The Joy of Cooking Again!
July 1, 2021
When one is met with peculiar family dynamics that have not been encountered before, there are two paths to take, especially when there is potential for conflict. One option is to stand your ground, watch the cortisol levels rise like Mount Vesuvius, and in the end, never accomplish the result you were trying to achieve. The other option is to simply resign to the fact that this is life as we know it for the time being, so just sit back and try to enjoy the roller coaster ride.
I’ve been in this situation for five years with limited access to a home kitchen. My wonderful wife has taken on the arduous task of cooking for three people daily. It keeps everyone fed and the conflicts are minimalized. I for one, love what my wife prepares. She’s a great cook.
This current respite I’m enjoying has allowed me to cook again. Not in a professional kitchen where one can hear this old chef’s bones crack like stepping on celery with every bend, stoop and pivot, but at a home setting where the wine flows like a waterfall and the setting is calm, peaceful and creative.
My friend of almost forty years Chris Mundy came over for a nice, simple dinner collaboration. He in his own right, is an elevated cook with a great palette, a keen sense of creativity who isn’t afraid to push the culinary boundaries that would make most of our family members wince at the very mention of “Chimichurri.”
He was going to his family’s cabin in Michigan and we both had ingredients we wanted to cook that wouldn’t last the week he was in Michigan so we decided on a pot luck dinner. The result was pretty spectacular.
I’ve adjusted my expectations on where to shop while I’ve been back. I haven’t had the opportunity to make the trek to the infamous Jungle Jim’s where you can procure everything from Rattlesnake to a hot sauce that would give the Sun a run for its money. So, until then, I have been relegated to the big box corporate grocery stores that I also encounter where I live. To say the least, the choices were grim.
It makes sense to stock their shelves with items that the residents of that area would purchase. I get it. I was hoping for something a tad more exotic than Strip Loin Steaks. Perhaps even frozen Duck Breast would suffice? Unfortunately, Strip Loin was the only choice.
I purchased some Applewood Smoked dry rub for the steak. I roasted some fresh Cauliflower, Crimini Mushrooms, and Radish with fresh herbs and olive oil. We combined these with fresh Blue Lake Green Beans. I decided on butter basting the steak with fresh herbs and garlic. I love grilling steaks but butter basting creates a rich, yet artery clogging euphoria that grilling seems to miss.
I let the steak repose and sliced it thin and placed it over the vegetable melange and topped it with Chris’s homemade Chimichurri Sauce which is like an Argentinian pesto, made with parsley, oregano, garlic, chili flakes, vinegar, and olive oil. It is used as a condiment on anything from eggs to vegetables. His version was excellent.
We added a Garbanzo Bean salad and we both shared wine. It was an excellent collaboration. It felt good to cook again. I’m hoping to keep this trend up during my stay.
Next stop. Jungle Jim’s. Just don’t tell my wife.
Venturing Out Into The Unkown
August 6, 2019
In the vast wasteland of the Bucks County culinary landscape where you have to travel up to forty five minutes to find meals prepared that don’t require cheese steak, marinara or something that is deep fried , it is rewarding when you reach the destination of a number of restaurants, taverns and BYOB eateries that reward you with locally produced vegetables, meats and cheeses painstakingly prepared by cooks who sincerely care about what they are cooking and who they are cooking for.
I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts about truly great gems that we’ve stumbled upon in Bucks County that we still frequent today. Places like La Campagna in Quakertown, the never missed Hachi in Chalfont, Slate Bleu in Doylestown, Blue Moose Cafe in New Hope and Bowman’s Tavern in New Hope are just a handful of eateries that get it. They really understand how to menu plan and execute great meals.
We’ve also enjoyed a robust brewery scene that is continually growing in the region which include consistently great Freewill Brewing in Perkasie, Mad Princes Brewing in Buckingham and Vault Brewing in Yardly. This a just snippet of wonderful craft breweries that are in the South East Pennsylvania area.
Getting out and about trying to find new places to visit is hard. Restaurant work is tough. It gobbles up any free time you have and you end up either sleeping your entire day away or on the couch watching Netflix with box wine and sandwiches from your local Italian hoagie joint.
My wife has been trying to drag me up to Easton Pennsylvania for over two years now. I’m not a big travel guy. I work a lot so when I have time off, my battery is pretty low so even getting off my ass to get to the shore has been met with failure for three years and counting. I just love being alone and relaxing and the thought of strolling down a boardwalk in 90 degree temperatures being bumped into by one tone deaf family after another with the waft of cotton candy and sunblock is nothing short of cringe worthy.
This time I acquiesced. I recently left my job and after a week have discovered new found energy not only physically but mentally. Jude brought up the idea of going to the Easton Market. They have Ramen place there and it’s been over three years since I’ve relished in the wonderful concoction of noodles, vegetables, eggs and proteins you normally don’t find in soups like togarashi dusted fried chicken or slow braised pork belly. Mr.Lee’s Noodles in the Easton Public Market offers pretty decent Ramen. It’s not most amazing Ramen we’ve had compared to Portland Oregon and San Francisco but for a small community in Eastern PA, I would definitely go back and have it again. The value of the product offered and the ingredients were solid.
