Sweet Saturday

Woke up this morning and immediately worked out in anticipation of a trip downtown to the Portland Farmers Market and the Portland Saturday Market. Two of my favorite places to go in during the summer but equally as enjoyable in the Autumn especially with the amazing array of mushrooms, winter squash and greens available. The Park Blocks were stunning with Fall leaves all around and I cozied up closer to K as we trekked up the hill to PSU. Autumn rains not only dampen the ground but they diminish the crowd as well and so there was no mile long line at Pine State Biscuits booth. K and I had to maintain our steady strolling pace and had to focus on not breaking into a run to the queue. I decided to go straight up with the Biscuits and Gravy, no frills, while K went for the famous Reggie. The Reggie is a wonderful piece of deep fried chicken breast topped with thick cut bacon, cheddar cheese and gravy on a Pine State Biscuit. If the gravy from Pine State wasn't so amazingly delicious I would have been a little jealous. The fried chicken on K's biscuit sandwich was one of the best pieces of chicken I've ever had. I place it up there with the chicken I've enjoyed at the Screen Door and the Country Cat yet this was from a Food Cart. The biscuits themselves disappointed, just a little. I felt they were overdone and just a bit too chewy on one side. The gravy, however, brought a tear to my eye. So good. I really can't find the words. Savory, spicy, sweet deliciousness.
We followed our brunch with a suhweet delicious treat with Peppermint Patty from Seely Mint Farm. I've enjoyed these before at the ChocolateFest and they are worth hunting down. Topped off the afternoon with a Rogue from Saturday Market. Who could resist a smooth, creamy Mocha Porter on such a blustery day? It was a delicious day to be in Portland, Oregon.

So much to do! or Bite of Oregon: better and better

It isn't that I haven't been eating or drinking all summer long but it appears that I've been especially lazzzzy and neglectful in my blogging duties. This weekend made up for lazy with a slough of Portlandesque options. K and I made it to four really GT (great time) events. Our first venture out of our yard and into a life occurred on Thursday when we traveled up to Vancouver, WA to enjoy some free film fest fare. Angaelica hosted the 4th Annual Columbia Gorge Film Festival and The New Kiggins Theater at 1011 Main St. was our first stop. Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches in the concession stand? Yes, thank you. I've enjoyed these delicious confections at Portland Saturday Market and other around town events and can honestly say "thank you sir, can I have another". Lemon cookie with Lavender Vanilla, try it.

The Kiggins is going through a dramatic renovation. The seats are fabulous and the attention to detail in the theater is even more fabulous. Some work on the sound system is needed but that takes some dollars and I'm sure a bit more time. No worries, I'll be back. The staff on hand were sweet, funny, friendly, love it.

As for the film fest~ at the Kiggins we watched three short documentaries. Mossgrove/Bed of Moss~ This beautifully scored and skillfully filmed microvideography of slug life in the Pacific Northwest was fascinating to watch but had some editing issues. I would have loved to talk with the filmmaker but I left the theater before I had a chance to. I know, rude, but I had my reasons and I will explain.

Free Shane and Josh~Very moving documentary short. I remember when these hikers were taken into custody by the Iranian army. Heartbreaking. Even more heartbreaking that they are still in prison in Iran more because of who they are (young idealistic Americans), than anything they did (hike the wrong way and trust the wrong people). Scenes of their mothers traveling to Iran to bring them home and boarding the U.S bound plane without them is crushing. I was in tears.

401(k) Magic~ I'm super po'd that they let an infomercial into a film festival. At first I was insulted but then I realized he probably paid a pretty penny to be in the festival, a "sponsorship" as it were. Unfortunately, I found the whole premise of his film so insulting that K and I slipped out of the theater. Hence, I missed the filmmaker talk at the end.

