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.

I just got back from visiting friends in San Francisco and wanted to share a few of my favorite places.  Here it goes.

1) Bakery – Tartine.  Best bread pudding I’ve had, ever!  Flavors change seasonally; we lucked into apple.  Other notable items:  Lattes are served in bowls (how cool is that!?), morning buns are addictive and if you go after noon you can (and absolutely should) order one of their pressed sandwiches. Go for the Niman Ranch pastrami with Gruyere, horseradish and Dijon mustard.

2) Coffee – Blue Bottle Coffee. Of course being from Portland, I had to find the favorite microroaster in town.  My friend Leah said, “You want coffee? It’s all about Blue Bottle!”  And she was right.  Blue Bottle is to SF, what Stumptown is to Portland.

3)  Picnic Pizza – We tried for a dinner reservation at Delfina’s Restaurant, but there were no reservations available.  Option 2, ordering pizza from its pizzaria next door.  Perfect combination: Margharerta Pizza or the Salsiccia, Housemade fennel sausage, tomato, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella.  It’s nearly impossible to find a table, but luckily there’s a great park just around the corner, so bring a blanket and friends, sit and enjoy your pie.

4) Eggs and Pancakes – Toast Eatery.  Great local breakfast spot in Noe Valley.  Neighborhoody feel.

5) Mid-Day Craving – Bi-Rite - Tiny specialty foods market where I could have spent hours and hundreds of dollars…Oh, and they have a creamery down the street where they make small-batch, artisanal ice creams, sorbets, and confections. All ice creams are made with products from Straus Family Creamery, an organic local dairy.  Warning, flavors like salted caramel, roasted banana and brown sugar with ginger caramel swirl, you may cause you to overindulge.

6) Chocolates and confections – Michael Recchiuti‘s in the Ferry Building.  Fleur de sel caramels, wow!

Photo from Michael Recchiuti's blog.

7) Brews – Zeitgeist.  My friend lovingly referred to this place as her local ‘biker bar’ and after I walked in, I got it.  Sticky floors and stale air aside, this spot was filled with local micro brews and attitude.  They also have an outdoor patio with plenty of seating and a funky (good funky) crowd to mingle with.  Once you discover this spot, you’ll keep going back.

8 ) Shopping – Valencia Street.  Great vintage clothing and furniture shops.  Thankfully I didn’t bring a huge bag, otherwise, I would have left in debt.  Need a caffeine in the area?  Another great coffee shop on Valencia is Ritual Roasters.

When I land in Newark, I get my bag, call Telaviv car service, move to Waiting Area No. 3,  and immediately start building my NYC dining strategy.

And with a lot of new places on my research list (DBGB — loved it but more later), Mayahuel tequila Bar (wow), Ten Bells Natural wine bar, etc. I find that my first half of the to-dine list is always the things I crave.  AND, because I love sharing things that are worth every calorie, I am serving up my favs.

1. Must have me some Norma.  This is my favorite local pasta dish.  I had the pleasure of seeing Mario with 5 young kids (two in matching orange clogs, as I walked into Otto, very focused on having a few great contorni (we loved the sweet peas and ham, graced with a bit of heat and mint) and then a delicious dish of penne with perfectly chewy, crunchy roasted eggplant morsels, tossed with tomato sauce, fresh basil and buffalo ricotta.

2. Then, it’s time to have delivery — a meatloaf sammy from ‘WichCraft. This is my favorite lunch when working at my desk.  Ciabatta, great, flavorful meatloaf, a tad of sauce, good hard cheddar (nicely melted into the bread) and that’s heaven.

3. The world’s best pancakes.  Mitchell London (who, btw, also blows Magnolia Bakery away with his vanilla cupcakes) is in charge of the Café at Fairway.  His concept is to create a stack of as much golden brown texture as possible, basically quadruppling the carmelization in a traditional stack. Yowza!

4. It’s time for some pork buns.  Momofuko  Noodle Bar, his first and the one closest to my apartment is my favorite spot.  I always start with salty, sweet pork buns that ooze with umami and would probably be on my death row last meal list.

5. The Francophile in me must have at least one poached egg, lardon friseé salad at Balthazar within my first week.  (Although the one I had yesterday was not perfect, it still hit the spot).  Must go after 2:30, get a table in the back, always finish with the tarte du jour.  We had a lovely combination of peaches and plums with a few tart blackberries perched on the crunchy crust.

Now, I can begin to enjoy New New York.  My check-list is happily complete.

Last Thursday, I packed up my bag and headed to NYC to visit one of my closest friends. I only had three days, but the trip definitely warrants a LAD list.

Dinner Spots -

1) Schiller’s Liquor Bar – 131 Rivington Street – (212) 260-4555.

