Tag: SE Portland

Friday Finds 7:19:13

I apologize for the lack of posts this week, but I promise I have a good reason: we moved! We found out on Tuesday when our plane home from Chicago landed in Portland that we finally had a house, so the next few days were crammed with packing, UHauls, Priuses packed to the brim, and oh, a couple gigs. It was nuts. But I’m back, I swear! Here’s this week’s Friday finds.

1. Teriyaki Eggplant with Cashew Herbed Coconut Rice

Teriyaki Eggplant with Cashed Herbed Coconut Rice by The First Mess // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler
Teriyaki Eggplant with Cashed Herbed Coconut Rice by The First Mess

This teriyaki eggplant and cashew herbed coconut rice looks awesome. I love anything Asian, I love when rice is made into something bright and interesting, and I love eggplant. This dish fits the bill!

2. Espresso Granita with Whipped Cream

Espresso Granita by Smitten Kitchen // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler
Espresso Granita by Smitten Kitchen

Smitten Kitchen’s take on a traditional affogato freezes the coffee instead of the ice cream, and the pour over is more of a dollop. But this one is even better for the hot days we’ve been having in Portland.

3. My Life in France by Julia Child

My Life in France by Julia Child // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler
My Life in France by Julia Child

When we were in Chicago, Jonah took me and Alison into Myopic Books in Wicker Park, where I found a used copy of My Life in France by Julia Child for about half its usual price. So of course, I sat in a comfy chair in the corner and started reading, and couldn’t put it down. I brought it back to Portland, and am still savoring each page. It’s so neat to read about someone else’s discovery of their passion for food and cooking.

4. Butcher block island

IKEA Butcher Block // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler
IKEA Butcher Block

While my new kitchen is wonderful, it certainly lacks some counter space. We’ve put a long dresser that’s about 3 feet tall along one empty wall (and we’re hoping to cover it with butcher block if we can), but for the time being, this IKEA butcher block island that used to reside in Jonah’s and my old bedroom has been a life saver. It’s small enough that it doesn’t take up our whole kitchen, but has the added benefit of storage (we’re using the shelves for pots and pans) and cutting board space.

5. Lauretta Jean’s Pie

Lauretta Jean's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie // Serious Crust by Annie Fassler
Lauretta Jean’s Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Last Saturday morning we played an early morning set at the PSU Farmers Market. It was really fun, and afterwards I treated myself to a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie from Lauretta Jean’s stand. I considered it fuel for moving day. They had just made a fresh batch of whipped cream to top my slice, and man oh man, it was good. Their crust was fantastically crispy and flaky.

Restaurant Review: Woodsman Tavern

Jonah and I had been wanting to go to the Woodsman Tavern for a while. When my dad and Darla came to town about a month ago, I was looking for places to eat, and saw that Woodsman Tavern has brunch. It’s a little out of town (east of 39th on about 50th and SE Division), so I figured it’d be a little less crazy than, say, Screen Door or Tasty n Sons. And it was. We still had to wait for a little bit, but there was no crazy line out the door or hour and a half wait. And the little wait there was was well worth it.

Brunch at the Woodsman Tavern

First, let me tell you about the decor. The whole restaurant is a beautiful dark wood, and the tables and chairs have a kind of industrial feel to them. The walls are covered with landscape paintings (many of them depicting the beautiful Mt. Hood). There are big windows along two walls, so the light was really natural and bright for brunch. It immediately felt homey but also chic.

The staff were all extremely friendly. Jonah and I waited at the bar, where we chatted with the bartender about their amazing vintage bitters bottles, our weekend thus far, and this cute puppy sitting outside. Our waitress was very sweet, and I was only mildly envious at how effortlessly she pulled off her white blond hair and bright red lipstick. She handled my dad’s sarcasm and schmoozing very well.

Brunch at the Woodsman Tavern

I decided to start the morning by indulging a bit and getting a mimosa, which the Woodsman does with grapefruit juice and some vanilla. It was a really nice simple twist on a classic. Dad and Jonah got the oven pancake with apricot preserves, ricotta, and pistachios. These pancakes were absolutely beautiful when they came to the table, big and light. And really tasty.

Brunch at the Woodsman Tavern

Darla and I both ordered with the potted egg with creamed greens, country ham (really more like prosciutto, which is my favorite), and a biscuit with apple butter. The egg and greens came in a little jar, with the biscuit and ham on the side. The egg was cooked perfectly atop the creamed greens (chard) and was all just really nice – it somehow was both light and comfort-food-esque at the same time. The biscuit was amazing: really flaky and crispy, and the apple butter was a lovely touch.

After brunch, we went to the little market they have next door. More of a specialty spot, they have a little produce cart outside, as well as some nice meats and cheeses inside (their breakfast sausage is really wonderful). The walls are covered with fancy oils, vinegars, sardines, salts… the list goes on and on. And in their little freezer they have containers of various stocks for sale as well as a small selection of Salt & Straw ice cream. The folks behind the counter were extremely nice and gave us tastes of various cheeses before we made our selection (to be used later for a midday snack). It was, overall, a lovely way to spend the morning.