The Joys of January ( I stole that title from my daughter)

     I was going to title this blog entry BiGMoUtH Leftovers as it is a little bit of a photo-dump from a month of weekend eating/drinking/dinking around and because I've used that title before.  This morning I saw a little photo-dump my daughter had posted titled "January Joys".  I found it a fitting descriptor.  

     The weather here in Oregon this January has been pretty darn glorious by PNW standards and I have been taking full advantage by eating out, outside, as much as possible.  Not so great for my figure or my wallet but oh so good for my tummy and my spirits.  This month K and I visited the Gorge,  the lovely town of Astoria and some friends at a food cart pod down in Oregon City. 

 Now I have probably told you this before but it bears repeating: One of the most delicious places to visit in the Columbia Gorge has got to be Brigham Fish Market in Cascade Locks.  I cannot praise these people (two sisters), their market, their menu, all of it, can't praise it enough.   Of course I love my lunch with a view and the view from Brigham's picnic area makes it one of my true happy places. The food though.  Whether you get the Halibut, the Salmon or the Sturgeon (when available), the fish and chips are the way to go here but honestly, I haven't found a miss on this menu full of hits.  This time around we over-ordered a Halibut Po'Boy (pictured) and the Smoked Salmon Quesadilla which for some reason I have to order EVERY SINGLE TIME we go here.  Hence the over-ordering.  I know that I want to try everything on the menu but when you get a cheesy, smoky delicious 'dilla like the one here, it's hard to not order one every single time.  Afterwards you can go for a hike in the lovely Columbia River Gorge.  Any one of the gorgeous waterfall hikes will help burn the calories you consumed over-ordering. Or do like I do and take the hike beforehand so you get good and hungry because the portions here are generous and the food is fresh, rich and delicious.

     This past weekend K and I woke up and upon seeing the blue sky outside our window almost simultaneously announced we needed to head to the coast. Oh, but where?  So many delightful choices.  We decided upon  Astoria.  I love Astoria for so many reasons.  Just it's placement between mountain and river and sea is enchanting.  I am inexplicably drawn to the mix of industry and ocean, man vs. nature.  I don't know.  It is something I struggle to explain with words but feel in my heart every time we go there.  The last couple of times we visited I was disheartened by the number of vacant storefronts and I missed the bustle the pandemic ripped from the heart of this little town but she appears to be fairing better these days and I was all too happy to be there.  

Now some time ago (Leftovers, 2013) I had visited the Wet Dog Cafe.  I have since visited this taproom several times after it's changeover to The Astoria Brewing Company (although many still refer to it as the Wet Dog).  The food here is slightly better than standard Pub fare.  Nothing too fancy but it really hits all the right spots when you are walking around in the Pier 11 area.  I've had burgers here and tacos and Mac and Cheese (yes, please).  This time around K and I decided to split the Hazelnut/ Blue Cheese salad with crispy chicken and an order of the absolutely fabulous Golden Rye Ale Cheesy Beer Fondue with pita and apples. The salad was fresh and yummy but let me tell you about the chicken on top.  It was more like a Schnitzel than fried chicken strips and I approve.  Also, my favorite way to enjoy the fondue was to take a pita and place a slice of apple in it.  Fold it over like a little sandwich and then scooop it through the cheese.  This is one place where the amount of fondue meets the amount of dippers for the win.  And we ordered beer flights because I had forgotten which beer here was my favorite.  Isn't that why anyone orders a full flight?  I'm going to go into each of the beers and their very unique attributes in a later post dedicated to Astoria Brewing but for right now I will tell you my favorite was the Volksweissen Ale which is a 5.4abv wheat.  It had that perfect banana-y front that was smooth with a slight refreshing bite. I'm usually a girl for  the darker beers but my first true love was hefeweizens and this ale was Germanic deliciousness. 