Thursday evening we ventured up to the 'Couv once more to an awesome soda shop aptly named Pop Culture. http://feeds.feedburner.com/PopCulture-SodaHotDogsMusic . More places like this and I start to wonder why we don't venture across the Mighty Columbia more often. I rue the fact that I didn't have my camera, this place is a feast for the eyes and the heart. And all of those delicious sodas! I contemplated the cucumber soda but settled in for a limon Jarrito, yum. There is an extensive hot dog menu here but we had just eaten at home and alas I couldn't do it, next time, for sure. Perhaps the Pecos Bill: BBQ sauce, bleu cheese, and bacon ?

Films viewed included a very arty stylized short titled Soundtrack, this video by the Grayces and my favorite, 1 Giant Leap's What About Me? I could go on and on but I'm going to make you research 1 Giant Leap yourself. The work is a montage of music, voice, scenery, diversity, thought, philosophy. I love them, let me know what you think.

Now, I know that was only 6 out of the over 300 films offered over the weekend but dang, there was so much to do!

Friday brought the opening of the Bite of Oregon and if you haven't been lately you really need to throw this baby up on your calendar for next year. This benefit for Special Olympics Oregon keeps getting better and better. I've seriously never seen a better run festival. Cheerful volunteers running around picking up litter; showing you how to recycle, or compost, or scrap your garbage. Cleaning tables, finding chairs for weary walkers, pointing out where to find the next best bite or sip. Bravo to this year's amazing crew. The food? So good. Mussels from North45, Mac and Cheese from Noodles and Co, Steak bites from Sylvan Steakhouse and Saloon, all delicious. PBJs Grilled offered the Oregonian: Hazelnut butter, Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese and Marionberry jelly on, what else(?), grilled challah...omg. Creamy, crunchy, sweet, savory, this sandwich contradicts itself with every bite deliciously. I hear people complain about the prices of course, but you need to remember, you're paying for a delicious taste treat AND you're making a contribution to one of my favorite non-profits in the state. I am still so grateful that my daughter volunteered for this organization and, in turn, got me hooked. In the evening, K and I strolled over to the Portland Twilight Criterium for killer bike racing followed the next morning by some killer Soapbox Derby action on Mt. Tabor.

By Saturday evening (after a nap) I was ready for some more Bite of Oregon. Sitting in the Beer Garden listening to the Garcia Birthday Band, I enjoyed some fairly tasty chips and some extremely tasty beer, the Deschutes Brewery aptly named a Hop in the Dark. I am a huge fan of crunchy sweet dark stouts and porters. Hints of chocolate, caramel or coffee and I'm on it. This brew gives me the best of my coffeelicious stout tendencies and bites them off with the snap of a hop vine. I am now a huge fan of the Black IPA.

Find of the Evening goes to American Culinary Federation Chefs de Cuisine Society and their version of the Philly Cheesesteak. Tender, cheesy, peppery, sloppy, sloppy goodness. Well played, Chef, well played.

Quick shout out to my two favorite places to visit whenever I am at a Wine or Food or Garden show: SakeOne was once again serving up delicious smooth, dry G! and some yummy spicy/sweet saketinis. One of the friendliest winemakers in the state, John Olson, continues to delight his fans with the delicious Hungarian style Bull's Blood. Please check out Tesoaria Vineyard and Winery when you have an opportunity, you will not be sorry.

I rounded out the weekend enjoying some late evening noshing in a friend's gorgeous backyard and spent today wondering why I'm feeling so danged lazy. On a side note, I decided to grab a quick hot dog at lunch today. I was lamenting the fact that I didn't have one of Pop Culture's dogs. I enjoyed it smothered in a sweet pickle relish made by my sister-in-law, Eileen. This relish is so good, soooo sweet and delicious, I'm tempted to put it on vanilla ice cream and eat it for dessert. Seriously.

