2 for 1: Isabela Pearl & Cool Moon Ice Cream

Alright, so I wouldn't normally do this but I really think that its fitting. Little Spoon and I decided to do a little celebration dinner after a successful finals week. We heard good things about Isabela Pearl and decided to give it a try. Our reservation was at 7:45 and we were only the 2nd table in use. Granted it was a Wednesday night, its a mighty fine (and by that I mean expensive) location to be nearly empty. I ordered the Buddha Bowl with Chicken and Little Spoon decided to get the Grilled Ahi Tray. The bowl was accompanied by a tray of chili oil, chili sauce and a few limes.

To be honest, there wasn't really anything too special about what we ordered. The broth in the bowl was good but it's contents were fairly lack-luster. The tuna was fresh but didn't include anything special. It was just tuna, avocado, fried wonton strips and sweet soy reduction. It was a little over-priced for what we got and I just wasn't impressed. Sorry Isabela, this wasn't a place that I would call your Pearl. 

In front is the Buddha Bowl and in the back is the Grilled Ahi plate.

Here is where the night takes a turn for the better. Although the dinner wasn't as good as we had hoped, there was one place that we had to check out... turns out it was also right around the corner from Isabela Pearl. It's called Cool Moon and they make some of the best ice cream in Portland. Not only is it great quality but it also has some of the best and bizarre choices to choose from. Thai Iced Tea, Midnight Munchies, Salted Caramel, Fresh Cream, Cafe Vesuvius (coffee) and Stout are just a few of the interesting selections.

Very eclectic spot in the heart of the pearl.

One of the best things that Cool Moon does is a Happy Hour. Between 4-6pm they offer $4 pints of ice cream; its a great play on words if you ask me. You can also pick up a mystery pint for $4 any time of day. They wont tell you what is in the pint but it includes anywhere from 2-4 flavors of ice cream in one pint. This is such an amazing idea; incentivizing customers to branch out and try different flavors.

Travis was a great host. We tried about half their flavors before making our selections.

We walked in, Travis fed us a plethora of samples and we selected our flavors. We each got 2 scoops and the same flavors... Cafe Vesuvius and Salted Caramel. Awesome!! I've never had such interesting ice cream that tasted this good. Hands down, my favorite ice cream spot in Portland so far.

Salted Caramel, Creaming Coconut, Thai Ice Tea and Stout... We tried them all and they were delectable.

So at the end of the day, you're not missing much if you never eat at Isabela Pearl, but don't you dare pass up an opportunity to check out Cool Moon... Check it out, you'll love it!

- Tony

Baiyok Thai Cuisine

It was a Thursday night; Chopstick 1&2, Little Spoon and I were looking for a place to eat. We were in a certain part of Portland that we don't normally frequent... somewhere over by Mt. Tabor park, and we were hungry.  A little birdie once told me about a Thai restaurant in this area that didn't look so appealing from the outside. But then the Birdie said... oh who the hell am I kidding; I'll stop being ridiculous now. There are no talking birds, as much as I wish there was, it was a person that told me about this place.

Baiyok is what it was called, and to be honest it looked like shit from the outside. By the looks of the establishment, if I hadn't heard good things I wouldn't eat there. The horrendous pink exterior and raggedy old sign board gives a "if you eat here, you'll be sorry" feel.

We cautiously entered and were delightfully surprised by the decor on the inside. Nice new hardwood floors, new china and nice table settings were the last thing we expected to see. It was like the door was a teleport to a decent looking Thai place.

All four of us were in the noodle mood and it proved to be a good choice. Both Chopsticks decided to get the Pad-Ke-Mao, and turns out they don't like their food with any kick at all. Little Spoon ordered the Pad-Thai extremely spicy and I ordered the Pad-Se-Ew medium-spice.

Anyways, I don't want to draw this post out too long. It was an interesting little Thai spot that served some good food. Well we only had the noodle dishes so I can't say food. If the curries and stir-fries are as good as the noodle dishes, then you'll like what you get. Not too expensive and no wait either; the nice thing about choosing a unattractive location. Give it a shot!