     This pandemic has really made getting together with people I love challenging.  Besides the outrageous amount of head games I play with myself, sometimes finding a place where we can sit together, comfortably, safely, outside (preferably) can be a task.  Food cart pavilions seem to be our best bet with these circumstances.  There is also the bonus of a fairly good variety of food if you choose the right pod.  This past month we chose Corner 14.  This is a fun place.  I've never been here before, mostly because it is a trek but I would say now a trip worth taking.  There is a lively tap room with brews, wine and spirits, axe-throwing ( I have yet to try this but I tell you, I will) and 12 food carts surrounding a wide covered patio with a fire pit.  Now, the day we went, the firepit and the associated tables were coveted spots but we still found a nice table catching some elusive winter sun.  It was chilly enough that I was not interested in beer but ordered a Tuaca Hot Apple Pie.  I love Hot Apple Pies.  I would order them at the Gold Spike Saloon when I worked up in Denali, Alaska.  They are comforting, and tasty and warm, which is key.  So here I was huddled at a picnic table on a day that was easily only in the 30s but my heart was warm because I was with friends and I was enjoying a delightfully warm beverage. Still seeking comfort and of course some more deliciousness, K and I perused the cart menus before landing at Maw Maw's Cajun Kitchen.  I am a huge fan of all things Cajun and so this was an easy choice even with so much good stuff to choose from.  I had the Crawfish Etouffee and K had the Red Beans and Rice and both were out of this world.  So good, I'll probably drive down there and pick some up the week before Mardi Gras if K doesn't cook up some of his own.  And the hush puppies?  Ohmergoodness.  Couldn't keep them on the table (hungry friends).  Get at least the 6 pack because you'll want to be a hero and share.  It will be hard to head back down to this pod and not order at Maw Maw's but all of the carts had severely tempting menus and I am hoping to try them all.  It is my new quest.  

I'm Baaaack! Well, at least I thought I'd try...

 I stopped writing in this blog format close to 6 years ago.  I don't know why.  I guess it was faster, quicker, easier to just do what everyone else was doing and post my quick pic of food and drink and fun on the 'gram.  I stopped taking the time and energy to find the right words to describe my joy and just focused on the insta-joy.  I felt pangs of self-doubt and discouragement.  I compared my work to professionals and figured 'why bother?'.  I'm supposing it just wasn't fun anymore but that's not really true.  I loved writing.  I loved drinking. I loved eating.  I loved writing about what I was eating and drinking.  I didn't get paid for blogging.  I don't have aspirations of becoming America's darling food critic like I did back in my 20's.  That was when I would type out reviews and send them in to various local  news outlets hoping to catch the publisher's eye. The most I received from my Blogger writing days was the occasional extra pour or tickets to a beer fest and it was so worth it. Because I loved it.  And I think I'm going to try doing it some more.  Writing conventions, rules of grammar and Covid 19 be damned.  I just want to sit down and type out some praise and some prose and share with whoever is bored enough to take a few minutes and read about what makes me happy.  Which is what I think might make them happy.  Which is really what makes me happiest.  

Let's start with Breakfast.  I'm getting older and the hustle and bustle of the Brunchtime crowd in Portland has lost it's allure for me.  Plus...Covid...I'm not looking to jump into a super-spreader event but I do still like to go to restaurants that are still open (sadly, so many have closed these past couple of years).  In my heart I had planned a day of gluttony and food hopping.  In touch with reality, I chose to simply have breakfast at a locally famous diner and get there at the crack of dawn in an effort to avoid any crowds.  K and I perused menus and decided on Milo's City Cafe.  We had never been there and the thought of some delicious brunchy food and an outstanding build your own Bloody Mary sealed the deal.  

We arrived at  Milo's City Cafe moments after opening at 8:00ish which on the plus side pretty much gave us the place to ourselves and thwarted potential 'rona exposure but also thwarted some of our build your own Bloody plans.  As our very kind server gently explained, the kitchen wasn't quite ready for the day and so many of the options for the BYOBM were not available.  Regardless she poured us a fabulous drink and grabbed some bacon from the kitchen to zhuzh it up for us.  I ordered my drink with mild spice as I am wary/weary of not being able to finish a too spicy Bloody and this one came out perfect. She made me one with just enough spice to keep it real but not so much to cover the flavor of the vegis and vodka.  

