When in New York a couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of enjoying food and drink at:
The Rusty Knot
Minetta Tavern
Hearth
Pure Food & Wine
Baoguette
Boqueria
Chelsea Market
Brooklyn Flea
And, of course, as many of you know, my new love, Pinkberry (with mango on top).

After my (delicious) raw vegan dinner next door, I stood outside Bar Jamon for about ten minutes, staring at their hunk of Jamon Iberico, and the tiny glowing space. I skipped the Spotted Pig, because it looked like food and vibe that I could experience in Portland. Had such fun just walking around and reading daily menus posted outside doors. So wished I had tried The Fatty Crab. One friend wouldn't go because it was just, "too fatty." Hrmph.

Pool party! Taking a break from Noble Rot's 7 year anniversary party up on the rooftop (garden). That's where their salads come from.

COLORFUL QUINOA SALAD

Salad:
1/2 small head of red cabbage, shredded
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
2 scallions, whites only, chopped
1 large or 2 small carrots, peeled and grated
3/4 cup quinoa
salt
fresh ground pepper

Dressing:
1 clove garlic, minced
juice of 1 lime
1 T. orange juice (or you can just substitute more lime or lemon, and a bit of sugar, agave, or honey)
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 T good olive oil
dash chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
dash smoked paprika


1. Cook the quinoa with salt, pepper, and a dash of turmeric for color.
2. Fluff with a fork, then cool.
3. Mix the dressing ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk.
4. Mix the vegetables and quinoa together in a large bowl with your hands, to separate the cabbages and as not to mush the quinoa.
5. Dress the salad a bit at a time, to coat, but not to let dressing pool in the bowl.
6. Add more salt and pepper, and/or olive oil, to taste.
7. Let salad sit for an hour in the fridge, or even over night, to absorb the flavor of the dressing and to allow the garlic to settle.

5-9-09

I woke up bright-eyed this morning at ten after seven, though my alarm was set for eight. It was one of the first sunny Saturday mornings for the farmers market, and I could barely contain my excitement. It was like Christmas morning (in Hawaii), for Portland cooks. I immediately questioned which would get me there faster, walking or the bus. I took the bus and arrived only minutes after the market opened. All of the choices lay before me, before anything could be sold out. Piles of radish varieties, asparagus, and greens of every type. I could actually choose who I wanted to buy my eggs from, instead of just trying to find a vendor with a dozen left. It is indeed a treat to to have the first pick of everything. I felt further justified for both my excitement and my early automatic wake up call when I noticed Scott Dolich, head chef at Park Kitchen (whose cooking I have posted numerous blogs about)picking through the same basket of pink fingerling potatoes. "Wow, these are beautiful potatoes," he commented. A little later, I spotted Naomi Pomeroy of Beast shopping at the market as well. I can't help but admire chefs who cook all night in their restaurants, and wake up early the next day so that they can peruse the freshest of seasonal produce. For a second I contemplated going to Park Kitchen that night to see what would be done with the potatoes, but quickly realized that I'd bought enough produce for a week's worth of cooking at home.


So, what did I end up bringing home? As usual, I brought more money than I expected to use, and spent all but the last dollar.

My shopping list:
1. Favorite breads from New Cascadia Traditional Bakery ("the gluten free artisans") to bring home to slice and freeze: Seeded loaf, Portland Sourdough baguette, and a slice of surprisingly delicious coffee cake. This baker is amazingly skilled - his pastries are delicate and delicious, not only by gf standards.
2. Free range farm eggs (brown and green and white)
3. A small grass-fed lamb sirloin roast, from SuDan farms to prepare in a version of Paula Wolfert's Lamb Tagine, using some of the preserved lemons I canned this winter.
4. Flat leaf parsley, for the above recipe and quinoa salad. I also like to use parsley as a green in side salads, because it keeps well in the fridge and I love it's strong flavor (as a kid I used to eat the parsley garnish off the rest of my family's plates in restaurants).
5. Basil, so happy to see it, finally! I have been craving pesto, and am so excited to make some, to spread on bread with goat cheese and radishes.
6. Radishes - just learned that you can saute the greens too - delicious!
7. A cucumber.
8. Kale for a new simple salad recipe that a friend gave to me.
9, Green garlic - so delicious to saute with greens. It's fun to see the bulbs at the market grow bigger each week as the season progresses.
10. Dry pinto beans - grown locally! How cool! I've really been into making a pot of beans to snack on and keep in the fridge - SO much tastier than canned.
11. Finally, I had $7 left in my pocket. I debated between a slice of rustic pate from Chop, and a tub of pickles from Picklopolis. With summer coming and bikini time in mind, I opted for the pickles. And, they let me select a mix: spicy carrots, red onions and green beans.

