taco_belle's Profile
Kenny & Zuke's Hours (PDX)
Thank you, Leonardo. I read something about that on Zukin's website,
where I occasionally lurk. I'll take a closer look.
Kenny & Zuke's Hours (PDX)
Thank you SauceS. I don't live in or near Portland but get there often. I've had maybe a half dozen lunches at K&Z. I always order "tongue if ya got it/pastrami if ya don't." I can't get a tongue sandwich in my town (or close). I've enjoyed those lunches and look forward to more. I always wanted to go to Ken's when it was on Hawthorne but the logistics were never right. Hence my interest in K&Z dinner.
Kenny & Zuke's Hours (PDX)
I understand that K&Z recently curtailed its hours after trying to be an "open late" venue. The website shows it usually closing at 8 pm. Can I show up at 7:30 and have an entree with a couple beers or glasses of wine and not feel like I'm being pushed out the door? If so, I (with companion) will be there.
Serratto (PDX)
I searched, and the most recent comments seem a bit dated.
Anyone care to offer a more timely comment? Serratto on
NW 21st at Kearney.
PDX - Veritable Quandary
I've talked up the VQ as a dining destination for several years. I think it
has remade itself in recent years, but has also gotten short shrift in the
local food community until recently. I don't live in Portland, but I'll be doing
a VQ dinner when I get there in early March.
They also got a nice review in the Oregonian last week:
http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1200444902132040.xml&coll=7
Have you ever asked for a different ... server??
Once - because the server kept questioning my pronunciation. By the third
time I had had it. I asked the manager for a new server and was promptly
accommodated. The new server and the meal itself were fine - very nice
actually. The restaurant was in Bellevue, WA. I don't remember the name.
IVORY SALMON
It's been years, but I've caught a couple in Hood Canal in Washington State.
I recall it being like a slightly milder king and quite a bit milder than the sockeye I've had.
Lincoln City to Florence OR recs
I'll put in a plug for Waterfront Depot in Florence. It's on Bay Street in the old
town on the river side of 101.
Please tell me there's something decent to eat in the San Jose Airport.
Gombei is open for lunch at least Monday through Friday.
You might also have a look here:
http://www.japantownsanjose.org/restaurants.html
I'm not sure this is totally up to date, but it's a start and gives
names, addresses and phone numbers.
Portland this weekend with kids
Eating early? I'd say 5:30 or so. I guess some places begin dinner
service at 5:00.
"Sharing Fee" Told Afterwards
What does the waiter's forming an opinion about the customer have to
do with whether the restaurant tries to exact an otherwise undisclosed
sharing fee?
Please tell me there's something decent to eat in the San Jose Airport.
Yes. Take the number 10 VTA bus to the Metro Airport light rail station.
The bus is free. Watch out as there are 2 buses with the number 10.
If you get on the wrong one, you won't end up on a desert island, it will
just take longer to get to where you want to go. Better to just ask the
driver.
The light rail fare is $1.75 If you head toward downtown, you could get
off at Japantown/Ayer, if Melanie Wong's suggestion appeals to you.
Or just go into the central downtown area, getting off at Paseo de San
Antonio or Convention Center.
I'll leave specific restaurant destinations to others.
OCI Restaurant
For OCI, try 503.961.6200.
For Bleu, try 503.294.9770.
I haven't been to either one. What I've heard - OCI is better than Bleu,
and that exhausts my knowledge on the subject.
Willow glen, Campbell recs for Monday
I don't think Restaurant O is open for Monday dinner. Olio in the old Mia
Vicino space on Campbell Ave. is open. I've been to Olio (Mediterranean)
twice. My short verdict is that it has potential and I'd go back. What bothered
me (I'm grasping to describe this) is that it tries to be just a bit upscale in a
way that seems self-conscious and formulaic. The food was good - call it
B to B+. Price seemed a bit high, all things considered. think it needs to
have a more exuberant feel given the food it serves.
If I were choosing between Cafe Artemis and Olio for dinner tonight, I'd probably
pick Artemis.
[PDX] Let's Talk About St. Patrick's Day
The group ended up going to Roux. I called this morning to ask how it was.
The group was small enough that they could sit in the main dining area
(if there is a main dining area - I've never been there). I can't get a detailed
critique from my friend (the disabled person), but I wasn't really expecting
one.