Moral of the story: don't judge a book by its cover.

- Tony

P.S. Sorry for the lack of pictures... we were hungry :)

Bamboo Sushi

I recently got a new job and to celebrate my Little Spoon wanted to take me out to dinner. She had recently been out to a great sushi place and decided to take me there. I really like sushi, so when I hear of a new place getting praised, I am eager to check it out.

This place was called Bamboo Sushi and when we got there, there was a line out the door. Fortunately there were a few large groups in front of us so we were seated in about 20 minutes. When you enter the restaurant, there are numerous accolades along the wall. Most of which are articles praising the restaurant, but there were a few that made me take a closer look. Turns out that Bamboo Sushi is the first completely sustainable sushi restaurant in the nation. That's right, I said NATION! This was determined by the fish they buy and who they buy it from; making sure that fish are purchased from fisherman that do not over fish. I also found out that Bamboo Sushi was one of 3 sushi restaurants in Portland that never freeze their inventory. The fish is purchased fresh and used immediately. Shocking and sad to hear, but your favorite sushi restaurant most likely buys in uber-bulk and then freezes their fish.

I guess I'll start talking about the sushi now...

This place was really great. The fish was fresh and practically melted in my mouth. Here's a couple tips: Fish is never supposed to smell fishy. If that's the case, then you are probably eating something a little closer to the expiration date than you would like. Also, when you are eating sushi, you want to start with the fish containing the least amount of fat first. So for example, if you have a salmon, red tuna and tuna belly rolls, you want to start with the red tuna and finish with the tuna belly. The more fat, the more it coats the mouth which can alter how your taste buds react to the flavor of the fish.

An exotic roll including pears soaked in sake.

It has the traditional options as well.

Anyways, I'm finding myself rambling on again. The moral of the story - Bamboo Sushi is a great place to get fantastic Japanese cuisine. It's a little pricy, but you know that you are getting a great product. Also, don't be shocked if you have to wait 30-45 minutes, but in my opinion its worth it. Give it a try; you wont be disappointed.

-Tony

Big Horse Brew Pub - Hood River, OR

I guess this would be a great post to introduce a character that I may reference from time to time....

My girlfriend, now to be named "Little Spoon," happens to have a house in Hood River, Oregon. We tend to make a couple of trips up there from time to time and visit some local eateries. A few weekends ago we made a trip up there with a few friends and it was no different.

We walked down 10 long flights of stairs into town to a place called Big Horse Brew Pub. Good food and great beer! I had the Spicy Spaghetti and Meatballs. Really great flavor with a kick! This place was pretty straight forward so I'll just show you the pictures. My apologies for the poor photography; it was a little dark in there. 

Beer Sampler (top left and clockwise) Easy Blonde, Pale Rider I.P.A., MacStallion Scotch Ale, Nightmare Stout, Brown By Law, Chocolate Stout, Batch #666 (barley wine) - I thought 5 of 7 were fantastic

Spicy Thai Spaghetti and Meatballs

Fish Tacos

Fish and Chips

Chicken and sun-dried tomato Gyro

This is just a pub with good atmosphere and great beer. Check it out the next time you're in the "Hood." Enjoy!

- Tony

Thai Chili Jam

When it comes to Thai food, I get a little bit picky; only because it is one of my favorite types of food EVER. There is nothing better than rice noodles, veggies, protein and a plethora of amazing flavors. I get a little uneasy about Thai places that create food lacking in flavor as well as portion size. The food is just way too good and I just want a lot of it.

A place that wont disappoint is called Thai Chili Jam on the SW side of downtown (more specifically SW 14th and Jefferson). My goodness this place is great! They do all the right things and all the time. Here are a few dishes that I've had there and they were all delicious. Not pictured are the curry dishes. I've had a few and they were also wonderful, not to mention the portion size is fairly decent (that means pretty big coming from me).

