Left at the Fork

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Category: Portland

Chicken and waffles at the Bread and Ink means two Belgian pearl sugar waffles topped with a spicy buttermilk-battered chicken breast, served with lemon Parmesan cream sauce and genuine maple syrup.

The Story of Portland’s Bread and Ink Cafe

January 3, 2016 / / 0 Comments

It’s hard to imagine, looking at today’s thriving Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, Oregon, that when Bread and Ink Cafe put down roots here in the ’80s, they were urban pioneers. Today, it’s a comfortable and welcoming stalwart in the neighborhood, with a menu that offers something for everyone, whether it’s Grilled Black Bean Cakes at breakfast, a burger with thick cut bacon and Tillamook cheddar at lunch, or rainbow trout and local white wine at dinner. Read more about the Bread and Ink in this local story.

This is half a special, split by our very accommodating waitress.

Stanich’s, Portland OR

June 10, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

How did Portland become such a hamburger-eater’s paradise? We expected to find all manner of local seafood, such as exquisite salmon, both smoked and fresh, and the enormous razor clams and Dungeness crab that this region is deservedly known for, and a farm country bounty of fresh-from-the-earth produce. What we did not expect was the burger-mania evident in this city. Continue reading

Blue Star Donuts won the first ever Portland Donut Deathmatch.

Portland Oregon Donut Deathmatch

June 9, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Can there be any doubt that Portland, Oregon is America’s donut capital? Apparently spurred on by Voodoo Doughnut‘s national acclaim, local entrepreneurs have attempted to out-Voodoo Voodoo. And judging by the results of the first ever Donut Deathmatch, held by Portland company Roundhouse, a “creative agency” (we don’t have a clue either), they have succeeded. Roundhouse rounded up donuts from seven of Portland’s finest donut artisans, including Voodoo, and the winner was declared to be Blue Star Donuts. Helen Bernhard Bakery finished second, and Pip’s Original was third. See the video below to witness the competition: Continue reading

Fresh strawberry shortcake, a great example of the seasonal and regional Burgerville menu

Burgerville Seeking to Add Alcohol to Menu

May 30, 2015 / / 0 Comments

The Pacific Northwest burger chain Burgerville (one of the very few burger chains we actually enjoy, because of its quality food and hyper-regional menu), currently serves alcoholic beverages at two of its 40 restaurants. They are seeking approval from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to begin serving craft beers, wine, and cider at a third Burgerville, in Portland, Oregon, on Hawthorne Boulevard. The chain denies that this is the beginning of a general trend at Burgerville.

The sweet aroma of local strawberries wafted throughout the market.

Portland Farmers Market, Portland OR

May 22, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We have a particular fondness for farmers markets, even the three vendor kind found by the side of the road in small towns. They provide an opportunity to enjoy real, local food presented in-season, by folks who usually care deeply about the products they offer. Most will readily chat up anyone showing an interest. It’s both inspiring and reassuring to hear the enthusiasm of these craftspeople working outside of the mass-production system. Continue reading

Polenta cubes and corn kernels are combined with eggs and served atop a corn tortilla in this corny breakfast special. Good bacon on the side.

J & M Cafe, Portland OR

March 5, 2015 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We love the way the Pacific Northwest treats breakfast as more than a grab-a-bite afterthought. Some real consideration is given to the first meal of the day, and our “breakfast tour” of Portland turned up a number of winners, from the old-time hash-house Fuller’s to the hash specialists at the energized Bijou. Add to that the comfortable, laid-back ambiance of the J & M Cafe, a restaurant with a counterculture spirit. Continue reading

Do do that Voodoo that you do so well, in Portland, Oregon

LAF in the A.M. February 24th, 2015

February 24, 2015 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

 HAPPY NATIONAL TORTILLA CHIP DAY!

A Comparative View, Through Donut Holes, of Seattle and Portland

Best Pizza in CT (and, Therefore, the U.S.)

Fried Chicken: America’s Top 21

Third Saint Cupcake Opening in Portland OR

Continue reading

Will bacon convince you to try grilled oysters? From Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile, AL.

