Summer Dinner at Han Oak

When my mom came to visit, I tried to put together a restaurant dining itinerary that included classics as well as something new – so it included the Haan Ghin Laotian food cart, a Swedish weekday brunch at Broder Nord, classic seafood lunch at Jake’s Famous Crawfish, traditional Japanese at Shizuku for dinner or Shigezo for lunch. I had to throw an experience at a pop up restaurant in there since I’m such a fan and supporter of pop up restaurants as a way for chefs to cook food they have a passion to share. So I picked out for us a Summer Dinner at Han Oak.
Summer Bo Ssam Dinner at Han Oak Summer Bo Ssam Dinner at Han Oak

Here’s a look at what that experience may be for you this summer if you also decide to visit – make your reservations ahead of time at their website, usually I recommend a couple weeks ahead of time. Also note Han Oak is only open for their Bo Ssäm dinner as shown here on Friday-Saturday, and on Sunday and Monday is their walk in dumpling and noodles nights.
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Oregon Travel: Visiting Schreiner’s Iris Gardens

Last week, I shared how an easy partial day trip from Portland just an hour south to visit the Adelman Peony Gardens if you are here during bloom season in May-June. Close by to the Peony Gardens is Schreiner’s Iris Gardens – it’s only 2.5 miles away, a few minutes by car. During bloom season, their gardens are open dawn to dusk, and are free, so I highly recommend throwing in another stop and visiting Shreiner’s Iris Gardens.

When my mom came to visit me a few days before Memorial Day weekend a few weeks ago, after our stop for peonies, which are among her favorite flowers, I sorta forced her to go to the Iris gardens too even though she said she didn’t care much for Irises. We still hung out there for an hour. Here are a few photos that encapsulate visiting Schreiner’s Iris Gardens.
Visiting Schreiner's Iris Gardens is easy, just an hour south of Portland, and is free - a great option if you are in Portland or Salem during their May bloom season Visiting Schreiner's Iris Gardens is easy, just an hour south of Portland, and is free - a great option if you are in Portland or Salem during their May bloom season
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Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week

Once again, Portland Beer Week closed down with the official closing event where Portland Beer Week and Gigantic Brewing present SNACKDOWN!, a food and beer pairing event where 10 of Portland’s best Chefs and 10 Oregon Brewers are paired into 10 Brewer/Chef teams to make their greatest snack and beer pairing. Guests will choose their favorite pairing and the winners will be awarded the SNACKDOWN Belt.
Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week, a food and beer pairing event with a wrestling theme offering 10 Portland chef and 10 Oregon brewers working together Snackdown 2017 for PDX Beer Week, a food and beer pairing event with a wrestling theme offering 10 Portland chef and 10 Oregon brewers working together. Herb of Loyal Legion served as MC and got all the brewer/chef teams to take turns doing a little smack talking throughout the event - possibly while all participants were sporting wrestling themed costumes, most enthusiastically by John Harris of Ecliptic Brewing and Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing shown here

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Icelandic Popup Fimbul PDX

Icelandic Popup Fimbul PDX was on my Eater article of popups in Portland, and if you were wondering what an Icelandic dinner entails, here’s a look from their pop up dinner at the back of Old Salt Marketplace on June 4. Fimbul is run by Kachka co-workers in their dayjob Matthew + Aurora Wickstrom with sommelier Matthrew Hunt. Chef Matthew currently works as a sous at Kachka, and worked at Dill in Reykjavik. There were two seatings – 6 PM and 8 PM – and I attended the 8 PM seating. $65 netted me the dinner that included 2 snacks, 5 small courses, and dessert, and $45 7 wine pairings plus a couple extra surprises! Gratuity is additional.
Fimbul PDX, an Icelandic Pop up Fimbul PDX, an Icelandic Pop up
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Oregon Travel: Visiting the Adelman Peony Gardens

If you love peonies, you should not miss visiting the Adelman Peony Gardens located in Salem, Oregon, just an hour south of Portland. The peonies are in bloom generally from May – June. During this bloom time the Adelman Peony Gardens has an open house daily 9 AM – 6 PM to allow you to visit their display gardens, their peony production fields, and they have an indoor display showroom. Their open house is also free!

Visiting the Adelman Peony Gardens just north of Salem, about an hour south of Portland is free and open generally from May-June during bloom season Visiting the Adelman Peony Gardens just north of Salem, about an hour south of Portland is free and open generally from May-June during bloom season
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