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.

If you happened to ride the MAX line Downtown this morning, you may have thought aliens invaded Portland, or the Wicked Witch of the West’s off-springs came to life… But alas, the green invasion was inspired by none other than TriMet’s new Green Line, which opens September 12th and runs from Downtown Portland to Clackamas Townscenter.  In honor of the Green Line launch, Ensemble Inc. – a local performance group comprised of actors and ordinary citizens – decided to go green. Yes, they painted themselves, organized props, and even gave out Green Line information out to passerbys and MAX riders. Luckily we caught up with the group and filmed the action.  Check out the video below:

Tonight’s happy hour at Wildwood looks amazing!  Chef Dustin Clark will be outside on the patio grilling up some tasty dishes. Check out tonight’s menu below.

Grill menu August 4, 2009

Alaskan halibut skewers
Sweet corn flageolet bean salad and aioli

Garlic and oregano sausage
Pickled green beans and blackberry mustard

Nectarine crostini
Basil, arugula and mascarpone

Wildwood also offers a variety of drinks on their happy hour menu, including a white and red wine, cocktail and selection of beers.

Dropping dad off this morning at the Portland airport, who was waiting for a taxi?  Anna Wintour.  Anyone know why she’s in town or is it pure vackay?

She was wearing the classic Jackie-O/The Fly sunglasses, a wide striped blue and white cotton shirt, and black skinny jeans.  Apparently the Devil wears Gap when she travels.

The New York Times, Saveur, Portland Monthly, Forkfly — Burgers are apparently as newsworthy today as saying someone’s actions

A creation from Mother's Bistro & Bar's new Burger Bar

are stupid despite the fact that you’re the head of the free world.

Why burgers? Why now?

When my friend Kate Krader from Food & Wine Magazine was in town a few months ago she explained it this way.  ”People are super interested in cooking and food, they want to become authorities on cuisines and dishes but when the economy’s down, they can’t afford to obsess on super high-end ingredients or become experts at something that’s a luxury item.  However, it’s easy to become a burger or pizza afficianado.”

Good editorial instincts Kate, it’s no wonder you’re one of America’s top culinary trend forecasters.

My question though, is the obvious conflict between conventional vs. natural beef.  Anyone who’s read a Michael Pollan book or seen Food Inc. is most likely verging on becoming a vegetarian if not at the very least considering giving up all conventionally raised meats. So, how do food-loving passionate burger fans indulge in burger mania when most offerings are patties made from grain fed, hormone filled, inhumanely treated animals?

We say, think local now more than ever when it comes to your burger cravings.  Develop a solid understanding of where your beef comes from so you can eat with wild abandon.  Here are our top 3 local, grass-fed beef ranchers and/or Co-ops we want to support: Painted Hills Natural Beef, Highland Oak Farm and Ford Farms.  Please consider doing the same.

The 3rd Annual Maritime Heritage Festival kicks-off today at 2:00 p.m with the largest flotilla in 50 years making its way down the Willamette River.  The Portland Fire Boat will lead the flotilla of 45+ classic vessels from the Broadway Bridge to the RiverPlace Marina.  If you are joining in on the fun at the Oregon Brewers Festival, that is also taking place on the waterfront, be sure not miss this spectacular of classic boats coming down the Willamette!  The Portland Fireboat will be sure to show off its stuff by performing a water demonstration (pictured below).

The Maritime Heritage Festival will be taking place all weekend long at the RiverPlace Marina & Docks.  Here are some highlights of the planned public events:

Friday, July 24, 2009

2:00-4:00 pm:
- Arrival of boats:  Ship Flotilla & Water Parade

Saturday, July 25

10:00 am-4:00 pm:
- Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Concours d’Elegance
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 am & 2:00 pm
- Vintage water skiing show

12:00 noon & 3:00 p.m.
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:00 pm
- Festival ends for the day

Sunday, July 26

10:00 am-4:00 pm
-  Maritime Festival Village (land displays, demonstrations boat building, children’s events, etc.)
- Civil War Naval & Cannon Demonstration
- Dockside Boat Show (many owners available for questions)
- Musical performances from regional favorites
- Vintage boat rides (owners’ discretion)

11:00 a.m. & 2:00 pm
- vintage water skiing & water sports demonstrations

12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
- Civil War Cannon Fire

12:00 – 2:00 pm
- Music: White Rhino

4:30 pm
- Festival Ends

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.

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/.

Less than a week until the 2009 Portland Indie Wine Festival!
This Saturday, May 2nd, 40 of Oregon’s top artisanal wineries and some of Portland’s most celebrated chefs and restaurants will invade the Portland Wine Project for the 5th annual Portland Indie Wine Festival. Get your tickets today at https://www.indiewinefestival.com/tickets/

For more info on the festival and the 2009 participating wineries and restaurants click here.

PIWF/LAD team member Katie Burnett at the Oregon Wine Symposium Indie Wine Festival booth

We are pleasantly surprised when this guy walks through our door!  His name is Ryan Kennedy.  He is a friend of Lisa’s and a student at the Western Culinary Institute, and we’re super happy that we’re first stop after every pastry class.  Thanks Cake Boy!

Last month he brought us chocolate filled croissants, and this week he has popped into our office twice. On Tuesday, he brought us carrot cake and chocolate cake.  Today, he surprised us with Tiramisu, cherry cheesecake and lemon and olive oil cake.

Oh wait, he also brought in smoked lamb chorizo sausage! (See below)

Thank you Ryan for bringing us your creations.  All of them have been fabulous and we know you’re on the road to great culinary success.