By mlb, on August 31st, 2010%
Caesar Salad at Cafe Castagna.
We have started a tradition of going out to dinner on Tuesday nights. Originally, we were thinking maybe every other Tuesday, but this month went to three places — of course, I am certainly not complaining. We tried two new places: Bar Avignon and Nostrana and revisited an old-standby: Cafe Castagna. This post is mostly pictures, enjoy!
Bar Avignon
2138 SE Division Street
Portland, OR 97202
I liked the food a lot. Also, it was a very cozy space. But, jwa and I were both a little surprised with the vibe. Not really uninviting but not that inviting either. It was weird, the whole time we were there I don’t think I saw any of the staff smile at all. I’m perfectly willing to assume it was . . . → Read More: Tuesday Night Dinners
By mlb, on May 7th, 2010%
Genoa Restaurant
2832 Southeast Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214-4024
Okay, enough about California, let’s talk about a Portland restaurant! Recently, jwa & I went to Genoa to celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary. We hadn’t been to the new one yet and were both very excited to give it a try. Wow, what a great meal. There’s still a few days left with this menu, I’d recommend trying to check it out. We’ve decided to not wait for another big celebratory event. Maybe Flag Day?
“The Ancient Island of Sardegna” April 28th through May 15th
For the sake of simplicity, I’ll just highlight the choices we had but the full menu is here.
Also, as the evening progresses, the images get a bit darker.
It’s a nice, airy dining room with maybe a dozen tables.
We . . . → Read More: Genoa Restaurant, Portland
By mlb, on May 3rd, 2010%
Hey! We were on vacation last week in California. And, no, no, we didn’t go to The French Laundry (although, I am starting a campaign to do so on our 5th wedding anniversary) but we did go to Ad Hoc, one of Thomas Keller‘s other restaurants. Mmm!
Menu from April 29, 2010:
* TFL Garden Carrot & Butter Lettuce Salad – sugar snap peas, blonde frisee, crisp chickpeas, white cabbage, chive oil, diced jicama, ginger dressing
* Angus Beef New York Strip Steak – grilled scallions, fingerling potatoes, cilantro, fried hen egg, fresno chilies, sauteed baby rainbow chard
* Fresh Leaf-Wrapped Goat Cheese with assorted pickles and olives, maldon flatbread
* Banana Spring Rolls – valhrona chocolate sauce, coconut ice cream
Yeah, it was quite good. See the pictures below. Plus a few assorted . . . → Read More: Dinner in Yountville (Napa Valley)
By mlb, on March 22nd, 2010%
2838 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-4900
We finally tried Accanto for brunch Sunday and wow, we both really enjoyed it. It’s the place on the corner of 28th & Belmont, right next to the new Genoa. Actually, Accanto is to Genoa, like Cafe Castagna is to Castagna, I believe. Anyway, I love the curly fennel painting in their sign. That’s some points right there. I called before we left to walk there to see if there was a wait (there was not). I’ve learned my lesson from the not-calling-Slappy-Cakes-first-gate of a couple of months ago.
When we got there we got a table right in the front window and ordered drinks.
I got an Apricot Mimosa (Prosecco, Amaretto, apricot puree) and jwa ordered a Belmont Bloody Mary (Pepper . . . → Read More: Comune Accanto for Brunch