The Easton Market was a breath of fresh air. I’ve never been to Easton before nor did I know of its history. Founded in 1752, it was a major hub during the Revolutionary War and one of three places where the Declaration of Independence was read. It resides by two rivers, the Delaware River and The Lehigh River. The layout of the town is interesting because you can see how they have preserved much of the city’s historical buildings and were still able to create new businesses without razing structures to be replaced with new construction.
The Easton Market itself is housed in a two century old building which is an outgrowth of the Easton Farmer’s Market which to this day is the oldest open air farmers market in the country. The schematic of vendors is planned out well. They have a wood fired pizza restaurant, an east coast crab shack, a chocolatier, a spirits booth, a crepe restaurant, a bbq restaurant and various craft gift and vegetable stands. We tried the Ramen and Crab shack. Both were good but the Lobster roll we tried did not really seem like a value for $22.00. We are excited to try the crepe and pizza booths when we make our next trip.
We didn’t have a lot time to visit much of the town on our first trip. It was getting later in the day and we both were getting tired. I think the next trip will be an overnight stay so we can really get a chance to see what Easton has to offer. I personally enjoyed the architecture and how the town was split up by the two rivers. It was a gorgeous place. We spoke to a young server named Cody from the Ramen booth. He mentioned how the city is in transition and ten years ago it was a very rough place to live. I could see what he was talking about. Many of the towns outside of Philadelphia never survived the smoke stack industry decline and fell into tough times and disrepair. Easton seems to have addressed this and it shows by the businesses currently occupying the downtown.
The diversity was also a welcomed sign. Families, kids with purple hair, artisans, chefs, every ethnicity you could fathom were all together enjoying what the market had to offer. You tend to forget about this when you reside in an area that has no diversity what so ever. We actually laughed about this when chatting with Cody. We were like, “When can we move here????” I think the only other area that remotely resembles this type of diverse environment is New Hope. Another place that we really enjoy.
I have no clue what my future has to offer me. Job hunting, getting grounded, not obsessing about the future is just a few things on my plate. It was refreshing though to see a new and interesting spot that is only forty five minutes away. Easton, you’ve found a new fan.
It’s Been Too Long
July 17, 2019
It’s been a few years since I’ve contributed to my blog. Life always seems to get in the way of doing things that you really enjoy. Keeping the blog current is one of them. I started to compare this site to a reoccurring dream I’ve had over the years where I have a rented an apartment that I stopped occupying. I felt guilty about not using the kitchen, the place started collecting dust and it started to feel abandoned. It bothered me. I literally forced myself to brush off my aging laptop today and compile a few notes and stories about what’s been going on in my life since moving to Pennsylvania.
My life has not been boring to say the least. After almost two and a half years as chef at the Farmhouse Tavern, I’ve decided it is time to move on. I’ve met great folks along the way but it’s time to change direction and find a new path.
Where I live is a quirky place. The borough I live in has a population of only about eleven thousand residents. Doylestown has a small, quaint downtown but five minutes in any direction is all farmland with pockets of residential neighborhoods. Finding decent food outside of Philly is a challenge. We find ourselves frequenting the same places to the point that I am a target of ridicule from friends and family because we eat at the same sushi restaurant about every week. Hachi in Chalfont PA has some of the best sushi we’ve ever had outside of San Francisco. Their attention to detail and techniques are beyond what you’d expect from a strip mall sushi joint. We also go to the Heart of the Oaks pub which in a basement of a 1700’s building that houses an Italian restaurant called Baci. Again, for what you pay, the food is so damn good and only five minutes from our house. Oddly enough, besides breweries, that’s our culinary social life. It is a far cry from the foodie towns of San Francisco and Portland where we spent almost twenty years.
I’ve been in the restaurant industry for over thirty years. I don’t regret ever taking this direction as a career. I’ve met amazing people along the way. I’ve enjoyed being creative, learning and teaching. I’m not sure how much longer I have left. Fifty five is just around the corner and this is ancient for a working chef. I still have the stamina to work eighteen days straight and a hundred and thirty hours without a day off but I want to be around a bit longer for my amazing wife Jude, so my next step needs to include a life balance. You only get one shot on this rock so you have to make it count. Just not for you, but the ones that love and care about you.
