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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Jake’s Grill and Anderson Ranches Lamb

May 22, 2018 by 3 Comments

Jake’s Grill is one of those classic Portland restaurants offering its American food menu of steaks and seafood as part of the Sentinel hotel (previously the Seward Hotel, and Elks Temple, and then later the Governor Hotel. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places). Although it is owned by McCormick & Schmick’s, Jake’s still maintains a lot of autonomy over its sourcing and menu. For May, they are featuring special Pasture to Plate menus utilizing Anderson Ranches Lamb. Here’s a look at my favorites of the Jake’s Grill and Anderson Ranches Lamb dishes.
Jake's Grill and Anderson Ranches Lamb Pasture to Plate specials menu: the grilled center cut lamb ribs with curry sauce, pomegranate molasses, and saba glaze Jake's Grill and Anderson Ranches Lamb Pasture to Plate specials menu: a roasted rack of lamb with spring vegetables, washington cherry chutney, and mustard lamb demi-glace

Anderson Ranches has been in the lamb business for 5 generations, and is located in the Willamette Valley. Their lamb is 100% grass fed and free range. Their flock are fed no antibiotics, growth stimulants, feed addictive and growth hormones. They graze on free range pastures on rolling foothills and open fields to roam and eat what they like and grow at their natural pace. Anderson Ranches farming uses sustainable practices and practices complementary to raising sheep such as the sheep helping with seed crop or weeds that control growth for trees or for other farmers to reduce need for herbicide. Supporting Anderson Ranches is supporting a thoughtful local business.

Meanwhile, Jake’s Grill is then taking their great lamb product and utilizing it in both traditional and in creative dishes. If you think you don’t like lamb because it’s gamey or you think lamb only comes so red and medium rare, you will be very pleasantly surprised at the huge range of options they’ve come up here between Jake’s Grill and Anderson Ranches Lamb.

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Meadowlark Portland Dinner Spring 2018

May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment

I’ve attended many Meadowlark Portland dinners with chef duo Jen and Emily – from For the April 22, 2018 spring Meadlowlark No #30 dinner, the inspiration for Chefs Jen Datka and Emily Park came from the idea of handcrafted and locally made casatiello, a traditional bread studded with cheese and cured meat, and a dessert of . As has been true since last year, all the dinners of this pop up supper club for social justice always benefit a cause. This dinner was no different – all proceeds benefited OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon.
Meadlowlark Portland Dinner No #30 April 22, 2018 All the dinners of this pop up supper club for social justice always benefit a cause and the food and drink emphasize rustic, handcrafted cuisine and local ingredients. Meadlowlark Portland Dinner No #30 April 22, 2018 All the dinners of this pop up supper club for social justice always benefit a cause and the food and drink emphasize rustic, handcrafted cuisine and local ingredients. Here, for this dinner one of the highlights was the giant loaves of housemade casatiello, a traditional bread studded with cheese and cured meat - pancetta, cacio di roma, and green garlic

I’ve enjoyed many dinners with them before which I have recapped on this blog previously – from a Seollal Koraen New Year Dinner to Apericena Springtime Sicilian Cocktail Party to their a Breaking Bread party with Nostrana. For this dinner, it was my first time learning about OPAL and their work
Meadlowlark Portland Dinner No #30 April 22, 2018 All the dinners of this pop up supper club for social justice always benefit a cause and the food and drink emphasize rustic, handcrafted cuisine and local ingredients. Here are Chefs Emily Park and Jen Datka

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Dine out on Wednesday May 16 for Restaurants for Raphael House

May 9, 2018 by 3 Comments

It’s that time of year again – the annual Restaurants for Raphael House day. If you dine out on Wednesday May 16 for Restaurants for Raphael House, for any meal or snack or drink all day at nearly 50 participating restaurants all over Portland, Lake Oswego, and Beaverton, you are helping support families escaping domestic violence. Please, call your family, or friends, or colleagues – make a plan to have lunch or dinner, or snacks and a drink. 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 (via delivery services like Postmates (referral code 1I24N), Caviar, etc. – if you aren’t a member get $10 off with those links for joining) and that counts too towards the calculation of percentage of proceeds for the day.
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, a portion of proceeds will go towards this non-profit providing life-saving shelter to women, men, and children seeking safety from domestic violence, as well as funding prevention programs. Founded in 1977, Raphael House of Portland is the largest domestic violence shelter in Multnomah County, and is dedicated to fighting the causes and effects of domestic violence.

