Four Things I Learned This Week (November 11)

A good Veterans Day to all, and many thanks to those who served this country. As I write this, the Veterans Day parade participants are arriving and lining up, this year on a new route on MLK Blvd.

Portland’s best Cubano sandwich? This morning I learned that the folks at PoMo have dubbed the Cuban sandwich at newcomer En Vida PDX as “Portland’s best.” They elaborate: “What makes En Vida’s sing is the roast mojo pork, shreds and chunks cooked with oranges, garlic, and cumin, then crisped and caramelized on the edges to intensify the flavor. The pickles, layered on top, are sweet, tangy, and house-made.”

They also mention the medianoche: “the medianoche roll is a little sweeter and softer than a traditional Cuban loaf—and custom-made for En Vida by Portland’s Dos Hermanos Bakery. Before it’s grill-pressed, the kitchen dips the medianoche in a little pork fat to double the pleasure. Take it from Alsberg: ‘It’s a Cubano on steroids. It’s a mouthful of love.’” 1303 NE Fremont Street, Portland

What Futura baristas drink. I enjoyed this little Instagram reel on what the baristas at Montavilla’s Futura Coffee Roasters drink. I think I’ll get a steamed cold brew (something I never considered, warm cold brew) recommended by barista Freedom, next time I’m in. 7201 NE Glisan Street, Portland

Tour the Republic of Georgia with Kachka. This tour of Georgia happening next September sounds absolutely amazing. My first exposure to Georgia was, not surprisingly, via the Georgian cuisine that I ate at the Sunday Night Dinner back in 2009, a supper club that was run by a couple of friends in Astoria, Queens. It remains one of my favorite food memories of my time in NYC, and forever changed my idea of what food was like in the former Soviet Union (it was an SSR from 1921 to 1991). I also fell in love with the look of the Georgian alphabet, and the landscapes there are absolutely gorgeous.

So, this tour should be pretty great, with excellent food, beautiful vistas, comfortable lodging and travel, and terrific guides in Bonnie and Israel of Kachka. The cost is $6,800 and includes: “seven nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; private travel for all day trips and excursions; departure airport transfer; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.” To be clear: the price does not include international travel to Georgia.

Frog & Snail brings back the French Onion Meatball Sub. For a limited time, the lovely little french cafe in SE Portland is bringing back one of the tastiest sandwiches in Portland’s history, the French Onion Meatball Sub. This thing is crazy delicious, and when they say “limited time” they mean “very limited time” so I would say stop in before Thanksgiving. You won’t regret it. 3553 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland