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! 

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

I have been Tilting it Up.

It is always fun when I find a Portland restaurant that my boyfriend craves more than me. He can't get enough of it and there is no arguing I love it too. Tilt isn't a new restaurant in Portland but they have a newer location in the Pearl District. Our first stop was back in December and I think we have indulged four or five times since. It is just like they say...food built for the American Workforce.

via tiltitup.com

They are known for their massive burgers, biscuits and pie. The neat part about the Pearl District location is the bar side with beer and craft cocktails Personally, I can't get enough of their breakfast sandwiches on the house made biscuits with a side of bacon, cheddar tots. Yes...bacon and cheddar with fried potato. No, do not come here for healthy eats because temptation will get the best of you. It is made to order and served hot!

Other tasty dishes are the The Big Tilt, Mad Andy and the Tilted House Fries. You can seriously have gravy on anything you want. Next time I am not walking out of there without ordering a cinnamon roll covered in gooey goodness. It is huge and requires a partner to share it with but it will happen.

                

Even if you aren't hungry but looking for a fun, casual atmosphere, I would recommend Tilt Bar for drinks. It is an upbeat atmosphere and great for watching a game, socializing or playing ping pong if the table is open.

Check out either location at Swan Island or in the Pearl District and COME HUNGRY!

TILT

1355 NW Everett

Portland, Oregon 97209

503.894.9528

3449 N. Anchor St. Suite 200

Portland, Oregon 97217

503.285.8458

check their Web site for hours at each location | happy hour daily 3 - 6pm at all locations 

Yup...still, the best weekend ever.

The festivities continued.

First off, we pitched a tent in REI this weekend...so that was fun.

Friday was a great day for food, friends and a rooftop. Two of my friends hosted a potluck barbecue on their apartment's rooftop and it was a lovely evening for it. Kelsey featured a yummy barbecue chicken with homemade sauce and I loved the flavors! Check out the recipe on her blog.

a candid gem of the ladies on the rooftop

Saturday, we made our way over to the Oregon Brewers Festival. Yes...Saturday...at 4pm. This is quite possibly the worst time to go to a beer festival if you are actually trying to TASTE beers. It is hot, loud and busy with long lines. If you want to taste beers (1 token = taster, 4 tokens = a full beer), then I suggest visiting the festival on Wednesday, Thursday or early on Friday. Saturday and Sunday are crazy...good crazy, but a lot of people. Needless to say, I wasn't doing much tasting. If I am going to stand in line for 15 minutes, this girl is getting a full beer. This is what I was able to try:

Mt. Shasta Brewery's Skip And Go Naked - Strawberry Ginger Hefeweizen.
Burnside Brewing Co.'s Marionberry Berliner Weisse
Coalition Brewing Co.'s Wheat the People - American Wheat

I give a thumb's up to the Ginger Hefe (I love ginger) and the American Wheat. Burnside disappointed me with the Marionberry...you could hardly taste the berries!

Sunday was filled with more IPNC fun at the Passport to Pinot event. It was a beautiful summer day filled with food sampling and wine drinking. We had a blast! So many Pinots, so little time.

We were able to sample bites from Salt & Straw, PBJs, Crown Paella, Red Hills Market, Portland Penny Diner and so many more! Too many wineries to name, but you can check out the IPNC Web site for a full list.

Coquine Supper Club bites

love the concept - tapas catering by Crown Paella

a fantastic PDX band 

Needless to say, it was a fantastic weekend of eating and drinking. Now it is time to gear up for the next festival, Feast Portland! I said it before and I will say it again...I am not missing it this year. 

The best weekend ever.

Have I said that before about another weekend? Probably. But seriously, this is one of the best weekends ever.

If you love beer and wine, then you know what I am talking about.

The last weekend of July many Oregonians will be spending their time in the Willamette Valley enjoying the International Pinot Noir Celebration or relaxing on the Tom McCall Waterfront Park for the Oregon Brewer's Festival. Actually, both events are nationally recognized so many people come from all over to attend one of these two events.

Tonight I found myself enjoying a lovely setting and a spectacular sunset at Stoller Vineyards for the Pre-IPNC Summertime ¡Salud! Dinner. Fortunately for me, there was an extra ticket and I was the lucky one. I cannot even begin to describe the stunning views, delightful company and wonderfully executed family-style meal. Yes, you read that correctly, family-style....my favorite type of dining.

I couldn't wait to share some of the photos I took of the beautiful views. For once, I actually wasn't snapping photos of my food. What a bad night to forget my camera.

