What Are the Most Romantic Restaurants in Portland? – and More News

A reader poses the question, “What are the most romantic restaurants in Portland“. Much of what constitutes romance is objective, but what do you think? Some of my favorites: Alba Osteria and Enoteca Alberta Oyster Bar and Grill Andina Fenouil in the Pearl Fratelli Cucina Paley’s Place Metrovino Updated from the comments: Carlyle Giorgio’s ... [Read more]

Chasing Every Hot New Restaurant is a Sucker’s Game

At a party this weekend, a friend handed me a page torn out of a magazine called “Details”. I spent a good amount of time on their website trying to find the article, to no avail, so I’ve copied a portion of it here. This is what I call “The shiny new ball syndrome.” I think it’s really interesting, and totally agree with their premise. I’d... [Read more]

Chicago to Outlaw Trans-Fats?

Men’s Fitness Magazine proclaimed Chicago the “fattest city in the nation”. Earlier this year, Chicago banned the sale of fois gras. Now, Alderman Ed Burke, is pressing his colleagues to make it illegal for restaurants to use oils that contain trans fats. If approved, nutrition experts say, the ban will be the first in a major city, following the lead of towns... [Read more]

Michael Talks Cheese

Dear Diary: Today I went to a cheese festival. It was sort of like Disneyland for cheese lovers, and I left feeling a lot like I do after a visit to the Magic Kingdom–exhilarated and slightly sick to my stomach. The annual conference of the American Cheese Society-yes, the one and only, accept no substitutes-hit town on Thursday, and all sorts of cheese makers and fellow... [Read more]

Wine Paraphernalia – Corkscrews, Decanters, Glassware, Etc.

Food Dude Article #9 (Wine Paraphernalia) By Ken Collura I’ve never cared for the term “Wine Collector.” To my way of thinking, a collection is something that has been passionately assembled, shined up and cataloged, then put out on display. I’m not so sure this expression should apply to wine, per se. Bottles of wine should never be put on pedestals... [Read more]

Review: Aladdin’s Café

Updated 7.06 There have been a few rumors floating around about Aladdin Café lately. I decided to make some return visits and update my review from last winter, and I’m glad I did. Happy to say, things have only changed for the better.There have been a few rumors floating around about Aladdin Café lately. I decided to make some return visits and update my review from... [Read more]

Food Limerick Contest for 2006!

Ken over at Andina has generously sponsored this contest with a $25.00 gift certificate. Thank you Andina! Their bar is one of my favorite hangouts for tapas and pisco drinks.* You’ve all heard limericks at one time or another; I’m sure we all learned the dirty ones when we were ten (did they all involve France?). Now it is time to put those memories to work. Announcing... [Read more]

Review: 5th Quadrant

5th Quadrant I’m the first to admit, I don’t know a whole lot about beer. As long as it is too dark to see light through, I’m happy. Sometimes though, a relaxed environment, decent pub food, and a beer just hit the spot. During these recent warm evenings, I’ve been heading to 5th Quadrant, the newest incarnation of the Old Lompoc brewery on N Williams. Owned by the... [Read more]

Grande Mexican Market Opens along with Brad Root’s 360 Degrees Pizzeria. Ten 01 Announced

Updated 4:20pm Sun I just don’t understand the American penchant for football and baseball over soccer. On the other hand, I suppose I should be glad we don’t play much cricket, as it seems to take college-level study to understand that game. Moving on: Grande Foods has opened in Cornelius in the old Hank’s Thriftway spot (1619 N. Adair St. between Forest... [Read more]

Tipping Tips From Experts?

Here is a piece of an article on tipping from the NY Daily News: BY LORE CROGHAN NY DAILY NEWS BUSINESS WRITER It’s hard to know when and how much to tip. From a customer’s point of view, tips are a reward for a job well done. But for service workers in the city’s low-wage jobs, tips make the difference between earning a living – or not. Some workers are counting... [Read more]

Vij’s to head south? Rare in BC, Rachael Ray hits Portland

Over the past month, a few of us have been up at Vij’s, the Indian restaurant in Vancouver BC. There were rumors about Vikram Vij scouting out locations in Seattle, so Tami Parr asked him about it. “Vij said that he felt that the market was ready and he found some great locations, but he didn’t feel he could find the Indian people to do the cooking –... [Read more]