One of the many perks of working in restaurant industry is getting cooking advice and recipes from the chefs themselves.

Last Sunday, while I was savoring my WT (biscuits dressed in sausage gravy and two fried eggs with potatoes) at The Country Cat with a friend, I casually mentioned my afternoon undertaking (baking a cherry pie) to Jackie Sappington, pastry chef and co-owner of The Cat.  ”You want my recipe?” she asked, to which I smiled and proclaimed, “YES!”  My master plan worked…

Now, those who know me know that baking is not really my thing – I’m more of a spontaneous cook.  In other words, I do not use measuring cups very often.  Yikes, I know.  So in this case, I need to give much credit to my roommate Ellie – baking master – whose careful measurements and dough rolling skills made our cherry pie even more delicious.

Photos below.  Jackie’s recipe soon to follow…

Steven Smith Teamaker is quickly becoming a household name.

Steven Smith Teamaker, the latest small batch, full leaf tea line by Stash and Tazo founder Steve Smith, caught the eye of Martha Stewart Living back in November, and we are thrilled to see the piece hit newstands.  The choice brew is Mao Feng Shui, Smith’s spring harvested full leaf China green tea.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, we wanted to offer up a brief list of our Top 5 places on MLK Blvd. that are worth a second trip.  Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments section below.

• Goldrush Coffee Bar (2601 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd.) – A hidden gem, this coffee shop is  must visit.  It’s the perfect lazy Sunday cappuccino stop.
• Alu (2831 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd.) – After the great write-up in The Oregonian, how could Alu not make our list?
• Bridges Cafe and Catering (2716 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd.) – With a great breakfast, it’s no wonder this neighborhood institution has been open for 20+ years.
• Popeye’s Chicken and Biscuits (3120 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd. or 5939 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd.) – The world’s best New Orleans style chicken and biscuits.
• Belly (3500 Northeast MLK Jr Blvd.) – One of Portland’s best brunch spots.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with Haiti and all those affected by the earthquake around the world.

If you have the means, please find ways to help.  Here is a list from today’s Oregonian detailing ways to donate to Haiti relief efforts and get involved from Portland:

1. Medical Teams International – www.medicalteams.org

2. Mercy Corps – www.mercycorps.org or call 888-256-1900

3.  World Vision – Worldvision.org

4.  World Concern – worldconcern.org or call 866-733-2767

5. Yele – text message “yele” to 501501

6. UNICEF – accepting donations at unicef.org or call 800-367-5437

7. Doctors without Borders – www.doctorswithoutborders.com

8. The Salvation Army – salvationarmy.org.

Monday’s Tasting Table eblast turned the spotlight on jerky, and featured none other than Portland’s own Adam Sappington of The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar.  How does Adam do it?  It’s all about the salt, celery seed, chile and molasses marinade.  The article’s below.

Tasting Table highlights the resurgence of the ’settler’ lifestyle.  For those of you who didn’t catch the Sunday NYTimes’ Style section, there’s another lifestyle trend that’s coming on the scene – the caveman lifestyle and it’s hunter gatherer, prehistoric values. Read it here.  Thoughts?

Watershed’s recipe for getting a small, Portland neighborhood restaurant into the New York Times.

Ingredients:

1 passionate sommelier

5 curious local wine writers enjoy a natural wine tasting at Tabla

1 great local story.  Natural wine positioning in motion.

2 PR pros with well connected, strong freelance writer friends

1 fantastic August evening hanging out with Hannah Wallace as she researched her way through Portland, Ore.

The result speaks for itself.

We know that there are tons of small neighborhood businesses that are as passionate about wine and food as Michael.  We’d love to share our ingredients to success with you.

Congrats Michael, Tabla and Hannah!

Click here to read the piece, and if you haven’t already, check out Michael’s natural wine list at Tabla.