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Our Migration From Oregon to Pennsylvania
March 29, 2017
For the better part of two decades, my wife and I have resided on the west coast. Mainly in the San Francisco Bay Area. We decided to say goodbye to California in 2013 and make the 650 mile trek to Portland Oregon. It was a bold move. Neither of us had jobs but we had a supportive family and balls. Portland is a great town. I’ve highlighted our love for their dining scene in a previous post. The job market there was challenging to say the least. Saturated with folks like us from California and others from Washington and Idaho clogged the restaurant job market and finding jobs were few and far between. Finding quality jobs was even more of a stretch. I came to the conclusion that talented chefs were under appreciated and you ended up having to acquiesce and take jobs just to make rent. We tried and tried and after almost three years decided to toss in the towel. Adding ridiculous rent gouging, it felt more and more like the Bay Area which we fled due to these same issues.
My wife’s family who she hand not seen except in short visits campaigned to have us move back. Her mother was getting older and we felt a responsibility to her and her family to be closer to them and slow things down a bit. I am now also realizing the job market in Pennsylvania is even more challenging. I don’t really think we really researched what we were getting ourselves into. We have had a history of being impulsive. That is what keeps us young. Settling into one routine seemed stale and boring. We’ve had to work very hard to get where we wanted to go. This decision was an exception to the rule. Pennsylvania isn’t like any other state we’ve lived in regards to population density. Even the extremely rural state of Oregon had a number of large cities and extended suburban neighborhoods. We found out that where we live which is Doylestown, is an area that has ‘pockets’ of populaton which comprises Buck’s County. This made living here and finding jobs extremely difficult. We wanted to be close to her mother and living in Doylestown meant getting a job in Philly was not an option. The results were basic pub jobs. I worked at a brewery in Quakertown for a brief period of time in which I came to the realization I needed a break from the industry.
I’ve been in the restaurant industry since I was 16 years old. I’m now 52 and wanted a change. I was experiencing debilitating pain from putting away fifteen hundred pounds of stock twice a week taking its toll on my back, knees and feet. My passion for the industry never waned but my body was telling me a different story. Adding the frustration with being the ‘King of Wings’ chef in rural PA, it was time for a change.
I decided it was time for a break. My father who at the time was in his final stages of cancer was assisted by our local hospice facility. I loved the program and the folks that helped him were kind, caring and understanding. There was an opportunity for me to deliver medicine to hospice patients here in the Philly area and with my need for a break, I decided to pay it forward and take the job. I have wonderful clients and the job is very rewarding spritually but not financially. I will resume my career as a chef but in the time being, this was a good choice for me. My body is thanking me too.
Not having the luxury of being able to dine in Philadelphia, we’ve made an extra effort to ferret out great places to eat and drink in the Buck’s County area that I’d like to share with you. These include restaurants, brew pubs and breweries. They are not in any particular order.
One of our favorite local breweries is Free Will Brewing. They are located in Perkasie PA. They specialize in Sours and off the beaten path brewing styles. My wife, who used to be prone to drinking only IPA’s has now fallen in love with Free Will’s sours. They by far are some of the best we’ve ever had. They also have a tasting room in Lahaska at Peddler’s Village.
Another great brewery we frequent that is just down the road from our home in Buckingham PA is Mad Princess Brewing. The brewery has been open for about 15 months and specializes in German style beer. They also brew styles that have not been brewed for years which is always exciting to try. I highly recommend them. They are very knowledgable and helpful without the pretension.
Eating in Buck’s county can be challenging. It’s mostly composed of burgers and wings. I shit you not. I’m not a food snob by any means and love a great burger and beer but sometimes you need things that have a bit of elevation to the dishes that are created. We found this great gem in Lahaska called Caleb’s American Kitchen It’s a BYOB which seems to be a huge thing here in PA and I applaud the idea. You can splurge on great food and take your own wine that doesn’t have a three and half times mark up which affords you to have more choices when eating out. The ingredients are very fresh, the staff are attentive and we highly recommend their burger night which is Tuesdays.
If you are into wine bars which we really enjoy, head to New Hope. We love this area. Gay friendly hood on the border of New Jersey. Great small town with funky historical buildings that is nestled next to the Delaware river and canal. One place in particular that we really enjoy is called Nectar Wine Bar. They have an excellent small plates menu and a diverse by the glass and bottle list. We tried a white from Greece that was amazing. Slate and mineral notes. The service is very prompt and the space is quaint and pretty. We love New Hope.
We we were urged to try an Italian Restaurant in Quakertown by my brother-in-law. If you ever visited the area, it’s not a hotbed of culinary delights. In fact, the dining scene with the exception of maybe two places is pretty dismal. This is an exception to the rule. By a long shot. They have an EXCELLENT happy hour where you can get amazing pasta dishes for under $15.00. We tried the bruschetta, the calamari, salmon entree and my wife had the seafood pasta. Everything was superb. You’d never would have known it by looking at the place. It’s in the middle of nowhere, pretty much a hole in the wall ran by two Italian sisters but the food is top-notch. It’s a BYOB so splurge on the wine and save the money for great authentic Italian cuisine.