North American Organic Brewfest=Delicious

This is possibly the best reason to drink beer all summer.
The North American Organic Brewers Festival is my favorite brewfest as of late for all the right reasons. The people are mellow, the venue Overlook Park in North Portland, is beautiful and the beer is delicious. Granted I usually go on the first day, straight at the gate as soon as they open and so I miss the rowdy crowd of late weekend debauchery; the risk of beer running out before I have a chance to taste it is minimized. Last year I missed it due to my daughter's wedding. I thought I had trained her well enough not to wed on the weekend of a beer festival but, living in Portland, that minimized her chances of a weekend wedding in the summertime sooooo...

K and I didn't want to spend all of our money on food, which we often do and so we had turkey meatloaf sandwiches in the car before we headed into the park. Now you may think that sounds blase' but I happen to make the most amazing turkey meatloaf EVUH! I would give you a recipe but truly, I do it all by feel. Onions, peppers, fresh garlic, lemon-pepper, ketchup, eggs, ground turkey, some secret ingredients, 1:15 at 375 F. But I digress, a turkey tangent if you will...

We did, however, spend "the best $4 ever on cart food" at Violetta's. Violetta's is one of my favorite places to go when in downtown Portland and their food cart does not disappoint. The Oregonzola French Fries are amazing. The fries are tendercrisp and smothered in a creamy gorgonzola/blue cheese sauce that is super flavorful but doesn't leave you puckered. Yum!

Now, let's talk about the NAOBFest. In 2005 the NAOBF was formed by organic brewer extraordinaire, Craig Nicholls. Craig is also the founder of Roots Organic Brewing Co, Oregon's first certified organic brewery. Unfortunately in 2010, Roots Organic Brewing closed down, a victim of the recession. I, for one, miss the Habenero Chocolate Stout. NAOBF survived and carries on and because it does, we were able to enjoy some really good stuff today. In no particular order:

Uncommon Brewers Siamese Twin/Belgian Style Dubbel

Lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, Indian coriander. It may sound fufu but it is not fufu. This is a delicious bold amber and I love it. Sweet? yes, but not too much and at 8.5% ABV it's drinkability can be dangerous. I live for danger. I definitely want more.

Widmer Bros. Brewing Co. Crunchy Dude/ Pale Ale with oats and granola

I did find the name a little patronistic but was intrigued by the description that sounded like a recipe for oatmeal cookies. It was pleasant. Not amazingly, stunningly delicious but pleasant. Probably wouldn't go looking for one but I wouldn't turn one down either.

Bison Organic Beers Chocolate Stout

You have me at Chocolate. Seriously, even in the summertime I order a Porter or a Stout nine times out of ten. I love the rich creamy darkness of Guinness and throw in Coffee or Chocolate(?) Mommy. This one tasty and rich. I would order another.

Bison Organic Beers Honey Basil Ale

Now yes, I know I just said I like my beer dark but this Ale transported me to the backyard on a sunny day with the grill rolling and I am in love. The honey sweetened a very prominent basil note that would follow a spicy Thai dinner or backyard bbq. I will go looking for more of this.

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery People's Porter

Here it is, a coffee porter, you knew I would have at least one right? This one didn't work for me. It was a little too sharp, too effervescent. I prefer a softer, sweeter mouthfeel. Someone told me I would prefer British porters to American porters for that very reason. I'll have to test that theory out one day. So as far as this one goes- that would be a no thank you.

Hopworks Urban Brewery Galactic Imperial Red Ale

This one took me by surprise. I'm really not much of a Red Ale Gal. Say that three times fast. I went back for a second one of these though and that is usually unheard of (!) More than one token spent on the same beer? Crazy. But they were serving this stuff ultra cold and it was ultra delicious. May the force be with you.

Alpenfire Cider Pirates Plank

The notes page identified this as a bone-dry cider made "scrumpy style" with five different types of apples. Now I don't know what "scrumpy style" is and I wish I had spoken with the volunteer further but I have to say yum. I plan on purchasing this in place of champagne for future special events. Yes, I said that.

