Daily Feed - December 11-20, 2012

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	ABOUT ME: Name: Gutenberg Location: Somewhere near the Broadway Bridge. Occupation: BRPR (Bunrab public relations.)			the BUNRAB blog spot
				Do you need to answer back? You can send me comments if you want to. If I want to, I'll post 'em in this very blog. -Gutenberg

December 11-20, 2012

go to next week's blogs

Thursday, December 20, 2012
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Bar alla Bomba's black brick bar:

... is an abrasive surface to slide sippables, but their Boulevardier and Vieux Carre ($11.00 each):

... went down without friction.

Squid ink cloaked octopus ($4.00):

... in a dark pool with pockets of cornmeal mush. This polenta and 'pus potion was good but the beef shoulder ($5.00):

... could have used a little more seasoning.

Toasts topped with robiola and anchovy ($2.00):

... and robiola with prosciutto and melon ($3.00):

... were nice nibblage at this detonation station that may not make it to our rotation, but the friendly staff made for a nice visit.

Bar alla Bomba
1101 E Burnside
Portland, OR
971.266.8756

Wednesday, December 19, 2012
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Raisins soaked in marsala gave sweet support to luscious chicken livers ($8.00):

... strewn over grilled toast at Ava Gene's.

This Italian eatery from the Stumptown Coffee and Woodsman Tavern group was filled with fans of boot-country bites.

Sweetbreads ($12.00):

... swaddled in 'ciutto sat in squished squash. This pepita'ed portion was some grand gland.

We swirled through our spaghetti ($14.00):

... with garlic and olive oil. A kick from red pepper flakes completed this simple, classic tangle.

Bronzed Brussels sprouts ($6.00):

... were delectable diminutive cabbagey "compnament" to a pork osso bucco ($24.00):

... with chanterelles. This shank of swine with 'shrooms was bucco-watering.

We'll have to come back for more of Ava Gene's chow - our neighbor's beet salad and steak looked particularly enticing...

Ava Gene's
3377 SE Division St.
Portland, OR
971.229.0571

Tuesday, December 18, 2012
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We bounded back to the buttery bunker known as Lauretta Jean's to fill our holes with crusted creations.

The tart cherry pie ($4.00):

... remains on our mastication rotation as a textural touchstone of munchable marbles mingling with a flaky fringe while the spiced pear ($4.00):

... offered a seasonal scent of cinnamon strewn with an oaty streusel

Whenever we gaze at the goods in the display, we envision our next visit. The hand pies and spiraled scones will get us back soon...

Lauretta Jean's
3402 SE Division
Portland, OR
503.235.3119

Monday, December 17, 2012
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There were plenty of open seats at the Utopia Cafe which was the ideal social state for which we had hoped.

Both the "Popeye's Pick":

... and the "Baja" scrambles:

... ($9.25 plus $1.75 supplement for fruit and $6.00 supplement for pancakes) were good grub with spinach, feta and tomato and sausage, avocado and salsa, respectively. The fruit:

... wasn't the usual, mangled melange of organic matter that we have regularly received in standard 'stablishments but a thoughtfully placed portion of scurvy subduers.

Fluffy blueberry flapjacks:

... offered bready bumpers for the solid sustenance at this homey haunt that strives for societal satiety.

Utopia Cafe
3308 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR
503.235.7606

Sunday, December 16, 2012
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They stopped serving their late night burger at Riffle NW so we had to stick to the limited menu since it was after 10 o'clock.

We went with some familiar dishes like their trusty salmon tartare ($10.00):

... over house made crackers and the tarte flambee ($10.00):

... with caramelized onions and bits of fish.

The crispy poached egg ($4.00):

... had a solid yolk (unlike the ones we have enjoyed here in the past) but it was still good.

A bacon and Cheddar grilled cheese ($5.00):

... was a comforting collection of crusty corners with a good ratio of bread to filling.

Brandon Josie's Vieux Carre on tap ($8.00):

... landed squarely on the old palate with a nice balance from bitters.

