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rachaelLK

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  1. My NYC brother and his native-NYC wife were just here for a weekend and could not stop gushing about the quality of goods at the downtown (PDX) farmer's market. They claim that it tops the market in their once-hometown of SF. I've visited green markets across the states and throughout Europe during the summer harvest, and have yet to find a better selection of local goods. That said.... I would give anything for a sesame bagel with whitefish salad from Russ & Daughters!
  2. Yikes! What time were you there? I've eaten there three times and enjoyed it very much - two have been early dinner-ish (5pm) and another was just for coffee and munching around 2. I recall them saying that they just have coffee and nibbles from 2:30 until dinner....still, such a shame. There is no excuse for poor service!
  3. The cross street is closer to 31st or 32nd. It's across from the best sushi box-lunch place in the world - Sushi to Go. I've been eating there for lunch 2x a week since the mid-90's...the inari (fried beancurd stuffed with sushi rice) is better than any. I keep meaning to try the thai but can't drag myself away.
  4. Dot's burrito bowl is great gringo fare. The bunny burger isn't too shabby either (though it's not Foothill Broilers), and the cheese fries are a great 2 am snack. It could be an acquired taste - I've been eating there since I was a kid (they used to allow minors in there until 10 pm.) You also have to keep in mind that it's bar food. We're not talking gourmet, just grubbing. Just the same, I'd take a meal there over their uber-trendy and ultra-bland neighbor, La Cruda.
  5. Mudai, Sushi to Go (perpetually overlooked), Sivalaya Thai (curries), Red Wing Cafe (baked goods and soups)..did they add Dots? I don't recall. The list goes on and on...
  6. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (right across from Reed College on SE 28th and Woodstock) is in full bloom right now. It's amazing, certainly more so than the Japanese Gardens. Another highlight is a mini-hike to the top of Mt. Tabor for a view of our beautiful city from the E. Side. You can easily walk from there down to Surabaya (good Indo-Dutch food) or the Sapphire Room (nice ambiance, yummy drinks, a few real winners on the menu). Trek a bit further down Hawthorne Ave. and you'll be able to eat at Three Doors Down or Bread and Ink Cafe, a true PDX institution.
  7. I second Bewon. Buckman Bistro may be exactly what you're looking for. Ginos or Fratelli for Italian. So many options....
  8. It's the same sweet basil as the one on broadway. I haven't been to the one in sellwood (also near me) and won't. SB is Thai for the masses. It sucks. Presentation and environs are good, but none of that matters if the food isn't. Too expensive too. I like Papaya Thai which is just down the street from the new SB. rachael
  9. Sign me up. I've got some friends on the Ripe list and occasionally get those forwarded my way by haven't made it to a dinner yet. I've been meaning to get to a Sunday brunch but usually settle for my pix fix on weeknights. I'm sure that all of us E-Gulleters would love a menu posted just for kicks. Meanwhile, here's my email: rlkinpdx@hotmail.com Thanks, rachaelLK
  10. I'll be in Paris for six days around the New Year's holiday. I was hoping to get suggestions for one great french meal (perhaps up to 60 euros pp) as well as a variety of other affordable options. I'd love some traditional french fare as well as ideas for good ethnic eats - asian, north african, mediterrain etc. We'll be staying in the 8e, but are happy to travel for great eats. We're young and rather casual, but the focus is on the food, not the ambiance. Merci!
  11. We'll be arriving in Avignon late Christmas Eve. We'll be staying in the city center until the 28th. Any suggestions for good meals ranging from cheap to pricey? Will everything be closed on the 24th as well as the 25th and 26th? Thanks for any thoughts!