A local place in Plumbsteadville is called Devil’s Half Acre. It’s a German inspired gastropub and the food and drinks are solid. It can get pricey. Almost six dollars for the deviled egg app is a bit of a stretch. The draft beer can cost you a small fortune too. Some of the beers we tried even being local were seven dollars. They have a varied menu that features German fare like sausages, schnitzel and a German beer list that coincides with a domestic craft beer list. They also have a Tuesday burger madness night where two burgers compete to see which one will be on the list next week. We tried them. They were both great. I had a habernero stuffed burger which was surprisingly mild and my wife had a caramelzied onion burger. Both great but sloppy as hell. The place is gorgeous and the service is prompt and fun. We recommend it! 
If you are into Mexican as much as we are, we recommend Rey Azteca in Warminster. Portland did not have a great Mexican food scene but when we were about to move, it definitely started to blow up. The Portland Mercado on Foster Road was a great addition with food carts highlighting hispanic and latino cuisine from all over the planet. Rey Azteca is very authentic, a bit pricey for what you get but the food is solid. All burritos we ordered were accompanied by rice and beans and their menu is HUGE! Their carnitas are very good and they actually used pulled chicken verses sauteed chicken chunks which was a huge turn off for us. Pulled chicken burrtios are what makes me very happy! The service is lightening fast and it also a BYOB. 
We just moved to Pennsylvania seven months ago. There is a lot of catching up to do in regards to the restaurant scene. This is just a snapshot of what we’ve tried and many places simply were not worth the mention. You have to be very diligent to see the culinary diamonds in the rough in regards to the Buck’s County food scene but we won’t stop till we have a full portfolio of places to try and we haven’t even ventured into Philly yet. That is next! Cheers!!!
My Portland Eating and Drinking Faves
March 7, 2016
We’ve lived in Portland about two and a half years. Though we’ve had some challenges and adjustments that needed to be made, we’ve managed to come across some great eateries, breweries and bars that I wanted to share with you. This is by far not a complete list but some gems we really love and want to highlight here in Portland.
Breweries. Tasting Rooms and Bars
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company and Tasting Room
Hair of the Dog Brewing Company and Tasting Room
This may be a slight show of favoritism because I’m the Chef but I have to say, the beers at HOTD are world class. My favorites are Adam, an American strong ale and Blue Dot, a classic mildly hopped IPA. The brewery also boasts a robust aging program where you can try beers dating back almost 20 years. The brewery also uses a concrete ‘egg fermenter’ that imparts flavor through the minerals in the concrete and various barrel aging programs. The food is solid, sustainable and well executed. We are going to be updating the menu in the future so stay tuned!
Lompoc Brewing
I was fortunate enough to land the kitchen manager’s position at their Oaks Bottom Public House in Sellwood. I was there almost a year and their beers and food are solid. They’ve won various awards for the ales including a silver for their Proletariat Red at the GABF. All menu items are made from scratch and each location, you can find different menu items to enjoy. Stop by Side Bar in Northeast Portland to sample barrel aged beers they have to offer.
The Commons Brewery
We’ve been to The Commons a couple of times. They have a solid beer program. Various styles and all well crafted. The brewery also has a tasting room that is in a restored warehouse in SE Portland that also has a robust charcuterie menu from locally sourced product. It’s a must try.
Baerlic Brewing
Baerlic is an Old English meaning ‘of barley.’ We aren’t really concerned about the etymology of the word but more about how good their beers are. There isn’t anything extremely chancy or high ABV with their beers but they are very consistent, solid and delicious. The service is very friendly and they have a great beer trivia game you can play while enjoying one of their seasonal ales. I really liked their Guze they offered the last time we were there. No real food to speak of but nuts and other small bar snacks.
Gigantic Brewing
This is just a couple of miles from our house. Nestled in a SE industrial park area near Holgate, this brewery boasts of different an interesting styles of beers. The last time we were in, I tried a gin barrel ale that was terrific. They have bottles to go and the tasting room is comfortable if not small so get their early. The service can be a bit chilly but if you can get past that, your experience will be well worth it.
Green Dragon Bistro and Pub
This establishment boasts almost 50 beers on tap. Mostly a local list but we’ve seen offerings from California and Washington. They also offer about a half dozen of their own hand crafted beers on tap as well. You walk by what looks like a green barracks and directly next door is a huge warehouse filled with beer patrons and the last time we were in the place was packed. They have a full food menu which is well rounded and the service is friendly and fast. There are live big screen tv’s that list their current selection of beers and info about the beers. Right around the corner from Green Dragon is Cascade Brewing which specializes in Sour beers. Definitely a must try. cascade
Apex Bar
One of my favorite tasting rooms in Portland. They have a huge list that offers a wide varieties of styles of beers whether it’s a triple IPA or a chili beer. A massive live feed TV shows a rotating and current list of beers available. It is cash only and expect to have your choice ready when you arrive. It can get busy and bartenders there will pass you up if you are not Johnny on the spot with your order. They have four pinball machines, an ATM but no food. There is a decent taqueria next door and huge patio. For the more daring, they have a to go bottle shop in the back but be prepared to shell out some hard earned cash. Some of the aged offerings are quite pricey.