Schiller’s, owned by restaurateur Keith McNally of NY landmarks Pastis and Balthazar, serves continental dishes with a creative cocktail menu and simple wine list that consists of “decent, cheap and good” options. Straight to the point, which I liked. I recommend going a bit early for pre-dinner cocktails at the bar. The ginger cocktail was balanced and fresh, and the bartender was fun to chat with. It’s a great scene! Once seated, I recommend ordering a carafe of ‘decent’ red and white for a group of four, the fries to start for the table (thinly sliced and perfectly crispy) salmon entrée and finishing off with the apple crisp and banana split.

I loved the Schiller's post card

2) Café Mogador - 101 Saint Marks Pl. – (212) 677-2226.

My friend and I happened into Café Mogador on Thursday evening. The bustling energy and cozy patio was too good to pass up. This cute neighborhood gem serves Moroccan/Mediterranean cuisine. My friend and I split a mixed greens salad, an order of humus and pita, and the lamb couscous.

3) Artichoke Pizza -238 E. 14th St. – (212) 228-2004.

Wow, am I glad we found this place! Artichoke is a new pizza joint in the East Village that’s become a quick local favorite. We tried a slice of their famous artichoke pizza – thick crust, creamy sauce, and meaty artichoke chunks – and the thin, crispy crusted margarita. Both slices were perfection, but one could have been a meal.

Brunch Spots -

1) August – 359 Bleecker Street (Between Charles & West 10th) – (212) 929-4774.

This quaint brunch spot in the west village has the European charm. We sat on the outdoor patio, which was warm and inviting. Friendly service and a great atmosphere. I would go back in a second! I ordered the Ham and Egg Galette – two plump over-easy eggs resting on top of a strip of ham and layer of cheese, delicately wrapped in a crepe. What a present! If you’re in the mood for something a bit more filling, go for the Wood Oven Baked Eggs en Cocotte Alsatian style.

2) Paprika - 110 St. Mark’s Place (Between 1st ave and avenue A) – (212) 677-6563.

Cuisine from the Northern Valtellina Region of Italy. I went for brunch, but I’ve heard both lunch and dinner are fantastic as well.

A Few Other Notable Highlights -

1) 16 Handles - 153 2nd Avenue (Between 9th and 10th St) – 212.260.4414.

Cafeteria style frozen yogurt…16 flavors and 16 toping options.

2) Cafeteria – 119 7th Avenue – (212) 414-1717

A sceney late night food stop.

4) City Winery - 155 Varick Street – (212) 608-0555

NYC’s first custom crush facility. Beautiful space with a stage for concerts.

5) Clinton Street Baking – 4 Clinton Street (Between East Houston & Stanton) – (646) 602-6263

If you can’t make it here for brunch like me, go for the biscuits. Mmmm.

6) H & H

Classic neighborhood Jewish deli. Best loxs and bagels I’ve had.

7) Seeds of Peace

Seeds of Peace is a non-profit organization that brings together young leaders from conflict regions in the Middle East and South Asia in Maine, for a week long camp where they gain the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. My friend who I was visiting, Ali Landes, works in the fundraising department, so I got a quick glimpse into the organization. Great cause!

Ever been to Flora?  It’s a modern botanical boutique located in the heart of downtown Portland on 11th and Alder.  This little shop is owned by Herbalist Jewelie Randall who has her own line of herbal “io” products and has recently released a natural Botanical “Perfume” Balm Set that allows you to create your own personalized organic fragrance.  Each set is individually blended and hand poured by Jewelie.

The Botanical Balm Set includes five layerable solid scents – Adore, Pure, Dream, Restore, and Radiant.  Scents can be worn singly or blended and layered. My favorite concoction is mixing Radiant with Pure.

Jewelie doesn’t only sell wonderful handmade herbal products at Flora, she also sells great gift items, some made by local artists right here in Portland.  Jewelry, pure beeswax candles, potions, art and home decor – check out Flora.

Flora is located at 1130 SW Alder, Portland, OR 97205.  You can also visit http://florapdx.com/.

I’m just back from 5 days in Chicago visiting a food writer friend who has courageously started a non-profit to educate kids about tasting real food The Good Food Project. Go Susan Taylor!

Susan conducting an apple tasting for fourth graders. We tried Cameos, Granny Smith's, Fujis and Golden Delicious. Cameos won that day.

It was a fun immersion into local food culture and all that’s happening in the Great Mid-west.

Here are a few highlights:

Best Food in Chinatown — Seven Treasures Restaurant. Amazing $4.00 bowl of soup with handmade shrimp and pork dumplings, gorgeously seasoned with white pepper. We also indulged in old-fashioned egg rolls sealed with peanut butter. Yum!

