I planned on a food-filled Monday in Portland with my friend Gary, who was visiting from Connecticut.
Of course, there's a mind-bending array of options for breakfast in this city. Where best to give someone the consummate Portland experience? I do believe that's impossible to do in one day. The very nature of the food scene here is ALL ABOUT variety and sheer numbers. But if I had to choose among some of my favorites, Broder, Arleta Library Cafe, the Tasties and a bunch more that I know I am remiss in not mentioning, I have to go with Tasty N Sons. You won't get the usual egg options there, although they have them--you'll get things you absolutely wouldn't have thought of, or have seen before. Plus, the presentation of Tasty's sources is upfront and interesting--a testament to what it means to be local.
I'm guilty of presuming lines at a number of my favorite places, and instead of actually going and seeing, choosing different options or none at all. Ox, Broder (although I have good luck on weekdays there) and Toro Bravo come to mind, and also Tasty. But it was a Monday at 10am, and I thought it safe to at least try heading to Mississippi.
Bingo. We scored two seats on the chef's counter, where we could watch Tuesday's hanger steak being prepped.
Gary ordered: Tasty Mary monopolowa vodka, tomato, worcestershire, horseradish, lemon, sriracha, celery salt, celery, house pickles It might have had more vegetables on it than the normal human consumes in a week.
Obligatory app: Bacon wrapped dates (with an almond substituted for the pit.)
This was the special: Rum cake with caramelized banana and bacon and a delicious honey apricot sauce. (I think that's what the sauce was.)
Cast Iron Frittata with confit green beans, summer squash, caramelized sweet onions, provolone piccante, marinara & fresh basil
Sautéed Spinach with sunny-side up egg
Polenta n Sausage Ragu with mozzarella & over easy egg
It's pretty much impossible not to leave Tasty N Sons blown away. To top it off, we happened to be there when both Renee and John Gorham passed by (at different times).
During a short discussion, I had mentioned to John that we were thinking of Toro that evening. John was so gracious, he offered to make sure we were accommodated--this is truly the equivalent of running into Brian Cashman and then having him tell you that there will be some seats behind home plate at Yankee Stadium waiting for you. But this was even better; Great food, and hell, I'm a Met fan anyway. Fuck the Yankees.
So we waddled out of there and walked up Mississippi. We buzzed into Ristretto Roasters, and Gary got a glimpse of the importance of dogs in Portland culture. Two of them were waiting outside while their guardians were inside doing whatever it was that they were doing.
We made our way over to Southeast to visit some favored spots on Hawthorne, and on the way stopped at one of my favorite little vintage shops, SMUT. I saw this typewriter, which is the exact one I learned to type on when I was a kid. My most vivid memory was typing my old pre-school best friend, Carolyn, a long letter during a typical Connecticut winter power outage. (As I write this, I just determined I am going to go back and grab this baby for the c-note they were asking for it. It works perfectly. I am not sure when I will use it, but I think it will be a nice thing to have--even if for my kids and improbable grandkids someday.)
Gary wanted a new hat. So we went to Hellmer's Haberdasher. I tried this one on and really liked it. Another $100 I didn't spend that day. Discipline! (Wait, I might go back and get THIS instead of the typewriter.) OK, this is too cool. See the end of this post!!!
Gary with new Portland-procured hat.
No liars here. Shake on it.
Then it was a quick stop in for some tasting size drinking chocolate at Cacao/Heathman. 
After the record awesome rainstorm we experienced on the coast, we took advantage of zero raindrops and attempted to walk that Tasty brunch off around down. I love this view of The Nines and Departure from Pioneer Square.
Of course, there were the food carts, and my tourguide narration of what it was all about. Still, you can't walk one block in Portland and really get a true picture of what our food cart culture is all about. But we did what we did. Still kind of amazing if your idea of food carts is the few trucks that roam around New Haven.
Truth be told (apropos of the above shot with Mr. Lincoln), after such a huge brunch at Tasty, the idea of having a big dinner at Toro Bravo wasn't as appealing as it normally would have been. But I am SO GLAD I was committed. No way was I going to call Toro and decline John's graciousness.
And much like dating and other events, once you get there, you realize why you wanted to go and are happy you did. Toro was bustling, as usual. We announced ourselves to the more-than-delightful Harmony at the hostess station. Our seats by the kitchen were not ready yet, but we were given the options of waiting or going up to The Secret Society and being called when our seats were ready. Perfect timing. After one drink, we were buzzed (referring to phone.)
Well, Toro is generally the first place I take people from out of town, and there's a great reason why. It's just plain awesome, and the sharing of plates is conducive to having a super experience. Given that Gary couldn't stop talking about Tasty N Sons all day, it was a good bet that Toro would flip him out.
The seats to the side of the kitchen at Toro Bravo are the 50-yard line of dining in Portland, Oregon.
There are other chef's counters, like Country Cat, that are fantastic, but the atmosphere at Toro is always a party.
It's the way John and Renee Gorham want it.
And not only have they written the book on creating that festive atmosphere in a restaurant, well, now, along with Liz Crain, John has written THE BOOK to allow you to make some of those awesome dishes at home--not to mention some of his stories of travels to Spain and elsewhere. Pick it up. Seriously. What better gift can you give anyone for Christmas?
(Or even better -- just because.)
When we sat down at our table, our server with a smile, Janikka, welcomed us with two glasses of delicious Cava, along with two French Kisses compliments of Renee. As best I can tell it, basically the kisses are deconstructed olives and then reconstructed into these delicious kisses of olive deliciousness. It was a dish John had recently enjoyed in Spain, and I think should be called Spanish Kisses. I later found out that Janikka is the oldest of 19 siblings--insane. I suppose it would be like going to a large university rather than a small one. There's a certain solace in being able to fly under the radar. I have no idea. I have the smallest extended family I know. One brother, two cousins, one uncle, two kids, neither of which have a cousin. And here's the kicker, all their names start with J. I can only imagine the other names.
Janikka, if you're reading this, please turn us on to your siblings names in the comments! Thank you.
We ordered the fantastic radicchio salad along with this.
I always love the Griddled Shrimp with chilies.
Perhaps my favorite this night: Clams and bacon over absolutely delicious homemade noodles--really buttery. I could eat them every day.
Scallops in Romesco Sauce
After the drunken pork (This particular pork may have been a small degree drunken to have taken a picture!), and all that we had consumed that day, no matter how appealing that Baked Apples and Pears dish looked, we just couldn't do it.
I don't think there's much I can say or show you after this. A day that begins at Tasty N Sons and ends at Toro Bravo really speaks for itself. A day for the ages.
Burp. Love.
Awesome Epilogue!!!
Hours after I posted this, and was too busy to go down and see if the typewriter was still available, the postman showed up at my door.
Opened the package, and this came from Gary and his wife Lisa!
Too cool!
And here's something amusing: There is no exclamation mark on the keyboard. You have to type SHIFT 8 (which is the apostrophe), then backspace, and type period! I forgot. We take a lot for granted.
But not great friends. Never take them for granted.
Thanks you two. A lot. This is great.
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