NWIPA
This is my favorite local watering hole in Portland. Only four blocks from my house. They have a small tap list. Only six taps but the list is varied, always great and rotates very often. You can sit there, order a beer and a half an hour later, the tap changes. They have a small but delicious food menu that boats oysters, a monthly sous vide burger and other small plates. They also have a modest but decent to go bottle shop. The service is always friendly and accommodating.
Belmont Station
By far one of the most comprehensive bottle shops in Portland. Boasting now over 1300 beers to go, they are one of the most important bottle shops in the area. They also have a small tasting room adjacent to the bottle shop that offers over 20 beers of various styles on tap. Different styles as well as various pour amounts so you can sample different beers without committing to a full pint. They also have a spacious outside patio area and a food truck behind the shop for anyone wanting a sandwich to go with their beers.
Saraveza
This bottle shop and restaurant’s name is word play on Sarah Pederson and Cerveza ala ‘Saraveza.’ The place is adorable with vintage beer coolers and a 50’s vibe interior. Their menu is British influenced with various pasties or meat plates with over 250 bottles to go and a 9 tap rotation with very interesting styles of beer. The service is top notch and friendly. We had the smoked trout plate the last time we were in and it was delicious. Highly recommended.
Southeast Wine Collective
This is our favorite wine bar. Located on one of the most robust food corridors in Portland, Division St, this small but bustling winery has not only a great wine list but one of the best wine bar menus we’ve ever had. Insane charcuterie board, a die for deviled egg trio and the sandwiches look amazing as well. They have a massive by the glass, flight and tasting wine menu. The tasting room is tiny so arrive early. The service is very knowledgeable and friendly. A must try.
Roadside Attraction
Though they do not have an actual website, I linked their facebook page to this blog post. We stumbled upon this amazing joint after sampling beers at Green Dragon. It is a glorious reclaimed nightmare straight out of junkyard heaven. Deceiving from the outside, the inside is what you’d expect Tim Burton’s house would resemble. Carefully designed scrap yard of shit that would make a junkyard dog proud to protect. Inside is adorned with crushed velvet, booths and free pool. They have a full food menu and some great local beers on tap. The crowd is varied from hipsters to old british drunks. They have an outside fire pit and there is plenty of space to chill. A new favorite of ours.
Basement Pub
Their website appears to still be in development. I added their facebook page as well. This is around the corner from Roadside Attraction. Literally a basement, it is a cavernous and quaint pub that offers some of the coldest brews in town. Local craft beer, a modest food menu and a cute kitchen with a 50’s style stove. They also provide patio seating and the service was very friendly when we visited last.
Restaurants
The Tin Shed
Ok, I admit, I’m listing this first because my lovely wife Jude manages the place but it is still an important eatery in Portland. They’ve been around almost 15 years and have been an important part of a bustling NE Alberta restaurant scene for almost two decades. Yeah, it appears to be an actual shed with a corrugated metal exterior but the inside is cozy with a spacious patio with a wood fired stove to keep patrons warm on the weekend. The Tin Shed is probably one of the busiest breakfast spots in Portland with hour long waits to enjoy their comfort-food style breakfasts. They also have a full dinner menu, four rotating beer taps and a extensive infused liquor program. The service is always uber friendly and they also are dog friendly. They are participants in a local rescue adoption program with pictures and profiles of dogs in need of homes. They do not take reservations so do not go there ‘hangry.’ You could be waiting for a while.
Gold Dust Meridian
This is one our favorite happy hour place by far. Happy hour starts promptly at 2 p.m. and goes all the way to 8 p.m. The menu is varied with a lot of different choices. We highly recommend the mac-n-cheese, any salad offerings they have and the clams are excellent. They also have a flatbread that is delicious. The drink menu is also great and they have a number of rotating beer taps. Service has been hit and miss and can be chilly at times but it hasn’t discouraged us from enjoying well prepared happy hour food and drinks.
Cibo Italian Restaurant
This is our new favorite restaurant. We’ve been probably four times in the last three months. We aren’t necessarily Italian foodies but their menu offers a great variety of items the we not only love but need sometimes. Things like fresh greens which in our business, can be looked over easily. They have an excellent if not one of the best happy hour menus in the city. Boasting over twenty years being open, their menu is polished and executed very well. We love their broccoli rabe, wilted spinach and mussels on happy hour menu. We also tried the escargot and they have a $7.00 margarita pizza that is amazing. They also offer $6.00 cocktails that are amazing. The service is top notch and always friendly and the interior is beautiful. A must try for people who like well crafted Italian fare.
