey Drinking Vinegar
The participating bar then used that flavor and their creativity to create a cocktail candidate which will be on their menu for the next two weeks. During that time, anyone can go out and try the cocktails, then visit Pokpoksom.com/vote-som to VOTE for the cocktail they think is the best! The winning drink recipe will be featured on the Pok Pok Som website so you can recreate it at home to impress your friends or enjoy as many as you want without judgement!

Below are the participating bars and their cocktail ‘candidates’ launching on menus for the 2016 VoteSom Cocktail Election. I’m going to be possibly doing a little cocktail tour next week to check out what are the positions of each of these candidates.

  • American Local – “Oh! Pear” – Pear gastrique, orgeat, Pok Pok Som Honey drinking vinegar, El Dorado 3 year Rum, Angostura Bitters (3003 SE Division St)
  • NePo 42 – “Bigly” with muddled cucumber, lime, cilantro, simple syrup, mezcal, averna, soda, and the Pok Pok Som Szechuan Peppercorn drinking vinegar with a sugar cayenne pepper rim (5403 NE 42nd Ave)
    VoteSom Cocktail Election entrant from NePo 42 of Bigly with muddled cucumber, lime, cilantro, simple syrup, mezcal, averna, soda, and the Pok Pok Som Szechuan Peppercorn drinking vinegar with a sugar cayenne pepper rim
  • Southpark Seafood – “Lil’ Som Som” – Whiskey, Applejack Brandy, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, and a dash of House Made Cinnamon Bitters (901 SW Salmon St)
    Southpark Seafood VoteSom Cocktail Election Candidate of Lil' Som Som, a cocktail with Whiskey, Applejack Brandy, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, and a dash of House Made Cinnamon Bitters
  • Spud Monkey’s – “The Monkey Smash” – Muddled Lemons, Vanilla 360, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, Splash Sour, Sugar Rim (17312 NE Halsey St)
  • StormBreaker Brewing – “This Cocktail is Rigged” – Espolon Reposado tequila, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, lime juice, StormBreaker Brewing ‘When I Froot’ blood orange-conditioned blonde ale (832 N Beech St)
    StormBreaker Brewing This Cocktail is Rigged with Espolon Reposado tequila, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, lime juice, StormBreaker Brewing 'When I Froot' blood orange-conditioned blonde ale for Som Som #VoteSom campaign
  • Swift & Union – “Bad Sombre” – Hendricks Gin, Pok Pok Som Honey drinking vinegar, Angostura bitters, Lemon and simple syrup, this cocktail will also be their featured happy hour cocktail for $5 M-F 4 PM – 6 PM! (8103 N Denver Ave)
    Pom Pom Som #VoteSom campaign, this nominee by Swift and Union is the Bad Sombre with Hendricks Gin, Pok Pok Som Honey drinking vinegar, Angostura bitters, Lemon and simple syrup Pom Pom Som #VoteSom campaign, this nominee by Swift and Union is the Bad Sombre with Hendricks Gin, Pok Pok Som Honey drinking vinegar, Angostura bitters, Lemon and simple syrup
  • Tabor Tavern – “Pick Poket” –  Prairie Cucumber vodka, Orchard apricot liquor, Pok Pok Som Szechuan Peppercorn drinking vinegar, club soda (5325 E Burnside St)
    VoteSom Cocktail Election entrant from Tabor Tavern of Pick Pocket with Prairie Cucumber vodka, Orchard apricot liquor, Pok Pok Som Szechuan Peppercorn drinking vinegar, club soda
  • The Liquor Store {not a real liquor store} – “Not just Som Toddy” – Hot toddy with bourbon, lemon, raw organic honey, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, and a splash of orange juice.(3341 SE Belmont St)
    Are you researching the candidates of the Pok Pok Som #VoteSom Cocktail Election? Here's one from The Liquor Store their nominee is Not just Som Toddy Hot toddy with bourbon, lemon, raw organic honey, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, and a splash of orange juice Are you researching the candidates of the Pok Pok Som #VoteSom Cocktail Election? Here's one from The Liquor Store their nominee is Not just Som Toddy Hot toddy with bourbon, lemon, raw organic honey, Pok Pok Som Cranberry drinking vinegar, and a splash of orange juice

I’m a fan of Pok Pok Som multiple flavors because the sour acidity that the drinking vinegar offers in a cocktail or even just with club soda is really refreshing. If you have not heard of Pok Pok Som before, they originated from Pok Pok and are a variety of sweet and tart fruit and vinegar based concentrate available in different flavors.