Raphael House offers emergency shelter in a confidential location, a 24-hour in-house crisis line, transitional housing and advocacy programs to hundreds of adults and children annually, non-residential advocacy in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau, and also work to bring an end to violence through community outreach and education. Raphael House of Portland has been providing life-saving services to families for more then 40 years.

Restaurants for Raphael House, enjoying happy hour martini at Tilt

You can find the complete list here on their website along with a map, but here’s my list that includes descriptions of the restaurants from me to further encourage you to visit and order!
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Tusk Weekend Happy Hour

May 2, 2018 by 4 Comments

I’ve raved about Tusk before, which totally delivers on the hype the food writers in media have given it with its fresh, seasonal, farm to table Mediterranean food.  Tusk only takes reservations for their dinner, or if your table for their brunch (served weekends only) is 8 people or more. But, anyone looking to enjoy Tusk there is double good news. First, in the past month or so, they have completely enclosed their outdoor patio. The end result is really increasing their capacity for seating and protecting you from the sometimes moody spring weather so the area is usable all year round. Secondly, there is now a Tusk Weekend Happy Hour. Instead of closing between brunch and dinner, they offer happy hour drinks and eats from 2:30 – 5 PM. Here’s a detailed look at their offerings.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. A great way to slip in between the brunch and dinner rush

First, drinks. Tusk will be offering a rotating menu of three special happy hour cocktails available only during weekend happy hour, and three wines by the glass (all under $10) as well as beer. Don’t worry – the full Tusk cocktail menu will also be available.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here

The Mr. Kiss cocktail features Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, lime, tahini, ghost pepper, and chocolate. Despite the wide ranging combination, the cocktail flavors are pretty tame – mostly a little bit of lime and tequila citrus followed by a little savory from the chocolate and hint of heat from the ghost pepper, but not spicy at all, don’t worry.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here like here The Mr. Kiss cocktail features Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, lime, tahini, ghost pepper, and chocolate.

The Hazy Jane cocktail is one of their signature drinks and offers Reyka vodka, almond, house made basil syrup, ginger, lemon, rose, and yogurt. The end result is light and refreshing with just a little bit of creamy mouthfeel from the yogurt.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner. They have 3 special cocktails available only during happy hour, though you can also order from their regular cocktail menu here. This is The Hazy Jane cocktail is one of their signature drinks and offers Reyka vodka, almond, house made basil syrup, ginger, lemon, rose, and yogurt. The end result is light and refreshing with just a little bit of creamy mouthfeel from the yogurt.

If you are looking for a non-alcoholic drink, definitely consider their iced matcha tea.
Tusk Iced Matcha Tea.
Foodwise, the happy hour menu is filled with a sampler of some of Tusk’s best dishes, not only priced lower but also are sized perfectly for filling your whole table with lots of little dishes to try everything. Make sure you also try everything with a little bit of the 3 condiments on the table of Aleppo chile oil, za’atar, and cumin salt, to see how they enhance the flavors of any dish.
Tusk Weekend Happy Hour, served Saturday Sunday 2:30-5PM between brunch and dinner with lots of favorite dishes at discounted prices and perfectly sized for filling your tables with one of everything to try it all Tusk condiments for every table - make sure you also try everything with a little bit of the 3 condiments on the table of Aleppo chile oil, za'atar, and cumin salt, to see how they enhance the flavors of any dish

Here’s a look at all the happy hour dishes – I’ve tried them all!
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