Truth be told, I went to several other breweries and they were notable. There is some good, tasty organic beer out there and I encourage you to try them even if they do have hokey treehugger names like "Hipster" or "Crunchy Dude" . People at small indie breweries from all over the states working with some of our larger well known locals like Lompoc, McMennamins and Widmer. As those folks over at NAOBF are fond of saying "Save the Planet, One Beer at a Time".

These Trix aren't for kids: Portland's First Annual Fruit Beer Festival

Have to say, I've been looking forward to it for awhile. I caught wind of it on PDX Pipeline and knew it had to be done. Scoff if you will, I was driven to check it out~ Portland's First Annual Fruit Beer Festival as presented by the newly established, Burnside Brewery. Granted, I'm a fan of heavier dark, rich coffee and chocolate inspired brews and lately I've even taken my turn with a bitter, flowery, bite-me IPA. I've even been known to say "Don't hand me a lager, you'll only make me angry". But I digress, I've been a fan of Ruby for years and the ever elusive Purple Haze is one of my all time favorites. The McMennamin Brothers may not know how to train a suitable waitstaff but they certainly know how to hire brilliant brewmasters. (ouch, sorry 'bout that).

Righty O', on to the FBF. Burnside Brewery is located on the NorthEast corner of Burnside and NE 7th. The Festival was set up in the parking lot and it looked, well, a lot like a lot except it was chainlinked off from the rest of the world, was filled with standing pub tables and happy people and boasted an array of white market tents and a smoky delicious brick pizza oven. I did enjoy some wood-fired lamb pizza from Tastebud but let's face it, I was here for beer.

Yellow band on wrist, Festival glassware in hand, tickets flailing madly, we rushed the tents. K and I wisely decided we would stick with the 10 tickets we purchased at the gate so we had to be discriminating in our choices. My first choice was gone before we even arrived. I'll need to try and find Breakside's Whiskey Ginger at a later event. I did, however, get to try out Breakside's Mango IPA. It was exactly as expected- yummy IPA touched with the some mangoliciousness. If you were expecting technical explanations of the flavors I savored I apologize, you're reading the wrong blog...Let's make this as easy as possible. Yes, I would buy this again. No I wouldn't pay more than I should.

Next up-Dogfish Head Festina Peche...Millions of peaches, peaches for me. I will drink this by the gallon on a hot summer day and you can too because it is only 4.5% abv. Refreshing. I will buy it again.

Laurelwood Mango Mint: It's summer! It's like a Beer Mojito! It's my new favorite...I hope we cross paths again soon. I will definitely buy it again.

New Belgium Oh La La- Sweet, dessert beer. Yes, I said it: Dessert Beer. I'll take two but at 8.5% abv, you drive.

Ninkasi Pinot Barrel-Age Oatis with Cherries...the name should say it all, I say it says too much. Not a fan. Which was disappointing because I am the queen of Stouts and I adore Cherries and well, you know how I feel about Pinot...*heavy sigh*

Oakshire Brewing Blind Date: Yes, I'll buy it again. It was definitely delicious and you could sneak it to a non-fruit beer drinker and they would never know. Slightly thick and super yum.

Widmer Brothers: Himbeere Gose mit dem Eibisch. Flowers and Fruit, who'd of thought? Enjoyable but more of a soda than a beer...ok a soda with a 5.3 abv but still...sluuuuuuurrrrrp!

Paid an extra ticket to try Burnside Brewery's Marionberry Berliner Weisse...I'll try the Brewery out again but probably not this beer...not worth the extra ticket for the four ounce taste so I'm sure it's not worth real dollars...

It was a gorgeous day, the line was wrapping around the block and I could tell I had had enough. And they were running out of beer on multiple taps which is never a good sign. I hope they pulled it together for the sake of the thirsty souls that lined Burnside.

Bottom Line: I will do this again next year. For a Freshman effort, it was wonderful. My first thought was that I wanted it to be in a larger space but in retrospect, with the DJ spinning great sounds and the shoulder to shoulder at the keg crowd, it felt like a party. I like parties.