This picture IS Portland. Urban meets rural, car bikes and feathers, concrete and nature – definition of a seductive city that I’m already missing! Sorry if you catch me saying “In Portland they…” because I think I’m in love with it’s magic. Having said that, I am happy to be home. The Midwest just feels right and this past Saturday I got to ride a horse, so I think that trumps all.

My last week in Portland couldn’t have been better. Work was busy, I stayed late one night and as a result got to take off earlier the rest of the week to enjoy the longer days of sunshine and warmth. I was seeping into the cracks of the Pacific Northwest, and I was making friends, and keeping busy on my portfolio, and walking miles on end. Why does it always feel like you have to leave as soon as you get situated? It used to be that way when I was a kid. The minute I stopped being shy and started playing with new kids, I’d be ripped away from tag and ghosts in the graveyard to go home with nothing but regret for not joining in sooner. But that’s how it is, it simply takes a while to get used to a brand new city, job, and people – it’s not an overnight transition, that’s for sure. I’m glad I got a taste of the fun I could have though, both at work and after! My long night at Bent was well worth it for spending time with the director and the project, I can’t wait to see it finished, though I played such a small initial role in it.

Now for the food….

Tuesday, before my long night at work, I went to lunch at the Press Club, a place I had been eyeing all quarter, but not willing to shell out money for. I gave in and ordered a Brie, brown sugar, walnut, and apple crepe topped with powdered sugar. As I’ve said before, I adore Brie and the combination of the soft doughy crepe, sweet fruit, and sugar made this quite the perfect lunch. I wish I could go back!!

Wednesday was another food day, lunch out with the girls – Christel, Emily, and Sally – to La Petit Provence, a French cafe/bakery that spoke of nothing but godly eats. I split a giant sandwich with Sally. I swear they shipped it from Paris. The menu description will simply say it all – Monte Cristo “The Count” – Our famous double Decker sandwich, smoked turkey, ham, Swiss and cheddar cheese, pineapple and fresh tomato. Stacked and dipped in fresh egg butter then grilled to a golden brown. To top it off we each ordered a dessert to go from their bakery. After much internal debating, I decided on the cream puff shaped like a swan. Not only was it a pretty sculpture of food, it was buttery whipped cream on buttery flaked croissant pastry that filled my mouth and senses with silk grandeur. It also took me 3 different sittings to eat which just goes to show how butterily dense it actually was because I know I can handle dessert richness better than most. It seems I have finally met my match - swan de crème.

That day I also took off from my job early, went home for my computer, then walked to the park/coffee house to work on my portfolio till dark while sipping on a butter pecan latte. Fancy syrups aren’t all I thought they were cracked up to be, but the cool drink was good, especially while battling Javascript.

Thursday I grabbed happy hour dinner at this classy, $20 an entree, Indian restaurant called Vindalho. Lucky for me, if you sit at the bar during 5-6pm, you get the benefits of happy hour prices on the appetizers, meaning $5 pumpkin samosas with mint yogurt chutney. Um weird? maybe, but the quality and savory flavor of these flaky baked pockets of salty pumpkin mash were delicious to my spice craving tongue.

Friday. My last day of work! Was wonderful. It also happened to be the day certain employees were celebrating the end of a job, and I got invited to lunch to celebrate with them! We all walked across the street to Clay’s Barbecue where I sat with one of the partners and some of the girls. The grilled salmon was claimed to be the best in Portland and so I couldn’t resist trying it. I’ve never had grilled salmon and I think this platter, with the corn salsa and red potatoes, was the perfect introduction to the fish that seemed to melt and fall apart the minute it entered my mouth.  The piece was small, but delectable. I also tried an Arnold Palmer which I had never heard of before (half lemonade, half iced tea). It proved to be yummy. Everyone chatted and finished eating and then there was dessert. Well you know how I love peanut butter, and I don’t care if I gave up chocolate for Lent – psh, we ordered a slice of the MOST divine, celestial, smooth peanut butter chocolate pie with a scoop of ice cream. I loved it so much I could have eaten the whole piece, but I was saved by my coworkers who also dug in and sang praises over it.

We all went back to work and then a little later they threw a party for all the birthdays (about 20 of them!) in March and everyone cracked open beers and ate veggies and ice cream in the warm sun until the day was over. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better last day of work! I said my good byes to people and then Emily, Christel and I went downtown for some fun. First we grabbed a quick dinner at Theo (a fast, yet gourmet setting – like subway 100 million times better) where they had waffle sandwiches. Egg, bacon, cheese and maple cream warm and wrapped in a thin waffle eaten like a burrito. I <3 breakfast for dinner.

After that we went to Ground Kontrol, an arcade bar with pinball machines and old school video games. We had a drink, attempted some games (I failed miserably at Gallaga) and then we walked over to The Boiler Room. This karaoke bar was lively and full of bold singers, some good, some terrible – haha. I ordered a fancy drink that was purple and had gummy worms tooth picked on top, yum! It was loud in there and since Emily chickened out from singing “A Whole New World” with me, we went to yet another bar that was a little more quiet and conducive to chatting. Little did we know it was a gay bar, maha. We sat at a booth, talked, observed some drag queens, and ended our spectacular night with a drive home :D  Thank you guys, I had so much fun!!!

