Where to get a Veal Parm Sub in Portland?

I'm still looking myself. Veal seems to be a rare commodity around here. I don't know why. I have been to Mama Mia's for Veal too. It was overpriced and poorly made. Tough and chewy.

If ya find a decent Italian deli let me know too. ;-} Italiain Bakery? Foget about it!

mojo2 in Metro Portland

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

I agree with your thinking.... But, I'd rather be here than most other places.... ;-}

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

It's been a year since my last post.... I've come to except that I've left my Italian Food in the Bay Area.

I still have a couple places I'd like to try, but most have been disappointing.

I have found some decent Chinese and Mexican food. It's not the same, but it'll do. ;-}

I guess if I have to post anything snarky, I have to ask.... What's up with all the mac-n-cheese? I thought this was a food that children ate! ;-}

I've made some interesting observations over the past 4 years here in Portland:

1. The Porn brings the city down in quality.
2. The Booze brings some of the people down in quality.
3. Food is either very good or horrible. There is no middle ground.
4. There does not appear to be any middle priced quality food.
5. Foodlies in Portland, really DO know their food.
6. Diversity is a dirty word.... :-O
7. Self expression is OK.... as long as you follow the guidelines....
8. I need to go to Hawaii every February or I'll pull my hair out with cabin fever.

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

I buy a lot of meat at Gartners....

Mario Batali vs. American Italian??? Hmmm....good question!

I was brought up eating and cooking both.... My grandparents were from Sicily and Calabria, but their parents where from Roma and Piedmont areas... So, my regional Italian cooking and experiences are from different parts of Italy and a little Greek...

My family made traditional Italian food, but also made some American bastardized Italian too....They had to fit in at some point... ;-}

Although, they didn't make crappy American Italian...:-O

I was just posting on another site, saying, being from San Francisco it's hard to be opitmistic when I used choose from 15 different Veal Saltimboccas from 15 different restaurants and I'm lucky if I can find 1 restaurant that serves it here...

;-}

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Greasy spoon for breakfast in Portland?

Madison's on Madison....

There's a REAL Greasy Spoon on SE Stark called 'The Breakfast House (?)' close to 122nd.... NASTY!! Ate there by accident one morning.... Don't send anyone there!! Lots of greasy food, with molten uncooked pancakes...YUK!

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

How did we get so far off onto the pizza thing??

I've been to Escape from NY Pizza in SF, they have 3 location in SF..... One of my high school buddies opened two of them in the late 80's.... Haight and Castro stores.

I agree though, ASHoles Pizza is better than Escapes, I won't tell my buddy that. ;-}

I don't really want to agrue about pizza.... Really just wanted some decent Italian restaurants and goods.

Yes, Kim, I agree, Portland is "no mans land" when it comes to quite a few cusines.... It's a shame, but I'm coming to realize that some Northwesterners just don't have the palate for certain foods. It's getting better, but very slow progress. SF does have a lot of Italian food, but also have tons of other cusines from all over the world.... Portland it not a great place to be if you're an international foodie... I wouldn't say SF is unique to decent Italian food. I've had decent Italian food in tons of cities all over this country, maybe not tons of restaurants in one place, but at least one or two traditional ones.

Yes....The mexican food is totally embarassing! I have friend come up from CA and they just laugh, it's embaressing and they're just laughing at the NAMES of the restaurants! Kind of makes the Northwest look a little culturally inept and white cracker... Muchas Gracias, the Taco house, etc... Sad. I know there are decent Mexican restaurants too... I've been there.. ;-}

Since, we're off onto a different tangent.... What's with the Chinese food that all tastes like dog food!!?? ;-}

salemjan.... Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out...

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

Guys and Gals,

Here's menu from one of the Italian restaurants I liked in SF.... this is what I'm shooting for... even if it's only 1/4 of this menu..... Does this look familiar to anything in the Northwest...?

Antipasti

Mixed Green Salad
Mixed Green Salad - Alla Lorenzo
Mixed Greens with Roquefort
Salad alla Brooks
Spinach Salad
Caprese Salad
Caesar Salad
Half Order
Hearts of Romaine with Shrimp
Bay Shrimp Cocktail
Prawn or Crab Cocktail
Our Famous Home-Cured Prosciutto and Melon
Carpaccio alla Veneziana
Carpaccio & Home-Cured Prosciutto - Combination
Sliced Tomatoes with Anchovies and Onion
Escargots - House Specialty
Mussels della Casa
Calamari Vinaigrette - Our Own Specialty
Antipasto Toscano for Two - Home-Cured Prosciutto, Salame, Cheese, Marinated Calamari, Veal Shank, Beans and Salsa Verde

