Tasty Lake Oswego Brunch

June 15, 2021 by Leave a Comment

One of the casualties of 2020 in the Portland food and beverage scene was the end of the Tasty restaurants: Toro Bravo, Tasty N Daughters, Tasty N Alder, and Plaza del Toro. It was a sudden end where one week they were doing so much good working with nonprofits and offering pay it forward and free food bags to feed people with financial concerns during those initial shock of Covid-19 shutdowns. Then came a mix of seemingly outbursts of frustration of the times, and poor choices of words on both sides, that ultimately led to the end of the Toro era under the Gorhams. Other restaurants without the Tasty or Toro in the name were sold off, while it seems the Tasty/Toro portion is being redirected by a couple former employees and bolstered by new blood via former baker from shuttered Bar King, opening anew under the name Tasty, out in Lake Oswego. They open in that space starting with previews this weekend and official open July 1, but last weekend I had a chance to reminisce with old Tasty classics and try new tastes as they popped up for a Tasty Lake Oswego brunch temporarily at the old Bar King space.
Popup of Tasty Lake Oswego at the former Bar King space Tasty Lake Oswego Smoked Trout Board with cherrywood smoked trout, 8-minute egg, horseradish cream, onion dip, kettle chips, rye crostini, house pickles, and it is perfection with the assortment of salty, creamy, crunchy, sour, a little spicy, savory.

If you were a fan of the Tasty N Alder brunch the Potatoes Bravas, Bambino Plate, Bibimbap Bacon and Eggs, Steak and Frites, Tasty Steak and Cheddar Eggs, Tasty Mary and Dim Summore cocktails, are back. From dinner menu the Low Hush Puppies with jalapeno honey butter are back as are also, thankfully the Radicchio Salad. From Tasty and Bravo and Tasty and Daughters returns Shakshuka and Biscuit Sandwich. During my visit, I had the Tasty Steak and Cheddar Eggs with corn cake and jalapeno honey butter, and a taste of my friend’s Hush Puppies, and both were wonderful. Tasty Lake Oswego Tasty Steak and Cheddar Eggs with corn cake and jalapeno honey butter Tasty Lake Oswego Tasty Steak and Cheddar Eggs with corn cake and jalapeno honey butter Tasty Lake Oswego Low Hush Puppies with jalapeno honey butter

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Verdigris Brunch

April 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

There are lots of wonderful weekend brunch spots, but avoid the lines or waits but also checking out everyday weekday brunches available, such as Verdigris Brunch. This French influenced neighborhood gem is a great spot for eats and conversations with your friends and family. I’ve visited Verdigris for dinner before, but wanted to spotlight their brunch food too.

Verdigris Brunch, available everyday not just weekends. Croissant French Toast with Butternut Squash Compote, Chantilly, Walnuts and the other dish of 60 Minute Eggs and Smithfield Ham, Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns, Brown Butter Hollandaise

Here’s a look at what I think is their best savory dish, the 60 Minute Eggs, Smithfield Ham, and Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns with Brown Butter Hollandaise. It sounds heavy, but it is just the lightest thinnest slight of ham, and then the hash browns providing the base instead of a bready english muffin on this take of Eggs Benedict.
Verdigris Brunch, available everyday not just weekends. 60 Minute Eggs, Smithfield Ham, Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns, Brown Butter Hollandaise Verdigris Brunch, available everyday not just weekends. 60 Minute Eggs, Smithfield Ham, Duck Fat Fried Hash Browns, Brown Butter Hollandaise

If you prefer the sweet touch to your breakfast, then check out the Croissant French Toast with Butternut Squash Compote, Chantilly, Walnuts that brings you the french toast flavor but with the heft of croissant so it doesn’t get as soggy, thanks to the flakey outside layer and then the bonus of the softer buttery insides.
Verdigris Brunch, available everyday not just weekends. Croissant French Toast with Butternut Squash Compote, Chantilly, Walnuts Verdigris Brunch, available everyday not just weekends. Croissant French Toast with Butternut Squash Compote, Chantilly, Walnuts

Where is your favorite everyday brunch available on weekends?