Even when the kitchen has geared down, Riffle NW is still a fine place to fuel.

Riffle NW
333 NW 13th Ave.
Portland, OR
503.894.8978

Sataurday, December 15, 2012
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We like the Verde Cocina booth at the Farmers Market so their new verde venture in NW Portland got us to veer over to check our the new Cocina.

The "El Diablo" ($10.00) sparkled with gingerbeer in a gently bittered bibe while the sugar and salt-rimmed Margarita ($10.00) was a likable lime 'lixir.

House made corn tortillas were tucked into all our dishes. We maneuvered these masa mits to cradle the 'cado in a tomato-studded guac ($8.00):

... served with red chili and tomatillo salsas.

Queso fundito ($9.00):

... with sausage and veg was a gooey 'dito to doll up the terrific 'tillas while a tantalizing tuna ceviche ($10.00):

... had roasted carrots to sweeten the deal on this salad-laced seafood.

Quesadillas ($12.00):

... rested on a garbanzo and vegetable salad. These cheesey cases of 'dilla were filled with cojita and Tilamook cheddar. We supplemented these with our salsa from the guacamole dish.

This brick and mortar Cocina emphasizes the same fresh produce as the Farmers Market stand. We were surprised to see an underpopulated dining room at 8 p.m. on a weekend, but we hope they will catch on soon.

Verde Cocina
524 NW 14th
Portland, OR
503.750.2722

Friday, December 14, 2012
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We ducked into Tannery Bar:

... for some wings ($12.00):

... which were fine flappers from the billed-bird.

These crispy, crooked creations were gnawable nosh washed down with a rye and sweet vermouthed Remember the Maine ($9.00) and a rummy XO Fashioned ($10.00) that were both well crafted cocktails.

Oregon anchovies ($5.00):

... were scene stealers with firm flesh fringed with pickled shallots and gherkins.

Mussels ($12.00):

... with fries were a fine spuddy shellfish combo.

Tannery is a great follow up to the former Skin & Bones with lots of care:

... put into the creation of their 'bibes and bites. Next visit we'll have to try the Monte Cristo...

Tannery Bar
5425 E Burnside St.
Portland, OR
503.236.3610

Thursday, December 13, 2012
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Marmite has been a Bunrab staple since our years in the UK.

Our pantry has always been populated with surplus stock of this yeast extract. During a move, I unearthed a jar that had past its expiration date by several years. It was darker and thicker than usual and I figured that this salty, yeasty potion wouldn't be the habitat for anything too toxic so I tried it. This prehis-tonic bread spread was so good that I was bummed at the prospect of waiting years for my current stock to mature. Most shops only stock the small size, so as I ordered some big jars online, I spotted a vindicating variety - Marmite XO.

The "XO" stands for "extra old" and this alchemized elixir has irradiated my need for a Marmite aging cellar. This senior solution is our new staple.

-G

Wednesday, December 12, 2012
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Blue Star Donuts is the latest leavened loop locale in Portland.

We rolled in for some of their bespoke breads and watched the assembly:

... of our chipoltle chocolate ($2.50) and our pistachio orange ($2.75) fringed, fried, foods.

There was a bit of a backup for these blobs but we were eventually presented with these punched-out portions.

The rich chocolate ganache was trumped by the crunch of cocoa nibs and nuts on the citrus and nut version. These carbo cushions were nice noshables ringed with top notch touches.

Blue Star
1237 SW Washington
Portland, OR
503.265.8410

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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The bacon egg and cheese biscuit sandwich ($6.50):

... at Lauretta Jean's:

... had an odd addition of strawberry jam, which we could have skipped, but it was still okay on the otherwise swell carbo-nation of breakfasty bites. The flaky bread, runny yolk and swine strips were a treat triad none the less.

Roasted cauliflower ($7.00):

... farro, olives and arugula made up a salad with a good chewy texture from the grainy goods. This simple selection of earthy eats was followed by a slice of quiche ($5.50):