The American Local
Though we’ve only been here once, we have to say it was probably the best dining experience we’ve had in Portland. Located on ‘foodie row’ on Division st. this amazing eatery does Asian-Gastropub fusion fare that will knock your socks off. They do spins on typical American fare and add an Asian flare to it and the results are stunning. We tried the smoked salmon toast. It was amazing. We also tried a bowl of beans and greens which had Asian spices laced through the dish. There a many small plates that we suggest trying and the wine list was approachable and affordable. If you can stand sitting outside with folks walking by as you eat, that is an option and most inside seating is family style. It’s an excellent restaurant.
Bar Avignon
This is one amazing Bistro. Farm to table cuisine with a rotating menu. We suggest trying the oysters, and cheese plate. They also offer a charcuterie plate, shellfish and amazing salads. They have a wonderful wine list and the service is professional and polished. Reservations are suggested. The place is tiny and it gets packed quickly.
Sushi Mazi
We’ve tried a number of sushi restaurants in Portland and none of them have come close to what we’ve experienced at this Division St. eatery. The happy hour menu is excellent and their rolls are not only delicious but are very well constructed and beautiful. A big gripe of ours when eating rolls that can run you up to $13.00 per roll is that many times, they are just sloppily and carelessly created with some innocuous sauce splattered over it. Sushi Mazi’s chefs take the time to create very pretty food and the flavors are thought out and the product is consistent. They have an affordable wine list but do prepare if you are hungry to shell out $100.00 for a full meal with wine but it’s worth it.
Tabor Tavern
This was one of the first places tried when moving to Portland. It was by accident actually. We were just driving by and Jude insisted we stop in. It has been on our favorite list for two and a half years. The happy hour menu is great with a charcuterie board, happy hour burger and a to die for chicken sandwich. They have a generous tap list and the service is friendly and courteous. It’s located on an odd strip of Burnside and you can drive by it without even noticing it but once you try their pub grub, you will be an instant fan.
Eastburn
We’ve been to this mid city gastropub a number of times. Every time the food, beer and service has been solid. They have an excellent happy hour menu, a great beer list with even more tap offerings in their annex basement bar and the food is well prepared. We suggest the mac-n-cheese. Locally sourced craft beers are on tap and happy hour offers $3.00 selected brews. Beware of the big screen sporting events though. It can get loud and if you aren’t into local sports, check your local listings.
Boke Bowl
This is a really decent ramen joint on Water st. in the industrial section of SE Portland. They offer a number of different ramen bowls including rice bowls and they are famous for their steamed buns. We suggest the fried chicken steamed buns which are delicious. It is counter service only and add-on’s to your ramen or rice bowls with buns can run you up to almost $50.00 for two people without booze. Our only gripe was the music choices which tends to be exclusively geared towards screeching punk rock. The crowd was varied when we were there and thought the music should be too but the food has always been consistent. Just watch your wallet.
Tasty n Sons
We’ve tried a number of breakfast places in Portland but this was the best breakfast meal we’ve ever had here and I’m not just posting this because our friend Paige works there. We just decided to give it a try on a morning while in NE Portland. The food was stunning. We had their breakfast board, potatoes bravas and Kabocha squash enchiladas and I swear our taste buds were having tiny little orgasms. I shit you not. The service was very friendly and professional and the place is beautiful. It is located along the Williams food corridor but be aware, parking can be brutal during peak hours.
Higgins Restaurant
I’m not even sure why we tried this place. We were simply driving around downtown and Jude said “hey, let’s go there for lunch.” I agreed and the experience was excellent. They were between service so they had a modest bar menu to choose from. The food was superb. Farm to table fare which was very fresh and tasty. Smoke salmon plate, a charcuterie board (yes, we like our meat plates!) and an extensive beer menu. They had Pliny the Elder on tap which was a huge win for us! We also tried some Belgians by the bottle. The service was professional and excellent. They place was quiet and comfortable. Be prepared to drive around the block a few times to find parking it being located in busy downtown Portland.
Fifty Licks
Located on Clinton St. in SE Portland this tiny ice cream shop features off the beaten path craft ice cream that is to die for. The last time we were in I tried the ghost pepper ice cream which had tremendous but balanced heat. It was awesome and Jude had a salted caramel ice cream which we loved. They sell pints to go and the place is tiny but has outside seating as well. A must try.
Reverend’s BBQ
This is an excellent BBQ restaurant located in the SE Sellwood Neighborhood. The place is beautiful and the BBQ is very very good. I had the boneless fried chicken thighs and a pork rib and Jude has the brisket with a pork rib with mac-n-cheese and baked beans. We also had their Moscow Mule which blew us away. The service is extremely friendly and everything was top notch. BBQ plates range around $17.00 with one side but the price is worth it.
Bertie Lou’s
This SE Sellwood hole in the wall is a must try for a great home cooked breakfast. Only about 8 tables and two outside benches, the place is always packed and the food is solid. Nothing fancy, just straight forward breakfast fare. Funky interior and even funkier wait staff. Be patient because it can be a hot minute before your food arrives but it’s worth it.
