Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Portland / Vancouver

How can I possibly choose my best bite from my trip to the Pacific Northwest? It might have been the White Truffle-Pink Salt Macaron; or maybe the Lamb Shank with Cilantro Black Beer Sauce; lest I forget the Bacon, Egg and Cheese on an Apple Fritter; perhaps even a sip of the Passionfruit-Habanero Vodka Martini...it's nearly impossible to choose, folks. I'll do my best to highlight some of the most outstanding spots we visited for nosh.

Mom and me in Willamette Valley, wine-tasting. Our happy place!

Portland
This city has a happening food and beer scene, if you didn't already know. It can be quite overwhelming to navigate your way through the city without some recommendations. Here are some of mine!

-Cheryl's on 12th: the aforementioned egg sando on an apple fritter was the ultimate sweet and salty breakfast dish. Just slice a glazed, apple-studded fritter in half and stuff it with a fried egg, gouda (NOT SMOKED), arugula and onion-bacon jam and you will feel a wave of euphoria.

-Andina: currently the #1 restaurant in Portland per TripAdvisor. The lamb shank and martini were perfect accompaniments to stuffed Piquillo Peppers and Scallops with Brown Sugar Tamarind sauce. Literally every bite was perfection at this Peruvian gem.
Monstrous lamb shank with unctuous cilantro black beer sauce

-Pok Pok: for adventurous eaters only. I didn't recognize a single dish on this Thai menu. It's not your average Pad Thai (not on the menu). Spicy and sour glass noodle salad was our favorite here, because of the dried shrimp. Mind the heat!!

-Salt & Straw: it would be a sin to visit PDX and not try this infamous ice cream joint. I tasted flavors like Pear & Blue Cheese and Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper before deciding on Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons. This has ruined all other ice creams for me. I would eat this after (or for) every meal of my entire life.

Pre-life-altering ice cream.

Vancouver
A dear friend likened this city to "Tomorrowland" which could not have been a more accurate description. Multicultural. Stunning views. Incredible food.

-Granville Island Public Market: not unlike Reading Terminal Market in Philly (or any other metropolitan indoor market). You absolutely must visit Bon Macaron Patisserie for flavors like Goat Cheese & Fig, Blueberry & Taro, Sake, and the most interesting thing I think I've ever tasted: a White Truffle-Pink Salt Macaron. It absolutely blew my mind. Earthy, salty, sweet and umami all at the same time.
Our collection of macarons!
-Cactus Club Cafe: the view at the Coal Harbor location is absolutely spectacular. The menu almost sounded too good to be true, until you eat and realize everything really is delicious. I have to remove salmon from my "Do Not Eat List", because this rendition with lentils, bacon, daikon, carrots and a port wine reduction was so overwhelmingly flavorful and delicious.
See what I mean?  THIS VIEW.

-Nightingale: these folks know how to elevate a dish. Halibut Ceviche is made sexy with watermelon radish, avocado and crispy quinoa. Roasted Cauliflower gets an upgrade with green harissa for heat and sunflower seeds for crunch. Sticky Toffee Pudding stays stellar with Maple Chantilly Cream.

I realize I'm leaving out a lot of fabulous bites like the FRESH Cherry Pancakes with cream cheese custard and the Cheddar Waffle at Cora in Vancouver, and the Banana Caramel Pie at Lechon in Portland. But then I would literally be telling you about every meal I had on my vacation. But the food scene there is so exciting! OH, and if you happen to find yourself in Willamette Valley, first of all - lucky you! And secondly, stay at La Bastide Bed & Breakfast for yummy dishes like Brie and Apricot-stuffed French Toast. Divine!

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