Portland Love: Mai Thai

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

I'm going to start by saying this is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. I don't care if thai connoisseurs disagree, when I think of good thai food, I think of this place. I have yet to find a place anywhere else that compares. 

I always get the same dish, like I've said before, I'm a creature of habit. But I mean, why go somewhere and get something different if the whole reason you wanted to go there is because you were craving that specific dish? I mean really.

Dish of choice:

Egg rolls

&

Cashew Veggie (with tofu on occasion)

Everybody that works here is really nice, and I've been going there for years now. The food is delicious and cooked pretty fast (I get it to go most times). Most of my friends have liked this place when I've demanded they go.
Other than that I don't know what else to say, I'm incredibly biased. I love this place no matter what.
Oh yes, and the servers wear awesome pants.

Mai Thai

3104 SE Belmont
Portland, OR 97214

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me!

Portland Love: Pine State

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

A few mornings before I moved back home, Nicole and I went to Pine State Biscuits. 

I had never been in the time I had lived in Portland and it was definitely on my list of places to try. The real reasons I never made it that way before was 1) I wanted someone to go with and 2) I knew it was a small place and I was sort of intimidated by the close proximity 3) It closes at 2 and during my second time living in Portland I was rarely up and ready to go anywhere by 2pm. Sad, I know.

I don't remember what day we went on, I know it was a weekday though. Going on a weekend will make you cry. I tried once before when I went on a date and the line was really long so we went down the street instead. Nicole and I went on a weekday though, but we managed to find the lunchtime rush. It wasn't tooooo bad, but we did stand outside to wait for a couple of minutes. A couple of cold minutes.

When we made it across the threshold I was stoked to see the way the place we decorated. So cute. So Portland.

We stood in line, glaring at the guy that was sitting by himself at the table for two when there were places for him at the little bar area. We're really cool...

I ordered the same thing Nicole did, but vegetarian style, (mushroom gravy) and we stood to wait. A minute into standing and shuffling around as other people needed things (seriously this place is tiny) a couple offered the other two seats on their table. I thought that was awesome and we accepted. 

We both ordered The Moneyball, a biscuit with an egg over easy on top. I was a tad hesitant because I really didn't know how I would feel about the over easy egg, never had them that way before. 

For the most part it was delicious. If I ever went back I would probably not get the one with the egg on top. I'm still not ready for liquid egg. But it was good none the less and filling.

I saw later that the couple offered the other half of the table because that is requested of them. I'm not sure I really know of another place like that. Maybe Pizza Port in San Diego, but that's more of a sitting on long long benches kind of thing where this is actually about sharing small tables. I didn't mind it. 

We gave half our table (once the couple left) to a group of four and quickly moved our plates to let the rest sit down after.

I have to say, if you eat here don't plan on doing anything but napping or lazing around for a while. Like hours. Nicole and I went home and took a long, long nap after we ate that. We were useless.

Pine State Biscuits

3640 SE Belmont Street

Portland, OR

&

2204 NE Alberta

Portland, OR

xoxo

Portland Love: The Waffle Window

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

Oh let me count the ways and reasons I love, love, love the waffle window. 

- they use in season fruits for the dessert waffles...

- there are dessert waffles and savory waffles

- there are tables to sit at outside AND inside

- so delicious

they took this away after a problem with bees during the warmer months...

The Waffle Window is connected to Bread and Ink cafe, somewhere I have not eaten but looks cute (the inside tables are actually Bread and Ink's tables). You walk up to the little window, look at the current menu (they change with what is in season food wise) and order away.

The first time I went to the waffle window I decided on something with raspberry and I think lemon curd. Not 100% sure anymore but oh my gosh it was heavenly. It has the perfect mix of tart and sweet which is a weakness of mine.

The second time I got another berry waffle, this time with blueberries and lemon curd I think and the last time I really don't remember... oh yes I do... it was the Blueberry Cheesecake. So rich, so delicious. Every time was delicious and I HIGHLY recommend it if you are ever on Hawthorne. So good.

Make me miss Portland.

(But it's sunny and warmer here so I'm going to figure out how to make my own waffles like this and be happy where I am!)

The Waffle Window

3610 SE Hawthorne Blvd

Portland, OR 97214

off the corner of 36th (south side of 36th)

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me! 

Portland Love: Blossoming Lotus

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 


Just in case you are wondering... I have moved away from Portland. I had to decide if I was going to keep posting these or throw them out, but the ones I had left were still so good, I figure if you're ever visiting Portland or live there and haven't visited these places it might be of help. So from now until the new year I will be posting one to two Portland Love posts a week.

:)

I'm not going to lie, this was the first place I went after I thought about the Portland Love concept. Obviously I put on the back burner for a while and sometimes forgot about it. But now, here it is.

Blossoming Lotus changed locations between my living times in Portland. First it was in a yoga center and that's where I fell in love with the food. I think they wanted to grow from being just a little side cafe into a real restaurant though. At least that's the impression I got when I first came to the new location.