I couldn't leave the market without a treat from one of my favorite vendors - Northwest Heritage Pork - purveyors of pigs-in-a-blanket, and carnitas tacos (for breakfast, love it). I had already had that coffee cake, so I asked to buy just one of their breakfast sausages, and the sweet lady handed it to me with a smile and a "don't worry about it." What a perfect day!

I thought Portland was a healthy food city, but was so impressed to walk off the jetway from my flight to New York to see Synergy Kombucha drinks in the concession kiosks in the JFK airport. At least we've got coffee*. How I used to drink that horribly acidic hazelnut flavored stuff from the delis, I have no idea. The first Stumptown is opening up inside the ACE hotel in New York soon, and in retaliation, nine NY roasters took on Stumptown in a taste test. I think it's funny how threatened the city's coffee culture got when one tiny shop serving Portland coffee plans to open in Manhattan. Then again, they've got a roaster out there now to ensure freshness. Watch out - it could be a Northwest takeover, changing the very culture of the city. Next thing you know, coffee shops there might even have places to sit, and, dare I suggest...free Wi-fi!

*My favorite coffee in Portland is the Brazilian one from Blue Gardenia on Mississippi, that they roast right there in the shop, and the espresso and drip roasts from Portland Roasting Company.

So I figured I'd better post this before the snow melts everywhere, and the sun finally comes out, and we're all ready to forget wintry images. I feel that way right now. Tomorrow is April, it's still dumping snow up on Mt. Hood, and my sister and I got hailed on two days ago. I'm ready for warmth.

But, prior to my feelings of "enough is enough" about the cold, I did have myself some snowy fun, up in Whistler B.C. with my college buddies. Of course, we're all foodies - which we discovered early on our freshman year, and explored by introducing our mainland friend to sushi, and making salmon dinners in her dorm room. Those were the days when wild salmon could be bought in our Seattle grocery store for under $10/lb.

Anyway, we definitely shared many delicious meals during our few days on the mountain. The most plump, succulent, yet dainty oysters I've ever had - Kushi, from the deep waters of the northern Pacific, with freshly grated wasabi root and a tiny minced tsunomono-like topping (red onion, cucumber, sugar, cubed only millimeters thick). The reddest wild Alaskan salmon, cooked on a cedar plank. Then feasts that we cooked together- prime rib roasted over rosemary, with vegetables cooked in the pan juices, pork tenderloin marinated in molasses, bourbon and spices, then grilled. Amazing salads, Audra's specialty, that added the perfect balance of crisp acidity to cut through all of that sumptuous meat. Ahh, it was so wonderfully decadent. Perfect after skiing all day.

Our rental had the most breathtaking view of the snowy mountains. The one day that I stayed in to read and do yoga by myself, I had to take my lovely leftover salad to the freezing deck to lunch and take in the view (pictured above).

Oh, and one of my favorite things was the seafood salad at Sushi-Ya, a small, very authentic quality sushi restaurant in Whistler Village. I couldn't BELIEVE how affordable the sushi was there for the quality and freshness. A bed of lettuce was topped with FRESH dark green seaweed, poached salmon, and bay shrimp with a ginger dressing. So clean, so good. I could eat that everyday. That dish might be up there in my top 10 favorite of all time.

I've been making my own lunch now, most days, for the past 3 months. Sometimes it's boring, sometimes I stink up the lunchroom with my curry concoctions (I have to consciously make an effort not to bring in leftovers with too much garlic, or salmon). A few times though, I impressed myself with the perfect balance of a little boxed lunch. Though mine are rustic, I imagine that this might be similar to the satisfaction felt by those moms who make their kids precisely prepared bento lunches, such as those on Adventures in Bento Making.