Saturday I designated as my last day of Portland exploration and adoration. It began, as usual, with a fabulous breakfast. I walked to Zell’s cafe on Morrison and despite the crowd, I was seated immediately (advantage of being alone ) then served some complimentary scones which were buttery puffed yums with a tad of jam. Since I was in Oregon, and most likely not to be there again for a while, I ordered some Oregon Dragonfly Chai, cold, creamy, spiced, and so so quenching to my thirst and mind. My orange spice pancakes arrived after a bit of reading and chai sipping, and my first bite couldn’t have been happier. I could literally feel the bright zest on my tongue silked over with maple and crumbly batter. I MISS MY PORTLAND BRUNCH.

I boxedd my leftovers then walked across the Belmont bridge to downtown. I had my SLR camera with me and was determined to take as many pictures of the city as I could. I passed by the Portland Market, Voodoo Doughnuts, and weaved my way to my favorite place in the city – Powell’s Books. I spent about 3 hours in there I think and left with one more book, a sticker, and a tee shirt!

New book in tow, I walked to Northwest Coffeehouse (recommended as THE BEST in Portland by a friend who wants to open a coffee shop and by good ol’ yelp…). Both sources were right. I had the best latte ever. Whether it was the way they made the espresso or the fact that their caramel latte is made with real caramel from a nearby bakery, I was in pure ecstasy. I’m so sad that I can’t get that kind of coffee here, the quality and flavor are unbeatable.

^ that’s one of the cool lamps the coffeehouse had sitting on the tables.

I savored and read, sketched and savored until I got antsy and decided to walk and go take pictures of the Portland sign over on the other side of town. My camera was eventually overloaded with pictures and it was nearly time to meet my co-worker for happy hour at Henry’s Tavern – kingdom of beer and apparently, root beer! The happy hour food menu was incredibly priced and mouth watering.  Pear, Walnut, Manchego Cheese,  and Prosciutto Salad – Fresh basil, house greens, jalapeño pear vinaigrette. I feel as though I don’t need to explain how good that was, but dammit, it was GOOD. Tangy, light, fresh crunchy cheese and nuts…and only 3 bucks! The house brewed root beer was spiced and frothy, like candy bars blended into drinkable delicacy.

Thanks to my co-worker, we left Henry’s Tavern in pursuit of dessert. He recommended a place called Papa Haydn. This upscale cafe/restaurant displayed its desserts like expensive gems worn by an ancient queen – sparked enticement,  persuasive on the wallet. I committed sin, abandoned my Lent promise again, and ordered the Cassata – Kahlua and espresso-soaked sponge cake with bittersweet chocolate-ricotta filling served up with chocolate curls and strawberry sauce. I shudder and my tongue lulls just thinking of such royal layering and sweet. On top of that, my co-worker ordered the Autumn Meringue – Swiss meringues layered with rich chocolate mousse and pot de creme, wrapped in ribbons of chocolate. BAH look. at. that. picture (bottom photo – the piece of cake with the raspberries). Talk about rich, silk, cocoa overload. mmm. The night couldn’t have ended better and we walked our leftovers home.

I thought that I was done eating in Portland after my 10 hour long city walk on Saturday, but I was wrong. Two more meals. Breakfast at my most favorite brunch place  - Jam on Hawthorne – one last blueberry chai pancake to savor and devour. The picture below kind of looks like purple mash and doesn’t quite to do my favorite pancake justice, but it still makes me crave that sweet chewy breakfast creation.

For mid-lunch/dinner I went to Grand Central Bakery for a gourmet grilled cheese called the Meltdown - Gooey fontina, parmesan and fresh basil grilled to melty perfection on our new Multigrain Whole Wheat. It was gooey for sure, and melty. The menus in Portland never lie :)

Wow, so yea, I ate a lot of amazing food and now that I’m back in Cincinnati, I realize how spoiled I was. Wahhhh.  Anyway, with a full stomach, my bags were packed and my roommate kindly drove me to the airport at 10:30 pm! Farewell to the leather chair and closet bed!

My big suitcase hit the weight limit at 50 lbs and was tagged heavy while my  smaller suitcase weighed in at about 40. I probably shouldn’t have bought so many books…but’s what’s a girl to do when she’s in the city of books? <3 Powell’s. Blah de blah, I went through security, waited at my gate, and boarded the plane to Minneapolis which was apparently WAY over booked leaving people wandering, crying, and stressed. I was happy to be seated by the window (despite some lady trying to steal my seat because she feels sick if she’s not by the window…psh, nice try woman). The flight felt long, we landed in the twin cities, and I waited with Jessi and her boyfriend (random but awesome coincidence!) for the flight to Cincinnati to board. I read a bit on the plane then rested my head on the tray, next thing I know my phone slides off and we’re landing! oops!

Christopher boy came to pick me up in his new car and I was welcomed back home. Feels good to be back and seeing everyone I missed! School has started now and I had a great spring break – but that’s boring old Cinci stuff. Maybe I will keep up with blogging good eats while I’m in town – that way if my pictures look good, you can actually go to the place and eat it yourself! :D

Here’s a last hurrah of pictures to the magical floweriness of Portland. I hope spring hurries it’s way to Cincinnati soon!