Fresh Salad Wraps with peanut and sweet chili sauces in the swans.

The standard Pad-Thai w/ Chicken.

Pad-Se-Ew/Spicy/Chicken, my absolute favorite.

The secret has been out and I'm not the only person that knows about this place. When you walk in, you can see that Yelp and these other food review companies have been favoring this place for a while (and rightly so). It is one of my favorites, but I will never stop looking for great Thai. Regardless, check this spot out if you haven't already; you wont leave disappointed. Enjoy!

- Tony

Portland Ketchup Company

I'd say that one of the most beloved condiments ever has been the wonderful Ketchup. I absolutely love ketchup, and this love began at a very early age. I would have it with my french fries, hot dogs and even dinosaur chicken nuggets (if you've never had Dino-Nuggets, I'm very sorry for you).

These days I still find myself putting ketchup on just about everything. And until recently the company that I would always use is Heinz. It has the perfect amount of sweet, salty, tangy and savory; unmatched by any other company... That is until NOW!

I want to give a shout-out to Portlandia Foods. They have created a very comparable version that is made from naturally, all-organic ingredients and right in our own backyard. It's called the Portland Ketchup Company. It not only tastes great, but is in a bottle that flows smoothly without having to give yourself a seizure.

This ketchup just as good as Heinz.

Anyways, I'm not going to go on and on about this, but I just hope you all have a chance to try this stuff. It can be found at you favorite McMenamins, Kel's Irish Pub, Hopworks Breweries, Hall Street Grill, New Seasons, Whole Foods, Zupans, and other locations found on the website. I just wanted to let everyone know about this incredible and local product/company. Enjoy!

- Tony

Got Pho?

A few years ago, my sister and I were coming home after a family vacation. Hungry after a long flight, we determined that we wanted some Pho. If you don't know what Pho is, it's a Vietnamese soup containing thin rice noodles and a broth of some sort, normally derived from beef. It is also accompanied by chili & plum sauces as well as a plate with lime, bean sprouts, jalapeno slices and basil to flavor the broth to you liking. It was a Sunday night and we wanted to find a place that was conveniently on our drive home. Got Pho? off of SE Sandy Boulevard was one of the first to come up on my phone. It met all of the criteria so we went...

We entered the restaurant at around 9PM and were greeted by the Owner. His name is Dinh (pronounced Din), an immigrant from Vietnam searching for the "American Dream." If there was one thing that Dinh knew how to do, it was Pho. We ordered the Beef Pho with brisket & steak and it was really good, but that's not what I wanted to tell you about...

I've had a lot of Pho in my day, it happens to be one of my favorite types of food. I decided to try the Chicken Pho the next time I went. I asked Dinh if it was any good and he replied, "You don't like it, you don't pay!" I guess I didn't have anything to lose. I tried it and I was astonished. It had the comfort that chicken soup has but with a Vietnamese flare. I always add the lime and chili sauce to my Pho, helps clear the sinuses. I also found out that Dinh prefers the Chicken Pho too! He adds a little chili sauce, lime, and a lot of basil.

This is what my Pho looks like after I add my favorite condiments. It comes clear but turns red from the chili sauce.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Got Pho? is my absolute favorite Pho place. I've been to my share of Pho restaurants in Portland and I always find myself coming back to see Dinh. I also have NOT ordered the Beef Pho since I've tried the chicken variety. It's so good that I find myself there at least once a week; it's just way too good and I can always justify paying $7.75 for an enormous bowl of delicious soup. Go there and give it a try, you wont be disappointed. Enjoy!

This is what my Pho looks like every time I ask for the check.