This was one of my better ones:
Roasted butternut squash, tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with curry powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Roasted parsnips.
Sauteed kale with garlic.
Leftover steak stir-fried with onions.

The perfect mix of savory and sweet, with plenty of veggies. Look ma - no carbs!

So, Bunk Sandwiches was everything I hoped it would be, and a little bit more. The sandwich itself was ridiculously good—succulent milk braised pork, shredded and scented with fennel seeds, on a soft, buttered hoagie roll, grilled to greasy perfection on the flat top and spread with stone ground mustard, mayo and topped with shredded lettuce and pickled green tomatoes.

Though my months of healthy eating, I’ve fantasized about nothing more frequently than sauce-soaked bread, like a greasy burger bun or a baguette dipped in pan drippings or mussel broth. This satisfied that desire excellently. I devoured every bit of it, and when I had one tiny inch of bun left, I dragged it across the grease soaked paper to savor that last bite. A feeling of genuine sadness swept over me when that moment was over. Honestly.

Tommy Habetz, the chef behind the counter, looks like he has a lot of fun back there, doing whatever the hell he wants to, working with his buddies in his own smoky little kitchen. Quite a change from cooking in some of New York’s most famous kitchens, he now hands over his food to diners personally. In a place that seems like the type to make you take a number to claim your order, at this place they call out your name.

And that is one of the small details that reminded me that I was in Portland, because in every other way, this place feels like New York: unapologetically unhealthy food (grease, on meat, on mayo), a tiny cramped space packed with patrons (and boxes stacked up toward the back), and a line out the door. The crowd in there was visibly in the know – chefs and other food industry people, Habetz fans, and neighborhood hipsters. The menu's written on a chalkboard that changes daily with sandwiches to please tastes simple and gourmet - like a meatball sub or chorizo and bacalao. The homemade pies of the day just sit there on the counter in their enticing golden glory. I don’t even know what they offer in terms of beverages, but I’m pretty sure it’s limited to soda and coffee. That’s what we got anyway. They don’t mess around.

There’s even a framed photo of Woody Allen propped against the cash register. What can I say - I love this place.

3-17-09 Green Things

I was home sick yesterday with one of the worst colds I can remember. But after almost an entire day in bed, I needed to get out of the apartment – that and I had a well justified craving for a smoothie from Sip. Sip is a silver trailer parked in front of my neighborhood health food store that serves a short list of things that I would if I had a juice bar – interesting smoothies and juices combining fruits AND vegetables, as well as tea lattes, made with things like exotic spices and almond milk. What I always get there is one of their green smoothies with kale, apples, ginger, pineapple, orange juice and coconut oil. Mmm...

I went into the store happily sipping my health elixir and was please to find edible evidence of spring inside – organic asparagus (not from Mexico) for an affordable (finally $3.99/lb.).

I went home and blanched some of it for breakfast today, topped with a fried egg. If I were feeling more indulgent, or if this were a Sunday, I might drizzle the whole thing with truffle oil, or hollandaise sauce. Of course serving it on top of a thick slice of toast made from fresh artisanal bread would be heaven, but that addition will have to be left for my dreams.

I also impressed myself with the delicious simplicity of the soup pictured here. It is a variation on a "minestrone" recipe found in Heidi Swanson's cookbook, Super Natural Cooking. Her blog is one of my favorites - 101 Cookbooks. The soup consisted of homemade chicken broth (this is key), fresh spring peas, still holding a crunch, spinach and nori seaweed. So clean and soothing.

3-15-09

“Gourmandism is an impassioned, considered, and habitual preference for whatever pleases the taste. It is an enemy of overindulgence; any man who eats too much or grows too drunk risks being expelled from its army of disciples.”
-Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, from The Physiology of Taste

It’s been some time since I’ve last posted to this blog. The reason for this is that the thoughts and experiences that I’ve had on food recently follow a very different theme then what’s preceded. I think that in order to transition, I should offer up an explanation.

