First Tastes: Sweets and Meats in Portland

I’m back with one of my favorite things on Bridgetown Bites—First Tastes, where I roundup recent initial tastes at new-to-me places in Portland.

Moroccan Lamb Meatballs | Suzette Creperie. Originally we planned on chowing down on tacos from Tight Tacos, but the truck was closed because of the hot weather. So, we wandered down SE Belmont in search of something tasty, and found ourselves at Suzette Creperie. I couldn’t resist ordering these little lamb meatballs, served with a “spicy tomato sauce” (chunky, yes; spicy, no) and topped with a sunny-side up fried egg. It was served with a small piece of toasted baguette, too.

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Portland Food World Drama: Killer Burger, Rock and Roll Chili Pit, and Patsy’s

Sasquatch and a burger
Because why not show a burger and a Sasquatch when you’re talking burgers in Portland? Photo credit: Chris K on Flickr

It’s been a long, busy week but I don’t want to close it out without writing about two unfortunate litigious situations here in the greater Portland area having to do with Killer Burger + Rock and Roll Chili Pit, and Patsy’s New York Pizzeria.

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First Tastes: Sweet, Savory, Salad in Portland

Portland is full of delicious food, so here are some first impressions on the latest tasty things I’ve eaten recently in town.

Dahi Papri Chaat | Bollywood Theatre. I ate lunch there a while back and really enjoyed the meal, but the dish that has really stuck with me is their Dahi Papri Chaat. It starts with a base of housemade garbanzo bean flour crackers, then topped with small dark chickpeas, little cubes of potatoes, yogurt, cilantro, tamarind chutney, all dusted with chili powder and topped with sev, a kind of crunchy noodle made from chickpea flour paste. I had something like this at Dosa Hutt in Flushing a few years ago, and have been hoping to encounter a similar dish since. It’s quite saucy and very flavorful; a true flavor bomb. I love the contrasts of cooling yogurt and spicy chili powder, earthy chickpeas and tart chutney. I could eat this every day. 2039 NE Alberta Street, Portland. Bollywood Theater website

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First Tastes: Flavors of Summer in Portland

Good Portland food: Buttermilk Marionberry ice cream from Cool Moon in Portland's Pearl District.
Buttermilk Marionberry ice cream from Cool Moon.

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

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