Kitchen and Cork!!!!

It's happening! Jane and Wayne are moving all the merchandise in. I visited them for a bit tonight and had to leave in a cold sweat. It was like visiting a chef's Heaven!!! Every toy you could possibly imagine. They're going to try and open early. The tentative date is this coming Tuesday. I'll keep you posted!

View from the front door


















View from the back















The Demo Kitchen!!!













Two happy but exhausted people,
Jane and Wayne

Get me away from Margaritaville!

Last week we had a going away party for someone here at my day job. Whenever this happens it's sometimes a nightmare because someone has to choose a place where 25-30 people will be happy or at least content. This is what brought me to Margarita's on St. John St.

Now normally I wouldn't waste my time writing about such a place but there was something that really annoyed me. The place was packed!!!!!

The lobby was full when we entered. My sweetie Denae and I snaked our way through the crowd and were immediately met with a look from the hostess that was one of slight disgust as if she were saying "Are you two crazy, you'll never get a table!". Even though we made eye contact it took her another several minutes to acknowledge me because she had to finish her benign conversation with a waitress.

The rest of our group had been there for a 1/2 hour or so and were having a great time. Now there is something to be said about servers who handle large parties such as ours. They either are horrible and confused or perky and efficient. We luckily had the latter. She and the Dos XX's were the only highlights of this place.

Jenn was very efficient taking our order and was prompt bringing back our watered down margarita's. They say that alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the system. Not these babies! They were so watered down I was able to get two days worth of hydration. I immediately ordered a tall Dos XX's to do the job.

The food. Not much I can say about it. Like most "Mexican" chain restaurants the menu is the same. One big huge mess! The food arrived promptly but I would've been happier if it didn't arrive at all. My spicy chipotle wings were deep fried with no discernible flavoring at all. The flavoring was some sour cream mixture in a tortilla "cup". Denae's chimichanga had plenty to it but absolutely no flavor at all. I recommend avoiding this place like the plague. The next time I want sub par food I'll go to Taco Bell with a 6 pack of Schlitz.

Normally I wouldn't waste my time writing about a place let alone go there, but as I said before this place was packed!!! There are many choices here in Portland. Many of them good choices so why was this place so special?

My purpose for writing about this embarrassing experience is to encourage people to go out and try the little guys. The independents who work hard to give you good, honest, real food! Like La Familia on Brighton Ave. or Tu Casa on Washington. It would be nice to see those businesses packed every night! Buy Local, Eat Local!

My Little New York

New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. My constant need for instant gratification helps to solidify my feelings towards it. Anything you need is within walking distance and if not at least a subway ride away. Like Las Vegas I can only spend a few nights there or I would die from exhaustion. Both cities operate 24 hours a day and when I visit either place I find myself with a most unusual sleep pattern. If even the slightest thing brings me out of my sleep I find myself instantly wide awake and rushing from my hotel room to see what's going on.
There usually is some kind of excitement no matter what hour of the night it is.


Unlike Las Vegas though, NYC has a different kind of excitement. It's the excitement of real life. As we all know Vegas is fake. A "dreamworld" where everything is manufactured to have the appearance of something else. Like a grown-up Disney World you are brainwashed to forget that you are in some seering uncomfortable and somewhat uninhabitable place and transported to somewhere more beautiful. Paris, Venice, New York and even the kingdom of Camelot are themes meant to drain your wallet.





But New York is "Real". Each neighborhood wasn't manufactured but was "magically" transformed by the people who immigrated there. Chinatown, Little Italy and such are all inhabited and operated by people trying to find a better life yet holding on strong to their cultural roots. That's why New York to me is the culinary capitol of the world. Anything you crave is just a stone's throw away. I would love to live there but the lack of financial resources, since real estate is so high, and the fact that I would die from exhaustion after living there for a week prevents me from doing so.

So here I am in Portland. As I walked down to the video store something hit me. My little neighborhood is very similar to the things that I love about New York. At one end of my street is Forest Ave. This major artery has become one of the most ethnically diverse culinary areas of Portland. All within a mile and a half you have you pick of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Greek, Brit-Indi, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Italian, American Eclectic, Japanese, and just off Forest Cajun as well as one great bakery!

My favorite however is the other end of my street. Stevens Ave. as many of you may or may not know is in the Guiness Book of World's records as being the only street in the country where you can go from Preschool to receiving your Doctorate's all on one road. This little known street really has the neighborhood feel one would get living in a city such as New York. Within walking distance you have Pat's Meat Market. One of the finest butcher shops in the city. Just upstairs is the cafe at Pat's. They have a fantastic brunch (although I haven't been since the new chef took over) and dinner the last time I went was phenomenal!

Next door is Siano's. I've never really given into the brick oven pizza craze, preferring a nice deep dish myself but the fresh ingredients that they use and the cooked to perfection dough keeps me going back. Across the street Good Eats bakery has everything you need to get your sugar fix. Giant cookies, amazing brownies, cupcakes and on and on....I'm more of an Ice cream fan and Jet video next door has Gifford's, besides being one of the best video stores (they ALWAYS have the movie I want available).Looking for a quick slice I'll stop into the Quality Shop, although only mediocre at best the slices are always there and ready for your gooey cheesy pleasure.

This street is also becoming more ethnically diverse. Way on the other end is Bogusha's. This authentic Polish deli is home to the best damn kielbasa I have ever had. Although much more accesible by car I would happily walk my fat butt down there for it. Coming soon (May 12th to be exact). Simply Scandanavian Foods is moving right next door to the Quality Shop. This is very exciting to me since I am a huge fan of Scandanavian food. Having spent 3 months abroad there ( sounds cooler than " I travelled there as a squeaky clean cast member of Up with People") I had the opportunity to taste the true culinary cuisine and not just a pack of frozen Swedish Meatballs. Having to spend some looooong Winter nights, Scandanavians have perfected good, honest, stick to your ribs comfort food. If you have a chance to stop in make sure to get a "Dajm" bar. This is probably one of the best chocolate bars ever!

I try to stay away from the pretentiousness of downtown Portland or "The Penninsula" as much as possible. Although I do have some favorites there, It's comforting to know that I don't have to go anywhere near there to get an exquisite meal. Like New York I'm just steps away from one, the difference being I can get a FULL night's sleep!