Dal Mare

Sea Scallops - Sautéed in White Wine Mushroom Sauce
Petrale Mugnaia - Sautéed with White Wine, Lemon and Butter Sauce
Petrale Portofino - Stuffed with Shrimp and Crab Alla Mugnaia
Petrale - Broiled and served on a bed of Spinach Salad
Calamari - Fritti Livornese
Calamari - Steak Mugnaia
Cioppino alla Pescatora - Shelled - Our Seafood Specialty
Combination of Filet of Veal and Prawns - White Wine, Lemon and Butter Sauce
Abalone Doré - Mugnaia or Combination - Chef's Pride
Prawns Provinciale - Fresh Tomato or White Wine, Lemon and Butter Sauce
Halibut - Broiled, Sautéed or Poached with White Wine, and Lemon Butter Sauce
Salmon My Way - Lorenzo's Favorite
Salmon Steak - Broiled or Poached with White Wine, and Lemon Butter Sauce
Four Broiled Baby Eastern Lobster Tails - Alla Mugnaia

Dalla Terra

Eggplant Parmigiana - Baked with Fresh Tomato and Mozzarella
Breasts of Chicken - Broiled with Herbs
Breast of Chicken - Broiled and served on a bed of Spinach Salad
Chicken Toscana - Sautéed with Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives and Mushrooms
Chicken al Mattone - with Italian Herbs - House Specialty
Chicken Scaloppine - Piccata, Marsala or Sorrento
Chicken Livers - Sautéed with Mushrooms and Barbera Sauce
Veal Sweetbreads - Sautéed with Mushroom Sauce or Cream Sauce
Veal Scaloppine Piccata - with White Wine, Lemon, Butter and Caper Sauce
Veal Scaloppine Sorrento - Sautéed with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Veal Scaloppine Marsala - Sautéed with Marsala Wine
Veal Milanese - Breaded, Fried, garnished with Fresh Lemon
Veal Scaloppine alla Bruno - Sautéed with Chardonnay, Mushrooms and Pinoli
Veal Chop - Broiled, Sautéed or Milanese
Veal Cutlet Parmigiana - Baked with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Veal Saltimbocca alla Nerone - Chef's Creation
Filet of Lamb alla Bruno with Barolo Sauce - House Specialty
New York Sirloin Steak - Broiled
Filet Mignon - Broiled
Steak Caruso with Prosciutto, Mushrooms and Pomarola Sauce
Porchetta al Barolo - House Specialty

Pasta

Ravioli Toscana - Homemade
Spinach Ravioli - with Ricotta Cheese
Seafood Ravioli
Pasta Della Casa - Prosciutto, Mushrooms and Veal with Chardonnay Wine
Pasta Puttanesca or Arrabbiata
Pasta Primavera - Seasonal Vegetables
Linguine Con Vongole - Baby Clams
Linguine with Fresh Clams
Linguine with Porcini & Scallops
Tortellini Supreme - Cream Sauce
Homemade Cannelloni - House Specialty
Lasagna - Made to order - 20 Min.
Gnocchi al Gorgonzola
Gnocchi Piemontese - Homemade
Mare Chiaro - Shrimp, Tomato, Cream Sauce
Pappardelle Cardinale - alla vodka with Bay Shrimp
Spaghetti all' Amatriciana - Con Pancetta
Spaghetti Carbonara - House Specialty
Spaghetti with Vodka - Our Own Specialty
Fettuccine Alfredo - Homemade
Fettuccine con Asparagi alla Valentino
Tagliatelle Luigi - Marinara Sauce
Tagliatelle al Pesto - Fresh Basil Sauce
Tagliatelle Bolognese - Meat Sauce
Tagliatelle con Porcini - Wild Mushrooms
Tagliatelle Pescatora - Assorted Shellfish
Risotto Pescatora - Assorted Shellfish
Risotto con Porcini - Wild Mushrooms

Coffee, Tea or Milk
Espresso - Graffeo
Cappuccino - Graffeo
Biscotti di Prato
Cream Caramel - Homemade
Chocolate Mousse Torte
Hot Zabaglione - for Two
Cold Zabaglione - Della Casa
Semifreddo - Homemade
NY Style Cheesecake
Tiramisú - Homemade
Torta di Gelato - Homemade
Parmigiano Grana
Lemon Sorbet
Spumoni or Ice Cream
Gelato Affogato
Tray of Cheese, Walnuts, Figs and Apples for Two

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

Thanks for the Pizza reality check and confirmation!

I'll cehck out Gorgios online...

I've given up on Italian Bakeries.... Most seem to be very narrow in their production.... Been every dissapointed.

