As Seen On Instagram {Six}

Hello lovelies!!  I hope you are doing well. Life has been so busy lately - and absolutely zooming by. Not so fast that I haven't been documenting life on Instagram, but fast enough that I already have June activities on my calendar. WOAH.

Perhaps my schedule will slow down to my new fear of online dating. Thanks Michelle!! By the way, have you voted for her yet? As someone who not only reads the blog, but actually tastes some of the creations I urge you to vote! #fullpackage 

Speaking of great bloggers, this Smitten Kitchen post defines what makes for a great recipe. Just read it. So fantastic!

Oh, and I started a blog Facebook page. Because I know you were desperate to know that.

What is new with you? Been doing anything fun? I would love to know!

Plaza del Toro opening night was so fun!!

Erin and I WON THE #100OPENTABLES DINNER AT AVA GENE'S!!! 

MEllan and I at a Timbers Game. #soccerselfies

I was part of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target madness!! While I wasn't there before the doors open, the downtown location was almost completely sold out at 9am. It was a mad house. I had no idea Portland had preppy people like me. 

Checked out the new 10 Barrel Brewing in the Pearl. The Cucumber Sour is delicious!

Boke Bowl Dim Sum for #supperclubPDX

Saw this clutch at #thetoast wedding show. It is available at Mercantile and I am lusting after it. 

Big. Time! 

Bar Mingo with one of my favorite people!

Urban Waxx comes with mimosas and trail mix!

Would it be an "As Seen On Instagram" without Athena?!?!

Mary Ellen made these and my life changed forever. A wider hips kind of change.

To counter the crack bars. 

The New Seasons limited edition ice cream was phenomenal. The chocolate cake layers made this extra amazing. If my children aren't as fun and enjoyable as this, I will return them.

The Levant Portland Dining Month selections were phenomenal. This is a magical pistachio cream with panna cotta and shredded havla. 

Ovation is my favorite coffee shop for so many reasons!

Eb+Bean for Chloe's birthday!

inPDX {Remedy Wine Bar}

NV Berdie 'Amor' Cava Rosat, Spain

Remedy Wine Bar happens to be one of my favorite neighborhood spots, I was recently invited to taste the refreshed menu from new Chef Lucas Parsley, with wine pairings. The event also involved a phenomenal cheese platter and the opportunity to ask these experts so many questions. Remedy is perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or even hosting an event. The staff is so friendly and the space is so inviting, it would also be great for a solo glass of wine and an indulgent bowl of warmed olives.

What makes for a good wine bar? Warmed olives, Spiegelau stemware, perhaps some cozy seats. A rotating wine list with a tasty cheese platter. Obviously, some twinkly candles and romantic lighting.

What makes for a great wine bar? Probably a Cheese Monger, a dynamic Wine Director, and a very talented Chef. Let us not forget a stunning space, which overlooks a park that still radiates during a torrential down pour.

 Now, what makes for the Perfect Pairing? A beautifully curated menu that complements the internationally sourced collection of wines. Delicious food that is finished and plated at the open bar at the center of the bar. A spread of cheeses that have undertones of asparagus, broccoli, and dark chocolate.

And what makes Remedy Wine Bar so special? The perfect marriage of space, wine, and food. The impeccable and knowledgeable staff. A staff that is so passionate about their crafts, and so committed to providing a stellar experience, it feels as if you are in their home. A teams the works together so seamlessly, that they are in fact the perfect pairing.

Warmed Olives

Spiced Nuts

Foie Gras Ganache

Table Mountain {ID}, Majarero {SP} Brie de Jouvance {FR}, Bandaged Cheddar {WI}, Woodsman Blue {WA}

Shallot Marmalade

Cheese Monger Norine Mulry + Chef Lucas Parsley

2013 Patrice Colin Coteaux du Vendemois, France

Olive Oil Poached Halibut
Malt braised oranges, radish, farm greens, mint aioli

An elegant blend of decadent olive oil poached halibut, bright produce and a refreshing mint aioli.