Blossoming Lotus is all vegetarian and has a lot of raw/live options. I went to, and fell in like with Blossoming Lotus a couple of times in the old location, usually getting a bowl of brown rice, white beans and kale with peanut sauce. I didn't stray from that order this time either. I'm a creature of habit.

I can't say I remember what Nicole ordered, from the picture it looks like a salad but it may have been noodles... all I know is that we both loved our dishes.  Isn't that what really matters?
Oh yes, it was a daily special.

As long as I'm being honest here I'm going to say I liked the place better when it was in the Yoga Pearl building. They had vegan soft serve which was so delicious... SO DELICOUS. I also liked how it was kind of hidden and really casual. 

But times change and I understand their move was necessary as they became more popular.

My only problem with dishes like this is that I will keep eating until I am very uncomfortably full because I know in an hour or two I'll be INCREDIBLY hungry again. Other than that, it was delicious. A cooking goal of mine is to make kale like they do. After that this dish should be easy to make at home.

I highly suggest this place or the one that took over in Yoga Pearl. 

You can find them here:

Blossoming Lotus

1713 NE 15th Ave
Portland, OR 97212

The place that took over the old space:

Prasad

925 NW Davis St
Portland, OR 97209

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me!

Portland Love: Ken's Artisan Pizza & The Pied Cow

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

A couple months ago, Nicole and I ventured out of our eating comfort zone to check out one totally new place to eat. It's not secret between me and my friends that I have the hardest time thinking of places I want to go eat, or even what type of food I want to eat so when the craving for awesome pizza hit I decided it was time to bite the bullet and shell out the cash for some Ken's Artisan Pizza.

After eating at Urbn in Hillcrest (San Diego) I was pretty sure I was ready for some Ken's and I was hoping it would be up to par. Most of the time when I get a craving it is really specific and often I find myself disappointed by what I eat. Sounds like a personal problem... yeah, it is. :) Alright I'll get on with it then...

While my picture of Ken's lacks any sort of skill, the food was quite the opposite. (And the waiters were pretty attractive... just sayin) I ordered the Margherita and Arugula pizza without cheese. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this in the past, it's kind of a big deal to people... I don't eat cheese on pizza. In fact, I really only eat cheese in very small quantities on top of a veggie lasagna (of my making), in burritos and on scrambled eggs (again that I make). I know, I know, it's strange and weird and no I'm not vegan though I've thought about trying to be several times... I just don't like cheese very much at all. I haven't since I was little. 

Back to Ken's. So they were happy to make my pizza sans cheese and this lovely salad-pizza is what came to my table.

Good thing I love arugula! 

The pizza was delicious. I tried to only eat half but that rarely works for me so I kept going and left one (maybe 2) pieces for the next day. 

Nicole ordered something similar I think, but I don't really remember. All I remember is she loved it. 

After our pizza love we decided to hit up The Pied Cow. Let me just tell you my memory of the place. I ordered a crepe and was brought a flaming plate. Yup, on fire.

(again my location picture is lackluster...) 

We ventured over to The Pied Cow, sat in possibly the same seat I sat in years and years ago with my friend and then roommate Sarah and ordered. 

Again I ordered the flaming banana crepe. 

(see Nutella Banana Crepe... it says, served flaming...)

I tried to get a picture of it while it was flaming but the flame went out right when I pushed the camera button on my phone. I guess I'll just have to be better prepared next time. And there will be a next time.

I know it doesn't look like much here but believe me when I say it was incredibly delicious!

I completely and totally recommend both places and will be going back when I decide I want to not only splurge on dinner and dessert. My stomach was a very happy camper after that night.

Find them here:

Ken's Artisan Pizza

304 SE 28th Ave. 

(corner of 28th & Pine)

Portland, Oregon 97214

The Pied Cow

3244 SE Belmont St Portland, OR 97214

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me! 

So We Made Our Own

I was really bummed to read that there was a Northwest blogger meet up in Seattle recently. I had no idea that there was such a thing being planned and I still don't know how to figure that sort of things out... but no matter...

The lovely Erica over at A Tiny Rocket already had a Portland Blogger Meetup in mind when I contacted her about just getting coffee or something.

I am really excited to get the chance to meet some other Portland bloggers and make some new friends!!!

If you blog and are in Portland (or happen to be in Portland October 16th) come join us for a little get together/meet up!

Where: F & B Cafe @ Rejuvinations.

1100 SE Grand, Portland, OR
When: October 16th. 
Time: 11:00 AM.

Link to her post with image is here!

Think you can stop by?

xoxo

Portland Love: The Black Apple

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

Normally for Portland Love, or previously for Portland Love I have talked about restaurants and places. Mostly food things. Today I'm going to switch it up a little. For funsies and what not.

Today Amanda (she finally moved here AHHHHH YAY!) and I took a stroll around Hawthorne. I introduced her to some of my favorite shops to find little things and during this time I reinstated my love for a Portland artist. She goes by The Black Apple and her paintings are gorgeous.

Simply unabashedly to die for gorgeous.

