nice sushi spot in Portland, though they seems to have quite an extravaganza approach to their rolls the creativity dosent seems to be in the way, and works really nice with the different flavors and the pacific produce.

Pickled asian pear salad

Japanther Roll

Lotus Roll

Being apart of a project in another office always brings interesting questions of the dinning habits in the office, specially when working late and weekend I feel that there is an opportunity for true flavors to get discovered in the work mix, Portland not that different from NY in many way in that, you can very much expect the same things, perhaps only a bit earlier during the day and with quite less of a variety though without compromising on the quality side.

Whole Foods Sandwich

from whole foods sandwiches on west coast focaccia bread, which I would not call focaccia but for some reason it goes by this name.

Sushi

the classic late night take a way sushi.

Blue Cheese Burger

Blue Cheese Burger and french fries.

Pizza

and finally the ultimate office food – Pizza.

Baby Shrimp Cocktail

if you are going to visit just one restaurant in Portland it should prob’ be Jake’s. with an approach very much like the grand central oyster bar in NY though with north pacific produce which I had a chance to experience for the first time. I did find myself coming back here again and again while my short visit, is it their great happy hour menu? the fact that its 2 blocks from my office and 3 from my hotel? or just their amazing sea food prob be the right answer, hopefully the following pictures can convince you what a fantastic dining experience it is.

Jump+

Fuller's House Special Omelette

one of Portland’s classic dinners, which makes their own white bread, really a magical place where you know that all the food you would have here is the essence of classic American food, and the guileless way it is treated here, I am personally a fan.

The Whole Bowl

The whole bowl is an improvement or a compromise on the concept of the Burrito bowl, for some reason it is vegi, but it is still good, I guess the Tail sauce really makes the difference.

The Whole Bowl Menu

so this is the goodness that goes in to it: brown rice, sour cream, olives, avocado, cilantro, tali sauce, cheddar cheese, salsa, black & red beans.

Pad Kee Mao

One of the best thing about Portland is its Thai food, for some reason they manage to keep it so clean and fresh here, letting the vegetables show their power. of course that I had the Pad Kee Mao which is my new favorite Thai dish.

Just do it

and even though the pavement outside the restaurant is still tagged with the ‘Just Do It’ line as a results of the Portland rose festival which took place earlier this day, I guess this type of things are more forgivable in the PDX, specially I guess next to dishes like these stirred fried beef – vegi.

Stirred Fried Beef

Stirred Fried Vegi

Portland Saturday Market which take place on Sunday has quite a few interesting culinary attraction for a foreigner from NY.

Frutas Flores

things like this Mexican fruits cap, with lime and cayenne pepper. I always been a fan of watermelon and feta cheese but now after having that I might change it to watermelon and lime, so good.

Cheesecake on a Stick

or a new concept for a ny cheese cake, glazed with chocolate and served on a stick.

Elephant ears

a friend who know that I would try almost everything heard me talking about this ‘Elephant ear’ which I tried for the first time, for a few min he thought that I was talking about real elephant ears – not sure if I am ready for that, but this was quite a different story. so if you are not familiar with the elephant ear concept, it is almost like a flat deep fried doughnut dipped in cinnamon sugar.

Elephant ears hotline

and if you are not here for the food, than maybe this car would make you check the Portland Saturday market.

Old Car

Oysters Omelette

I been told that brunch is a big thing in Portland, I guess I should have known the also were talking of the size when a huge oysters and bacon omellette appear at my plate while in Bijou cafe on Sunday morning. with that said they did manage to get a full flavor in every bite regardless to the size.

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

Stumptown Cappuccino

Though I don’t drink coffee usually, a choice which has nothing to to with flavor, but the effect of caffeine on my body, while in Portland I had to try some of the local places like stumptown coffee, people already talking about this place as the next starbucks which is prob unavoidable, but their coffee is really good. though I never had it I guess starbucks might not be as bad, but who would want to be affiliated with something like that? anyhow for now stumptown cappuccino get the 3rd star from me.

Bailey’s Taproom is another place to check out in Portland, where you can get a taste from one of Oregon 35 different beer breweries, and if you are not sure which one to choose, you could just ask for a curated tasting sample like I did.

Bailey's Taproom sample tray

from left to right:
Lompoc Le Chant Noir (Belgian style), Bayern Pilsner, Fish Poseidon’s imperial stout, Oakshrie Hindsight ESB and the Upright Six. I also had a chance to taste seperatly the Avery Maharajah which was very nice.