A Benedict to Remember at Olympic Provisions

Why has it taken me this long to have brunch at Olympic Provisions? I know I have told you about the SE location for dinner but now it is time to tell you about the NW location for brunch. One of my goals this year is to walk more...anywhere and everywhere. Sunday seems to be the easiest day for me to do this. I decided to head towards Industrial NW Portland and just happened to be passing Olympic Provisions. Coincidence they opened at the EXACT moment I walked by? I don't think so. Brunch was my destiny for the day. 

I was the first one in the restaurant but that didn't last long. The server was great, super helpful and offered great recommendations. She said all the Benedicts were great but specifically called out the traditional and the prime rib. Since it was my first time, I went for the traditional. HELLO...delicious. Honestly, my new favorite in Portland. The hollandaise sauce was flavorful but was not too rich. The ham was sweet with a little crisp and the eggs were poached to perfection. Oh and the potatoes...yeah, those are special. A layered potato situation made in an onion reduction...Chef's speciality. Similar to a gratin, with the layer potatoes, but just so much better. 

I think Olympic Provisions is a Portland staple and consistently I leave satisfied. Next time I am trying those chilaquiles...for sure. My server was kind enough to let me run back to the kitchen for a photo (my apologies to the patron waiting for their food...had to get the shot, duh.)

Also, a nice spot to visit solo because there is bar seating and seating near the window suitable for the "one top." It was a gloomy day so I don't have any beautiful views to report, but it was nice to have a window seat.

If you are feeling fancy after brunch, walk over to Steven Smith Tea for a yummy tea tasting too.

Olympic Provisions - Northwest

1632 NW Thurman Street

Portland, Oregon

503-894-8136 

open mon 11am - 3pm | tues- fri 11am - 10pm | sat & sun 10am brunch! 

Tillamook's BRUNCH VILLAGE at Feast Portland

It has officially been one week since Feast Portland's Tillamook Brunch Village and I think I am finally coming off the food high. This is the first year for Brunch Village and it was similar to the Grand Bounty Tasting...but better...because it was all centered around pastries, biscuits and morning cocktails. Portland puts a priority on their "brunching" so it is only fitting that there is a Feast event dedicated to this meal.

We started with Country Cat's bacon birch syrup cinnamon roll and what a way to start off the morning! I could have eaten two of these little pieces of heaven but knew it would be wise to save my stomach for another sweet treat. We wondered over to one of Stumptown's three stations and found cold brew on Nitro. Then, it was time for a Bloody Mary from Whole Foods and a grapefruit mimosa from the Bon Appétit Magazine tent. The Bloody Mar bar was insane...so many hot sauces and garnishes. Typically this is not my cocktail of choice, but with that spread, I had to make one!

Cream puffs on cream puffs at the Travel Oregon booth. Oh and the Eclairs were pretty tasty too.

Last, I finished with Pine State Biscuit's fried chicken sandwich was bacon and sweet apple butter. I have been craving a full size biscuit sandwich since I tried this sweet and savory sample.

The only item I feel I really missed out on was Los Angeles' Egg Slut's bacon kimchi rice with a poached egg and other goodness. They were poaching eggs on site...so impressive and the presentation looked incredible. Check out Union Wine Company's Instagram post and you will know what I am talking about.

I hope Feast Portland brings back Brunch Village next year because I am definitely attending again. In fact, I have already recruited a handful of foodies to join me!

For details on next year's Four Day Party for your Mouth, follow Feast Portland - @feastpdx and #feastpdx. 

See you next September 17th - 20th! 

Part 3 | Brunching in Vancouver, B.C.

Our brunch pick took us East of downtown Vancouver and I have to say, I hesitated as we drove away from the city. We were still determined to find the diner and at the very least, check it out. Once we reached The Red Wagon Cafe and saw the line outside, all hesitation went away. A long line of locals is a great sign! Funny how all the sudden MY brunch picked turned into Dylan's "great pick."
We had a short wait, probably because it was Monday. I imagine on the weekends there is a lot longer wait since the restaurant isn't very large. The staff was friendly as they bussed and seated people quickly.