Favorite local-ish beer was Founders Imperial Stout. Great depth of flavor — coffee notes, dark molasses.

Best new restaurant – the PUBLICAN

Designed like a German beer hall with long tables and striking modern glass globe lighting, this is the “it” place for fantastic upscale pub fare (I refuse to use the word gastro pub, I think it sounds like you need an antacid). Try the boudin blanc and the ricotta with roasted butternut squash. Belgian list is fantastic, although we were steered to an odd Lambic, not my favorite beer of the night.

Best New (opens in mid-March) pie shop. Hoosier Mama. The chef/owner has a huge pedigree but a tiny ego. The goal here is world-class pie with a cup of Joe for $5.00.

Susan interviews Paula Haney for the Chicago Tribune while I eat pie and shoot photos.

Best Neighborhood Lunch spot lula. I loved the roasted veggie eggs benedict and the blackberry bellini. This place has an Alice Waters meets indie rocker vibe. Fantastic menu.

Best breakfast in Greektown, Meli Café. Wasn’t crazy about the oversized omelette but loved the cornmeal “meli cakes”.

Best breakfast in Andersonville (where I stayed). M. Henry. Yes, more coffee please.

Best bottle shop in Fine Spirits. This shop specializes in well-chosen artisan beer, wine and spirits. Its shelves are merchandised like a Barneys window and its selections reflect a palate that’s after flair and value.

Ciao for now.

We recently received a query from a media friend in Chicago asking for our “off-the beaten path” suggestions for a wonderful Portland culinary weekend. 

While there are many ways to serve up an interesting mosaic of culinary destinations in our fair city, here’s our current short list for his specific line-up of requests.  

Friday Dinner – Ten 01

Saturday Breakfast – Simpatica, Podnah’s Pit

Saturday Lunch – Chef Naoko, Sugar Cube (for dessert)

Saturday Dinner – Nostrana

Late-night (cocktails or entertainment) – Davis Street Tavern

Sunday Brunch – Broder, Junior Ambassadors

A market for a picnic/food for the plane ride home - Steve’s Cheese, Saturday Market

Ever since I graduated college in Orange County, California I have tried to make it back down at least twice a year to see friends, get my fill of nice weather during the rainy months in Oregon and to get a fix of my favorite spots. A couple weeks ago, I booked a cheap ticket to John Wayne Airport and began mentally planning my trip. From the second I arrived in Orange County, I found myself flying by the seat of my pants trying to fit everything into three days. Here is my top 10 list of places to visit in Orange County during the winter months.

1. Citrus City Grille
Located in the heart of the City of Orange in the Orange Circle, this restaurant is at the top of my all time favorite restaurants list. A well-known hotspot for great food and drinks, this cute and cozy restaurant offers the best focaccia and balsamic dipping sauce for an appetizer and Seafood Linguini. Some other hits I would recommend are the Ahi Poke Salad (seasonal) and the Wild Mushroom Meatloaf.

2. Balboa Island
From boutique clothing shops to ice cream shops to art stores, Balboa Island is a fun place to wander around even if you are just window shopping. Find unique tops and jewelry, eat handmade “original” chocolate covered bananas, or just stroll down the beach and check out the sailboats. This is a great place, but beware of the limited parking.

3. Opah
I didn’t make it to Opah this trip, but it’s a spot I look forward to visiting. This is a perfect date spot for dinner or just a great place to go to for happy hour. Happy Hour features half price starters, and boy are they good!

I have been to Opah on several occasions, and I can say that these dishes are among my favs. All contain seafood, but hey that’s just me.

Frutti di Mare – Shrimp, New Zealand mussels, Manila clams, fish and calamari in a spicy vegetable marinara over linguine.

Pacific Northwest Cioppino – A rich shellfish and seafood broth, simmered with 1⁄2 Maine lobster, New Zealand mussels, prawns, Manila clams, scallops, calamari and fish.

Sesame Peppercorn Seared Ahi (rare) – Pickled cucumber relish and Thai citrus sauce.

4. Roger’s Gardens
Oh Roger’s Gardens… During the holiday season this place is a gold mine! Roger’s Gardens is open all year to people interested in horticulture, but it’s the holiday season that attracts me to this place. From November through the beginning of January, Roger’s Gardens transforms into a Christmas paradise. If you too get really excited about Christmas and holiday decorations, you should make a special trip just to visit this place.

Check out their website to see what I’m talking about.

5. South Coast Plaza

A Shop-a-holics dream. Even though you pay a 7.75% sales tax, it’s worth it. From European stores such as Zara, H&M and MNG-Mango to stores like Steve Madden, you can’t leave this place without blowing your paycheck – or maybe that’s just me.