I've had the same experience with Foccicia! What's happened to the tomato sauce version too?? ;-}

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

Wow! That's quite an arguement for a guy who says pizza costs most in Portland, than San Francisco... While there are some quality pies in Portland, they too are overpriced... So, if you own a Pizzeria or snob-shop and serve decent pizza, congratulations! But, that still didn't answer the original question.... Why does it cost so much?

Since you've named every high-end pizza joint in SF and Pizzaiolo is ran by former Chez Panisse pizza guru Charlie Hallowell..... I assume your talking high end pizza...

Guess what? It's PIZZA!!! It's Italian peasant food! It's supposed to be food for the people, not the uptight selfrightous.. ;-} It's simple dough, tomatos and cheese....But what do I know, I only grew up in North Beach? Where did you grow up....Fremont or Atherton?

OH! 3 Doors Down is not the type of restaurant I'm requesting interest....

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Decent Fruit pie in Portland??

Hey! I know where that place is located! Across from teh Academy Theater... I'll check it out. If they sell whole pies, we're in business...

TX Nate!

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest

Dining in Burlingame or San Bruno

Forget some of this overpriced chic stuff... Obviously, you don't mind spending money for food, which is fine, but... You want to be adventerous and get some good food for your money, not a timble full of meat and carrots... ;-}

Try Hon Lin in San Bruno. Best Chinese food in the area. Great variety and all quality, well priced.

You what High End, try 231 Ellisworth downtown San Mateo.

mojo2 in San Francisco Bay Area

Best SF chowhound neighborhood?

Oh my my!!

All these posts are dizzying!

Roberto! You have lots of suggestions here.. Some are totally ridiculous, some very good....

Here my 2 cents from a 3rd generation San Franciscan....

I note you like a variety of Asian cusines... well, you're coming to right place! Problem is Asian restaurants are NOT very centralized, they're all over the city... There are centralized Chinese areas and the like, but food quality varies all over the city.

So... For me, it comes down to location, location, location! Which was your original question.

You want things to see and do, good transportation access and good food.....

I would say pick the best of all of those, but there will be concessions....

Example:

North Beach Hotels - Transport's OK, food (Chinese/Italian), sites (North beach, China town, Wharf, Strip clubs on Broadway {probably NOT going to be interested}), acess to plenty of sites!

Union Square - Higher priced hotels, but bargains can be found, food is more continental and expensive, transportation is limited and lots of street people are within 2-3 blocks. So, I would say....Transport (soso), Hotel (good), food (poor), sites (so so)... This is where all the TOURISTS stay. Why? I don't know....

Fisherman's Wharf - Simpler hotels (Stay away from the Embarcadero), lots of public transport (cable car, bus, light rail and BART via light rail), sites (you're on the bay!) acess to every part of SF with good transport. Safe area? Any place where tourists are, vagrants will follow.... I've never had a problem in any area mentioned with the exception of Union Square. Food? Lots of cheap eats, also quality food if you wish. Easy access to North Beach, China town, Marina, etc...

I would choose the Wharf as a starting local....

mojo2 in San Francisco Bay Area

Homestyle Italian food round up....for Portland

I'm originally from the Bay Area, actually San Francisco, born and raised.... I've seen some Burrito comparison charts on Chowhound for Portland and SF. They're funny! It's like trying to compare QE2 to an old fishing boat! Nothing in commmon....

Growing up with half an Italian (that's it-alian, not "I" tal-ion!) family that lived in North Beach, I'm really missing some decent Italian food and goods....

Foccicia?? Anywhere??
Italian Bakery?? Canoli? ST Honorary cakes? Decent coffee cakes? (Maybe Bernhardt;s on Broadway, but not quite.)

I've been to Pastaworks on Hawthorne which just makes me miss a real Italian Deli even more.... While they have some Italian things, it pretty limited.....and $8 for a tiny Molinari salami!! I used to Pay $8 for an entire stick! I can drive down to SF and buy 3 cases of Salami, tag on the gas cost and add 10% and STILL under cut that kind of price per pound! That's like being violated!

Family/regional style Italian cusine? Not Modern interpetation of Italian food! That's OK and fun, but not the real thing!

Some Abruzzo, Milanese, Genovese, Piedmont, Calabrese, Umbria, etc... Not Chef Bob Smith's version of Veal Scallopini....

BTW, I've never seen a city charge SO much for bread, red sauce and cheese.... yes! I'm talking Pizza! At least $4-8 dollars more here for a large pizza! WHY?? ....lets' not even talk about the quality for that cost.... ;-}

My mother, who lives up here now too, is dying for some Italian and her birthday is coming up.. ;-}

mojo2 in Pacific Northwest