The menu speciality is their pulled pork pancakes served with three buttermilk pancakes layered with pulled pork and JD-spiked maple syrup. Although I am a pulled pork lover, I did not order them because I had my eye on the sausage breakfast sandwich with two eggs, aged cheddar, tomato chutney, mayo, arugula, ciabatta and home fries.

Oh and then there were the chilaquiles...with added pork belly. Dylan's pick as per usual. Always a great choice and seriously, look at the size of that piece of pork belly.

                   

              

We enjoyed this casual diner and would love to check it out for dinner next time we find ourselves in Vancouver. Don't be fooled by the location and the lack of curb appeal because once you get inside, you won't be disappointed!  

The Red Wagon Restaurant

2296 East Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V5L 1V4

604.568.4565

open mon-tues 8am - 3pm | wed-fri 8am - 8pm | sat - sun 9am - 8pm

Date Night at Olympic Provisions

A few weeks ago, I was in the mood to try a Portland favorite - Olympic Provisions. Since this is a "meat" place, I knew it wouldn't take much to convince Dylan to go. We ended up having the perfect summer date night in SE Portland at the bar, overlooking the open kitchen.

We started with charcuterie, since this is their speciality. Olympic Provisions charcuterie is served in many Portland restaurants so we decided the Chef's selection of five meats was the way to go. Let the experts pick their favorites, right? We both loved the spice of the chorizo.The charcuterie board also came with some tasty pickled vegetables too. Did you know they have a Master Pickler? 

For dinner, I ordered something vegetarian, which I thought was funny. It was gnocchi with lemon, scallions and some other yummy flavors. The sauce was creamy and those little potato dumplings were cooked to perfection. Dylan had the braised beef short rib and it fell off the bone. This seems to be a staple on their menu but they change up the set depending on what sides are in season. 

The SE location is in an industrial area, but the inside of the building is comfortable and nice. It is an open concept with lots of windows and high ceilings. There were couples, families and larger parties dining. Even a classy looking group of men for a bachelor party. :)

There are two Olympic Provision locations, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. They describe the locations "as siblings, sharing the same lineage but each has their own identity." I just love that.



Our next visit will probably be for brunch at the NW location because we have heard it is just as lovely in the mornings as it is in the evening. Of course, if you can't make it to a restaurant, Olympic Provisions sells their goodness in many local stores - Whole Foods, New Season and Fred Meyer.

Olympic Provisions (Southeast)

107 SE Washington Street

Portland, Oregon

503.894.8136

Olympic Provisions (Northwest)

1632 NW Thurman Street

Portland, Oregon

503.954.3663

open lunch, midday and dinner | saturday & sunday brunch | see hours online

Chowing down in Bend

We joined the crowds and headed to Central Oregon for some Memorial Day Weekend fun in Bend. The great thing about my parents having an RV is the ability to take impromptu trips and this was definitely one of them. It was just four of us this time - my mom, dad, brother and me. 

Bend has grown into really fun town with lots of outdoor activities, restaurants and our family's favorite...breweries. We had every intent to participate in the full Ale Trail but opted to only visit about half them, including 10 Barrel Brewing, Worthy Brewing, Crux Fermentation Project and Good Life Brewing. 

After a weekend of drinking, we decided to soak up the beer by trying a popular brunch spot before the ride home. Chow prides themselves on their simple approach to food by sourcing products locally and practicing sustainability whenever they can. This eclectic converted-house has ample outdoor seating and a small outdoor garden. 

We waited outside with the Sunday brunch crowd but stopped by Backporch Coffee Roasters for lattes and americanos. When it was time to order, we started with a Pumpkin & Ginger Pancake to share and followed with our own entrées. I went with the obvious choice - Eggs Benedict. It was their daily special with pork, blue cheese hollandaise sauce served over brioche. Also, the Chicken Fried Steak exceeded expectation and I was pleasantly surprised at their version with caramelized onions and mushrooms. 