2013 Stift Gottweig Pinot Noir Rose, Austria

Deemed a 'Catholic' wine as it has no additional sugars

Wine Director Josh Wisenfeld + Chef Lucas Parsley

Excellent conversation about karaoke, first dates, and salt water floating. And the wine and food, of course!

2010 Chateau Loupiac Gaudiet

Chef Lucas plating dessert.

Grapefruit Oil Custard

Dark Chocolate Budino

Sheep's Milk Pound Cake

Budino drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with Jacobson's sea salt.

Sheep's Milk Pound Cake with seasonal rhubarb compote

A tropically influenced flan.

NV Rare Wine Company Boston Bual Madeira

New+Noteworthy {tryCaviar, The Box Social, Postmates}

The most current installment of New+Noteworthy is very telling of life lately. I've been extremely busy and things have been on the heavy side. Pretty much a "work, sick, sick, work, work, woah!, que?, work" sandwich with a side of "overextended social calendar." So, pretty much the same life issues everyone else has. Blog-plainer, party of Mere.

I have needed convenient solutions and good conversation over cocktails. This post also comes with some promo codes - you know, to balance out the 'plaining above. And, because I always love a bargain.

tryCaviar

Get $15 off your first tryCaviar order by clicking this link!! You don't even have to be in Portland.

One of my only complaints about Portland is the lack of food delivery services. Really, the only options have been pizza, Ling Garden, or a $40 minimum plus a $10 delivery fee. So either eat greasy carbs or fork over lots of lettuce. 

Khao Soi from PaaDee

Enter, tryCaviar. Caviar is a high-end food delivery service that brings some of Portland's best restaurants to your doorstep. The list includes Roman Candle Pizza, Little Bird and Blue Star Donuts. The service also allows for you to pre-order meals and dishes. Imagine having house guests in town and knowing that Portland's best donuts will be delivered to your doorstop at 8am. No lines. No hoping you can get the bacon delights. Just convenient.

And the delivery of these dishes is on point. Everything comes properly packaged, generous portions and in really stylish containers. 

Best eggplant ever from Aviary

What to get: Paadee or Aviary. Both of these Portland restaurants are HOT right now. Nominated. Listed. Sought after. Which means: Impossible to get a table!!!

Things to know: Not all options are available every day or on short notice. You may need to order in advance or anticipate a wait. The delivery fee is always $4.99 and gratuity is factored in when ordering.

The Box Social

3971 North Williams

No promo codes here, but a great deal! A few weeks ago Erin and I had a co-working day in North Portland followed by dinner at Ned Ludd for Portland Dining Month. We had some time between the end of the work day and the start of dinner. We decided to go on a walk and pop into all of the fun shops in the area. We came across The Box Social and obviously needed to try out the Happy Hour! 

Vodka + Fresh Squeezed Grapefruit for $4

The space reminded me of an old-timey speakeasy, with a giant peacock, dark woods, and the floor to ceiling bar. The waiter was really nice, offered a lot of insight and didn't rush us in anyway. I really dislike when I am being rushed to order another drink or vacate a table. 

Healthy Happy Hour Hommous!

What to get: The Hommous Spread was very generous and had the tastiest almonds. It also comes with my favorite olives!

Things to know: Happy Hour or not, this place is a screaming deal! Only two of the cocktails cost get into the double digits. They don't appear to have an outdoor space, which does sadden me as summer is nigh!

Postmates

Use code YAZ4M to get a $10 delivery credit for new users. Again, just needs to be in a city with Postmates.

Two delivery services in one month?!?! Someone has been reading my tweets! I had actually heard really positive things about Postmates from Annie while co-working a few weeks ago. See how everything comes together. ;) On a late night of working I decided to try it out. I was able to have a healthy dinner delivered in under an hour. And the whole thing cost $12. Baby, I like it!

