I received an invitation to the Whiskey of the World dinner at mcMenamin's Old Church in Wilsonville, and since the wife was in Denver for work I invited Jimmie to come along for his first Fat Boy event. A five course dinner with nine whiskeys on the tasting list promised to be a full night, and I was hopeful that in addition to good food pairings I might get a chance to try some whiskey i hadn't tried before.
Read moreThe Fat Boy Summer Road Trip 2014 Part 2: On the Road Days 13 and 14
Alright, I'm caught up on sleep and spending time with the family. The novelty of having me home has worn off for the kids and they are back to hiding in their rooms so I can finally get the last of the Fat Boy Summer Road Trip posted.
Read moreDinner Review: Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill - Tanasbourne
With my wife and son out of town for the Holiday weekend I had the chance to take our daughter out to dinner tonight. We decided to try something new and settled on The Thirsty Lion's newest addition to the Streets of Tanasbourne.
Read morePreview: Taco Bell Breakfast is coming March 27th
In February, Taco Bell announced that they would once again be rolling out a breakfast menu nationwide beginning March 27th, 2014. Among the items tested at select locations prior to the announcement, and the one that received the most attention on social media outlets was the Waffle Taco. One of my neighborhood Taco Bell restaurants jumped the gun and launched the menu early, so I was able to get ahold of some of the new breakfast items this morning, and of course I took one for the team to bring my thoughts to you.
Read moreThrillist Rate's Portland's Best Mac & Cheese options
Woke up today to find a great article in my inbox rating the best Mac & Cheese dishes in PDX. Some great choices here, but my favorite Lobster Mac & Cheese from Ringside Fish House missed the cut. You can see how your favorite ranked at the link below.
Reviewing the VQ
One of the long standing places to meet and eat in SW Portland has always been the "VQ" (veritable quandary) at 1st and Jefferson is classic old time Portland charm in the middle of the downtown area. While much has changed since it opened in 1971, it has lost none of its charm.
I had today's special, The Italian Meats sandwich, and it did not disappoint. Pepperoni, Salami, and an amazing Coppocollo served with fresh Parmesan and mozzarella on a focaccia roll. It is everything you hope an Italian sandwich will be. Served with a mountain of their famous hand-cut fries it was well worth the $14 price tag.
Carrie went with the classic VQ Burger, 1/2 pound of ground round topped with white cheddar, lettuce, pickled veggie blend and a sweet-basil aioli. This burger is always a safe bet.
If you are in Portland and want to see what dining was like before the hipsters took over the food scene, the VQ will show you the way.
On the Road Review: Mo's in Cannon Beach, OR
Mo's Chowder House is an Oregon Coast landmark
When I was growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, our family made at least one trip out to the beach every summer. We would take coolers of food to save money, but dinner before heading home was always at Mo's. I have had clam chowder all over the country, but nothing says seaside dining like Mo's.
Read moreOn the Road review: Morris' Fireside Grille
The lunch order of fish and chips at Morris' was HUGE. Six large halibut filets and a mountain of hand cut "Driftwood" fries was almost more than the Fat Boy could take down.
We are in Cannon Beach, Oregon this weekend for Carrie to participate in the recording sessions for this years Singing Christmas Tree. We got checked into our motel in the old downtown area, and first step was to find lunch.
Right around the corner from our Motel we found Morris' Fireside Grille, and decided to give it a try. I decided on fish and chips, because I love fresh fish. The fish was lightly battered and crunchy on the outside, while staying perfectly flaky and moist inside. Not an easy feat, but it made for a terrific lunch. Morris' adds dill to the batter, giving it a nice zip even without tartar sauce. The hand-cut "driftwood" fries were large and flavorful if a little soft.
Carrie and Andrew had the French Dip, and reported the meat tender and flavorful, with an Aus Jous so flavorful Andrew actually drank it from the cup after his sandwich was gone. Hailey went with a chicken sandwich so big she could only eat half. A large chicken breast with bacon and normal toppings of lettuce and tomato on a sturdy bread that stayed together made for a great meal for her.
In all I was very happy with the service and quality of food Morris' Fireside Grille delivered. As with most seaside communities the price was a little high with lunch for four coming in at $65.00 plus tip, but for portions this large and food this good I was happy to pay the tab.
Hailey had a HUGE chicken sandwich. It ended up being two meals for her.
Restaurant Review: Tumalo Feed Company
Onion rings are provided for the table for just $1 a head, proving a nice appetizer. Batter dipped and perfectly fried, they were a welcome start to the meal.
I reached out to the FaceBook and Twitter world for food recommendations while we spend a few days in the Bend area, and received several responses. One that intrigued me was the Tumalo Feed Company, a small restaurant I noticed just a few miles up the road from our RV site. Looking to be an old-fashioned western steak house, I decided to give it a try.
Read more