If you find yourself in Bend this summer, stop in at 10 Barrel for a pint of their seasonal sour beer and walk over to Chow for lunch. 

Chow 

1100 NW Newport Ave

Bend Oregon 97701

541.728.0256

open 7 days a week | 7am - close 

Tapas at Ataula

It was my month to select the restaurant for the Supper Club and I went for tapas! I love tapas and family-style dining because you can try so many different dishes. Ataula may not be the best place to go starving because the small plate prices add up quickly, but, sort of the nature of tapas. None the less, it was delicious and I would go back in a second!

We tried several dishes, including the potatoes bravas which required intensive prep time. Our server told us all about the hours of prep it takes for these beautiful little fried potatoes and I devoured them in less than a minute. Of course I loved them, but wished they were topped with an egg like many other tapas places do. The paella was also tasty and the largest dish we had that evening. They offer a couple different varieties of paella and we went for the most traditional.

Last, we ended with dessert, which I don’t always order at restaurants. It is not because I don’t LOVE dessert, I am usually just way to full. There were donuts on this menu, so naturally, I looked to my friends and asked if they wanted to share. THANK HEAVENS we did because it came with FOUR donuts. I was thinking it was going to be these little beignets, one-bite guys and no, we got four wonderful cinnamon and sugar donuts.

Overall the service was great and the food was creative and delicious. Ataula offers all kinds of specials so I know if we go back again, there will be something new to try. I wish I could carry on about the cocktails but my I.D. was M.I.A so no drinks for me.  I swear, I am never carded until the time I DON’T have my license. Figures.

Ataula is located on NW 23^rd PLACE, which is not actually on NW 23^rd Avenue but tucked back off of Thurman Street. 

Check it out for yourself...and please, let me know how the cocktails are! 

Ataula

1818 NW 23rd Pl

Portland, OR 97210

503.894.8904

dinner tuesday - sunday 4:30pm - 10pm | sunday brunch 10am - 2pm 

Sunday Brunch at Xico

The holidays = eating my way through Portland. Lots of new restaurants to report! One of my new favorite Mexican brunch spots is Xico off SE Division. Watch out Verde Cocina...you have some competition! Each restaurant's menus are very different and you can't go wrong with either, but back to Xico. I tried a new dish and was not disappointed. My favorite savory breakfast dish is probably eggs benedict and the Sopes Floretine was their version, made with masa cakes and a chile lime hollandaise. Ahhh, so good. I would have substituted my potatoes for another masa cake. 

Of course, there are traditional mexican dishes like Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles, which also can't be beat. The Pork Belly Carnitas Hash looked tasty so that might be my choice for next time. The menu also featured some traditional cocktails like a Hot Horchata and the Bloody Maria. What's a Bloody Maria? It is made with tequila instead of vodka...a staple in a Mexican brunch place. It is a little spicy, so beware.

I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant and it was very quiet at 10:00am when we arrived. I think most Portlanders get a later brunch start on Sundays so it worked out great for us. The good news is they take reservations so if you want to plan ahead, there is the option to do so.

Great place for vegetarian options, but just be sure you communicate to your server so there is no confusion. There was a slight mix-up with one of our meals (cowboy beans have bacon) so our server surprised us with a piece of tres leche cake with a mole spice whipped cream.  It was a nice gesture and we enjoyed the traditional Mexican dessert. 

I had a great time with my girlfriends so I am sure we will be back. It is a small restaurant but extremely comfortable with cozy bench seats and bright colors. We couldn't have picked a better place for our annual holiday brunch!

Xico 

3715 SE Division Street

Portland, OR 97202

503.548.6343

open 7 days a week for dinner | lunch wed-sat 11:30am - 2pm | sunday brunch 9am - 2pm