"portlandoregon" news and stories

I didn't really believe it, at first. A vegan cupcake? Yet there they were, almost glistening in the rainy late morning light. If any place is going to have a delicious vegan cupcake, I suppose, it would be here, in Portland, Oregon, at this strangely gourmet cafeteria where everything is vegan. The space used to be a the lobby of a grand downtown hotel, but now it's Veganopolis. I've tasted their almond pate, and it was wonderful, so I dared to try the cupcake.

And, yes, it was lovely. I picked the cranberry orange variety 'cause the waitress got teary-eyed in her description. It was fruity, it was pleasingly sweet, the frosting (most importantly) tasted just like buttercream. I still haven't had a chance to call and ask what was in it - silken tofu, maybe, or (yikes) shortening perhaps. Either way, the huge mound of frosting was even more than I dreamed. Too much more, in fact; it was so rich I couldn't finish.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]

It's a testament to a truly consistent and excellent chef when foods that are nearly always disappointing at your run-of-the-mill restaurants are, instead, perfectly prepared, texturally impeccable, the promise realized. So it was with Tani's fried oysters, a special that my husband often orders but (at any other establishment) I always find greasy, improperly cooked, gritty and fishy tasting. But these oysters, these were enough to make me fall in love all over again with the mollusk. The breading was crisp but not fat-laden, light but flavorful, the dish an amazing juxtaposition of fleshy oyster, delicate coating.

My mother grew up on a dairy farm in central Oregon, near Madras. My relatives, and those who grew up around her, now supply beef, lamb, dairy products and produce to the citified folk in Portland.

They would be sending most of their stuff to wholesalers, who would in turn send it to processors, or ship it overseas, or... who knows. A few decades ago, many of them were near bankrupt. Until New Seasons market happened along, with its commitment to sourcing locally. New Seasons is just part of a movement among those flamingly liberal Portland folk to buy local, organic, sustainable. And according to this article in the New York Times, it's working. And most ironically? Those farmers, they're conservative and straight-laced. But they're supplying the liberals.

Source

I like to call the Red and Black Cafe in Portland, Ore. the Socialist coffee shop. It's a subversive place full of ratty couches, angry radicals and server-owners who are forever forgetting what you've ordered. But the food, well, it's worth all the trouble. Like this homemade organic granola, served with its own pitcher of milk. It's crunchy, nutty, with plump raisins, and just the teeniest bit sweet (never with refined white sugar), the very epitome of health. And delicious to boot. Get it with a pot of one of the house blend herbal teas... even though that will take an extra 10 minutes and you'll have to remind your server at least twice. You'll still thank me for turning you on to the Red and Black.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]

There is blogger or two out there not entirely thrilled with Sur La Table. The posh kitchen supply store may have been responsible for firing a blogger who wrote about Rachael Ray. But you will be thrilled to hear they carry silver dragees, those lovely decorating balls covered with (gasp) a little bit of real silver.

I snapped this photo at the Portland, Ore. Sur La Table the day before Christmas. As Nicole noted in her post, the label clearly states "for decoration only." If you want to buy a bottle - not to eat, mind you - you may find them at a fancy-dancy kitchen store near you.

[Photo Sarah Gilbert]