6. Yard House
Yes, this is a chain restaurant. I am crossing my fingers we get one in Portland very soon. This is a great restaurant for a beer lover, offering between 100-250 beers on tap. Besides the beers, I would recommend starting off with the Spicy Tuna Roll or California Roll. This is not your typical sushi roll (See photo below). The Seared Ahi Sashimi and Vodka Shrimp Pasta are also very tasty.

Happy hour at Yard House is a great value with selected half price appetizers and discounted drinks.

7. Newport Beach – Night Life
Huntington Beach, Fullerton and Newport Beach are the hot spots to go out as all of these places are loaded with bars and clubs. Newport Brewing Company, Rudy’s and Woody’s are three of the bars I enjoy wandering into.

8. Rutebegorz

Voted the #1 Vegetarian Restaurant in Orange County and #2 for Most Unique Salad, this restaurant located in an old house close to the Orange Circle is popular among both the college kids and the locals. Although it’s vegetarian, Rutebegorz offers a variety of meat dishes. The Chicken Garlic Wrap is to die for and the Pizza Bagel is simple but very yummy.

9. Antique Shops in the Orange Circle
Ok, it’s out there. I’m a 23 year old that likes to go antiquing. All those years my mom hauled me to the Antique and Collectible Shows at the Oregon Convention Center, also known as the largest antique and collectible show in the world, paid off – I finally appreciate antiques. Check out these stores. I bet you’ll go home with some one-of-a-kind items. Click here to see a map.

10. Ho Sum Bistro
A next-door neighbor to my college internship, this small restaurant offers the best chicken salad, the Ho Sum Chicken Salad. Next time you’re down in Orange County driving down Newport Boulevard during lunchtime, keep your eyes peeled for bustling little restaurant.

If you have any favorite spots in Orange County let me know – I would love to check them out!

Just back from a long weekend in San Francisco and wanted to share a few leads.

Coffee Bar in the Mission has fantastic espresso drinks and unexpected savory breakfast items. I had a cheddar scallion gourgere and a cappuccino which was nearly as good as Andrea’s at Spella.

Perbacco in the financial district is urban and formal and very Milanese in its sleek, modern style.  I loved the Swiss Chard ravioli with a sage butter sauce paired with the Moretti La Rossa. The fruity yeast the German brewer uses in this Italian beer was the perfect complement to the sweet, delicate flavors of the flawless pasta.  Thanks to Cathy Whims for telling me I HAD to check this place out.

Piperade This off-the grid older (almost ten years old) Basque restaurant is a must for anyone who appreciates simple, honest food. I loved it!  Starters like the goat cheese stuffed peppers stood out for their brightness and austerity.  A salmon main course with chunks of lardons and brussel sprouts was a terrific early fall dish.  Interesting brisk white wines on the Basque-oriented list were a delightful departure from familiar regions and varietals. 

Ponzu I stayed near Union Square at a Kimpton Hotel called the Serano and wanted my first night to be easy so I ordered a chicken satay and green salad from room service.  I have to admit that I’m a classicist at heart so when the satay showed up without a peanut sauce I was deflated.  However, the chicken was insanely tender and the idea of a yogurt sauce accompanied by dollops of fig jam turned out to be wonderful.  Don’t write this one off if you need a quick meal near Union Square.

Ferry Building Farmer’s Market — sorry, I can’t recall the name but there’s a fantastic tamale place at the back of the first tent.  $ 4.00 gets you a tamale filled (and I mean plenty of slow cooked pork) and a big portion of black beans.  I can’t explain it but this food was clean in a way that most Mexican street food isn’t. Definitely a good option if you aren’t in the mood for Hog Island Oysters or some of those other great restaurants inside.

Most people will tell you that I’m not into new age ideals and that superstitions aren’t a big part of my daily life; however, I never pass up an opportunity to read my horoscope. Whether it’s waiting for my latte at Starbucks or flipping through the pages of a magazine, I’ve always liked the idea that there is some sort of cosmic guidance offering us insights into the coming day, week or month.

So, imagine my excitement when I stumbled across an online guide to the ideal beer for you, based completely upon your astrological sign. Divine beer guidance? This was something I had to read. Here’s a quick look at the LAD zodiac and what the universe has in store for our palates:

• Lisa & Katie (Taurus) – Brooklyn Lager
• Jackie (Gemini) – Guinness Stout
• Stephanie (Virgo) – Smithwick’s
• Lota (Scorpio) – Old Ruffian Barley Wine

You can find the complete article here. What do you think about your cosmically perfect brew, ideal match or unfathomable flop? Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments section below.