inPDX {Portland Dining Month 2015}

Can you believe it is the last week of February?? This month has absolutely flown by. Maybe it was all of the sunshine or my new favorite blog series - but one of my least favorite months disappeared within the blink of an eye. With March comes Irish Christmas, the Ides and Portland Dining Month! Last year I had the opportunity to check out Songbird and {RIP} Genoa. This year my must try list is a bit long.

Image Courtesy Travel Portland

With more than 100 restaurants participating, you can experience a 3-course meal at nationally recognized restaurants for just $29. 

Unless you have four-stomachs and completely devote your budget and schedule to the cause, you won't be making it to every restaurant.

{Portland Dining Month 2014}

Step 1: Review the list

First, read through the list of participating restaurants and write down all of the options that speak to you. This may be restaurants you love, have always wanted to try or never heard of. Right now I am guessing  your list has 20+ selections

Step 2: Read the menus

Now, look at all of the options and read the menus. Note which dishes really jump out to you. Maybe your all-time favorite spot is offering a really unique pasta dish. Perhaps an option on the short list is serving items straight-off the menu. Maybe all of the options have peanuts in them and you have a deadly peanut allergy.

If needed, compare the Restaurant Month menu with the website menu. This will give you a good idea of their pricing and regular fare.

Your list has probably been cut in half. 

Step 3: Know your priorities

Knowing your priorities will help you figure out which restaurants are a must to fit in during the month of March.

Is a dining experience with unique dishes a priority? Maybe you've always wanted to try a Portland favorite, but it isn't in your neighborhood. Is 'bang for your buck' a must? 

For me, a high-value option with at least two options for each course is a must.

Step 4: Finalize the List

At this point, your list has been narrowed down. I am guessing you have whittled it down to 4-to-5 options. 

My list includes Levant, Hokusei, Departure, Nedd Ludd and Old Salt Marketplace. 

Step 5: Make Reservations

For the restaurants that are accepting reservations, I highly recommend you commit and get the dinner on your calendar. I have a feeling this year's Portland Dining Month will be the best yet!

Where do you plan on going this year? Are you a fan of dining months? Have you ever gone to one in another city?

Today Erin, Annie and Pech are also sharing their PDM guides!

Oregon Explored {Cannon Beach}

While those on the East Coast have been experiencing cold, blustery weather, out here in Oregon the weather has been unseasonably warm. To take advantage of the sunshine and temperatures in the 60s I've been trying to spend as much time as possible outside.

On Saturday we headed to Cannon Beach. I won't lie, the water temps were much warmer than when I visited the coast in August - and not windy at all. Strolling along the water towards Haystack Rock allowed me the opportunity to play with my new Canon and get a lot of pictures.

Recipes {Shishito Peppers + Miso Butter}

You may know that my New Year's Resolution was to try something new every month. While I plan to share more comprehensive recaps each quarter, I have tried to apply the mentality to every day life. When I was at Trader Joe's a few weeks ago I spotted bags of shishito peppers. To be honest, I had only had them once at a restaurant and wasn't overly wild about them. I attribute that more to the preparation than the vegetable. Since the generous bag of long and skinny peppers only cost $1.99 I decided to throw them in the cart and experiment. What was the worst that could happen?

At first, I prepared half of the bag anticipating I would probably need to make something else for lunch. Instead, I absolutely loved them and quickly finished off the bag and experimented with seasonings and ingredients. They can be eaten with chop sticks or picked up by the stem to bite off. Since then, shishito peppers have been a near bi-weekly side dish, or main over rice, for dinner.

This simple dish finds the non-spicy pepper blistered over high heat to develop a crunch crust. Tossed with spicy hot sauce and luscious miso butter, this dish is impressive enough to entertain with or enjoy on the couch for a date with personal time. This recipe also allows for plenty of adjustments and interpretations. The amount of seasonings and oils lie entirely in the hands of the chef. With prep and cook time taking less than 10-minutes just about anyone can handle blistered Shishito Peppers + Miso Butter.

New + Noteworthy {Tea Bar, Milk Glass Mrkt, Hush}

Hello and Happy Friday! For anyone that lives in Portland, or follows the local food scene, you know how crazy things can get. With new restaurants opening on a weekly basis, pop-up dinners happening on the regular and city favorites with 2-hour long waits, it can be challenging to navigate this really amazing city.

It is actually quite normal to have an extensive and detailed Google Doc of restaurants categorized by neighborhood, cuisine, price-point and signature dish. If we made regular conversation a drinking game, the line "Oh, I've been meaning to try that place" would equate to one shot. Equally, "Did you see so-and-so's Instagram?? I realllllly need to try hot-hip-haute-couture-cheese-bar-with-unique-artsy-twist" would equate to slamming your drink. If life were a drinking game we would all be passed out by 10am. Granted, we could thank a gourmet, locally-sourced, home-brewed craft cocktail for the mid-morning siesta.

The same goes for experiences. With beautifully curated stores, super-luxe gyms, and week-long waiting lists, nourishing ones health can also be overwhelming. Trust me, these are all great problems to have.

Since none of us have more than 24-hours in one day, bottomless budgets and unstoppable metabolisms, it is time to break down the hottest new and noteworthy spots in Portland.

Tea Bar
1615 NE Killingsworth
8am-8pm Daily

If you have an Instagram account and live in Portland then you have heard about Tea Bar! This ultra-hip space could star in just about any lifestyle blog or magazine. With clean lines and simple colors, this space sets the stage for deep conversations, scribing a memoir or reading the great-American novel. The shop only serves tea and brings in baked goods. The tea can be served steeped or in a latte.

Must Try: Honey Assam Latte, Dark Forest Latte
Things-to-Know: Outlets do not seem to be available at every table. If you are coming to work,bring a charged computer or be prepared to scout out the oh-so-valuable outlets.



milk glass mrkt
2150 N. Killingsworth
9am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday

I first heard about milk glass mrket in an Eater article and was instantly enchanted by the design and intrigued by the menu. Nothing on the menu feels traditional and seems to have an old-timey twist. The shop also houses and offers a unique collection of seasonings, champagne and food products. I will say, we were not impressed with any of the sweet baked goods. We tried a cherry muffin and apricot oatmeal cookie. Both had an excellent consistency and texture. They both seemed to need a little spice. Cinnamon and nutmeg would have made them must-haves for me.

I was a big fan of the savory dishes. I had the smoked trout salad and we had the castelveltrano focaccia to share. The focaccia was light and airy with a generous salt flake on top. I will most definitely be ordering this again.

Must Try: The eggs & greens, with fresh veggies, smoked trout and a fried egg, this salad is filling and healthy. It is the perfect fuel for a busy weekend.
Things to Know: The space is small! If you have a group of 4 or more, this may not be the spot for you. The space is small and busy. The chances or snagging 2-3 tables next to one another is unlikely.

Hush Meditation 
19th and Lovejoy

Mere Mere, you aren't in Anaconda anymore. That is exactly how I felt when scheduling a class at Hush Meditation. Hush meditation is a small boutique 'mental health gym' located next to one of my favorite coffee shops. The discreet space offers guided meditation classes on a daily basis. Each class has a different theme from Mind to Love. I

Must Try: A class led by Jessica Peterson! She has such a warm and welcoming spirit. I instantly felt safe in her hands and was open to communicating with her.
Things to Know: The space can be a bit chilly, I would recommend bringing a blanket if you tend to run cold.

'Round the WWW {Take One}

Image Source

I've said it once, I've said it thrice, I'll say it always: the people are the best part of blogging.  The community is filled with creative and inspiring individuals with a passion for beautiful, tasty and authentic things. This week, the recipes, reviews and recaps were all so on point. What stood out to you this week? Anything I should be reading or running to?

Mary Ellen's PDX Food Aventures highlights some of my favorite restaurants.

Rebekah roasted grapefruits for cocktails.

Michelle made Salted Honey Pie! She is my hero!

Kell's has a new Irish chef!!

Rachel reviewed Portland Restaurant, Natural Selection, and now I must check it out!

Next week is Oyster week aka my love language week.

Erin is making me want to run to Cafe Castagna!

Dumpling Week is happening and Pech is doing a fantastic job of checking out all of the spots!
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