I’m really intrigued by the one from South Park Seafood (and I also love whiskey), and the one with beer from Stormbreaker Brewing. South Park Seafood, by the way, was the winner of the last cocktail competition with Pok Pok Som during the past summer with their Brandy Ginger Som Sour.

Which of these sounds intriguing to you or are you tempted to go try?

 

Signature

Filed Under: Cocktails, Food and Drink, Sponsored Post Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brunch at Pine Street Market

October 24, 2016 by 9 Comments

Have you been to Pine Street Market yet? If you haven’t been to this food hall that opened earlier this year in downtown Portland, the market is now open more hours for your visit. They now offer brunch at Pine Street Market from 9 – 11 AM everyday. Now you can visit and get a progressive breakfast or brunch on! You can choose from eight of the nine open vendors to try multiple types of food each visit, or maybe on one visit! This is perfect for a group with multiple tastes so everyone can get something to their tastes, or willing to pool everything together for a huge potluck. Here’s a look at what sample brunch here might include.
Get a progressive brunch at Pine Street Market by choosing from eight vendors for all your drink and food needs and sharing with friends everyday 9 - 11 AM Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar, and herbed labneh, with beverages here from Barista, Kure, and the Shalom Mary

Essentially, you can think of Pine Street Market sort of like a food court. Each of the vendors has a small area with their own menu in this indoor venue. A few of them have some bar seats right near where they cook,  but generally you order at one of the vendors stands, then they give you a placard sign so they can find you to deliver your food if it isn’t ready to take right away. Go ahead and gather a few of those placard signs from multiple places!
The central communal seating area inside Pine Street Market, a food hall in downtown Portland with nine vendors The central communal seating area inside Pine Street Market, a food hall in downtown Portland with nine vendors

Next, find seats in the central common dining area – mostly communal benches and tables though there are a few small tables.  You bus your own table by grabbing water, silverware, napkins, and to-go containers from central carts. The back area has buckets for you to leave your dishware and throw out trash. It can get a little hectic during the main lunch and dinner hours – my tip has always been to come on the edge hours – right before or after the rush. But now you have a new option, coming in the morning before they start serving their lunch, when it’s much more relaxing.
The central communal seating area inside Pine Street Market, a food hall in downtown Portland with nine vendors is more relaxing during the Pine Street Market Brunch time daily 9-11 AM

At Pine Street Market, this is not going to be your typical Hot Dog on a Stick or Sbarro. Instead, the tenants consist of several legendary names in the local Portland food scene, but on a smaller fast casual scale and without the sometimes hour or so wait to get into their restaurant. Here’s a look at who’s offering what for brunch.

