portland | not maine
food cart | not truckso.. about portland. oregon not maine (although we hope to go some day). most days im thrilled to get the opt to tag along on one of g's business trips. but not so much this time around. portland just didn't seem exciting to me. when i think of portland, i think of dreary skies and waterproof everything. i was right, at least with the former. so imagine my surprise when g was elated and anxious to go. and then i found out why. two words-- food carts.
food carts have really exploded over the last couple of years and portland is the perfect example of this. with over 400 carts and counting, most clustered in "pods", encircled parking lots, with cuisines ranging from Thai to Swedish and potato fries to fried wiffles, it's a foodie's dream.. and nightmare. so much to choose, not enough meal times in a day. some of the best carts are scattered throughout the city. convenient? i think not, but who cares when it's food this outrageously good served at embarrassingly cheap prices.
speaking of cheap. how could you possibly complain about no tax. especially when you A) can shop anywhere without fear of 9.5%. or B) order 2- cocktails and bar food under $20. or even better C) dinner for two for less than breakfast back home. the only downside is figuring out how much to tip. can't double the tax when there isn't any.eat this. Nong's Khao Man Gai - chicken and rice. that's it. just poached chicken over rice served with garlic chili soybean sauce all neatly wrapped up in a little package. brings back a bit of my childhood as cliche as it may sound. just like how mom use to make it.
going public. on our first day, we taxi'd to most places. g insist we try going public.. transportation that is. because he's read portland's got the best, most efficient public transportation system in the country. now that is a big reputation to live up to. and after our first bus ride, i was convinced. not only the best, but the nicest bus driver's too! how awesome is it to have buses and trams with trackers on them? you can literally track your bus and get it's real- time location rather than the scheduled time of arrival. now that's cool.
[tracker]
days gone | 3
pictures taken | 740
jumps attempted | 13
jumps kept | 2
chipmunks encountered | 1
number of sweaters brought | 1 (black n white stripes)
number of nice bus drivers who stop to help tourists with directions | 2
number of food trucks we ate at | 8
best bite | ike's vietnamese fish sauce wings
pleasantly surprise | bacon maple donut [at] voodoo
lesson learned | when ask, i told the waiter our pasta was a bit too salty. the truth rather than the usual it's fine. or worse, it's great. the result? entree compt by management. yay. more room (and wallet) for dessert.
[more photos]
New Orleans
21 - 23 May : Who DAT?!
Bourbon, Beignets & Beads
Trippin'.
What's that motto again from Max's restaurant.. "If you're on a diet, this is not the place for you."? Well the same rule applies here in New Orleans, or should I say, N'awlins. Here in NOLA, where Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and street musicians paint the town, where "watching your waistline" is just a figure of speech and where glimpses of Hurricane Katrina remain, the good times still roll. It is by far one of the most richest, most vibrant and down right resilient city this country is blessed to have.
A food lovers paradise, this is the city for exuberant indulgence. It's a hodgepodge of thick spices from traditional Creole to spicy Cajun and everything buttery in between. You name it, here in N'awlins we've tried it-- beignets at Cafe du Monde, freshly- shucked oysters at Acme Oyster Bar, turtle soup at Commander's Palace-- and of course.. wash it all down with a couple of HAND GRENADES. All the while, struttin' down Bourbon Street collecting beads along the way. *pucker*
I dare you to have a better time in N'awlins.
On a more serious note. You would never guess but masked by the unwavering and genuine Southern hospitality and the constant "Yes Ma'ams and Sirs", New Orleans is still recovering from the devastation that was Katrina; particularly in the Ninth Ward where much of what is left is.. well not much at all. You, however, can help: If you get a chance to go.. go. Go speak to the locals, taxi cab drivers, street performers, etc. Their stories are of great triumph-- of trials and tribulation-- and through it all, they have a great sense of pride for this great city and the strong will to bring it back to the way it was.
