25 for $25 in Portland

[nwells]

I just read that Portland is participating in a program similar to the one we've been reading about in Seattle. I'll be excited to see how this goes. Just a note, I think it is interesting that this is sponsored primarily by Sysco Corp. and a few other biggies.

http://www.oregonlive.com/search/index.ssf...?oregonian?fdes

[trillium]

thanks for the link! I've been wondering which restaurants were on the list... perhaps we should follow in our northern compadres footsteps and arrange an outing? I guess it would take calling around to see what the 25 menu looks like.

regards,

trillium

[Jim Dixon]

I'm down for that...my choices from the list would be either Cafe Azul, Paley's Place, Castagna, Laslow's Northwest, Serratto, or Southpark Seafood Grill.

Probably Azul or Paley's first choices. I'll volunteer to get the menus from them.

Jim

[nwells]

I would love to join up. I love Castagna's Cafe, but can easily pass up the restaurant itself. Any of the others that Jim suggested would be great.

Neeley

[trillium]

Well, none of the "there is no way in hell I'm eating at that place" restaurants on the 25 list made Jim's list so we're up for any of them (but I'd like to know what the menus are, of course). I think my list of possibilities went something like Cafe Azul, Lucere (I'm a sucker for a great pastry chef), Paley's Place, and Wildwood. They're all places I haven't tried. Southpark isn't on the list because I've been there 3 times already and love it...I thought it was time to branch out. Castagna wasn't on the list because I have a hard time going to a restaurant named chestnut...don't ask me why, I just do.

regards,

trillium

[Jim Dixon]

Here’s what you get for $25 at Cafe Azul.

choice of four appetizers: salad, fava bean soup, smoked tuna/avocado/bean ceviche-type thing, or chips w/assortment of salsas

ditto for 4 entrees: flank steak with lime and garlic, halibut with poblano, chile relleno w/potato, jack cheese, mushrooms, pork tamale w.salsa verde

and 1 of 3 desserts, which I didn’t write down

My descriptions probably don’t do justice to the items offered. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, Azul is awesome. Claire Archibald was nominated again this year for a regional best chef Beard award.

I'll get Paley's next.

edited to add this:

I called and they don't have the menu worked out yet. They'll probably post it by the 30th on their citysearch site

I'm tempted by Lucere, too, altho' chef Pascal Sauton recently left after a dispute with management. I don't think it will mean a big change until they get a new exec chef...Pascal's sous chef is temporarily in charge.

Jim

Edited March 27, 2003 by Jim Dixon (log)

[Jim Dixon]

Let's try to set this up...

My vote is for Cafe Azul. Let's try to find a date that works. Who's in?

Jim

[trillium]

We're in!

Any day is ok, but it would be best if the time was really early or really late. We have an almost 19 year old diabetic cat who needs an insulin shot at 8:30.

best,

trillium

[Human Bean]

Sounds good - I'm in, if only for solidarity among the small group of us that willfully rejects the hegemony of that city in the north.

[mamster]

Sounds good - I'm in, if only for solidarity among the small group of us that willfully rejects the hegemony of that city in the north. 

Yeah, stupid Kamloops.

[trillium]

Well, Jim emailed me and bailed....he's pretty busy the rest of the month and since we were the only ones interested.... (hey...wait a minute, what does that mean?).

We're probably going to go this Sunday, you're welcome to join us or not. We're not that scary, no matter what Jim says.

down with the hegemony...

regards,

trillium

[Jim Dixon]

Okay, shame me back in....

I'll come, but can't do it on Sunday (Pascal Sauton benefit at Paley's and Azul is closed Sundays, too). Tuesday's also out (Chef Dan Spitz's last Family Supper at Ripe).

That only leaves Wednesday next week (Azul is also closed Mondays). Maybe we should add procrastinating to the list of the charming traits of Porlanders.

Jim