Our food budget this month is donated to Katrina victims

There are other people in this country that could use a bit of help much more than I need to pack down a few more expensive meals for a review. Instead I’ve donated my food budget this week to the Red Cross. There will be a review towards the end of this week (I’ve eaten the food already), but there will be a bit of a lull after that. I hope you understand.  Read More →

Arabian Breeze

Colorful Arabian Breeze Arabian Breeze: the name certainly conjures up romantic images, and for those not familiar with lots of different Lebanese foods, going through the menu at Arabian Breeze is an adventure. The restaurant is on Broadway and NE 32nd, just down from Sweet Basil. Think converted basement gone Syrian – low ceilings, lots of bright colors, Middle Eastern... [Read more]

Serratto

Streetside Serratto Note: much has changed at this restaurant since this review was written. It is currently in the process of being updated (3/10) Located in the Italian restaurant row on NW 21st and Kearney, Serratto is a huge open space with soaring old growth timber beams. The well-designed lighting makes the earth tone room inviting – think modern rustic. Tables are... [Read more]

¿Por Qué No? Taqueria

Por Que No? ¿Por Qué No? is yet another hole-in-the wall taqueria to grace Portland, this time in the burgeoning Mississippi area. Located just 500 feet north of Fremont on Mississippi, it is a small converted basement garage with about four tables inside and a selection of tables and benches on the sidewalk out front. Service is very casual – just order at the counter... [Read more]

Mother’s Bistro

Mother’s – Subliminally Sublime? Sitting at Mother’s at 1:15pm on a Thursday afternoon looking at all the dust on the fixtures above me, it seems the place needs a good cleaning. Though the restaurant is only about 20% full, I am surrounded by empty tables full of dirty dishes that haven’t been cleared. Several tables of patrons are looking around wondering where their... [Read more]

Penzys Spices Comes to Portland

Updated 7.09 – hours and general information I spent a happy hour this week checking out the new Penzeys Spices store in Clackamas. It actually isn’t too hard to find, just north of the mall on 82nd, between TJ Max and Winco at 11322 SE 82nd ave. Google Map. In the past, I have bemoaned the fact that I had to go to Seattle to find a good spice store. Things I like: They... [Read more]

What Does the Google Cafe Menu Look Like?

I couldn’t help but stop and read when I saw that the Google people are looking for a new chef on their main campus. Employees get the benefit of free meals made from organic/sustainable ingredients. As part of their search, they posted their typical weekly menu.Read more if you want to be depressed about the cubicle farm you work in. Via the Washington Post: From the... [Read more]

Do You Think a Newspaper’s Viciously Negative Review is Ok?

Have you read this weeks review by Karen Brooks of Cobras and Matadors in the Oregonian? [Note: the article is no longer available online] Some people think the article was way over the top, and downright cruel. I haven’t been to the restaurant, so can’t agree or disagree, but was a bit surprised by the vehemence of the review. I’d be interested to hear comments.... [Read more]

Review: Original Halibut’s

Updated 2/07 When I was a kid in southern California, it seemed like every shopping center had a fish and chips place, mostly the same big chain. I still remember stopping by for lunch on special occasions and downing that flaky goodness, drowned in malt vinegar. I’m not sure what ever happened to all those restaurants – a victim of changing tastes, I suppose. Aside... [Read more]

Burger Wars! Wildwood vrs. Cafe Castagna

With all the hamburger controversy that has been going on, I thought I would give my .02 cents. Over at ExtraMSG’s site, he has been going through and reviewing many Portland area burgers. It is very thorough, you can read it here: ExtraMSG.com. He likes the Wildwood burger, and since I stopped going to the restaurant a few years ago when I think it took a downturn, I went... [Read more]