Let me sign
Aside from the French and Spanish inspired architectures, we were equally infatuated by all the eclectic and custom store signage throughout the city.
Sleeping: Le Richeleau Hotel. Casual elegance and just minutes from the famous Bourbon Street but just outside enough to escape the noise makers and night crawlers.
Eating: Jacque- Imo's Cafe, 8324 Oak Street, tel: 504 861 0886. I'm not one for green tomatoes but the fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade sauce made a believer out of me. Adventurous? Try the alligator cheesecake.. you heard right.
Activity: The New Orleans School of Cooking. When I tell you this is the best gumbo I've ever had.. I kid you not. Went back for not just 2nds, but 3rds and finally had to send G to get the 4th because I didn't want to look like a cow. Butter is definitely better! And what a great alternative to the typical city tours.
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Seattle
9 - 12 April : The Emerald City
Indulging in Seafood Mecca
Trippin'.
Fresh seafood, great wine and even better coffee. What's not to love about Seattle? It's a medley of all things great in the Pacific Northwest! A city surrounded by mountains and ocean, luscious greens that seem to extend for miles and miles, it is no wonder Seattle is often referred to as the Emerald City.
We had surprisingly unusual weather, sunny skies to be exact, which was a plus when we found out it was pouring back home in San Jose. G went for work and I, of course, went along for the "free" ride. We had a jammed pack weekend as we always do filled with sight seeing, shopping, and what else-- food.
Speaking of food. A friend recommended we do a food tour of Pike Place Market and what a great suggestion that was. We booked a tour with Savor Seattle and had the best time tasting all things great about Pike Place Market-- from Iron Chef winner Tom Douglas' crab cakes, to the world famous fish throwers' smoked salmon! Best of all, as touristy as this place gets, Pike Place Market's captivating personality and character is apparent, alive and well.
Classic, not traditional-- made to perfection
Though not a traditional panzanella, at Dahlia, you simply can't deny its Tuscan Grilled Bread Salad is original and classic. A perfect blend of bitter greens drizzled in a light vinaigrette dressing, mixed with day old grilled Tuscan bread, cherry tomatoes.. and to top off this remarkably- mouthwatering plate-- a slice of prosciutto. It does not get any better than this.
Tom Douglas' Dahlia Lounge, 2001 4th Street, tel: (206) 682-4142
est salmon (or any fish dish for that matter) goes to-- *drum roll please*-- Elliots' Alaskan Troll King Salmon smoked on alder plank. Insanely good! Smoked fish-- simple enough. The entree itself, nothing utterly worldly or remarkably unique at first glance. And yet it was love at first bite. The rest of the meal was a bit of a blur after that. Simple it certainly is not but to put it into words is difficult and down right challenging. It's a -you've- gotta- try- it- to- believe- it to even begin to understand its levels of complexity. And once you do, salmon (or any fish) will never taste the same.
A perfect weekend getaway to indulge in some of this countries finest palette pleasers.. or should I say teasers? Which ever way, we'll cheers to that!
Sleeping: Inn at the Market. Tucked away in an ivy-covered courtyard, this boutique hotel is a tranquil hideaway located practically "in" the vibrancy of Pike Place Market.
Eating: Serious Pies, 316 Virginia St, tel: 206 838 7388, for two-- order 2 or 3 pies. Try the potato! If you're lucky, you might just run into Tom Douglas himself.. we did.
Activity: Don't miss the perfect photo opt at Kerry Park. Tip-- Have your taxi wait while you take a quick photo because there is no other way down the hill and taxi's are few and far in between.
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San Diego
G's Birthday Weekend in SD
Trippin'.
San Diego is the melting pot of all things California; blessed with miles of sandy beaches and a climate that is generally pleasant all year round. The Gaslamp neighborhood boast both old world charm and friendly (southern) hospitality. It's a hodgepodge of diversity, culture, and of course, food. Best of all, as big as this city may be, life here is pretty laid back; not as hectic and chaotic as in cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Truly the perfect getaway-- the perfect city.