With gluttony as a current culinary trend, and my own hunger to taste and try every artisanal pastry and locally produced pork product that I can get my hands on (not to mention grower champagnes and hand crafted cocktails) - my body, more than my appetite really, decided that now would be a good time for a break. So I offer these new taste experiences and intellectual discoveries up in this blog as a “palate cleanser,” if you will. My own cleansing has taken various forms, eventually (I hope) evolving into a way of eating that is more creative, exciting and healthy than it was before.

First of all, let me say that years ago, after travels throughout the U.S., Europe and South America, I began to think about how homogenous the western diet is. This culture primarily subsists on meat, cheese and bread (“Meat Cheese Bread” happens to be the name of the latest gourmet deli here in Portland), often loaded (polluted, in my opinion) with some form of sugar. You only have to walk into a roadside mini-mart, neighborhood deli, or attempt to find a restaurant with entrees missing these components to see this.

You may have noticed that food intolerances (gluten, milk, etc.) and allergies (wheat, peanuts, soy, bananas, etc., etc.) are becoming increasingly common, and it seems, prevalent. I have many friends myself who struggle with these things. I find this all incredibly intriguing (piqued by what I’ve read in recent years about industrial farming and agriculture). And apparently, so do many physicians, as a study in 2003 of over 13,000 Americans found 1 in 133 gluten-intolerant. I myself have experienced digestive “issues” shall we say, which prompted me to try out life without gluten (this means no wheat, rye, spelt or oats, unless they’re certified gluten free). Not easy. I could go into my own personal findings but let’s just say I feel and look much better.

Whether you have food allergies or not, think for everyone, it is important to your health and vitality to diversify your diet. Mix it up, cook something you never have before; buy one of those really exotic looking vegetables that you can’t identify at the farmer’s market. That’s been a mission of mine for a while—fascinated by those beautiful, odd vegetables like kohlrabi, sunchokes, kabocha squash and romanesco.

I find it so interesting how many quick diet books are still being written, products and drugs for weight loss are on the market. I believe that food is medicine and when you’re feeding your body what it needs, you look slimmer and more attractive for it. And, this usually centers around the avoidance of sugar, alchohol and gluten grains. One can reflect on their own diet and feelings after eating these things to realize that. It is baffling to me that we are all still searching for easier fixes, considering that Brillat-Savarin came to this conclusion almost two hundred years ago. He noted this all the way back in 1825, in the Physiology of Taste, after conversations at the table with many overweight acquaintances who only wanted more bread, potatoes and rice than they had on their plates. “And it is from such dialogues that I made clear to myself a theory which I had formed quite apart from its human connections, that the principal cause of any fatty corpulence is always a diet overloaded with starchy and farinaceous elements...”

Most of this probably comes from my own struggle - if it were healthy for me, there’s a good chance I would just live on pastries (a variety of sweet and savory, of course). Unfortunately, this has proved to be the opposite of what feels good for my body, so I began searching for alternatives. This has been difficult, yet at the same time, fulfilling. It has required A LOT of cooking. The challenge of this, for those of you who are “epicurious” like myself, is really exciting. Without these foods in easy reach (or recipes for that matter), I’ve had to create many of my own, and have come with some surprisingly delicious dishes and flavor combinations. Some would call all of this work, but it’s actually been a lot of fun. So, to follow will be some of my new taste discoveries and recipes for healthier living. Don’t worry, I still go out to eat a lot, and enjoy my fair share of pork belly and sausage, so I’ll still write about that too...

2-24-09

When I sat down with a menu at Park Kitchen tonight, I had no idea I’d end up having pork three ways. Three dishes ordered – an appetizer, “salad,” and entree, each featured pork. I didn’t intend for that to happen. I was enthralled by all of the interesting possibilities offered that night - chickpea fries, sizzling baby octopus, parsnip soup, and duck in a licorice sauce. But when I asked the for the waitress’ favorites (as I often do), I ordered what she recommended. When I was a server, I was guilty of consistently recommending pork dishes too. What can I say? Bacon is better.

Once the dishes began to arrive, it became evident that this restaurant takes on a whole pig at a time. First there was the tesa - almost like a brined, pickled pork belly - but crisp on the edges. It was served at room temperature, with a housemade kim chee, in which I tasted maybe a little fennel, and definitely orange rind. One of my dining companions ordered a salad of endive, sweet potato, shredded pork (shoulder?) and dungeness crab, which actually turned out to be surprisingly light, despite the pork.