  1. Brass Bar Barista is the first to open in the morning (8 AM) but closes by dinner time (6 PM) offering coffees and teas
    Lovely tea being brewed at Brass Bar at Pine Street Market. The Barista team will serve coffee and tea, featuring Brass Bar’s own proprietary roast Coffee in progress at Brass Bar during Brunch at Pine Street Market. The Barista team will serve coffee featuring Brass Bar’s own proprietary roast
  2. Kure Juice Bar offers a healthy choice via organic juices, smoothies, tonic shots, hot beverages, oatmeal, and açai bowls during the day (9 AM – 3 PM). Below, besides the rainbow of smoothies you can see the Bowl of the Gods Acai Bowl. This is an acai bowl with a base (like a super thick smoothie you eat with a spoon) of acai berries, banana, strawberries, vanilla protein, peanut butter, almond milk, and ice then topped with banana, strawberries, sliced almonds, goji berries, hemp seed granola, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and agave. They offer substitutions of gluten free granola if you’d like.
    For a healthy option during lunch or brunch at Pine Street Market, Kure Juice Bar offers organic juices, smoothies, tonic shots, hot beverages, oatmeal, and açai bowls For a healthy option during lunch or brunch at Pine Street Market, Kure Juice Bar offers organic juices, smoothies, tonic shots, hot beverages, oatmeal, and açai bowls For a healthy option during lunch or brunch at Pine Street Market, Kure Juice Bar offers organic juices, smoothies, tonic shots, hot beverages, oatmeal, and açai bowls For a healthy option during lunch or brunch at Pine Street Market, Kure Juice Bar offers organic juices, smoothies, tonic shots, hot beverages, oatmeal, and açai bowls. This is the Bowl of the Gods, an acai bowl with a base of acai berries, banana, strawberries, vanilla protein, peanut butter, almond milk, and ice then topped with banana, strawberries, sliced almonds, goji berries, hemp seed granola, shredded coconut, cinnamon, and agave. They offer substitutions of gluten free granola if you'd like.
  3. Marukin Ramen offers authentic Japanese ramen – they have multiple locations in Japan and imported Japanese chefs to train this stateside location. Unlike in Japan, you can easily identify vegetarian and vegan ramen here. For brunch Marukin Ramen offers an unusual option: Ochazuke. Ochazuke is a traditional Japanese porridge like dish made by pouring green tea and bonito dashi over cooked rice, with savory toppings including salmon, sesame and mitsuba. This is another healthy option that is very filling but has light subtle flavors and you can enjoy warm unlike the acai bowls.
    For brunch at Pine Street Market, Marukin Ramen offers an unusual option: Ochazuke, a traditional Japanese porridge like dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice, with savory toppings including salmon like you see here. This is another healthy option that is very filling but has light subtle flavors For brunch at Pine Street Market, Marukin Ramen offers an unusual option: Ochazuke, a traditional Japanese porridge like dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice, with savory toppings including salmon like you see here. This is another healthy option that is very filling but has light subtle flavors
  4. Trifecta Annex offers breads and pizzas from James Beard Award winning author and baker Ken Forkish of the legendary Ken’s Artisan Pizza and Ken’s Artisan Bakery and Trifecta. You can go simple with their Signature Toast – look at that incredible Rustic Bread with Trifecta Butter and honey drizzle. If I worked around here I’d probably grab a coffee or smoothie and that toast every day. Or, fancy it up with one of their Artisan Croissants.. They offer Maple Sugar, Raspberry, Double Chocolate, Honey-Rye-Ham, and Spelt croissants. Or go all out with a substantial Breakfast Pizza topped with potato, pancetta, fontina, eggs, pepper and sausage.
    Come get all the gluten goodness at Pine Street Market brunch available everyday 9-11 am where everyone can eat a progressive breakfast / brunch from seven different food providers including Trifecta Annex with offerings by the legendary Ken Forkish with choices like Artisan Croissants (Maple Sugar, Raspberry, Double Chocolate, Honey-Rye-Ham), their Signature Toast (sorry half of it was already eaten by the time I snapped this pic) with Rustic Bread and Trifecta Butter, and a Breakfast Pizza topped with Potato, pancetta, fontina, eggs, pepper and sausage Keep it simple but still so amazing at brunch at Pine Street Market with the classic Signature Toast from Trifecta Annex from the legendary Ken Forkish of Ken's Artisan Pizza and Ken's Bakery in Portland Keep it simple but still so amazing at brunch at Pine Street Market with the Artisan Croissants from Trifecta Annex from the legendary Ken Forkish of Ken's Artisan Pizza and Ken's Bakery in Portland ranging from Maple Sugar, Raspberry, Double Chocolate, Honey-Rye-Ham croissants Brunch at Pine Street Market could include from Trifecta Annex by Ken Forkish of the legendary Ken's Artisan Pizza, a breakfast pizza topped with potato, pancetta, fontina, eggs, pepper and sausage
  5. OP Wurst offers creative gourmet hot dogs from the same people who created Olympia Provisions, Portland’s famous charcuterie creater and I think the best salumi in PDX. Their location is in the center of the dining area, unlike the others who are all along the outside and around the seating area – so head right to the middle to find them. They do have some of the Olympia Provisions salumi available here so you could even get those and with some Trifecta bread have a great picnic here or to go! From 9-11 AM they offer sides of scrambled or fried eggs as well as fries, breakfast sausage, pancakes, and bottled bloody marys and mimosas. Additionally they offer four different special breakfast hot dogs:
    Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this French Toast Dog with two breakfast sausages, French toast bun, apple butter or the Monte Cristo On A Stick with Maple syrup, raspberry jam Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as Breakfast Dog with Bacon-wrapped frankfurter, seasonal scramble, cheddar cheese, French Toast Dog with two breakfast sausages, French toast bun, apple butter or the Monte Cristo On A Stick with Maple syrup, raspberry jam