Parking was pretty easy nearby on the street - I don't know if Roux
has a parking lot. I am told that the group enjoyed going to a place
new to them, that almost everyone had short ribs and that they shared
an order or 2 of hush puppies. I'm sure there were other things. They
enjoyed their food and drinks and found the service hospitable. The server
provided separate checks without any visible peevishness. (The whole
separate check issue always bugged me about this group, but most of
the group lean toward frugal, and I know that people have strong feelings
about this).
My friend's tab before tip was $35, and there are leftovers.
So - this was a success. Thanks to all who helped.
PDX: Ristorante Roma
Thanks, aristo7. I'm strongly tempted to give it a try next time I'm
in town. Could you describe the menu a bit? I assume there's
at least a beer/wine license - would that be right?
PDX: Ristorante Roma
I don't live in Portland, but I visit there often.
I have walked by this place twice and thought it might be worthy of a visit.
It's on SW 12th around - let's say - Morrison/Alder. The owner is reputed to
be a recent arrival from Italy.
Anybody been there and care to comment?
Thanks!
Portland Advice
I believe Murata is on Market Street - street level of the 200 Market Bldg.
Creamed spinach recipe
I just happened to see this yesterday in The Oregonian's weekly food section. It's
supposed to be Ruth's Chris creamed spinach recipe scaled down for home use.
I haven't tried it since creamed spinach is richer than I usually care for.
Makes 4 servings
5 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup half-and-half (divided)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 pound fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
Make a roux by melting the butter in a large saucepan over
medium heat and stirring in the flour. Continue to cook the
roux until it turns tan, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
Check the roux frequently, since its color on the bottom will be
darker than on the surface.
Remove from the heat, and stir in 1/3 cup of the half-and-half,
the salt and white pepper.
Add the spinach to the pan and stir. Return the pan to the heat
and stir occasionally, until spinach is fully wilted and warmed
through.
Add the remaining 1/3 cup half-and-half, and stir until creamy
throughout, and no clumps of roux mixture remain. Serve immediately,
or keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
Best Ketchup?
Kelli2006 - thanks. So, it's the Dickinson's you have in the pantry? Do you like/recommend it?
Frozen oysters on the half shell [moved from Boston board]
I saw something posted on CH (I think) back around late December or early January about
food poisoning from frozen half shell oysters in the Portland, OR area. The oysters were
said to have come from Korea. There were served at a private dinner party. I can't begin to imagine why people in Portland would serve frozen oysters when they have lots of local fresh options. The story originated in the SF Chronicle. It had never occurred to me that there was such a product. Thinking about it a little more, I suppose it might make sense if you were Campbell's and were canning thousands of cans of oyster stew - but serving them to guests at a dinner party?? Pardon me - I prefer not to express myself this way, but UGH. (Actually,
double UGH!!)
Low Fat Cheese
I've sampled Kerrygold reduced fat cheddar and thought it was pretty good. The sign at the sampling station said that it had 48% less fat than their regular cheddar.
Best Ketchup?
Where do you buy Smucker's ketchup? I bought it a couple of time, but that was
about 20 years ago. I liked it, but I haven't seen it since. I looked at the Smucker's
website but didn't see any reference to it.
Good Tasting "Lite" Foods
Kerrygold reduced fat cheddar which I sampled yesterday at Whole Foods. I was
impressed. Nice taste and mouth feel.
San Jose Dining Recommendations
Other thoughts:
71 St. Peter on San Pedro
La Pastaia in the DeAnza Hotel on Santa Clara
Arcadia in your hotel - basically a steaks/chops themed
Michael Mina restaurant
Stump's on Santa Clara - another steaks/chops place
Moving down the food chain - McCormick's by the Fairmont
Hotel on Market - chain/seafood/typically fresh and decently
prepared but ho-hum.
Tied House on San Pedro - a microbrew place with mostly
okay bar/pub food.
I didn't mean by my earlier post to rule out Emile's, but I
don't have a feel for how its brand new ownership would affect
your experience.
You are also right on the light rail line, and the Convention
Center station (1/2 block from your hotel) should be reopened.
This gives you pretty easy access to Mountain View (about 40 minutes) and also to Campbell (about 15 minutes). If you're there between Wednesday And Saturday, I'd be tempted to ride the light rail to Campbell and try either Restaurant O on Winchester (maybe 7 to 8 blocks from the Downtown Campbell station) or Twist Bistro on Campbell Ave (about 3 or 4 blocks from the station). Fare is $1.75 for a 2 hour ticket purchased in advance from a machine on the platform.
One last thought:
Chez TJ in Mountain View (very close to the light rail
station)
I've not included Manresa in Los Gatos because it might be
hard for you to get to, but if you're up for a bit of a driving adventure, you might consider it.
