Bridgetown is a nickname for Portland because of all the bridges that span the Willamette River – 12 in all (of those, one is dedicated to rail and one prohibits private cars and trucks).
Four fruit and collagen drinks for summer. From L-R, Melon Moon, Flame Tamer, Sweet Greens, and Beauty Lemonade.
Let’s hear it for tempting, refreshing summer drinks! And it’s a bonus when they’re good for you. Now, we have exactly that: enter, the Summer Collagen Coolers. Note: Salt Fire & Time has closed.
The Portland food scene is full of mouthwatering options, and I love to try dishes that are new or new-to-me. Here are some recent tastes—the flavors of summer—and my first impressions of them.
Buttermilk Marionberry Ice Cream and Affogato, Cool Moon Ice Cream
I had passed this place before when I had less time on my hands, but after spending a warm afternoon in a few parks in the Pearl, we decided to duck in to cool down. I tasted their Coffee Crackle flavor first but the texture wasn’t as creamy as I wanted; then I tried the Buttermilk Marionberry and was hooked. It was smooth and creamy, slightly tangy, sweet and fruity from the seasonal marionberry swirl.
We also got an affogato with their cinnamon ice cream and it was a dream! Flavors of Saigon cinnamon and rich espresso were fast friends to make this dish a winner. I’d get both again. 1105 NW Johnson Street, Portland. Cool Moon Ice Cream website
When I see an Oriental Chop Chop or a Secret Asian Man, I feel … weary. Because the language of the Asian salad is revealing of the dangers of bland, disembodied generalization: When you fail to see countries and cultures as discrete entities, what kind of consideration could you be expected to give to individual people?
–Bonnie Tsui, author of the essay, Why Is Asian Salad Still on the Menu?
The other night in Portland I ate a downright delicious thing called the Crispy Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich. Along with the pleasantly moist chicken with a crackly crust, the condiments hit all my favorite notes—creamy, tangy, savory, spicy—and the bun held the sandwich together without getting in the way of its filling. In the sandwich’s menu description there was a list of elements and they included, among other things, “Asian-style coleslaw.” What?
This afternoon I heard the news of the Big’s Chicken fire, and my heart sank. I’ve been meaning to stop by, telling myself, “Oh, I’ll get around to it soon.” Obviously I’ll have to wait to try their food, but my slight inconvenience is nothing compared to what Ben Dyer, co-owner of Big’s, is forced to deal with.
Each week we will bring you a roundup of public food events in the Portland metro area. It’s not every single event that’s going on, but the ones in particular that catch our eye. Want to submit an event? Fill out this form. Listings curated by Meg Cotner.
Vive La France Bastille Day Dinner Thursday, July 13, 5:30pm and 7:45pm Bergerac Bistro, 5520 NE Woodstock, Portland
Bergerac Bistro Chef and Owner Joris Barbaray creates and serves a four-course summer menu just in time pour la Fête Nat. He’ll recreate some of his favorite French seasonal dishes from his hometown of Bergerac, France. $45 per person. To book your table, call 503-777-6399; credit card required to confirm booking.
La Ruta PDX: A Gastronomic Festival Thursday, July 13-Sunday, July 16, various times Multiple locations
Celebrate Spain for four days in “one of the most innovative cities in the United States,” our own Portland Oregon. Spanish and Portland-based chefs “will showcase Spanish products, purveyors, and specialty equipment” to encourage collaboration and cultural/intellectual exchange on the topic of food and in the form of dinners, tastings, seminars and a Feria & Trade Show. Ticket pricing varies.