This service delivers Apizza Scholls, Stumptown Coffee, Bunk Bar, and Bamboo Sushi!!! The list of restaurants and options seems to be growing every hour. Even cooler?? They have a pantry service. Need cold medicine? Yup! Lady items?? Delivered! Don't want a baby? Yes, even those.

Yes, I know. Your mind has been blown.

The app also has a fun tracking feature. You will be notified when the food is ready, that it has been packed up and you can even watch the GPS car or bike {again, Portland} as it is in transport. I was far too enthralled watching one delivery person circling the block in search of parking.

Pho for life!

What to get: Luc Lac! The best pho in Portland can now be delivered for lunch or at 11pm!!!

Things to know: The delivery fee seems to change based on different variables, but I've never had it cost more than $3. A service fee is also worked into the price, but gratuity is not included. The option to give a cash tip or leave it with the tip after delivery is in your hands.

Recipe { Real-Talk Brownies }

I want to be upfront and honest: This blog post contains one photo. There are no styled shots, perfectly nestled egg shells, or flour dusted about to resemble a constellation that tells the story of mankind and chocolate.

This is just one slightly-grainy Instagram shot of a pan of brownies. Experimental brownies I whipped together last night to reward myself for passing on Easter candy. And after trying some of this brownie I went on a Pretty Woman influenced hashtag tangent about how the treat would clearly negated any chocolate egg resistance. Why? Because this pan of brownies was the result of me improvising and resulted in the fudgiest, chocolate-y, slightly salted pan of magic. Not that kind of magic brownies. The kind of brownies that disappear in one night, substitute the nutritious dinner that had been planned, and has me up well before the sun to plonk out this recipe to share with you.

Why not remake the brownies, take some photos and acknowledge that it isn't the 2009 blogging world? Because part of life is keeping it real. And the real me makes brownies on Monday night while swishing through Tinder with purifying creams on my face.

1 10oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chunks

1 Stick unsalted butter

2 eggs

1 Cup sugar

1 TBS vanilla extract

1/2 TSP baking powder

1/4 TSP Sea Salt

1 Cup flour

Sea Salt for sprinkling

Pre-Heat oven to 350*F

Spray or grease 9x13 baking dish 

Bowl 1

Using a double boiler over medium heat melt the chocolate and butter. Mix together until silky smooth, but do not burn. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

Bowl 2

Whisk together the eggs, sugar, vanilla, baking powder and salt. 

Mix

Add a large spoonful of the chocolate to the egg mixture. Immediately mix together. Slowly add more chocolate and continue to whisk. This will allow the temperature to even out, and won't scramble the eggs. Next add the flour and fold into the mixture until fully incorporated. I like to make one full fold per letter of the alphabet.

Bake

Pour the mixture into the greased pan and even out. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes {The edges should begin to crisp up and a toothpick comes out clean}. Let the brownies cool for at least 20 minutes. 

Recipes {Farro + Tuna Salad}

Recently, I have tried to make a change to my diet. I am trying to reduce the amount of pasta I eat. You see, I am a total sucker for a giant bowl of spaghetti. I absolutely love it. I also eat far too much and end up feeling guilty and stuffed. But wait, I love it! I can't give up pasta. My solution? I am no longer buying pasta to have in my pantry. If I want to make a large batch of fresh pasta to eat at home, I can. I can order it out. I can still have seconds when eating dinner at a friend's. I just can't have it as my easy back-up for dinner two nights a week.

This has lead me to start purchasing more whole-grain carbs to substitute the pasta in some of my favorite recipes. This has really started quite the love affair between myself and farro. Well, it might be a one-sided love affair, but the bring blue bag of 10-minute farro keeps coming home with me from Trader Joe's - I must be doing something right.

Farro has a nutty texture, is very filling and really holds its own in dishes. For this recipe, I paired it with tuna, beans, cherry tomatoes, olives, crunch celery and a lemony-mustard dressing. In my mind, it was a healthier tuna salad.