Quaintrelle Happy Hour

August 3, 2018 by 1 Comment

I’ve always been a fan of Quaintrelle, and only regret that they are in a part of town I do not visit very often so I don’t go often enough. When I have some girlfriends looking to meet up, Quaintrelle is always one of the first that comes to mind that I recommend, thanks to the lovely beverages from Bar Manager Camille Cavan, and how the menu descriptions always include an experience descriptions of the flavors, not just a list of ingredients. Recently a chef shakeup replaced Chef Bill Wallender with previous DOC chef Chef Ryley Eckersley, and an update to the Quaintrelle Happy Hour menu. Now I think Quaintrelle’s happy hour may be among the most beautifully plated and fresh in showcasing Northwest products in Portland. Even if you don’t come to happy hour, you will be pleased to experience beautifully plated dishes showcasing the best of current seasonal ingredients at their peak.
Quaintrelle Happy Hour, Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6Quaintrelle Tomatoes, basils, ricotta, quinoa

You will find Quaintrelle happy hour runs every day from 5 – 6:30 PM, and on Sundays the entire evening (5-9 PM). If for some reason you are looking for wine instead of cocktails, consider coming on their Wine Wednesdays when they additionally offer 50% off bottles from a hand selected list (available all evening on Wednesdays). On offer for Happy Hour is always a Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6. If you don’t drink, ask for her seasonal mocktail – one visit this was concocted of cherry, mint shrub, lemon, lime, and ginger ale.
Quaintrelle Happy Hour, Prohibition Punch, an ever changing daily punch inspired by a prohibition cocktail, for $6

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Nicky USA’s Wild About Game – recap of 2017

July 20, 2018 by 5 Comments

Nicky USA is a butchery and meat distributor for the Portland area and Pacific Northwest for the past 28 years – and most major restaurants in town that are fine dining establishments procure meat from Nicky USA. If you want sustainably raised game meat, Nicky USA is the one you go to. Every year for the past 18 years now, they have hosted an incredible event Nicky USA’s Wild About Game, (often nicknamed “WAG”) which they call “The Meatiest Celebration in the Northwest”. As you could guess from the name, Nicky USA’s Wild About Game is all about the high quality meat. Besides more then 40 tables of food and drink industry vendors showcasing their products, many partnering with chefs from amazing local restaurants to highligh their product, Wild About Game is also a food and cocktail competition!

Nicky USA's Wild About Game, 2017 Artisan Marketplace vendor samples Nicky USA's Wild About Game, 2017 Artisan Marketplace vendor samples Nicky USA's Wild About Game Nicky USA's Wild About Game

Besides the Maker’s Mark Cocktail Competition, there is the Carter Cutlery Game Cooking Competition. A chef from Seattle and a chef from Portland compete using the same assigned game meat. The winners of each face off are decided by a panel of judges and also by the attendees who get a chance to vote for People’s Choice overall. The overall winners by the judges and people enter the WAG Hall of Fame.
Nicky USA's Wild About Game - Hall of Fame as of 2017 competition listing the previous 16 years of winners for judges choice and people's choice

As an attendee of Wild About Game you will get to taste the head to head dishes that come from Chefs. There will be a schedule of each face off when a chef from Seattle is paired against a chef from Portland, using the same game meat. They will both offer their samples one after the other at that scheduled time so you can compare and contrast them. This then repeats for four categories during the event, with you snacking at the Artisan Marketplace in between when the chefs dishes are ready. For the 2018 Nicky’s USA Wild About Game, the competitors include

Tickets just went on sale via Mercury Tickets. The cost to attend the event this year is $75, and keep in mind it is all inclusive of all the food and libations you can fit during the 11 AM – 4:30 PM event duration – do not surprised that you will be seriously full. Please note that event only admits those 21+.

To give you better insight of the event, here are the details from the 2017 event so you know exactly how you are really get above and beyond your $75 worth.

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SeaSweets Poke

July 13, 2018 by 11 Comments

When the temperatures are hot in the summer, I look for refreshing but comforting food – and poke bowls are among my top choices. Unlike sushi or sashimi which often adds up to a pretty penny with the number of rolls before I’m full, poke bowls are more filling. One of my favorites in Portland is SeaSweets Poke – I love that they are a bit more nontraditional in their poke combinations and their toppings. Here’s my closer look at SeaSweets Poke’s menu.