The deliciousness of the Bloody Mary helped soften the blow when I ordered a Crab Benedict but found out that they were out of crab...ok...this is not a new unexpected occurrence.  It's not even one that is synonymous with Covid and our present supply chain issues.  Dungeness Crab is enormously popular and gets 86ed from server boards all the time, everywhere.  I can handle this...OK.  I'll have the Salmon Benedict and K will have the Chicken and Waffles.   

The Chicken and Waffles were good, maybe better than good. I'd even say delightful.  Topped with a crispy leek frizzle and served with whipped butter and a super yummy maple reduction (also known as syrup), the Belgian waffle was standard fare and the herb encrusted chicken fingers on top were  crispy, juicy, herby goodness.  I may have enjoyed them more than K did. 

I may have enjoyed his Chicken and Waffle more than I enjoyed my own choice of Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict.  *Heavy Sigh* Let me just start off by saying that nothing kills my EB vibe faster than a weak English Muffin.  The muffin for an Eggs Benedict should be toasted.  Crispy.  Not burnt, but at least crispy. The muffin is the base of a structure that holds all of that gooey, eggy, creamy deliciousness together. It should be crisp. I'm not sure my muffin saw the toaster.  That being said the top of my SSEB was all that and more.  Lemony, creamy hollandaise poured over a perfectly poached eggs cradled gently by some fairly decent alder smoked salmon.  It had all the right components in all the right places.  It was salty, it was sweet, it was creamy and rich.  It was all sitting on top of a cold, un-toasted english muffin.  

Now, I'm not going to write off  Milo's based on my english muffin experience.  I know that as I grow older I grow more particular about how certain things should or should not be and I have learned to leave space for providing grace in situations that may be less than ideal.  It may be a while before I get around to Milo's again because, well, Covid.  We just don't get out that much anymore and I like to spread the wealth, so to speak.  

But I'm still planning on getting out.  I'm still planning on eating and drinking and sharing my thoughts.  So there, even from behind a mask, this BiGMoUtH is getting back to it. 

Since Day One...Grixsen

In the bare bones beginning

Way back in February, President's Day Weekend to be exact, we celebrated Oregon Craft Beer by attending Zwickelmania.  We attend every year.  It isn't something we want to miss, even though it is growing in popularity and crowds year by year.  It is a genuinely good time mostly because each year we attempt to mix it up and find something new.  It is far too easy to re-visit our favorites year after year and sample their newest brews, I have only love for the brewers, pubs and tasting rooms that participate in this event.

This year was no different and we found a brand spanky new brewery.  When I say new, I mean newer than new.  It hadn't even opened yet.  We were excited by the prospect of new flavors and even more impressed with the fledgling brew staff. Then we had the beer.  All darks, all delicious. You know how I feel about a Stout.  And their Saison?  Incredible.

And so we waited.  A while.  Longer than we wanted to.  It could not have been easy for the owners, all still working their day jobs, to pull this all together.  But they did. Piece by piece.  Keg by keg.  Thank heaven for perseverance.

We have been back a few times since Grixsen opened in April.  The beer has always been delicious.  The bartender, be it an owner or an employee, always gracious.  It has been exciting to see the changes as the tap room and the brewery itself grows.  The decor is handsome.  Clean. Inviting. Fun. There is a pool table, darts, flat screens and Timbers' games.  The only thing missing was food.  There was always pretzels or popcorn on the bar, but I would be more inclined to hang out if there was more.  There was a food cart that saddled up along side them some evenings, but K and I always seemed to miss it.

The wait is almost over.  The lovely folks at Grixsen are developing a menu and it is something to get excited about.  German picnic food.  There really isn't a more proper food pairing for the Grixsen brand of brew.  These beers are deep with flavor and body.  The small sample of the trial menu holds up and more so.  It is luscious.  Savory sausages, pickled vegetables, and a spatzle that will have you switching over from Mac and Cheese with ease.

I especially enjoyed the cheesy spatzle, dolloped with apple butter and a fresh sprig of young dill. It was sweet. It was savory. It was spicy yet herbal. I paired it with the Kolsch because it's still warm outside and I felt this was the perfect version of Winter Fare to be enjoyed in late summer.