Amtrak tickets in hand, we took the almost 3hr ride from Los Angeles to San Diego to meet up with some of G's buddies, all ready to wreak havoc, for what is bound to be a weekend to remember. And we were not disappointed. I now see why those who move to San Diego stay in San Diego. This city has it all-- charming downtown quarter, amazing restaurants, bars and clubs, and a relaxing stretch of beach for the perfect nap and suntan. And the nicest people, perhaps not in the country, but definitely in California. We had a typical weekend getaway that encompassed daytime lazying at the beach, late night bar hopping and clubbing and a whole lot of eating.
Sleeping: Sheraton at Symphony Hall. All rooms are suite with living room and sofa bed. Just a few short blocks from the Gaslamp Quarter. Definitely walkable. Perfect for groups!
Eating: South Beach Bar at Ocean Beach, 5059 Newport Ave #104, tel: 619 226 4577, go for happy hour-- best Baja fish tacos ever! Phil's BBQ is also a must on any trip to San Diego.
Activity: Bar/ club hop the Gaslamp. Tip-- try the turn and walk away method if you're told there is a cover. You might get called back and bypass it all.
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Los Angeles
Palm @ The Grove
Trippin.'
Los Angeles is one global metropolis, packed with a thousand cultures and a clash of customs. Truly the epicenter of mayhems and extremes. But, if you want full access to the world all within walking distance, LA is the place for you.
The perfect antidote for unemployment's inevitable mind numbing bores is to get out of town! We're scheduled to be in San Diego for the weekend, but not before a quick trip to LA for G's work. Naturally, I tagged along with him. Partly so that we can go to San Diego together right after LA, but mostly to see Michelle Branch perform at The Grove.
LA is a frustrating city to be in, what with all the traffic and non protected left turns enough to drive one nuts. But what it lacks in congested insanity, it more than makes up in food. From the infamous Pink's Hot Dogs to Diddy Riese's ice cream sandwiches, but th
e highlight of it all is tracking down the notorious and constantly moving Korean Kogi taco trucks.
Pink's Hot Dogs-- the Ozzy, Chili Cheese and Onion Rings!
In search of the world's best tacos
Only in LA would we chase down a taco truck in an attempt to satisfy our curiosity, and our taste buds. We never made it to one in time but you know G-- he didn't give up. Tip-- 3pm is when they wrap up and go, however, food runs out far in advance so aim for no later than 2pm. On our last night we met up with some friends at the Alibi Room where they serve Korean tacos, quesadilla and sliders and let me tell you, it was worth all the trouble chasing a truck around town during our 3 days stay. If you've never had one, you're in for a surprise; not your typical Mexican tacos, though maybe only in appearance, the taste is worldly another. When I tell you it's the best taco you'll ever have-- not just Korean style, but ever-- I'm as serious as LA traffic.
Alibi Room, 12236 Washington Blvd, tel: 310 390 9300
Ranting note-- I hate LA and their waiting in line for food! No matter where you go, or what time of the day it is, there is a ridiculous waiting line. Stupid lines cost me my chance at having what my friend claims to be the best Ramen noodles ever! Just shy of 1000 Yelp reviews, leave extra time, about an hour, at any time on any day, for Daikokuya. And let me know how it turns out.
Sleeping: Renaissance in Hollywood- When a tourist? Just behind the Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame. A short drive to Rodeo Dr and Robertson Blvd and other major attractions. Right off the 101.
Eating: Griddle Cafe, 7916 Sunset Blvd, tel: 323 874 0377, order the "single" portioned control, over sized Banana Nana and Mom's French Toast. And ask for a side of Nutella. More than enough for two.
A Must: Seek out a Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck and see for yourself what all the fuss is about. If you happen to miss one, all is not lost-- Alibi room.
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