SeaSweets Poke - customize your own poke bowl with among half a dozen poke options and a lot of creative toppings over rice or greens. When the temperatures are up nothing is so satisfying as a poke bowl with all your favorite custom fixings over white or brown rice or kale salad to nourish and cool you off. Here I stacked it with Salmon in house ponzu and Albacore in house fried chili oil and black vinegar shoyu, Kimchee Corn, Hijiki Edamame, Sambal Guacamole, fried onion, furikake, and extra richness with a Sous-Vide Runny Egg from Sea Sweets Poke

First, if you haven’t had a poke bowl before, you are basically going to be choosing a set combination that is already available, or more popular is building your own bowl (think a bit like Chipotle or similar taco or burrito line where you pick all your individual fixings). For the base, you are using a bowl of rice (white or brown rice, or you can use kale salad) and then choosing the 1 scoop or 2 scoops of the poke protein option. If you go when it’s not too busy, you will usually be able to ask for a toothpick taste to help decide from the 6 options available.
SeaSweets Poke - customize your own poke bowl with among half a dozen poke options and a lot of creative toppings over rice or greens

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Avocado Month Specials at Pine Street Market

May 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

June is California Avocado Month, when California Avocados are at peak availability. So to celebrate, here’s a look at the Avocado Month Specials at Pine Street Market from June 1-30. Pine Street Market is a food hall located in downtown Portland which is like the next level food court – picture a common dining area in the center, but nine micro-restaurants rather then the usual fast chain places you’d find in a mall. Half are participating in Avocado Month.
Avocado Month Specials at Pine Street Market for June 2018: for all of June only, Olympia Provisions Public House Annex will offer Oregon Bay Shrimp Roll with California Avocado which includes Olympia Provisions Andouillie sausage topped with Oregon Bay Shrimp, California Avocado, red onion, jalapeno, shredded lettuce, aioli, old bay seasoning and bread & butter pickles served on a bun

Pine Street Market is one of two food halls celebrating Avocado Month in conjunction with California Avocado Commission – the other is Los Angeles’ Grand Central Market, where Sari Sari Store, DTLA Cheese, Golden Road Brewing Company, Horse Thief BBQ, Olio GCM Wood Fired Pizzeria, Prawn, and Ramen Hood are getting into the avocado specials Here in Portland at Pine Street Market, you’ll find serving California Avocado Month specials Bless Your Heart Burger, Checkerboard Pizza, Olympia Provisions Public House Annex, and Wiz Bang Bar.

Sari Sari Store and Wiz Bang Bar additionally are sharing a special recipe highlighting avocado: Chicken Adobo and California Avocado Fried Rice Topped with Pickled Vegetables from Margarita Manzke of Sari Sari Store, and from Kim Malek of Wiz Bang Bar, get the recipe for Wild Berry Frozen Yogurt & California Avocado Lime Fudge Parfait. Or take it easy (I did…) by instead of making the recipe just going straight to the source, at least for June!

Avocado Month Specials at Pine Street Market for June 2018: for all of June only, Bless Your Heart Burgers is putting together a special version of the cheeseburger stacked with North West Natural Beef, Bacon, California avocado on the Martin’s potato roll, with Duke’s mayonnaise, shredded lettuce, sweet onions, homemade pickles and house made ranch

What I love about Pine Street Market (and Grand Central Market) is how easy it is to do a food crawl and try different foods from different vendors, all in one place. You go to the counter of each restaurant to place your order and usually get a number of some sort or pager so you know when to retrieve your dish or they will bring it to you. Don’t hesitate to go to multiple storefronts to place your order and have a couple of numbers at your seat- I have! Here’s how to enjoy the avocado month specials at Pine Street Market.

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Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse Ilani Chimichurri Recipe

May 25, 2018 by Leave a Comment

As we move from spring to summer, thoughts turn to outdoor parties and firing up the grill for corn, hot dogs, burgers, and steaks! Ever since Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse Ilani Casino and Resort opened, I’ve been looking for an excuse to go all the way there to Ridgefield, WA (about a 30 min – 1 hour drive from Portland depending on traffic). When they were offering a Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse Cooking Class, I had the rationalization I needed – I could share tips to you for Memorial Day. Specifically, there was an amazing chimichurri recipe which they served and gave me the recipe which I now pass on to you too.

Excellent wine choices available at the Michael Jordan's Steakhouse Ilani Casino and Resort Excellent wine choices available at the Michael Jordan's Steakhouse Ilani Casino and Resort: Duo of Grass Fed New York Strip and Filet Mignon at a special dinner: the Filet Mignon

So I and a friend (who had the car) drove up and enjoyed a decadent meal with the high quality meats of MJ Steakhouse. This location in the Ilani serves lunch and dinner daily, as well a brunch only on weekends though really – you’re here for the steaks aren’t you?

Since I was going for a special event, I didn’t order off their menu – but if I did, I would totally start with Garlic Bread with Rogue creamery blue cheese fondue.

After that though, I dedicate the rest of my stomach only to the steak, wine, and mashed potatoes please.

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