The sausages were tasty and hit the spot but I wonder why they are not from one of our top notch local sausage makers.

Before our food came out the chef brought out a sample dumpling she wanted us to try.  Golden beet and goat cheese.  I can only say, I pray this makes the cut for the final menu.  This dumpling was a tease of the deliciousness to come and it was heavenly.

I will be headed back soon to try out the rest of the menu.  Keep it up, Grixsen.  

Getting there!

                                                                                                     

Leftovers: Mid year edition 2016 or why do I procrastinate so much?

I last posted about my wonderful spring break adventures in March.  Now, my summer break is winding down and I've yet to post about 4 months worth of delicious.  I've done you a disservice. Disculpo.

You'll pardon if I resort to my old standby in the BiGMoUtH blog known as Leftovers.  Basically, I upload all of my pictures from my phone and camera, sort through and if I remember when and where and why I took a picture, it makes it to the page.  That is some major scrutiny so trust me when I tell you that this is some good stuff.  

Reaching back to the beginning of the year, I returned to the People's Pig and actually took a picture of my feast before I plowed in. The lighting isn't the best and neither is my patience when I am sitting in front of the Smoked Fried Chicken plate with Greens and Jo Jos (which I can no longer find on the menu).  This is the most uniquely flavored fried chicken I've ever tried, really.  The smokiness under the perfectly crisp fried batter is what takes it over the top.  The delightful People's Mules (Monopalowa Vodka, Lime, House Ginger Syrup, Soda Water) served authentically in copper cups only enhanced the warm fuzzy feelings this meal provided.  The greens are good, mine are better.  The jojos were delicious and one of the better side options so I hope they're not gone for good.  This chicken is one of those items that you want to order every time you visit the place.  It's hard to break away from something this good. 

Another place we visited earlier in the spring was Newport, Oregon's Ocean Bleu at Gino's.  Nothing new here, same old perfection on a plate.  I ordered the fresh from the ocean that morning rockfish and chips.  I can't even explain without crying.  I love this place and everything about it.  This time around I did dive into my food before I could take a picture and so I leave you with some pretty pictures from the comfy fun dining room and sweet hide-away patio. Someday, I'll actually have to write them a legit review. After all, this is a family who shops locally, supports their local industry, processes their fresh fish on site and even participates in some of the fishing themselves.  Talk about a serious farm to table movement.  

This next place is new to me and I get a bit giddy thinking about them.  They are Donut Byte Labs and they are a food cart  at SW 4th and Burnside.  These little baby donuts are just enough.  Just enough sweet, just enough savory, just enough soft doughyness, just enough delightful crisp.  I cannot quite grasp why people will stand in a humongous line at the pink box place two streets over when this little cart is pumping out these little flavor bombs.  They have passed my favorite three picks for best doughnut in Portland and have rolled themselves to the top for flavor alone. My favorite?  So hard!  OK, please try the Milk and Honey, it is heaven on earth.  Just so you know, I still have tremendous love for Joe's in Sandy, Pip's Original, and Annie's on Sandy Blvd.   

I'm not always out and about eating and drinking, I do plenty of that stuff at home too.  I mean with  someone like K whipping out baby Beef Wellingtons and Bacon and Eggs for days, I consider myself pretty spoiled.  

I enjoy the familiar as much as I love trying something new.  Sometimes, it's a little bit of both.  Headed back to the Portland Mercado, we discovered the newly opened Que' Bola!  Pretty much anything from the carts or vendors at the Mercado can be certified delicious but I was really excited to try the Cuban comfort food served up by Jose Perez and family.  It did not disappoint.  K went straight for the Cubano sandwich with a side of gooey crisp sweet fried plantains. My favorite.  I was looking for the savory sour of Cuban Picadillo.  Delicious green olives and golden raisins pack the sweet and sour punch required for this chopped meat dish.  With a side salad and white rice it is a sizable meal;  I could've shared but I didn't.  Served with a smile, I will definitely be returning to Que' Bola! to check out the other items on the menu at this delightful Mercado addition.   