Also, take a look at the menu prepared by our very own, Chef Sunny Jin. Yes yes, I am biased because I work with the guy but seriously it was delicious.

garden beet & blueberry salad with briar rose madrona, candied walnuts, banyuls vinaigrette

juniper-scented heritage pork loin with sprouted wheat berries, scallions, radishes, fig-saba marmalade

grilled new york strip loin with yukon gold potatoes, chicory slaw, charred garden onions, dijonnaise 

blackberry cobbler with greek yogurt, jory granola, brown sugar caramel 

birch syrup panna cotta with tequila-pickled cherries, mexican chocolate sauce 

Next up...celebrating Oregon Craft Beer Month.

How are you celebrating this weekend?

Andina - 10 years and counting...

I am long overdue for this post but I wanted to quickly mention that this month (I know, I know...it is almost over) is Andina's 10 year anniversary! This is quite an accomplishment and owner, Mama Doris, has a lot to be proud of! She was kind enough to treat some PDX bloggers to a wonderful evening where we learned about the history of her restaurant, her love for Peru and the inspiration behind the delicious food and drink.

Fortunately for me, this wasn't my first time dining at Andina, but it was one of my more memorable dining experiences. I wish I could sit with a restaurant owner at every meal. It is unbelievable to hear the inspiration behind the cuisine and the story behind the family and the employees.

I was amazed by the thought behind every creation - even their cocktails. We met Head Bartender, Greg Hoitsma, and learned about his travels through Peru and his history at Andina. All of his cocktails have a story. I recommend you visit Greg so he can tell you all about one of their signature cocktails, Sacsayhuamán, better known as the "sexy woman." It has nothing to do with the translation but everything to do with the pronunciation.

Below are a couple some iPhone snaps from the evening. You can find more photos from the PDX bloggers here!

Andina Restaurant

1314 NW Glisan

Portland, Oregon 97209

503.228.9535

disclaimer: this was a hosted event, but all opinions are my own. 

Outdoor Dining in PDX

Today was probably the most beautiful day Portland has seen in 2012. We made it to 80 degrees with blue skies! Since the sunshine is out and is hopefully here to stay, I thought I would start the quest for outdoor dining in the Portland area. 

I found a Web site that is a great place to start - Portlandfoodanddrink.com. There is a post about outdoor dining in all the different neighborhoods of Portland. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Two of my favorite restaurants with outdoor dining spaces are Produce Row Cafe in SE and Cha Taqueria in NW. 

Tell me, where is your favorite place to eat outside in Portland? 

A night in The Pearl - Everett Street Bistro

Another night out with the ladies, but this time we enjoyed some fantastic fresh cafe cuisine at Everett Street Bistro. I have eaten lunch here before and I really enjoyed it so I decided to bring my girlfriends back for an evening out. My favorite part of this restaurant are the light colors and the french cafe ambiance. When you walk in, you are greeting by a cold case with delicious desserts, pastries and fresh baguettes. The place is a small, but the bar is open and the ceilings are high so it is spacious but cozy.

Since the weather was nice, we took advantage of the outdoor seating around the building. I figured I would just order water until I saw the cocktail menu! There was no way I was going to pass up a mojito or mango martini. I was not expecting such an extensive cocktail list at a bistro, but was pleasantly surprised. With our cocktails, we also ordered the Pomme Frites.

You can just read the description and see there is no need to stay more..."thinly sliced fried potatoes & garlic cloves tossed with rosemary & thyme served with lemon aioli." YUM! They are made in truffle oil so that makes them healthy right?

So, after we indulged in our fries, we somehow still had room for our entrees. I ordered the Carbonara Pasta, Kelsey ordered the Mac n' Cheese and Aly had the Pulled Pork Sandwich. We all wanted to try different things so we could compare of course.

The pork sandwich was fantastic. It was not your traditional pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce. This sandwich had avocado, a black bean spread and melted provolone on it. Oh yes, and did I mention it was huge and came with a side green salad too?!

Kelsey's mac n' cheese was made with smoked gouda, caramelized onions and house pancetta (she got it without the pancetta though). It also came with a side of garlic toast...just what we needed, as if the garlic fries weren't enough.

I had the carbonara pasta, but was not overly impressed. It had great flavor, but it was my least favorite out of the three. So, I would recommend the mac n' cheese if you want pasta. The menu seems to change as well and it looks like they have some other speciality pastas depending on the night you go.

I will return for a third time to Everett Street Bistro I am sure...even if it is just for those darn french fries!

1140 NW Everett Street
Portland, Oregon 97209
503.467.4990

Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner! Take a look at the menus too.