I found Ms. (Mrs.?) Emily Martin a year or so back in San Francisco during the Renegade Craft Fair. There I wanted to by a print that spoke of my future... it looked like this:

I still have yet to get this one but it is on my list! 

A few months after that I went to Portland and stopped by one of the aforementioned favorite shops on Hawthorne and there found this print:

I thought it was beautiful and darling and so I bought it and took it back home with me to San Diego. I didn't ever hang it up though (I am really bad about hanging my pictures up) and so I kept it with other beautiful things, protected in plastic.

Today while browsing the shop I once again found her art and couldn't resist buying another one. I was looking for my redhead tattooed girl but was unable to find her.

 

It was between these two prints but I decided on the first one for now. Don't worry, the bottom one is still on my list of future purchases!

Amanda had been telling me of her plans to adopt a small hedgehog earlier while I had been eating lunch  (she watched me chew) and so when I was looking through the art I died (but not before showing her) because I found her perfect picture.

Her man wears glasses, she use to have this haircute AND there's her future pet!

Adorable.

So yeah, we died and came back to life over this art. I mean, she paints pictures of fairs and circuses. My favorite things to take pictures of and look at. And tattooed ladies?! Oh I'm in love.

Here are some of the others on my "to buy" list.

Oh if only I weren't perpetually broke...

 gorgeous tarot reader

 tattooed lady!

 me with an arrow through my head

future husband

I'm now obsessed. I had a little button of a ferris wheel on a sweatshirt recently but I lost the sweatshirt... shoot. So this time I bought a button of a hot air ballon... one of my future tattoos, why yes!

Fall in love with her here:

Blog

Etsy

the shop I bought the print and button at: 

Presents of Mind

3633 SE Hawthorne,

Portland, OR 97214

p.s. Amanda also blogs occasionally... right here.

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me! 

Portland Love: Saint Cupcake

Portland Love is a series in which I take to the streets of Portland, eating at new places, shopping at new shops, smelling old books and doing my best to not get too wet without the use of an umbrella. It's my way of falling in love with this city over and over again while sharing it with you. Enjoy! 

So I know how I've said a couple of times (here and here) that I like Betty Crocker cupcakes just as much as any gourmet cupcakes, but I'm now stepping off that soap box and stepping onto one that is in full support of a little place called Saint Cupcake.
To die for.
I want to go get one right now but know that I would end up with more than one and eat them all in one sitting (which I did recently... in my defense they were the mini ones, but there were about 6 of them).

The day I took the pictures for this post was the same day I went to Sauvie Island for berry picking. I have since been back a few (like 3 or 4) times and each time have been so very happy with the cupcakes.

Front window... 

Main wall

The cupcakes! And look at the little displays underneath. So cute!

living room birthday party

more reasons for cupcakes

patio eating

closer look at the cupcakes

I have yet to try the vegan ones.

they come in a pretty, pretty box

May have already put my finger in the frosting by that point....

The trifecta

Sampling...

The Flavors:
Vanilla with Chocolate Fudge Frosting
Red Velvet
Pumpkin Spice

All were delicious. I make sure to try a red velvet cupcake anywhere they are offered to figure out what I feel about the bakery. I'm a snob like that. Saint Cupcake did a really good job. It wasn't too dry and the frosting was rich and delicious.
The Pumpkin Spice I now get every time I go. I have found that any pumpkin flavored treat I get is usually really moist which is perfect for me. I love pumpkin things, I was so excited when I saw that cupcake offered.
The Vanilla with Chocolate Fudge Frosting was the closest to my betty crocker cupcakes but I fully admit it was at least 5 times better. Frosting not out of a small container is probably better for me in the long run anyway. :)

The woman helping me the first and second time I went was awesome. She was friendly, helpful and answered all of my questions. I asked her when I walked in if I could take pictures for my blog and her only request was that she be given a chance to tidy up the cupcake trays. Of course! Probably why you should always ask small businesses if you can take pictures. Maybe they want a chance to put their best face forward. Honestly I'm going to say a bunch of amazing things about this place anyway, but I liked how she thought.

She was really helpful, the cupcakes are divine, every single one of them...

What I really like about Saint Cupcake
1) The cupcakes, duh
2) The selection: while some of them do change there are many of the same flavors every time I go
3) The selection again: There are more than 5 or 6 flavors to choose from and they all have distinct differences
4) Vegan options, and not just one I might add
5) exceptional customer service
6) proximity to me
7) The store Noun behind Saint Cupcake... SC is the front room and the back room is a store called Noun that has a bunch of awesome things. A bunch. In fact, when I use to live here a few years ago the front room was where the cash register for Noun was and the back part of the second room was Saint Cupcake. The set up makes great sense now (don't get me wrong, it was cute and fun before too) and I need to stop gushing now because it's getting embarrassing.

Moral of this story, go to Saint Cupcake!!!

Saint Cupcake

SC Galore
1138 SW Morrison
Portland, OR 97205

SC Deluxe (The one I go to)
3300 SE Belmont,
Portland, OR 97214

xoxo

If you have a place you want me to check out feel free to leave me a comment or email me!