My entree was a show stopper though - the kind of richly comforting dish anyone would want to tuck into on a rainy winter night like this. Thin slices of juicy pork tenderloin lay atop a nest of browned spaetzle, chopped chesnuts, dark roasted pork, and braised cabbage. Around all of this was a shallow pool of sweet and savory pumpkin puree. The dish was a bit sweeter than I expected, with just enough salt from the bits of crispy roast pork to balance it (a vinegary salad on the side would have been the perfect complement-or a glass of white burgundy).

The flavor of the browned chesnuts had a caramel character to them, which recalled a meal I had this autumn, at a cooking school. The menu was comprised entirely of ingredients grown within 100 miles, and it was my job to prepare a dish of chesnuts and brussels sprouts to pair with venison, our centerpiece. The chestnuts were made with a caramel sauce, poured over the greens. Among all of the premium ingredients comprising my meal tonight, I felt most privileged to dine on chestnuts. Like fava beans, they are a humble ingredient that are actually very labor intensive to prepare (they must be cracked, roasted, then meticulously peeled before cooking). But I digress – back to pigs.

Indeed, butchering a pig, and carefully curing its various cuts in entirely different ways requires much skill, time and knowledge, and I appreciate that. But it seems that lately it’s been sneaking its way into everything. The other night I ordered scallops, in the mood for a lighter dinner. And what were they served with? Lentils and shredded pork. Two weeks ago I had an amazing wild salmon, alongside was a root vegetable “hash”, studded with bacon (okay, I’ll admit that this one was my choice - the side looked so good that I subbed out the quinoa that was supposed to go with it). What’s next? I’ll tell you - one of Portland’s newest restaurants created a stir late last year with an apple pie that, instead of a lattice pastry crust, had a lattice of bacon over the top. You know what – it looked completely disgusting, but I’m sure it tasted like heaven.

I was wandering around Seattle this morning before we headed up to Whistler. My friend lives near Seattle U., so I let nostalgia get the best of me and decided to have breakfast in my old dining hall. It was horrible. How I let myself get fat on rubbery omelets and hard pastries during my college years is a mystery to me now. I wasn't about to have a bad coffee though, so I went walking through the neighborhood where I first fell in love with coffee shop culture. And that is where I found Cafe Presse. A French cafe with a tall marble bar, a rack of international magazines, and a sweet little menu with things like baked eggs and simple salads (and a baguette with butter for you, Mele). I loved the décor, with one of those big clocks that you'd see in a train station and soccer match schedules posted on a chalkboard. I only wished I hadn't eaten that institutional breakfast-I tried to forget it with a Cafe Vita americano and a thick issue of the New Yorker.

Cafe Presse
1117 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA
www.cafepressseattle.com

Since I’ve tried it all , and can’t eat ANY of this right now (don’t ask), I thought I’d share my list of the my 25 favorite things to have for breakfast in Portland, the breakfast-craziest town I’ve ever known. They are not ranked in order of greatness:

