Alas, Even Obsessive Critics Need A Break
We at ELV and our staff have been going at it hammer and tongs for some time now.
Yeah, we’ve been a little edgy.
So it’s time for a break…a respite….a vacation if you will. So we’re heading north – to Portland, Oregon and the beaches of the Washington coast to eat oysters, drink wine and forget about restaurants for a while.
And for “a while” we mean until we can find a wi-fi connection up there.
No seriously, we’re going to immerse ourselves in the bounty of the Pacific Northwest for a week, with the restaurants of Las Vegas becoming but a dim bulb of nostalgic whimsy as we cast about the highways for the fruits of King Neptune’s trident. Beyond the question of a doubt, we’ll be cooking on all four cylinders and it’ll be as much fun as shooting monkeys in a barrel.
Or something like that.
BTW: if any of you want to show us where we should eat in or around Portland, we’re all ears.
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p.s. If you want to follow our adventures for the next 6 days, follow us on Facebook or Twitter (Facebook under John Curtas; Twitter under Eating Las Vegas. Or just Facebook our sorry keister and we’ll Facebook yours right back.
p.p.s. But stay tuned, ‘cuz we may do a few Facebook/Twitter-like posts on this site, just to annoy Brian Waddell.
p.p.p.s. And as long as we’re seeking advice, whaddya think of this, as our new avatar for the site?
Restaurant reviews, quips, picks and pans-with some seriously salivating history-from the man who eats his way through Sin City every day.
August 18th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Dear John,
You are going to a fantastic food town. If you have time here are a few of our favorites: Steve’s Cheese inside of Square Deal Wines in the Pearl District, Payley’s Place (get the gnocchi for sure!) and Park Kitchen. Steve Jones is a good friend of ours. So please introduce yourself.
Happy eating!
Kristin Sande at Valley Cheese and Wine
August 18th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Screen Door: http://www.screendoorrestaurant.com/
Pearl Bakery: http://www.pearlbakery.com
Little T’s American Baker: http://www.littletbaker.com/
Apizza Scholls: http://www.apizzascholls.com/
Ken’s Artisan Pizza: http://www.kensartisan.com/pizza.html
Ken’s Artisan Bakery: http://www.kensartisan.com/
August 18th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I hear Voodoo Donuts is the place for breakfast in Portland. Maple and Bacon donuts…can’t go wrong with that. :)
August 18th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Uhhh the avatar…..no
August 19th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Annoy away my friend. Enjoy your trip, and I look forward to hearing all about your adventure.
P.S. Don’t listen to that Kristin lady in the first reply. What could a Midwestern girl possibly know about cheese, wine, or gnocchi? he he.
August 19th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Have heard great things about Pok Pok.
August 19th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Dan and Louis Oyster Bar for the most delectable, precious little Willapa Bay or Yaquina Point oysters you can imagine. Order them fried, which will deliver a plate of oysters from the Pacific coast, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It’s in a seedy part of Old Town in the heart of Portland. They’ve been serving oysters for something like 125 years.
Fast forward to today and head up to Wildwood restaurant in Northwest Portland, founded by Chef Cory Schreiber, whose Grandfather, Louis Waschmuth (sp?), was one of the founders of Dan and Louis Oyster Bar. A taste of the past of the Northwest at Dan and Louis, a taste of today at Wildwood, with a family link running through both restaurants.
At Wildwood this time of year expect fruits like blackberries, loganberries, and Northwest peaches, along with some local cheeses and Oregon wines. Enjoy.
August 19th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Paymon’s North is the best!
August 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Let us know all about it when you’re back. I can’t wait to go up that way soon to see The Northwest in all its beauty again. Enjoy your trip, Mr. ELV. :-)
August 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
bwdining, to answer your question “What could a Midwestern girl possibly know about cheese, wine, or gnocchi?”
Far more than a Fresno boy could ever know … he he.
ELV, enjoy your Oregon trip. If you drive out to the Oregon coast, there is a Tillamook cheese/ice cream visitor center, where you can sample a few things.
http://tillamookcheese.com/VisitorsCenter/
August 21st, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Bijou cafe-Downtown breakfast
Heathman-anytime
carafe- french
Pambiche-cuban
toro bravo-tapas
bridges-N.E. breakfast
Cup and Saucer- S.E. breakfast
Cafe Mingo- Dinner Italian
Gravy – Hangover breakfast. Missisippi area
coffee people – mexican hot chocolate
August 21st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Trust me…. go to the vault for drinks (not food) it is over the top fantastic