    • Breakfast Dog: Bacon-wrapped frankfurter, seasonal scramble (here grilled peppers and mushrooms), cheddar cheese
      Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this Breakfast Dog with Bacon-wrapped frankfurter, seasonal scramble, cheddar cheese
    • Monte Cristo On A Stick: Maple syrup, raspberry jam
      Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this Monte Cristo On A Stick with Maple syrup, raspberry jam
    • French Toast Dog: Two breakfast sausages, French toast bun, apple butter
      Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this French Toast Dog with two breakfast sausages, French toast bun, apple butter Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this French Toast Dog with two breakfast sausages, French toast bun, apple butter
    • Pigs In A Blanket: Two breakfast sausages, pancake blanket, maple syrup
      Brunch at Pine Street Market includes OP Wurst with their four breakfast hot dogs, such as this Pigs In A Blanket with two breakfast sausages, pancake blanket, maple syrup
  6. From the impressive John Gorham empire are two outposts representing two exciting restaurants. Pollo Bravo offers a few favorites from Toro Bravo but also adds something new: Spanish-style rotisserie chicken. Here, for brunch they don’t have the chicken ready yet but you have choices of Catalan Sausage Bocadillo with catalan sausage, bacon, mahon, and piquillo peppers; Potatoes Bravas with Sunny Side Egg; Sopa de Ajo (Garlic Soup) with Poached Egg; wash everything  down with a La Tomatina Bloody Mary with Sobieski vodka, Pollo Bravo Mary mix (or make it a Maria with Altos Blanco tequila)
    Pollo Bravo brunch at Pine Street Market options of Catalan Sausage Bocadillo with catalan sausage, bacon, mahon, and piquillo peppers, Potatoes Bravas with Sunny Side Egg, Sopa de Ajo (Garlic Soup) with Poached Egg, washed down with a La Tomatina Bloody Mary with Sobieski vodka, Pollo Bravo Mary mix (or make it a Maria with Altos Blanco tequila) Pollo Bravo brunch at Pine Street Market options of Catalan Sausage Bocadillo with catalan sausage, bacon, mahon, and piquillo peppers; Sopa de Ajo (Garlic Soup) with Poached Egg; washed down with a La Tomatina Bloody Mary with Sobieski vodka, Pollo Bravo Mary mix (or make it a Maria with Altos Blanco tequila) Brunch at Pine Street Market includes Pollo Bravo with their Potatoes Bravas with Sunny Side Egg Pollo Bravo brunch at Pine Street Market option of Sopa de Ajo (Garlic Soup) with Poached Egg Pollo Bravo brunch at Pine Street Market options of Catalan Sausage Bocadillo with catalan sausage, bacon, mahon, and piquillo peppers with a La Tomatina Bloody Mary with Sobieski vodka, Pollo Bravo Mary mix
    Meanwhile, Shalom Y’all provides some casual spins on the offerings at Mediterranean Exploration Company. Here you can order Shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, baked eggs or a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar and yogurt and wash it down with a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt.
    Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of Shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, baked eggs; a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar, and herbed labneh; and a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of Shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, baked eggs; a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar, and herbed labneh; and a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of Shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, baked eggs Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of Shakshuka with tomatoes, peppers, baked eggs; a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar, and herbed labneh; and a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt Shalom Y'all options for brunch at Pine Street Market of a Jerusalem Bagel Sandwich with house-smoked mackerel, pickles, za’atar, and herbed labneh; and a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt
  7. Kim Jong Smokehouse is the newest tenant here, bringing together the award winning Korean flavors from Han Ly Hwang of Kim Jong Grillin with Southern-style BBQ smoking techniques by BJ Smith of Smokehouse 21 and the strong and meticulous mind of Earl Nissom of LaagBaan. In the morning til 11 AM offers Korean Pork and Daikon Soup with Rice and Ban-chan of kimchee, sesame sprouts, and spicy shredded daikon and a fried egg
    Kim Jong Smokehouse Korean Pork and Daikon Soup with Rice and Ban-chan of kimchee, sesame sprouts, and spicy shredded daikon and a fried egg for brunch at Pine Street Market Kim Jong Smokehouse Soup with Rice and Ban-chan of kimchee, sesame sprouts, and spicy shredded daikon for brunch at Pine Street Market
  8. You normally can get scoops at Salt and Straw, but only at this outpost of Wiz Bang Bar can you get their unique soft serve. Unfortunately, they are the only ones not open for breakfast – I guess I can see that there might not be a huge demand for breakfast ice cream…

