Portland Grubbin; Firehouse and Biwa

I was in Portland for a quick little trip. 

Meet up with the Willischwab’s for a quick couple brews and a pretzel at, you know where...

Then a walk to their neighborhood eatery, Firehouse.  

For somewhere so close to their house, I wonder why we haven’t eaten there more often.  Some roasted cauliflower, and Fried Dough!  The menu description was “Stuffed Fried Dough”.  We didn’t even care or ask what the dough was stuffed with, we just ordered them.   If we didn’t eat so much food already, we would have ordered them again for dessert.  They are freaking awesome!  (and they are stuffed with a meaty tomato filling that packs a surprising punch of heat)  Roasted Mussels with one of my favorite things in the world… a cup of melted butter.  Then on to a perfectly balanced Halibut dish with a Pea Vine and Asparagus Salad, complete with fried croutons.  How about  a tasty dish of hanger steak, arugula, and crispy taters?  They utilize a wood fired oven so how could we turn down a margarita pizza?

Biwa has been on my list for some time now but it seems there was always another place that gets the pick.  Finally I get to go eat some Izakaya style.  We start off by wiping off our hands with some hot towels, and jump right in to some amazing Hamachi and seaweed.  Kara Age, frid chicken?  You know I cant turn it down.  Ramen with 2 porks and a soy cured egg for shizz.  For dessert, a beautiful skewer of pork belly. 

Food Makes Me Happy…..