Kevin and I spent the past few days on an extended weekend trip to Portland, Oregon. Happily, the city easily lived up to its reputation as a great place for food and drink!
We started the weekend with dinner and drinks at BridgePort Brewpub + Bakery, part of BridgePort Brewing Company - "Oregon's Oldest Craft Brewery". Thanks to extensive renovations in 2005-2006, the brewery now has a great modern-historic feel, much in line with its neighbors in Portland's celebrated Pearl District. Taking a seat in the exposed brick-meets-soaring iron second floor, we happily enjoyed housemade pretzels + beer spreads (ESB mustard + Black Strap Stout white cheddar spread), famished after our near cross-country journey. Of course, we also tried the beer! The IPA was floral and hoppy, without being overly bitter, and the ESB was rich, roasty, and slightly bitter itself. On the menu? Grilled Ancho Chili Rubbed Cascade Natural Hanger steak - served with sweet potato fries, chili bourbon sauce, watercress-jicama salad, and chipotle ketchup. http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/
Saturday night we were lucky enough to secure a late reservation at Andina Restaurant, also in the Pearl District. The family-owned restaurant, on the corner of 13th and Glisan, offers a kind of Peruvian-fusion fare. Not familiar with Peruvian dining? Never mind that - just consider it delicious. Our Andina dinner was so good, I couldn't stop eating until I felt like I was going to burst, and then ordered dessert (Tamarind ice cream) anyway! Our meal began with bread and three salsas, including a jalapeno mint salsa reminiscent of pesto. Then came the entrees - Pollito al Pisco con Toques Chorrillanos (Pisco-brined Draper Valley chicken, roasted to order with Peruvian peppers, tomato and chickpeas, accompanied by crispy quinoa-coated potato croquettes and a corn purée) for Kevin and a Panko-crusted Chilean Sea Bass with pecan-pesto pasta beneath, and a fried egg on top, for me. Beautiful. With its excellent food and glowing atmosphere, complete with live musicians strumming in the background, Andina was well worth the wait. http://www.andinarestaurant.com/
On Sunday afternoon, a last minute cancellation afforded us a spot at the table for brunch at Beast, on the northeast side of the city. The funky French-themed spot truly is an adventure in eating. Seating is family-style around two large tables, though courses are served plated. The menu is set, based on local and seasonal availability. But if you are feeling deterred by those two details, don't be. Anyone who loves food will feel right at home at a table with the like-minded clientele, and even the picky eaters can't deny the pure heaven of a meal at Beast. The food is French-inspired, but accessible and local. The atmosphere? Traditional and irreverant all in one. The open kitchen and chalkboard-painted quote-covered wall will make you feel right at home, but this food isn't home cooking (unless your mother is a very accomplished chef). The menu for our brunch included:
Brioche & Baguette Bread Pudding
Maple Bourbon Hard Sauce
Hazelnuts & Candied Bacon
Soft Whipped Cream
~'Tails and Trotters' Pork Hash~
Market Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts & Yams,
Poached Farm Egg & Traditional Hollandaise
Selection of Steve's Cheese
'Gathering Together' Winter Green Salad
Poached Apricots & Figs
La Bette Noir
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Calvados Creme Anglaise
I'd love to say which was the best course, but that would be impossible. Even the less adventurous among us found the Bread Pudding divine, the Pork Hash delectable, the Poached Apricots delicious, and the Chocolate Truffle Cake decadent. This was easily the best meal that I have had in a very, very long time, if not ever. The best part - brunch was only $28 a plate. What a steal! If you are in Portland, be sure to get yourself a reservation at Beast. http://beastpdx.com/
We started the weekend with dinner and drinks at BridgePort Brewpub + Bakery, part of BridgePort Brewing Company - "Oregon's Oldest Craft Brewery". Thanks to extensive renovations in 2005-2006, the brewery now has a great modern-historic feel, much in line with its neighbors in Portland's celebrated Pearl District. Taking a seat in the exposed brick-meets-soaring iron second floor, we happily enjoyed housemade pretzels + beer spreads (ESB mustard + Black Strap Stout white cheddar spread), famished after our near cross-country journey. Of course, we also tried the beer! The IPA was floral and hoppy, without being overly bitter, and the ESB was rich, roasty, and slightly bitter itself. On the menu? Grilled Ancho Chili Rubbed Cascade Natural Hanger steak - served with sweet potato fries, chili bourbon sauce, watercress-jicama salad, and chipotle ketchup. http://www.bridgeportbrew.com/
Saturday night we were lucky enough to secure a late reservation at Andina Restaurant, also in the Pearl District. The family-owned restaurant, on the corner of 13th and Glisan, offers a kind of Peruvian-fusion fare. Not familiar with Peruvian dining? Never mind that - just consider it delicious. Our Andina dinner was so good, I couldn't stop eating until I felt like I was going to burst, and then ordered dessert (Tamarind ice cream) anyway! Our meal began with bread and three salsas, including a jalapeno mint salsa reminiscent of pesto. Then came the entrees - Pollito al Pisco con Toques Chorrillanos (Pisco-brined Draper Valley chicken, roasted to order with Peruvian peppers, tomato and chickpeas, accompanied by crispy quinoa-coated potato croquettes and a corn purée) for Kevin and a Panko-crusted Chilean Sea Bass with pecan-pesto pasta beneath, and a fried egg on top, for me. Beautiful. With its excellent food and glowing atmosphere, complete with live musicians strumming in the background, Andina was well worth the wait. http://www.andinarestaurant.com/On Sunday afternoon, a last minute cancellation afforded us a spot at the table for brunch at Beast, on the northeast side of the city. The funky French-themed spot truly is an adventure in eating. Seating is family-style around two large tables, though courses are served plated. The menu is set, based on local and seasonal availability. But if you are feeling deterred by those two details, don't be. Anyone who loves food will feel right at home at a table with the like-minded clientele, and even the picky eaters can't deny the pure heaven of a meal at Beast. The food is French-inspired, but accessible and local. The atmosphere? Traditional and irreverant all in one. The open kitchen and chalkboard-painted quote-covered wall will make you feel right at home, but this food isn't home cooking (unless your mother is a very accomplished chef). The menu for our brunch included:
Brioche & Baguette Bread Pudding
Maple Bourbon Hard Sauce
Hazelnuts & Candied Bacon
Soft Whipped Cream
~'Tails and Trotters' Pork Hash~
Market Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts & Yams,
Poached Farm Egg & Traditional Hollandaise
Selection of Steve's Cheese
'Gathering Together' Winter Green Salad
Poached Apricots & Figs
La Bette Noir
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Calvados Creme Anglaise
I'd love to say which was the best course, but that would be impossible. Even the less adventurous among us found the Bread Pudding divine, the Pork Hash delectable, the Poached Apricots delicious, and the Chocolate Truffle Cake decadent. This was easily the best meal that I have had in a very, very long time, if not ever. The best part - brunch was only $28 a plate. What a steal! If you are in Portland, be sure to get yourself a reservation at Beast. http://beastpdx.com/
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