PDXenagogue

Valley View Anna Maria 2003 Syrah

2009-07-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight we are drinking Valley View's Anna Maria 2003 Syrah. This wine is from the Rouge Valley, here is southern Oregon. Initially I noted two things: it's inky color and it's HUGE oak flavor. This is definitely one to decant or let sit and open up for a while before drinking.

Here's an image of the wine, which shows it's almost opaque purple color. You can find it for about $22-$25 retail. I bought it while at the Best of Oregon Food and Wine Festival.

Overall this went nicely with pizza and our spicy salad with chocolate, coffee, leather, oak, and some cassis flavors. I think I'd let this one lay down for a while longer, even though it is a 2003, in hopes of a more finessed wine. You can find the winemaker's notes here.

Also, Valley View makes a Tempranillo Port that is out of this world! I'm not sure how widely distributed it is outside of Oregon, but if you can get your hands on a bottle or two you won't be disappointed!

Sunday Parkways - TODAY!

2009-07-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday Parkways is today! This is when about 7-8 miles of Portland streets are closed to cars. Community member run, cycle, walk, skateboard, etc. from park to park and enjoy games, information booths, and lots of good food! The event goes from 9am-4pm and I'm about to leave right now! See you there!

Cafe Velo - My Newest Caffine Obession

2009-07-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today at the Portland Farmer's Market I decided to try a cup on Cafe Velo's coffee. Usually I am a huge fan of Starbucks (I know, I can hear you locavores cringing) but I was volunteering and couldn't stray that far from my post. So I went for cup of Cafe Velo's drip.

They had about 6 or 10 different varieties of coffees from which to choose. I had a Guatemalan medium roast, which was poured into an individual porcelain drip. I don't know if was the coffee, the individual drip, the super nice staff, or some combination of the three, but this was a seriously delicious cup of joe.

They serve Stumptown Coffees and a mint tea. Check them out next time you are at the PFM or if you see their Cafe Velo mobile around town (Sunday Parkways?).

Brooks Winery 2007 Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley

2009-07-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am drinking Brooks 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. I bought this bottle at the Best of Oregon Food and Wine Festival, mostly the person pouring was very engaging and excited about his product.

The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of several vineyards from around the Valley and retails for between $20-$25.

The wine tastes of nice tart cherries, slight oak, and violets and rose. The official winemaker's notes are here. The color is the perfect WV red, with a slight purple hue, which dissipates as you look to the sides of the glass. I took a picture to show you the color.

Several of Brook's wines have won awards, with the Janus and Rastaban Pinot Noirs receiving most of the honors. The winery is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Visits are by appointment only.

Burgerville Shakes AMAZE!

2009-07-16T18:22:00.001-07:00

So, I had a weak moment and I just HAD to stop at Burgerville for a seasonal raspberry shake. *Amazing!!* For those of you who have never been to a Burgerville, it is Portland's more sustainable, local, and fresh way to do fast food. Every month they have a new seasonal shake, which are always delish...just don't look at the nutrition info!

Four Vines Wine Tasting Event at Thirst

2009-07-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro is holding a wine and food pairing event at their RiverPlace Esplanade location. For $25 you get to meet the wine maker, Christian Tietje, and try a variety of these acclaimed, yet affordable wines. Tickets must be purchased in advanced. The event is on Tuesday, July 28 from 6-8pm.

I met one of the owners at a wine and chocolate event last year and she was super nice. These folks enjoy wine in an relaxed way. I'm definitely going to this! See you there!

Bijou Cafe

2009-07-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

I received a gift certificate to Bijou Cafe, on SW 3rd Avenue. I had heard so many good things about this place that I immediately had to go. To breakfast, of course. I had a fantastic veg omelet, greasily-wonderful potatoes, and homemade ketchup to enhance it all! For two people the total bill came to about $30, which is a little pricey for Portland breakfast, but Bijou is worth the splurge every now and again.

Sellwood Columbia Outlet

2009-01-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been into checking out the Sellwood area. It's located south and east of downtown and has a variety of cute coffee shops and dusty antique stores. The Columbia Outlet, located at 1323 SE Tacoma St. definitely has a better selection of sizes than the Columbia Outlet in the Woodburn Factor Store. I almost bought a new ski jacket for $39.99, but then I remembered my current jacket is functioning perfectly.

And We're Back!

2008-03-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ah, life. You get a great idea (like to start a blog of your adventures in PDX) and then life gets in the way. Well, I'm back! And chalk-full of interesting places to share with you! Look for more posts in the days and weeks ahead.

Happy Daylight Savings Time!

Ken's Artisian Bakery Chocolate Croissants

2007-10-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Several factors contribute to an excellent croissant: butteriness, flakeyness, crispy/chewy ratio, and chocolateyness. The chocolate croissants at Ken's Artisan Bakery on NW 21st receive superior marks in all categories. These are the Milo of Croton of puff pastry. I discovered these treats after a serendipitous walk around Nobb Hill on Monday afternoon.

The buttery flavor smoothly shines through and leaves a slight, soft coating on your fingertips. Enough for a lingering taste but not so much that you are in danger of staining your coat. The layers of buttery pastry dough are stacked perfectly. Wrapped and wrapped like the most satiating scarf around a bundle of chocolate. Then, by some magic process, the french treats are baked until the outside is crisp while the doughy insides are warm and not overly dry or sticky. Can a croissant be described as succulent? I would argue yes.

The chocolateyness quality is by far the most important. Ken's Artisan Bakery wisely chooses a dark chocolate, which is laid out in two narrow strips. This allows the taster to take large bits, overloaded with chocolateyness (as if that is even possible) or take small nibbles where the salty butter, pastry dough, and sweetness are in perfect harmony.

These treats are not to be missed! Ken's also attends the Saturday Farmers Market at PSU though I can't vouche for chocolate croissants served at any venue but the 21st Ave NW location.