- Tony

Byways Cafe

Last Sunday we were looking for a great breakfast spot to go to after our New Year's Eve festivities. The last place that we thought we should try was Byways Cafe on the corner of NW 12th and Glisan in the Pearl. Not because it doesn't have great food (which it does but I'll get to that in a second), but because every other time we've tried to eat there the line has been quite lengthy. You're lucky if you only have to wait 20-30 minutes for a table on a Saturday or Sunday morning. That Sunday we waited 5 minutes before we were seated. Maybe it had to do with the fact that we showed up at 1PM. Nonetheless, we got a table and quickly; that's a Win in my book.

Plates gathered by owners and patrons used as decoration.

From the outside, Byways wouldn't look like much if it didn't have such captivating signage. I don't think many people would even know it existed, but as a true Portlander you already know about this gem from your own "Morning After" experience or when it was highlighted on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives." Small and quaint inside, but what the cafe lacks in space and decor, the food will absolutely make up for.

If you're lucky you could have your coffee in a bunny mug.

The menu is also on the conservative side when it comes to the number of dishes. They don't have too many options but the ones they do have are done right. Some of their well known favorites include Blue-corn Pancakes with Pecan Butter, Amaretto French Toast, along with numerous scrambles and hashes. I had the Happy Camper Scramble - smoked ham, tomatoes, onions, cheese with a side of country potatoes. I added avocado to mine because I'm an avocado whore. I'm sure you would have enjoyed a picture of what I ordered, but I don't have one; as soon as I got my plate I began eating unconsciously. Before I realized that I needed to take a pic, my breakfast was devoured. Honestly, I don't think I can promise that this wont happen again; it very well could. From now on I will I try my best to capture a shot before I dig in.

All in all, this is just a great place to grab breakfast in Portland. Although you may have to wait a few minutes, its well worth it. Enjoy!

-Tony  

My first post ever!

Hello!

Before I go diving in, I wanted to tell you a little bit about myself and what you'll expect from this blog.

Preface:
My name is Tony and I am just an ordinary guy from Portland, Oregon. I have lived here all of my life except for a short 6 month stint in Sevilla, Spain. That's a whole other story... and by that I mean a whole other blog. Anyways I digress, I have lived here my entire life. You may think that is a little sad, but I love the Pacific Northwest. The people here are generally nicer and we have really mild seasons. You "Portland Haters" might think that it rains non-stop here, well this is what I have to say about that.

Gelato deals makes me happy!

1. You probably have never visited.
2. I really wouldn't call it rain... I would call it a mist.
3. It keeps everything green and lush all year long.
4. You're probably from California.
I think that people who get sun all the time take it for granted. You should see the smiles in this city when the weather is nice.

I also think that TV hasn't been very kind to this city lately. Is Portland weird? Yeah I guess we are a little, but not as much as everyone thinks. And there is a lot more to this city than the "Hipster inner-East side." Just because you see Voodoo Doughnuts on every freaking highlight the city gets does not mean that we are all like that. Oh and by the way, if you haven't been to Voodoo Doughnuts, I highly recommend it.

Wow what a perfect segue...

This blog isn't solely about doughnuts but its about food, and I mean food in general. Growing up in a household with a Ukrainian-born mother and Moldavian-born father introduced me to many different types of food. Not only that but the quantity of food I grew up eating is absolutely ridiculous. People that have had the privilege of eating at my family's house can vouch. But don't get it twisted! This isn't going to be some Man v. Food or Bizarre Foods kind of stuff. Listen, I can go on and on about my family and my upbringing, but I'll get to the point.

My blog is about my passion for food and where it takes me. For the most part I will be writing about Portland's food scene simply because this is where I live. You would think that for the amount of accolades this city has received, that it would have more bloggers or critics. Yes there are local magazines that write a few blurbs now an again, but sometimes they are commissioned to do so. I want to give you an honest opinion. A vast majority will be about good places to eat, but if the food or service is that bad that it makes me want to write about it, I wont hold back. If you find a few cameo posts about restaurants in other cities or just recipes, that just means that I was there visiting and/or experienced something that compelled me to write about it.

Regardless, this blog is about me and my interaction with food. Enjoy!

-Tony