Saint Pizza Lounge and Gladstone Pizza
By far one of the best pizza places in Portland. I shit you not. It reminds us of what East Coast pizza is and the flavors and toppings are top notch. We always get the Front of House pizza with arugula and sausage. Do not pass up the large chef salad with cured meats and pickles. They have maybe the best Margaritas I’ve ever had and there are about six rotating taps. The service is amazing and the music is too. Funky, fun and relaxing. You can’t pass this one up.
Porque No?
Set in what appeared to be a burned out garage, this always packed all day long taqueria cranks out some really great local and sustainable mexican food with a farm to table twist. Taco Tuesday $1.50 tacos are a don’t miss. We get the porque no platter with one choice of meat that comes with beans, rice and salsa. For $10.00, it’s a huge plate of food. Their hot sauces are excellent and $7.00 margaritas and it’s a win win for your taste buds. Lines can form quickly but mid afternoon is best when the place is half empty.
The Liquor Store
Part bar, part restaurant, part club, we visited during happy hour to avoid the club part of the business. Happy hour menu is varied with flatbreads which are excellent, amazing salads and a so-so mac-n-cheese. The ‘house punch’ was excellent for just $5.00. You order at the bar and the friendly staff drops the food off at your table. The interior is gorgeous and it’s nestled in the flourishing Belmont St. food corridor. We highly recommend. P.S. They have the best pretzel in Portland.
Helen Bernhard Bakery
What can I say but just the best fucking bakery in all of Portland. No need to elaborate. Just go and find out for yourself. Everything the make is pure gold.
Well, that’s my list which will be updated as we try more great places. I’m sure I’ve missed a couple but when they come to mind, I’ll be sure to add them to this great list of must try places. Thanks!
-Kevin.
Various Dishes I’ve Created Over the Years
November 8, 2015
I’ve been fortunate enough to be exposed to great farms and ranchers over the last few years. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have an outlet to utilize these great products they provide and create dishes that I’m proud of. I’ve always wanted to open my own restaurant. Even created a business plan and had a modest savings for this venture. Learning about the in’s and out’s of creating a small business has its challenges. Mainly capital to keep the venture afloat. We are still in hopes that this dream of ours will come to fruition. We’ve been in the industry for over 20 years and would eventually like to be our own bosses. Hopefully this will happen but in the meantime I wanted to share some of the dishes I’ve created over the last three or so years. -Chef Kevin
Dungeness crab salad over grilled pineapple, organic cherry tomatoes, sprouts and avocado purée
Roasted cauliflower, sunchoke and frisee salad
Chocolate chip bread pudding in cast iron skillet with house made salted caramel and vanilla bean ice cream
Sesame crusted ahi tuna over wasabi mashed potatoes and topped with a fresh mango salsa. Not fancy but it was very delicious
House-made bacon bourbon ice cream
Beer braised pork shank over cannellini beans and mirepoix with natural jus
Local greens with grapes, organic cherry tomatoes and candied walnuts
Mac-n-cheese with lardon and a pilsner cheese béchamel
Blackened ling cod, white cheddar grits, tomatillo sauce and a fried plantain
Armenian and lemon cucumber salad, cherry tomatoes, wild rocket, feta cheese and a mint vinaigrette
Cider brined, slow roasted Carlton Farms pork belly, carrot puree, jicama salad and Inca red drop peppers
Pan seared snapper, over yukon gold mashed, romesco and pesto sauces with sprouts
A Way of Life farms heirloom tomato bruschetta, micro sprouts, goat cheese, balsamic reduction
Liberty Farms duck confit, peach compote, frisee
char sui pork ribs, wasabi mash, broccoli rabe
Mediterranean spiced pan seared salmon, orzo arugula salad, tatziki
Slow braised pork shank, lentils, greens, demi glace
Pan seared true cod, curry, cauliflower, local cherry tomatoes, cilantro
Pan seared halibut, parmesan polenta, herb oil
Cider brined pork chop, cheddar-scallion potato cake, caramelized brussels sprouts, bacon and an ale-mustard sauce
Just some light reading
Urban Crow
October 23, 2014
Urban Crow is a new project I am working on that is a brainchild of my wife and I. It’s goal is to provide a craft beer and wine destination that also serves farm to table small plates in a casual setting with off premise sales. There is not enough representation of pairing beer with food in Portland and we are hoping to change that. Supporting local farmers and artisans is very important to us and has been for many years. We are looking for investors. That will help make our dream come true.
Portland Bound, My Culinary Journey And A Time To Reflect
September 19, 2013
We’ve been here for about fifteen years collectively. Trying to remember the places we’ve lived and the positions I’ve held in the almost nines back in the Bay Area is mind-boggling. I’ve had a history of staying in kitchens for years. And I’ve learned that I’ve stayed in kitchens years longer than I should have. I could say I liked the job security. I could say I enjoyed the people I worked for. I could also say I was afraid of change. What I will say is that its probably a combination of all three. I also made bold moves while living here. I took huge pay cuts to work as a line cook because I wanted to learn. I wanted to learn how California cooks. I wanted to hone skills that were not being used by working for corporate restaurants.
