Last Friday marked the 10th anniversary of my move to Portland.  Thanks to all the folks who helped make the occasion so memorable and who generously helped us raise $ 1,000 to send to the World Wildlife Fund.

The LADies in all their festive gear!

The menu was crazy good thanks to our friends at Country Cat, Culinary Artistry, Deschutes, Black Cap, House Spirits, Nostrana, Tabla, Boedecker Cellars, Grochau Cellars, Penner-Ash, Alma Chocolates, and Cory Schreiber.  Extra credit to Holland Studios who shot the event and to our amazing entertainment — The Shanghai Woolies.

thanks Cory and Julie! Can't wait for your new book.

That’s what a woman said to me last night as she passed my table at Lincoln Restaurant which opens today.

David and Jenn had invited their industry posse to attend a friends and family preview and since we’re handling the PR it was mandatory that we jump in and eat and drink our hearts out (nice perk, right?) at the new, hip restaurant on Williams and Failing.

Congrats guys! The honest, simple food, classic yet inspired cocktails and gorgeous space is going to be instantly popular (at least that’s my two cents).

The dish that jumped out to Julian and me was the baked hen eggs with cream, toasted bread crumbs and green olives. Simple, comforting, inspired, well-balanced — it’s a great icon for Lincoln itself.

It was also so fun that the grower from Dancing Roots felt compelled to shout out “Those are my eggs!” as she walked past our table. She immediately volunteered that she raises 5 kinds of birds and that those gorgeous deep orange yolks come from very happy chickens.

You gotta love a Portland moment that so quintessentially combines the farming intimacy with the city’s signature chic urban pioneers who so adroitly transform garage-like spaces into dining destinations.

Thanks David and Jenn for bringing another fantastic place to my neighborhood!