 

Thank you for your patience while I cleaned out my phone and photos to bring you today's blog. It was stuffed with pictures from our family trip to Kauai.

Mahalo!

Leftovers 2015: Time to Ketchup...

Oh my, sometimes I crack myself up.  Funny stuff.  Not funny stuff?  Looking back at my blog and seeing my last post was in April of 2015 and then looking at my camera and seeing pictures of food that I truly meant to share with you.  Best laid plans and all that.  Here's to actually writing about more of the places and I'm eating and drinking at.  Sláinte.

 Always looking for control and order in my life before I just totally give in to the universe and loose all control, I make New Year's resolutions to eat at home more and eat more healthfully.  That's when I generally whip out these great one pan meals like greens, beets and sausages.  Seriously, it was good but then again, this was January.





February brings one of my favorite holidays of the year, President's Day.  The Saturday of President's Day weekend to be precise: Zwickelmania. Brought to us by the Oregon Craft Beer people, this day brings food, fabulous fun and tasters of fine brew all gratis.  It was this past year that I re-acquainted myself with my favorite stout, Base Camp S'More Stout.  Served complete with a toasted marshmallow on the rim.  Deeelicious!



It was while waiting to head over to another OCB event, the Malt Ball, that K and I discovered Martinotti's Italian Deli.  The most delightful cappuccinos I've ever had.  Sadly, this lovely little world market has closed. It only took me 30-some years to find.  Cannoli just like Mrs Davi used to make and a Tiramisu from heaven.  You may or may not know that Tiramisu is one of the only kinds of "cake" that I actually enjoy.  Tres Leches being my first.

 While we were packing for our trip to Austin, we treated ourselves to a Portland Monthly Dining Out deal and tried out Autentica and although we found the Ceviche Pescado and the Barbacoa delicious and the drink menu amazing, it was a little over-priced.  Let's just say, I would go here again, with a coupon.

 May brought back Farmer's Markets and as soon as the Beaverton Farmer's Market opened we headed over to Money Bowl for some savory sweet hot Rice Noodle Bowls.  Just the thing on a chilly May morning.

 Other discoveries for K and I in 2015 included The Local Cow in Gresham where you will find Rosemary, Garlic, Truffle Oil, Parmesan Fries.  A delightful surprise.  The Burgers here rank up with the best in Portland. Period.

 And tucked away, in a tiny little mini-strip mall we found a wonderful Thai food place.  Truly a hidden jewel.  Sa Bai.  The Tom Yum soup was fragrant, hot and sweet.  Divine comfort food and comfortable prices. Really looking forward to returning here, feeling awful that we haven't as of yet.

For the first time ever, in my life, we ate OUT for Thanksgiving Day.  I couldn't believe it but it was a pretty fabulous experience.  There is nothing like a Mai Tai flight at Trader Vic's to let you know the holiday season has officially begun.

I know I've already told you about the Portland Mercado ( My new Happy Place) but we went back, of course, more than a few times and each time we try something different.  The thing is, there is so much good stuff here, you can!  Always delicious, always a treat.  You need to try the Tlayudas at Tierra Del Sol.  Feast!

2015 will go down in history as the year we discovered Pip's Donuts!  Ohmygawd! You haven't been to Pip's? Who can honestly resist these little balls of goodness?  Crispy, creamy, salty, sweet.  Umami for a breakfast treat!  

And then there is the Mama Leo's in the Roseway neighborhood.  Colombian/Venezuelan/Caribbean cuisine served with simple style.  Don't let the term Gluten free scare you from this dining room, embrace it!  Be careful not to fill up on Patacones before dinner and be sure to order coconut rice with your meal.

Alas, I have no pictures of my food from The People's Pig.  I dove into faster than my voyeuristic tendency could pop up and remind me to pull out my camera and it was really dark in there so the pictures I did take didn't do the flavors justice.  This is some good stuff.  Not your traditional bbq so I won't bother to compare it to other's but it has it's own unique style and menu to delight.  Must Have: The Chicken.  The smoked then deep fried chicken is outrageous.  I would like to try it on a waffle but the sandwich does it fine justice, especially with the jalapeno jelly.  Crunchy, juicy, spicy.  Grab the napkins.  Must Avoid: the coleslaw.  Go with greens (although mine are better) and the corn bread or the dilly potato salad, if you must.  Why do I have such a hard time with sides at BBQ places?  I'll need to explore that more.