As an aside, I went to Verdigris for Portland Dining Month – for $33 we got to pick an option from all 3 sections of the regular menu of starters, mains, and desserts. They run this special for more then March – and it does work with their whole menu so great for a dining party! Here are a few photos from that dinner where my dining friends and I enjoyed an amuse bouche of a saffron bouillabaisse and bread rolls to start, and then went on to our 3 courses…

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Circa 33 Brunch

February 2, 2018 by 2 Comments

Circa 33 on SE Belmont is probably most  known for in the evening as a neighborhood Prohibition-themed cocktail bar. But, did you know they also offer an al fresco dining alley area, and on weekends by the restrooms when the red light is on, host a speakeasy type bar? And don’t overlook the additional hidden gem of its weekend brunch, served 10 AM – 2 PM, featuring a curated list of dishes which include several vegetarian and vegan friendly options and of course, cocktails. Today I share my brunch visit, and here’s a look at the secret speakeasy – which will be put to good use on a Prohibition Party in a couple weeks!
Circa 33 interior during the day. Circa 33 is a Prohibition-themed cocktail bar and on Fri Sat boasts a hidden speakeasy - look for the light to be on - and you can enter past a bookcase door with a special code Circa 33 brunch, Bloody Mary c.1921 with vodka, summer-spiced bloody blend, creole-salt rim and choice of bacon/veggie/combo garnish

The name Circa 33 is a nod to the neighborhood street block they are on (SE 33rd block on Belmont) as well as the year prohibition was repealed, 1933. Their cocktails are a mix of drinks from the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as more current inventions that follow the framework of spirit, sugar, citrus, and bitters. You’ll see a dozen options of specialty cocktails. If you are not into cocktails, not to worry – they have almost a dozen wines by the glass and smaller selection of beer, and non-alcoholic beverages like a ginger limeade. Below, you’ll see the Circa 33 cocktail, The Huntress which is c.1937 with Effen vodka, bubbles, black currant, citrus, Becherovka herbal liqueur
Circa 33 is a Prohibition-themed cocktail bar. This Circa 33 cocktail, The Huntress is c.1937 with Effen vodka, bubbles, black currant, citrus, Becherovka herbal liqueur
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Headwaters Brunch

October 20, 2017 by Leave a Comment

I’m going to share one of my brunch secrets – Headwaters PDX, a place that is never too crowded for brunch so I’ve easily walked in (they serve brunch both in their main restaurant area and their lounge area by their bar so have large capacity). PLUS they take reservations! It’s only been almost exactly a year since they opened and I’m not sure if not everyone knows they offer brunch. Whatever, this all adds up so it’s perfect when you have out of town guests and want to stick to a schedule and not have to wait around so you can get going on your way to other weekend adventures. The atmosphere is classy and the service has always been impeccable for anytime I stop in. Weekend brunch is available Saturday and Sunday 8 AM – 3 PM and they also serve breakfast on weekdays.

Start with a brunch cocktail – of course I always recommend a bloody mary. The Headwaters Mary version offers lemongrass green chili vodka and housemade bloody mary mix, horseradish, and Steigl Radler
Headwaters Brunch - Headwaters Mary, lemongrass green chili vodka and housemade bloody mary mix, horseradish, and Steigl Radler

But, my other favorite and highly recommended cocktail for your consideration is the Never Too Early brunch cocktail with aged rum old fashioned, averna, coffee syrup
Headwaters Brunch - Never Too Early brunch cocktail with aged rum old fashioned, averna, coffee syrup

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Brunch at Tusk and Upcoming Summer Party

July 21, 2017 by 3 Comments

Tusk in Portland took over the old Levant space on SE 24th and Burnside, transforming it into a light filled bright space with a sweet touch but continuing to offer Middle Eastern food and making use of the inherited open wood-burning hearth. Brunch at Tusk is only 10 AM – 2PM on Saturday and Sunday, otherwise they are open for dinner daily.

It’s quite a contrast seeing almost kitty corner across the street the line of people waiting for the heavier Southern brunch and fried chicken and biscuits versus here, the lighter Middle Eastern brunch plates, many which are vegetarian, can be made vegan, and feel healthier. Extensive studies have shown that Mediterranean eating patterns – of which Middle Eastern food share some commonality with its use of chickpeas, lentils, vegetables, olive oil, etc. –  are directly correlated with good health including the reduction of that LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) bad cholesterol,  risk of Alzheimer’s by approximately 40 percent, and the development of Parkinson’s Disease. So let’s bring on the hummus and pita, shall we!

Bright interior full of light welcomes you and keeps you feeling cheerful during your meal.
Tusk in Portland interior Tusk in Portland interior

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