1. The mini-egg sandwich at Detour Café (scrambled egg, thick cut bacon, tomato and basil on a scallion cheddar biscuit - it’s perfect, and I don’t think it’s on the menu).
2. The Oregon croissant at Ken’s artisan bakery (their quiche is pretty killer too).
3. Seasonal fruit hand pies at Baker and Spice.
4. Pig in a blanket at the Portland Farmers Market from Northwest Heritage Pork (see photo below).
5. Eggs Benedict or granola (two items most likely of the same caloric content) at the Heathman.
6. Homemade sausage on a biscuit at Pine State Biscuits on Belmont.
7. Scones at the Lavender Tea house in Sherwood.
8. Espresso drinks and the house recipe chai at Crema.
9. Organic decaf espresso from Portland Roasting Company (first decaf that tastes like the real thing!)
10. French pressed coffee from Blue Gardenia roasting company and bakery (I like the Brazilian the best).
11. Bloody Marys at Broder.
12. Broder.
13. Hot drinking chocolate at Cacao.
14. Simpatica Dining Hall, I mean, they make their own bacon, among everything else.
15. The two egg breakfast at Petite Provence Bakery on Division—fresh baked bread for toast, a homemade herbed pork sausage patty and a little potato cake beside.
16. Zell’s for an oldie but goodie (I love the fluffy mini scones they serve when you sit down and all the savory choices of daily specials).
17. A poppy seed bagel with scallion cream cheese, cucumbers and mixed greens at Kettleman bagels.
18. Dutch Babies and the crazy apple German Pancakes at the Original Pancake House.
19. Voodoo donut’s apple fritters (and I admit I really like the Tang one).
20. One of the countless coffee cake variations at Jim & Patty’s. And their “Pig Newtons.”
21. Breakfast sandwiches and all of the interesting pastries and drinks at Moxie Rx on Mississippi.
22. Bacon (thick cut, pepper) Egg (free range ) croissant (the flakiest, butteryest in town) sandwich (with homemade tomato jam) at Grand Central Bakery.
23. Pancakes at Fuller’s coffee shop (they make their own white bread, old-school style!).
24. The Garden Scramble at genies (I don’t usually like fake meat, but their garden sausage is delicious)
25. Toast. The best breakfast in Portland (they are the ultimate in local with all of their purveyors listed on the menu - they even serve Courier Coffee).

Return of the MAC?? (Sorry, couldn't resist)

News of Chef Philippe Boulot's departure from the Heathman kitchen for the Multnomah Athletic Club, left a wake of sadness and confusion. For many who've worked with him, the absence of his dominating presence and skillfull hand left questions as to what the restaurant would become. It was also confounding--why would a chef leave his own restaurant to work in a cafeteria style kitchen at an elitist athletic club?

In any case, by odd chance, I attended a luncheon at the MAC today, about a week or so after chef Boulot took charge. I've never been there before, but had heard and read that the food was horrible, institutional.

So, when my meal was served, I paid attention, and didn't expect much. What I saw, seemed like a replating, revamping of what could have been awfully standard dishes.

A spinach salad starter, instead of being leaves of prepackaged baby spinach dropped on the plate and dressed, was cut in a chiffonade. This added an elegance and attention to detail. The dressing wasn't very nice, but there were slices of fresh citrus on it, and I was pleased with the texture.

What I first feared would be a beef stroganoff was actually beef tips simmered in a rich mushroom gravy, with a depth of flavor not normally encountered in places like that. It was plated, again, with care--carrots and parsnips (yeah, not celery), were cut into dainty cubes. They were perfectly roasted, and very sweet and fresh, perfect to off-set the beef. Not too salty either. And it was all set on top/around a neat little mound of Boulot's famous super creamy mashed potatoes.

I'd like to follow up on these observations, but unfortunately I'm not a member...

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

This was, for sure, (get ready for huge claim...)the best pancake I've ever had. It didn't hurt that the pork sausage on top (not too salty, or too greasy) was made by the same farmers who raised the pigs, and that the fluffy eggs were fresh off the farm too. But the pancake itself was perfectly puffy, yet not heavy or dense, made with a recipe that was clearly from scratch. So good that it was almost perfect without syrup--that just brought the moment closer to heaven.

I enjoyed this thing with Michelle when she came to visit, at the Portland Farmers Market. Yes, we each had our own. These guys who make the "pig in a blanket" also serve carnitas tacos for breakfast and sell their own pork chops, bacon, etc.

It's too bad that the market is closed until spring, but then again, it'll be that long until I eat things like this again--after breakfasts like these, it's no wonder my body's crying for a break!

The November pastry case at Pix Patisserie, up Division street from my apartment. Note the rosemary, and the slice of brie on top of the chocolate dome--a dessert called the "Royale with Cheese."

Finally, food in Portland. I always wait too long to blog, after I've consumed countless delicacies and memorable meals. With all of this swirling in my head and only a few minutes, I'll just share an incredible, beautiful, seasonal pastry that I had yesterday, while out for work.

Called the "Ichabod Creme" (hee hee) at Pix Patisserie, this gorgeously decadent treat begins with a buttery shortbread tart crust, topped with a chewy caramel layer studded with toasted pumpkin seeds and pecans. On top of that is a thin layer of spiced almond cream, and "pumpkin creme brulee" (a.k.a. spreadable heaven). THEN there is a tangle of deep dark chocolate ribbons swirling around the top like a bee hive, and garnished with star anise and curried pecans. Exotic autumn deliciousness...

