The most awesome thing about Portland is all the incredible food. It’s only once I drive out into the subburbs that I realize the serious lack of chain restaurants in Portland proper, especially in the Pearl/Downtown. I’ve realized that because I’ve resorted to wasting my money on eating shitty lunches at Whole Foods and going back to the same easy places, I’ve missed out on most of the restaurants (i.e., fun decent dining experiences) that I hear so much about.
So, New Year’s Resolution:
Food Quest 2012.
After gathering recommendations from friends, online, blogs and magazines, I’m hoping to hit 2 restaurants I’ve never been to before each month. These are ones I’ve heard about and always wanted to try, and range from the fancy schmancy 5 course meal to the easy greasy burger.
And there are rules:
- Must go with at least one other person (and a person who likes to share, so we can all try as much as possible).
- Must get at least one appetizer/starter.
- Must get 2 main courses…ideally one the restaurant is “known” for or waitress recommends, and the 2nd something that just sounds good.
- I will TRY everything we order. I generally am not a fan of sea food, (call me crazy I know. But half of it tastes like sea water, and the idea of cracking something’s bones in half and putting out the meat while it still looks like it could crawl off my plate weirds me out.) but I will TRY everything just for the sake of experience.
- Now, desserts are not really on my radar for this project. Not that I’m about to turn down an incredible bananas foster if it’s offered to me (Do you want some? “NO.” But it’s really good… “OKAY FINE.”), but I’m really hoping to focus on REAL food. Dessert Quest 2013 might be in the future.
As I visit each restaurant, I’m going to blog & share here, and decide whether places lived up to the hype or not! And so, in no particular order I present…THE LIST:
1. Pok Pok
2. Biwa
3. Clark Lewis
5. Castagna
6. Marrakesh
7. Podnah’s Pit
8. Toro Bravo
9. Nostrana
11. Pambiche
12. Woodsman
13. Nicolas
16. Screen Door
17. Killer Burger
18. Din Din
19. Tasty n Sons
20. Broder
21. 22. 23. 24. & 25. are all left open. I’m expecting that as I start talking to people about the Food Quest, I’ll inevitably hear recommendations for one place or another. I’ve got backups to fill the spots, but I like leaving things a little open and spontaneous.
2011 was a challenging, educational, and reflective year for me. It was full of growth and evolution both personally and professionally. For the first time in my life, I don’t have a definite plan for the future, and yet I feel like I’ve got my life together moreso than ever before. It’s a very exciting time, and there’s no better way to start a new chapter than with some incredible food.
Here’s to 2012! ONWARD!
