New Year's Resolution~ Experience Deliciousness

This autumn was a little rough for me.  I must admit, even when I ate or drank something that inspired me to tell all about it, by the time I was home in front of the computer the words wouldn't come.  But the Winter of my contentedness is here and I'm feeling primed and ready to spread Words of Yum all over the internet.

I have much to tell you but I'm going to start with one great meal/restaurant/festival at a time and work my way back into a delicious groove.  I hope you'll bear with me.  Especially when I've been chomping at the bit to tell you about a new restaurant in my neighborhood.  The Taipei Noodle Haus may appear to be suffering from a bit of an identity crisis but I believe their strategy just might work out for them.

The Parkrose area of NE Portland doesn't have too much to offer in terms of great places to eat. Aside from El Indio's Mexican Food and the truly fantastic Halibut Fish and Chips up at the Wooden Chicken most of the area's "restaurants" (read as bar and grill) don't really offer much more than standard fried bar fare.  Sure, a couple of places have tried but then seem to head right back into the PBR and Bud on Tap pitfall and there is always a quick trip up to Sandy Blvd and the Rose City area for more authentic attempts in adventurous dining.  Parkrose isn't much for adventures in dining but the new Chinese restaurant that offers everything from Korean Kim Chi to traditional Chinese/American standards to Noodle soups may just make it.  I hope so.

Let's not digress.  Let's talk about a fresh, light, perfectly seasoned consomme swimming with meaty, tender pork wontons, and the most crisp and delicious shoots of bamboo, sliced carrots and mushrooms.  This is the soup you want at home when you feel ill and need comfort. This is supreme comfort food. I dream about this soup interchanged with my dreams about their Chinese style Beef Noodle Soup.  Tender sliced beef served over house-made noodles and drenched with a spicy fragrant sinus clearing soup.

When I return my next couple of rounds to the Noodle Haus, I plan on sticking with the Signature Noodle dishes because these have shown the most promise from this new addition to the neighborhood.  Although the Salt and Pepper Shrimp served in shell did knock my socks off, other typical 'main course' dishes were merely fine.  Passable Chinese fare such as General Tso's and Szechuan Chicken are a little bit over-breaded for my liking but still use flavorful seasonings and fresh tender meat and vegetables.

In the starters section, the crab wontons, potstickers and fried shrimp appetizers are all tasty distractions but the fried Spring Rolls delight with a lemongrass tint to the tastiness.  The Korean Kim Chi is perfectly sweet sour spicy and a bargain as well.  

All of the items we have ordered on the menu so far have been very generously portioned and you should plan on taking home some carry-out if you order from the Family Style section of the menu. I'm notorious for indulging in too large portions and I still had to split our food ordered for two into three separate meal times.  So good.

The management and service here is fabulous.  Always attentive without excessive hovering.

The ambiance is lacking.  It's pretty sterile and instead of music there is a flat screen tv tuned to the news hanging in the far corner.  Perhaps some more wall art, live plants or softer lighting may perk things up a bit.

I look forward to returning to the Taipei Noodle Haus many many times and I hope that the neighborhood treats them well.

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