Here is the new Travel Portland video. I was so excited when I saw it that I had to share it here with you. I love this city and all that it has to offer. We are the most ecofriendly city in the states, microbrew capitol of America, Willamette Valley wines, no sales tax, Cannon Beach...the most photographed coast line in America, Mt Hood ski and recreation area. One hour to the coast and one hour to the mountains, the Deschutes River among so many others with great river rafting, the abundant Hood River Valley, coops, community gardens, Farmers markets, great restaurants....and so much more!! Have a look for yourself and if your ever in town, please look me up!
Showing posts with label Yummy Portland Eats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yummy Portland Eats. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Saturday Farmers Market at Portland State University
My morning started at about 9:50am. I meant to leave earlier since the Farmers Market starts at 8:30am but I had to wait for the bank to open since I couldn't make my transaction through the ATM. After I finished my business at the bank, I walked down Lovejoy from 23rd to 12th and down 12th to Everett. I had heard about Caffe Umbria via word of mouth, then had a look at their website and decided I had to try it. It was a good mile and a half to two mile walk from the bank so I built up a good little appetite on the way.
I walked in and had no idea what I wanted. I decided to observe a little first then make my choice. It was nice to see that it was run more like a cafe' in Italy than that of a Starbucks. I chose to have a cappuccino and a biscotti to go. I have to say that it was quite good.
I took my cappuccino and biscotti and headed down Everrett so I could catch the Streetcar to the South Park blocks at PSU. The Streetcar was standing room only. Lots of people heading to the Farmers Market or to the Rose Festival, which started this weekend, but I will save that for another post. Since this was my first time to the Farmers Market, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had been to other Farmers Markets before, but I had heard that this one was one of the best.
When the Streetcar dropped me and the crowd off, I couldn't help but stop to look at the beautiful greenery around me. The South Park blocks and the PSU campus are some of the prettiest places in Portland proper. It's so many blocks of tree-lined streets. These streets are also lined with Churches and museums. It's called the Cultural District.
After taking a few pics, off I went to explore the Farmers Market. It was pretty crowded. I guess I wasn't expecting such a big crowd, but it was a beautiful morning and the good weather brings Oregonians out.
One of the first booths I saw was the Pearl Bakery. I love this bakery! Last year I popped into the bakery and had a fig panini and it was absolutely delicious. I've been a fan ever since. I bought a few pieces of bread and decided I'd find something there at the market to spread on my yummy fresh baked breads. I know fresh-baked bread is not such a big deal to some people, but I used to live in North Dakota where fresh-baked bread is nonexistant, so I always consider it a treat.
I was overwhelmed by the wonderful aromas that filled the air. This is defintely a place to bring a healthy appetite. I wasn't planning on buying much since I planned to spend a good part of the day walking around downtown and the Rose Festival. But there was so much temptation! From gourmet popcorn....
to more bread, all kinds of bread!!
Grilled sausages...oh, these smelled so good!
Fresh veggies...
Colorful flowers.....
This one brought a smile to my face. I love Calla Lillies!!
Just look at these beautiful strawberries!! They were delicious!
Yummy pastries. This pic is a little blurry but this was as close as I could get. This pastry booth was jam packed with people.
Fresh herbs....
OK, enough of all that, it was time to find some spread for my bread! I came across some mango pepper jelly and champagne mustard. Both of which were quite tasty, but I decided to keep looking.
Then I stumbled onto this.....Lavender Jam...whah?? It peaked my interest, so I tasted some and it was just perfect! I bought the Lavendar Raspberry Pear jam, and let me tell you, it is as good as it sounds, even better!! It's made by Sundance Lavender Farm in Salem, Oregon. They had so many different flavors, all infused with lavender.
To go with the beautiful fresh-baked bread I bought.
It looked like everyone had a good time. When there's good fresh food involved, who doesn't??!!
After I finished making the rounds at the market, I headed for the Rose Festival, but I'll save that for another post. I got hungry after so much walking around so I figured I'd have lunch at the Pearl Bakery in the Pearl District on the way home. It's a pretty inconspicuous place.
Unfortunately they no longer had the fig panini, so I picked the tuna sandwich. It didn't look like much, but it sure was tasty. It's described as White Spanish tuna, dill aioli, romaine and dijon on pistolet. The bread looked like somebody's backside, but I didn't mind, it was good!
Then I hopped on the Streetcar and my last stop before going home was Alotto Gelato. My favorite gelateria in all of Portland.
I had pistacchio, gianduia, and fresh banana. The perfect way to end my afternoon!
It was a perfect day. The only thing missing was my Ale, but I always carry him with me in my heart :) Next post, Rose Festival.
Caffe Umbria
303 NW 12th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503)241-5300
Pearl Bakery
102 NW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503)827-0910
Alotto Gelato
931 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503)228-1709
I walked in and had no idea what I wanted. I decided to observe a little first then make my choice. It was nice to see that it was run more like a cafe' in Italy than that of a Starbucks. I chose to have a cappuccino and a biscotti to go. I have to say that it was quite good.
I took my cappuccino and biscotti and headed down Everrett so I could catch the Streetcar to the South Park blocks at PSU. The Streetcar was standing room only. Lots of people heading to the Farmers Market or to the Rose Festival, which started this weekend, but I will save that for another post. Since this was my first time to the Farmers Market, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had been to other Farmers Markets before, but I had heard that this one was one of the best.
When the Streetcar dropped me and the crowd off, I couldn't help but stop to look at the beautiful greenery around me. The South Park blocks and the PSU campus are some of the prettiest places in Portland proper. It's so many blocks of tree-lined streets. These streets are also lined with Churches and museums. It's called the Cultural District.
After taking a few pics, off I went to explore the Farmers Market. It was pretty crowded. I guess I wasn't expecting such a big crowd, but it was a beautiful morning and the good weather brings Oregonians out.
One of the first booths I saw was the Pearl Bakery. I love this bakery! Last year I popped into the bakery and had a fig panini and it was absolutely delicious. I've been a fan ever since. I bought a few pieces of bread and decided I'd find something there at the market to spread on my yummy fresh baked breads. I know fresh-baked bread is not such a big deal to some people, but I used to live in North Dakota where fresh-baked bread is nonexistant, so I always consider it a treat.
I was overwhelmed by the wonderful aromas that filled the air. This is defintely a place to bring a healthy appetite. I wasn't planning on buying much since I planned to spend a good part of the day walking around downtown and the Rose Festival. But there was so much temptation! From gourmet popcorn....
to more bread, all kinds of bread!!
Grilled sausages...oh, these smelled so good!
Fresh veggies...
Colorful flowers.....
This one brought a smile to my face. I love Calla Lillies!!
Just look at these beautiful strawberries!! They were delicious!
Yummy pastries. This pic is a little blurry but this was as close as I could get. This pastry booth was jam packed with people.
Fresh herbs....
OK, enough of all that, it was time to find some spread for my bread! I came across some mango pepper jelly and champagne mustard. Both of which were quite tasty, but I decided to keep looking.
Then I stumbled onto this.....Lavender Jam...whah?? It peaked my interest, so I tasted some and it was just perfect! I bought the Lavendar Raspberry Pear jam, and let me tell you, it is as good as it sounds, even better!! It's made by Sundance Lavender Farm in Salem, Oregon. They had so many different flavors, all infused with lavender.
To go with the beautiful fresh-baked bread I bought.
It looked like everyone had a good time. When there's good fresh food involved, who doesn't??!!
After I finished making the rounds at the market, I headed for the Rose Festival, but I'll save that for another post. I got hungry after so much walking around so I figured I'd have lunch at the Pearl Bakery in the Pearl District on the way home. It's a pretty inconspicuous place.
Unfortunately they no longer had the fig panini, so I picked the tuna sandwich. It didn't look like much, but it sure was tasty. It's described as White Spanish tuna, dill aioli, romaine and dijon on pistolet. The bread looked like somebody's backside, but I didn't mind, it was good!
Then I hopped on the Streetcar and my last stop before going home was Alotto Gelato. My favorite gelateria in all of Portland.
I had pistacchio, gianduia, and fresh banana. The perfect way to end my afternoon!
It was a perfect day. The only thing missing was my Ale, but I always carry him with me in my heart :) Next post, Rose Festival.
Caffe Umbria
303 NW 12th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503)241-5300
Pearl Bakery
102 NW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503)827-0910
Alotto Gelato
931 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503)228-1709
Friday, August 31, 2007
L'Arrivo Dell'Italiano
Amidst my medical chaos, arrived my angel. Ale was set to arrive on July 28th, but it wasn't without a hitch. The morning of his expected arrival, I get a phone call. It was Ale and he sounded pretty upset. He said, "Baby, I don't have the ticket." And I said, "What do you mean??" "The (insert explative) travel agent have mess up my reservation. She make it for the August 28 instead of July 28. I'm try to fix it, but I don't know, baby" Oh crap. I never heard him so angry. Long story short, a really nice person at the airport (unusual in Rome, not sure about Milano) was able to change his reservation. He got here on June 29th, one day later. He had to stay over night in Chicago. As long as he got here, that's all that mattered.
I was so excited to see him when I picked him up at the airport. He looked so cute standing there at the baggage claim. He had a long trip so I decided his first meal in Portland should be at a place unique to Oregon (and Washington). So I took him to McMenamin's Kennedy School. McMenamin's is a pub, or are pubs, I should say, all over Oregon and I believe there is one in Washington. They brew their own beer and also make their own wine. I ordered the Ale sampler for him so he could try the different brews and he ordered a burger, of course. He started to eat it with a knife and fork when I stopped him dead in his tracks. "Aspetta amore, you have to pick it up with your hands" When he picked it up, he said "Mamma Mia, I can fit this in my mouth???" Haha! Yep, you can do it!
He was just what I needed and I planned a lot of things for us. This was going to be the best summer ever!
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