LAF in the A.M. December 13th, 2014

December 13, 2014 / / 1 Comment

A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

Wintzell’s in the 21st Century

Capriotti’s Watch

Watch Frank Brigtsen Make BBQ Shrimp with Shrimp Calas

Portland’s Voodoo Doughnut Heading East

Continue reading

Note the large chunks of beef in this hash.

Bijou Cafe, Portland OR

November 10, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we suspect “they” are from Portland. Portland is a breakfast hound’s paradise, filled with restaurants that open in the early AM, and close after lunch. One of our favorites is a high-energy, stylish but casual place called the Bijou Cafe. Continue reading

Puckett's will supply you with a 20-pound smoked turkey for Thanksgiving for $75.

LAF in the A.M. November 7th, 2014

November 7, 2014 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

Leave Thanksgiving Dinner to Puckett’s Grocery

If you live near one of the Puckett’s Grocery restaurants in Nashville, Columbia, and Franklin, in Tennessee, you may find the day just got easier and, depending on your cooking skills, the food may have just improved, too. All three Puckett’s will be serving a midday Thanksgiving buffet dinner for $25 per adult. They’re also offering takeout that, by our Northeast standards, looks more than reasonably priced: they’ll roast or (even better!) smoke an 18-20-pound turkey for $75 (deep-fried for $90). Smoked pulled pork will run about $10/pound. Great sounding sides are also available, including cornbread dressing and broccoli and rice casserole. Check out their Thanksgiving takeout menu and procedures here. Continue reading

Publican sausage

LAF in the A.M. November 5th, 2014

November 5, 2014 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

Publican Sausage On Shake Shack Chicago Menu

When Shake Shack enters a new market they always select some quality local ingredients for their menu. We noted previously how, in Chicago, they are offering concretes made with Chicago’s Bang Bang Pie and Glazed & Infused doughnuts, and they are also offering Vienna Beef hot dogs. There are two other local twists on the menu. Another concrete incorporates a chocolate bar made with Hawaiian black sea salt, burnt sugar caramel, and 70% cacao dark chocolate, from Chicago’s high-end chocolatier Vosges Haut-Chocolat. And there’s a Publican Pork Sausage, made by Chicago’s Publican Quality Meats, a high-quality butcher and lunch spot. The sausage is topped with Shack’s cheese sauce and crispy-fried, ale-marinated shallots. The Chicago Shack opened yesterday. Continue reading

Briny, salty, garlicky, juicy, oily, toasty, chewy... Pepe's New Haven, CT white clam pizza is the perfect food!

LAF in the A.M. October 24th, 2014

October 24, 2014 / / 0 Comments

A Morning Menu of Stories We Think You’ll Find Interesting

101 Pizzas

This time it’s The Daily Meal, and their twist on the “greatest pizza” list is to choose specific pies from the chosen pizzerias, ranked 101 to 1. Who did the choosing? 78 “experts.” Which pizza came in first place? This is one time we agree with the “experts” because Frank Pepe‘s white clam pizza, from New Haven, CT, is our #1 choice, too. No, not our #1 pizza, our #1 food, period! Continue reading

Donuts at Annie's Donut Shop

Six Great Donut Shops in Portland, OR Not Named Voodoo

October 10, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Voodoo Doughnut of Portland, Oregon is wonderful. Everyone knows this. But did you also know that there are other places in Portland where one can purchase donuts? Freshly-made donuts? Good ones, too! Yes, surprising as it may seem, there’s more than one game in town, and GoLocalPDX will show you six of their favorites if you’re interested. Among the six: the Cambodian-owned Annie’s Donut Shop. See all six here. Continue reading

The Reggie Deluxe is Pine State's signature item: fried chicken, bacon, gravy, cheese, and a fried egg on a fresh biscuit. Fried chicken for breakfast? Why not!

Pine State Biscuits, Portland OR

September 27, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We fancy ourselves pretty fair home cooks, but superlative biscuits have always eluded us (as well as, in our experience, our Northern compatriots). This is too bad because we really love biscuits. Our cravings have, until now, been satisfied in Dixie, where folks are apparently born with the talent. So how did quality biscuits find their way to Oregon? Continue reading

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