  12. Just returned from a *fantastic* trip to Victoria. It proved to be a great escape to the traditional US thanksgiving...and great weather (save one day) to boot! I found the city to be very accessible to my Portland-mindset; Coffee shops, quality wine, local and/or organic ingrediants and Asian food galore! Here's a summary of our eats: Zambri's: Wednesday night. Most gracious service. The highlight was the tuna and bean soup. Large chunks of moist tuna steak, large white beans, spinach and subtle seasoning. Hearty enough to take the bite off of the cold weather. The Mussles app was good - not great - as were our entrees (Crab Ragu and Clam/ Mint Penne.) The wine selection had many an affordable option, and the dessert menu was limited but broad. 2 apps, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, coffee, 1/2 liter wine, tax and tip = $90 Canadian. We will certainly return. Moka House: Nice enough place, decent coffee. Nothing to rave about. Don Mee Seafood Restaurant: My favorite. We went here for Thanksgiving (we were thinking of the Chinese meal had by the family in "A Christmas Story.") Shrimp Wonton Soup, Szechwan Prawns, Szechwan Pork Spare Ribs and Shrimp Chow Mein. The latter was a bit dry, but the bay shrimp were fresher than I've ever had. Same goes for the Szechwan Prawns - I can't recall ever having any with as much crunch. The spare ribs reminded me of General Tso's Chicken done right: fried but not greasy, sweet but not overwhelmingly so. This with a 1/2 liter of wine (tax and tip) came to C $60. Otovio's (Octovios?): Beautiful Italian deli/coffee shop in Oak Bay. Quite a site! Reminded me of something I'd find in Boston's North End, only pricier. Great ham and cheese panini, wonderful mocha's done the right way (unsweetened chocolate powder. You add the sugar to taste.) The gelato selection was diverse, the cheese selection extensive. Lots of nice looking pastry's and such. They were advertising a chestnut roasting celebration that evening. Wish I could have joined! Tapa Bar: We had four mojitos (mmmm...) and two Cubanette Sandwiches (one pork, one chicken.) The sandwich bread was too thick and tasted old, but the meat, avocados, pico de gallo, beans and cheese were all tasty. We split a nice Cocca Creme Brule. Good for bar food. We weren't famished having eaten at Otovio's not long before else we'd have tried more of the tapas. Total cost: C $40. Coffee house near "Opus Framing" on store street. Orange lighting, modern feel...help me out here.... We liked this place. Upbeat staff, warm atmosphere, good lighting. Very hip, right down to the indie-rock quietly sifting through the speakers. J and J noodle House: Sorry, but we were not too impressed. The apps were great - scallion pancake and shrimp wonton. The entrees - JJ Wor Wonton Soup (shrimp) and Sizzling Shrimp Satay Plate - were not impressive. The flavors seemed muddled, confused and even bland. The soup was tasteless, complete with semi-frozen veggies. The sizzling shrimp seemed confused: too much curry, a splash of processed peanut butter and some sesame oil to top it off. It was a Saturday night, but we went early....I felt rushed (they was a line out the door by the time we were ushered out) and didn't feel as if it lived up to the C $50 price (we had no wine or dessert.) Maybe it was an off night? A fantastic trip, despite the last meal. We can't wait to return and try Cafe L'ecole, Cafe Brio, Bistro Paprika....So much to eat, so little time! Thanks for any/all help! Rachael
  13. I do my non-organic produce shopping at Sheridan. I wish they'd carry more organic goods...but I do love the bulk section! For organic options, I go to Limbo (next to TJ's on 39th and Holgate.) I'd shop their more - great quality, decent value - if not for the owner's politics.
  14. IMHO, Papa Haydn's desserts have too much height and not enough depth. They are really a cake shop, and don't venture enough into the tart/pastry/mousse etc. realm. Their servings dwarf Pix's, but it seems to be more quantity than quality. Sala, directly across the street from the Aladdin, is good. Not great, but definitely cheaper than Cafe Azul. The ambiance is nice - it's owned by the same people as Il Piatto. They have a decent apps/bar happy hour. A good pre-show option, though not my first choice for a snazzy meal.
  15. Urapan has a place on 52nd(ish) and Foster as well as the 82nd location. I tend to prefer the former. I can't agree with the ranking of Bonita above Sirenita - that artificially-orange "mexican" rice that they add to their burritos just doesn't do it for me.
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