I also learned how to stand up for myself. To value myself. To realize I was a good cook who could also be a leader and mentor to younger cooks. I could have easily taken the easy route and stayed with RUI but they simply do not produce chefs. The produce managers of food, managers of people and managers of money. I wanted to cook. I wanted to learn. I wanted to cook good food and try to find an identity for myself. A niche. Something that I could relate to as well as my customers related to. Sensible good food.
B Restaurant in Oakland afforded me that ability. It paid horribly but I had menu input, I created specials and finally got the feeling of what it was like to be creative and use local and sustainable products. True California cuisine. It wasn’t enough though. I wanted to a balance between being creative and still lead a kitchen. I loved mentoring cooks. Not only teaching them how to cook but how to make money from the product they produced and appreciate how to turn food into money. I was good at it. I still am. Left Bank Brasserie gave me the opportunity to lead a kitchen as a Sous Chef while learning a new cuisine. French Bistro cuisine was very fun to create. I made dishes I never thought I’d have the opportunity to create. I got to cook for wonderful chefs like jacque pepin, Lidia Bastianich, Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso.
I still wanted more. I made a very bold decision and moved to Portland but this time without my Wife Jude. I thought getting a job there, being with close family would convince her that moving would be the best choice. I had no realization that the job market was so challenging there. I also had serious self-esteem issues that I didn’t understand until I moved back to San Francisco. I did a lot of reading while in Portland. I also did a lot of cooking too. I wasn’t a Sous Chef anymore. I was a Chef and wanted my own kitchen. It was time. I had not choice. It was almost like a vocation and I ran with it. I applied at a number of places but received a call from the owners of The Monk’s Kettle. A new built from scratch Gastropub in The Mission District. A very ambitious undertaking in a supposedly cursed location. I created a menu from my head, scratching ideas down on a legal pad. No test kitchen, no history. Just what I liked to eat and what I thought went great with beer. I enjoyed three great years there. They are about to celebrate their sixth anniversary and I feel that my contributions during my three years there are a big reason while they are still open and thriving. I think about my time there a lot.
I also thought about my Dad a lot during that time. He was struggling with his health and it was taking its toll on him. I decided that my focus should be on caring for him and my family and took a break from the kitchen. My wife was absolutely wonderful and patient during these hard times. It was very hard dealing with his illness and subsequent death and I felt lost after his passing. Tragic events like this can make you question your talents, courage and determination to move forward and if I didn’t get back in the kitchen soon, I never would. Judy passed along an ad for a new restaurant opening in Berkeley just two months after my fathers funeral. I applied. I needed to cook again and I did. I was determined to cook my food again and migrated my menu that was highly regarded at The Monk’s Kettle and implemented it at Freehouse. I had very high hopes for this new venture. My vision of Freehouse business model did not go the same direction as the restaurant did and I felt compelled to part ways fifteen months later. There are certain things I will not sacrifice as chef and I felt if I stayed, I would be sacrificing those core values so I left. Judy’s job was also not evolving the way she wanted to after eight years at First Crush so we decided we wanted a change.
My Uncle and his partner bought a house in Portland Oregon. I truly feel this time my luck will be much better because of what I have learned while being back in the bay area. I feel that I truly am a chef. I can create, cost out and execute very pretty food that people can relate to and enjoy without feeling like it is something over their heads or unapproachable. I also learned how to not only pair beer with food but to cook with it. I also learned how to home-brew which is not only rewarding but inexpensive. We love the Bay Area. We have hundreds of photos of us camping, drinking, eating and enjoying family and friends.
There are things we are going to miss very much. Campsite #6 at Wright’s Beach, Samuel P. Taylor campsite, Jenner California. Going to Santa Cruz and having a great burger and craft beer at BURGER. Visiting our chiropractor Dr. Lei who has done wonders in keeping me in the kitchen. Trips to Berkeley Marina just to do nothing. Loving driving across the Richmond Bridge. Why? Because it’s beautiful. My butchery classes at 4505 Meats. Having dinner with Bruno and Ben. Happy hour at Cesar. Going for late night burritos at La Pinata. Taking drives to Tiburon and people watching. Driving down highway 1 to Half Moon Bay. Seeing the clouds envelop the Golden Gate Bridge while driving over it. Saying we live in the most beautiful place on earth driving over the Bay Bridge. Hell, just sitting in our fairy garden area of our yard and watching our cats frolic and just doing nothing but talking. Life can be simple but it’s short. Live it to the fullest and enjoy where you are. We will miss it dearly but are also excited to experience new things. Which we will. I can’t wait to share this with you.
-Kevin.
Tales From an Urban Chef 