Txoko Experience with Urdaneta

I was pretty excited when I heard that Urdaneta was bringing back an instance of Basque Supper Club with the theme of Txoko! Going to txokos with his grandfather had inspired Chef Javier Canteras to open Urdaneta and create Basque Supper Club. Now it was coming around full circle as the documentary ”The Txoko Experience: The Secret Culinary Space of the Basques”, along with scriptwriter, Marcela Garces, was making a West Coast premiere showing at Urdaneta. The restaurant was closed for this private event on a Sunday evening, and the night included watching the movie in the restaurant, and then enjoying a multi course dinner of Basque cuisine. Here’s a look at my Txoko Experience with Urdaneta.

The Txoko Experience - movie and a Basque dinner with Urdaneta The Txoko Experience - movie and a Basque dinner with Urdaneta

Txoko (The “Tx” in Basque language is pronounced Ch, Cho-ko, with ch hard like the ch in in chocolate), is essentially a dining club that allows members to gather together in a space (often a restaurant kitchen and dining area) and cook and dine together outside their home, which are often apartments.

It’s more then just food though- the txoko is an escape from family to be with the community that only sees what you are good at cooking (or maybe you’re a good singer), regardless of what you do for your day job. It’s an environment of good food, good conversation, and apparently, also group singing. We didn’t sing at this dinner, but there was definitely the wonderful food and conversation and everyone attending and working was in excited, cheerful spirits.
The Txoko Experience - movie and a Basque dinner with Urdaneta The Txoko Experience - movie and a Basque dinner with Urdaneta

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Lunch at Oso Market

Ever since I first visited Oso Market during a progressive dinner food crawl, I have been stuck in a rut every time I go to Oso Market with just getting drinks and montaditos.

Oso Market + Bar in Portland Oso Market + Bar in Portland Oso Market + Bar in Portland Oso Market + Bar in Portland Oso Market + Bar in Portland

Don’t get me wrong- the montaditos (which are bread or polenta “mounted” with various combinations of toppings) are fabulous, as are their cocktails and getting the merchant’s choice wine flight.
Oso Market + Bar appetizer of Baked Mortadella Montadito with tarragon mustard, peperoncini, and micro greens served on Little T focaccia and Bresaola Montadito with tomato-mint jam, Parmesan and basil served on Little T focacciaOso Market + Bar appetizer of Cremeux Montadito with fig, honey, arugula and balsamic reduction served on Little T focaccia and Ratatouille atop crispy polenta

And of course, the dinner menu has the enticing Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in bacon with cumin honey and blue cheese.

But I yearned to try some of the sandwiches listed only on their lunch menu. Lunch at Oso Market includes sandwiches like

  • Baked Mortadella, tarragon mustard, provolone, pepperoncini, and local greens
  • Pork belly with fried egg, garlic chili aioli on beer bread
  • Kale, parmesan, garlic aioli, fried egg, red pepper
  • and more…

Particularly, I wanted this beauty which I finally got to try a couple weeks ago. For a few days I was based out of the Oregon Convention Center for work, and so had an easy time getting down there for lunch and back on the streetcar. This is a vegetarian sandwich at Oso Market of Roast Squash, Beets, Red Pepper, Onion, and Cashew Ricotta. Many of their sandwiches you can order half of, and if you wish combine it with a house salad if you’d like. I was sorry I had only ordered a half sandwich because I really wanted another half for dinner and to show off to vegetarian F to try.
Oso Market vegetarian sandwich of Roast Squash, Beets, Red Pepper, Onion, and Cashew Ricotta Oso Market vegetarian sandwich

Seriously, isn’t this sandwich beautiful! And it was sooo delicious.
Oso Market sandwich of Roast Squash, Beets, Red Pepper, Onion, and Cashew Ricotta

I also nibbled on a Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard.
Oso Market Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard Oso Market Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard Oso Market Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard Oso Market Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard Oso Market Fish Board with sardine pate, smoked trout, and boquerones with dill caper cream cheese, pickles, and mustard

I don’t know when the next time I’ll be able to have lunch at Oso Market is, but I highly recommend Oso as more than just a stop for snacks and drinks in the evening! And, especially if you have a reason to be at the Oregon Convention Center area for some reason like I did, hop on the streetcar that stops right in front of it and ride it 3 stops down (a mere 10 minutes or less) or walk the mere .75 mile or so to upgrade your lunch.

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