Hawaii Part 2--Noon

Walking around the back streets of Waikiki, I felt like I was in Asia (with perfect timing--who wouldn't welcome a spontaneous trip abroad?). Vendors are squeezed tight against one other, with alleys and walkways leading to discount souvenir shops selling fabulous costume jewelry amongst other useless things. Signs everywhere in Japanese, illegible to me, on the walls near the shopkeepers who are fluent.

Sure, on Kalakaua Avenue it's all Louis Vuitton and Dior, but I like the fact that there are real ramen counters and dive bars in there. I asked the concierge at our hotel, who turned out to be from Japan, where she would go if she wanted authentic ramen close by (I had a cold, and was obsessed with soup). She responded, "well, that depends what I'm in the mood for," and proceeded to describe three different restaurants specializing in different types of ramen (miso-oxtail, pork, or shoyu/sesame). I was impressed. We ended up eating Thai food that night, but still...

The COOLEST thing on the backstreets that I found though, was Henry's Place--a fruit stand on Beachwalk drive. Like the vendors that I loved in Singapore, Henry's sells chilled fruit--pineapple, watermelon, papaya, etc. cut and wrapped up for your convenient, palate refreshing pleasure. I love that! (Okay, don't look to close--yes, those are cans of Vienna sausage--it's Hawaii! Gotta love it...).

HAWAII PART 1--MORNING

I woke up this morning craving rice. Eggs and rice. Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice. When I went back to Oahu at the end of September for a wedding, my friends and I had some variation of that breakfast almost every day for a week. It was so ono. A couple times were at the hotel buffet, but the more memorable moments were in Honolulu's old-school coffeeshops. The first was Anna Miller's out in Pearl City where I had breakfast with my cousin and her new born baby. Looking like an American family restaurant at first (pies in the front case, kitchy aprons on the waitresses), but feeling like Hawaii a few steps in (local serving staff, and classic local-style dishes on the menu). I had fried rice and eggs and man, have they perfected that dish--tiny bits of ham (or spam) in there with the green onions and shoyu.

Later that week we stayed in Waikiki, and couldn't resist breakfast at the famous Wailana Coffeehouse across from the Hilton Hawaiian Village (where we were staying, conveniently). The FLUFFIEST banana pancakes were had there, along with, of course, the eggs, and, I'm sure, somebody got rice. Somebody ALSO got half a papaya that cost $5, which I couldn't believe (a $10 papaya!).

This morning, brunching on my favorite breakfast sandwich in Portland*, I flipped through New York Times travel section. It was all about visiting New York on a budget. It seemed to be written not only for tourists, but for New Yorkers who had forgotten what it's like to explore their home city with fresh eyes. What really struck me though, were not just the restaurant recommendations, but the specific dishes that were noted throughout the section (in multiple articles). BRUNCH dishes such as a quinoa-octopus salad, and the "Dominican Farmers Breakfast" of "mangu, fried cheese, fried eggs and fried salami." The creativity of these options intrigued me, but not only that, is the presumed sophistication that the editors expect from their audience. Mangu was not even defined. It turns out to be a dish native to the Dominican Republic of mashed plantains, but it seems that most New Yorkers already know that. Another article, specifically focused on the frugal angle, wrote about another breakfast experience--"we indulged in that classic New York brunch of dim sum at the shiny Pacificana, where the vast spread of dumplings, radish cakes, and really, really good chicken feet came to a puny $11.75 a person." Radish cakes! Chicken feet! He wrote about these things in all seriousness, and in an article not directed at foodies, but the general traveler. This level of comfort with food adventure amazes me.


*That would be the "mini-egg sandwich" at the Detour Cafe. Not listed on the menu, this thing is perfect in every way. Small, but packed with flavor. It starts first with a homemade buttermilk biscuit, seasoned with scallions, corn, and cheddar cheese. In between is placed a single scrambled egg, sliced roma tomatoes, fresh basil and pepper bacon. See the detail in that? Perfect every time for $4.75.