So, as you can see, we bounced around a lot in 2015 but I didn't really share the way I should and so I start 2016 with a new resolve and a few new quests ( I still haven't found my quintessential Monte Cristo). I'm getting excited for the festivals to begin again.  First up, ChocolateFest January 22nd.  After all, if I'm going to use the nom de plume BiGMoUth, I'd better act like it.

Leftovers: Ringing in 2015 with a quick glance back at 2014

As a consummate procrastinator, the Leftovers portion of this blog brings me a sense of accomplishment in a backhanded way. Like sweeping dust-bunnies out from under the bed or finally filing a year's worth of receipts and check stubs; I love the practice of scrolling through old picture files and finding the ones that never made it to the page.  This year there are many.  I haven't posted since July.  It may or may not have taken me this long to recover from the Oregon Brewfest.

And so I dive into my favorite food to boost my mood and make me feel better whether my ailment is of the body, mind or soul.  

Wonton Soup from Taipei Noodle Haus is my go-to gotta-have-it when I'm feeling low and need a boost.  Or the Chinese Style Beef Noodle Soup for when I'm cold and need to warm my bones or the the Seafood Noodle Soup for when I'm feeling adventurous. The food here is pretty good.  I avoid some of the "standard" take out fare because it is pretty standard BUT the noodles and soups are out of this world fresh and delicious.

Talking about delicious Chinese food reminds me: The Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland offers 9 days of free admission with the donation of canned food for the Oregon Food Bank. K and I usually take advantage of this by going in early and enjoying tea and moon-cakes.  It is one of my favorite New Year traditions.

Last January, K and I also took a trip to Newport, Oregon and had lunch at the always delicious Ocean Bleu @ Gino's.
I can't resist the Razor Clams served with wild rice and sauteed vegis but the Rockfish fish and Chips make the choice a difficult one.  Luckily K ordered them and was willing to share along with an order of hush puppies.  Rolled out of there stuffed and happy I hadn't made any New Year's resolutions to diet.

Random Order Coffee House

Beer Tasting Party 

 The spring held all kinds of spectacular traditions including the Chocolate Fest and Wine and Seafood Festival but some of the best times I had eating and drinking were spent with K and a handful of excellent people.  Beer and burgers, Pie and Cocktails; all made several appearances on my dance card this year.

Mt Hood Brewing's version of Poutine

Mt Hood Brewing Sampler

Slowburger Mushroom Swiss

 Quick trips around town this summer led to some super yummy and indulgent behavior like a dessert bigger than lunch at Honey Toast.

I finally found a Monte Cristo!!  My favorite sandwich from childhood (is is any wonder?) has come back to me in the form of brunch at the Country Cat! The last time I was able to enjoy this sandwich was in the Blue Bayou at Disneyland.  Quite a spendy excursion but oh so worth it to this little fat girl.  This one at Country Cat is reasonably priced and quite delicious but still... as 2013 was the quest of Biscuits and Gravy tdf (to die for) and as 2014 was the quest of the Chicken and Waffle, so 2015 shall be the quest for the perfect Monte Cristo!

Delicious treats from Lanvin French Bakery.  

I have some delicious memories from 2014 and I'm going to use them to inspire me to reach out and make some new and exciting changes and choices in 2015.  I want to mix it up.  A little bit like the Lanvin French Bakery that also puts out a delicious Banh Mi.

I've been writing about the same festivals and fairs for a few years now and although I still love love love them, it is time for some fresh tastes.  Of course that won't prevent me from attending my old favorites like NAOBF or OBF, I'm just saying I may or may not write about them.  Woman's prerogative and all that. Right now, I think I'm going to go get more of this soup.

WonTon Soup from Taipei Noodle Haus (Portland)