Since I’m worried about your fruit and vegetable consumption, I made sure to carefully research the Bloody Mary options available during brunch at Pine Street Market. You have 3 options- Pollo Bravo a La Tomatina Mary with Svedka vodka and Pollo Bravo bloody mary mix; Shalom Y’all offers a Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, and za’atar salt; or a bottled Bloody Mary from OP Wurst (they also offer mimosas).
Brunch at Pine Street Market includes 3 bloody mary options, this one is from Shalom Y'all, offering Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, za’atar salt Brunch at Pine Street Market includes Pollo Bravo, offering La Tomatina Mary with Svedka vodka and Pollo Bravo bloody mary mix. You can make it a Maria with Cimarron Blanco Tequila if you'd like. Brunch at Pine Street Market, OP Wurst offers a bottled bloody mary (already poured into a glass here from the bottle) or a mimosa where you can choose our own amount of Prosecco

The Shalom Mary with its green color and cucumber and celery looks healthy, but the most flavor came from the bit spicier La Tomtina Mary, which is the first one I would order again of the three. Additionally you have the option to transform your La Tomatina Mary to a Bloody Maria instead by using Cimarron Blanco Tequila if you’d like. In terms of amount of bloody mary value though, OP Wurst is the most generous with twice as much of bloody mary – and you can simultaneously order a mimosa  where you can choose your own amount of Prosecco.
Brunch at Pine Street Market includes Pollo Bravo, offering La Tomatina Mary with Svedka vodka and Pollo Bravo bloody mary mix. You can make it a Maria with Cimarron Blanco Tequila if you'd like. Brunch at Pine Street Market includes 3 bloody mary options, this one is from Shalom Y'all, offering Shalom Mary with vodka, tomatillo, cucumber, celery, s’hug, za’atar salt

Which would you choose for your brunch?
Some of the delicious options you can choose from - or get them all - when putting together your brunch at Pine Street Market from seven different vendors every day 9 - 11 AM

Disclosure: I attended a complimentary media preview where I was able to sample with others and try most of the dishes, but 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.

Signature

Filed Under: Food and Drink, Restaurant Review, Sponsored Post Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »