Portland, Oregon… The Culinary Capital of the Country

Boarded the train to Portland and along the way down, 3 chefs would join me.  We would then meet 5 more chefs in Portland and embark on days of training and eating.  Again… DO NOT EAT FOOD FROM THE TRAIN.  At the stop in Seattle, we are met by Irishman Chef with pounds of Sushi, Roast Duck, Char Siu and more. 

 Train Food

McMenamins Kennedy School; I chose a hotel for us all to stay, where we would have everything we needed, except television.  An elementary school built in 1915, acquired by the McMenamin Brothers and restored to be a hotel with rooms, soaking tub, bars such as: The Detention Room, The Honors Room, The Cypress Room, and The Courtyard.  In addition, there is a Movie Theatre, Brewery, and Cigar Room!

Before dinner we need a snack.  Clyde Common handled this task with a plate of Chicharones and Fried Lambs Belly with Aioli!

 Chicharones and Lambs Belly

Ned Ludd; simply presented food, but immense thought and love go into the menu (all prepared out of a wood fired oven.  We ordered nearly everything on the menu that was available!

 Sorrel Toast and Meat PiePork Belly

Toro Bravo; Holy Basque Deliciousness!  One of my favorite (along with many other peoples favorite) spots in Portland, or anywhere else for that matter.  I looked around the table of 10 chefs and tried to figure out how it could get any better than what I was experiencing at that moment.  I believe this feeling was shared with many that evening.

 

The Next Day started off with shopping for food for business.  But I also HAD to order my lovely natural pork jowls to pick up on Friday to take home and slowly transform into Guanciale!  Thank you Gartner’s Meat for supplying me, again, with natural gorgeous pig parts!

Pok Pok is on the agenda next.  And a smart decision by the owner, as well as a comfortable and enjoyable waiting room, The Whiskey Soda Lounge entertains us until our table is ready for us across the street.  Oh My Thai Drinking Food. 

 

The Chefs slowly leave Portland and head home though the week.  But dinner must still be eaten.

Laurelhurst Market is next.  A mix of a market of charcuterie and quality butchered meat, the other 2/3 of the location is a restaurant and bar.  After and amazing dinner, Sadie, our amazing server, decides to bring us (gratis) a slice of THE  MOST AMAZING CHEESECAKE I HAVE EVER PUT IN MY MOUTH.  Along with Smores, with house marshmallow and glasses of bourbon!  Sadie is GOOD PEEPS!

 

One more dinner this week.  Gruner  was recommended by a local chef.  Mmmmm, Foie and Bunny Terrine, Fennel, Speck and Endive Salad, Pretzel Bread, and Spaetzle!  Hells Yeah… Spaetzle with Morels, Chicken, and Cream!

Prost ends our evening with (as local chef puts it) “Delicious Beer that looks like Beer”!  In mugs meant for nothing other than BEER.  Yes please, I will take a hole punched in my card….

Its time to leave Bridge Town and as I wait to board my train, I have a lovely Manhattan at Wilfs.  If you are going to the train station in Portland, or even want a Quality Manhattan, make sure not to miss Wilfs.  Décor with class and age, and a manhattan that is affordable and quality, it is a memorable spot to experience.  This week has been an amazing culinary experience with friends and colleagues sharing in the reasons we all chose our profession in the culinary world.  It cannot get any better. 

Then it does.  Adele, the GM and my server at Wilfs suggests and provides me with a bottle of wine to smuggle on the train, a glass (made of glass) to drink out of on the train, and a Rueben for my belly.  Not only does Adele pour the best Manhattan, she knows her wine and enabled me to have THE most enjoyable train ride home.  Wines on the list from “Chataneuf Du Pape” to a Columbia Valley “Pomatia”  by Helix, she provided me with tastes to suit my pleasure that would prove to compliment the train ride home on a beautiful sunny North West Afternoon. 

Thank you Adele and Wilfs, for bringing a smile to my face for the 4 hour ride home!

Thank you to all of the people that accompanied me this past week, and all the people that fed me and the ridiculous crew with me.

Portland, Oregon…. again… I am falling for you.