Visiting Portland, one plate at a time!

Along with girlfriends in tow, we took Portland by storm and had the most fantastic weekend.

The flight down was quick and I think I spent the entire flight laughing. If I were to have died, at least it would have been next to the two funniest women on the planet!

We checked into our newly remodeled Kimpton Hotel Vintage Plaza that we were able to book at a discounted rate thanks to my best friend Betty's friends rate. The room was spacious with nice linens and Aveda bath products. We weren't there very long and heard the neighbors crys of passion. Ackward? Yes.

The first order of business was to hit happy hour at Jake's Famous Crawfish. Now those of you that know me, know of my fondness for food, especially good food. Well, I have had Jake's on my mind since Dustin (my ex husband) and I visited in 2001. Of course everyone else in Portland also had the same idea. We waited for about 15 minutes and it appeared the happy customers eating were going no where anytime soon.

I have learned that it never hurts to ask. I asked if there was any way possible to have our group of six sit just outside the bar, but still enjoy the happy hour pricing (which is OUTSTANDING by the way) "since we came all the way from Spokane and have had them on the radar since 2001," I pulled all the cards!

A short wait later we were sat in a cozy little nook just outside the bar. And the fun began! We feasted on Calamari, 2 or 3 orders of BBQ Ribs, 2 orders of Salmon Cakes, 4 orders of Sweet Potato Fries, Potstickers, Fish tacos, and a California roll. This is what I could remember off the top of my head. It was fantastic! And the most food I have been able to eat since becoming pregnant. I was one happy girl.

We walked around for a few hours, burning off some of our dinner, visiting the local erotic shop, and looking for dessert. We ended up at the little restaurant just off our hotel for coffee and dessert. I ordered the "replacement" dessert that was a Pistachio and Caramel tart with Vanilla Gelato. It was to die for delicious, and so rich that I insisted on sharing with Emily. Who was more than happy to oblige me. We are food soulmates, I am pretty sure.

After all the walking and eating, we were all more than happy to part to our rooms for the night. Well, I should have known better than to eat that much food, and I suffered ALL night long thinking I was going to have to dash out of bed and see my food again. But thankfully I did not, and just suffered aimlessly throughout the evening, without much sleeping in between.

The next day we all got up and headed out for breakfast at a local favorite, Mother's Bistro. They were booked out three weeks, and we decided not to wait that long and continued on our journey for our second choice, the Bijou Cafe.

On our way we found Voodoo doughnut, which is famous for their crazy doughnut combos like Maple and Bacon bars (ew!) - Tricia wanted to snap a picture of Marcel (the sock monkey) with the sign.




This had to be the BEST breakfast I have had since my breakfast at Multnoma Falls Lodge or the Breadline Cafe.

I became very excited when seeing the food coming out. I got up from the table I and asked the man at the bar that was happily reading his morning paper,
"How is the muffin?"
"Very good", he replied. And then to my suprise and utter delight he offered me a generous taste of the crown (which is the best part of a muffin. And it was delicious!

Nothing makes me happier than a complete stranger coming to my level of excitement about food and wanting to share that experience with me. It is strange, I know, but you have to be one of us to get it. The girls all thought it was quite entertaining. Lisa likes to relate me to Sally from When Harry Met Sally.

I ordered sides - skillet potatoes, thick cut hickory smoked bacon and that freshly baked oatmeal muffin. The coffee was good, the company was great and the food was top notch. A half plate of potatoes and 6 pieces of bacon, enough to share! Everyone at the table was more than happy with their breakfast and had nothing but compliments. Sometimes, a blessing comes when your first choice isn't available!

Off to the Saturday market. By now the frigid winds picked up and the items purchased at the market included scarfs for Quiyann, Lisa, Tricia and a wool hat with ears for me. Completely worth the $8 and lack of style that comes with it.

We split up from Katie, Quiyann, and Emily while they went back to the hotel to get ready for Wicked. Lisa, Tricia and I walked to Starbucks, then across town to the theater.

I will post about Wicked in a different post later.

After Wicked we headed back to the hotel for a complimentary wine hour to start the evening off with a bang. We made reservation the night before at Typhoon, which is Emily's favorite Thai restaurant that happened to be located 10 steps from the hotel's main entrance. Our waitor was adorable and had a perfect personality to match our lively group.

I couldn't decide between the Yellow Curry and Phad Thai, and since becoming pregnant, I just don't know what will taste good on any given day anymore. I asked our waitor for a sample of the Phad Thai, and that was what I wanted. I ordered the Calamari, Phad Thai and Thai Iced Tea. The tea was brewed fresh and on the house because I had to wait, which was really no big deal, but appreciated nonetheless. Everyone else ordered something different and share amongst themselves. Happy eaters once again.

After a few bottles of wine and 3.5 hours or so, we thought it time to move on. I was exhausted from the fun and festivities of the day, and called it a night. The ladies went on to Rite Aid for more wine, and headed back to Katie's room for more chit chat.

The growling of my stomach woke me Sunday morning, and I had to get up and eat. Although all I wanted to do was be lazy and stay in bed, but my stomach had other plans for me.

I wanted to give Tricia and Lisa some time to get up leisurely since they had a late night, even later with the time change. I went off for breakfast at Pazzo by myself. I ordered the Sourcream coffee cake and potatoes and bacon. Real variety in my breakfasts, I know. As I was waiting for my food, Katie, Quiyann and Emily came down and I joined their table. They were flying out at 1pm and were leaving right after breakfast, so I was glad I had the opportunity to visit a little while longer.

One last stop at Starbuck's with Lisa, back to the room to pick up Tricia, and then we headed out to Whole Foods, the Container Store, Sur La Table and then back to the hotel. While waiting for the Max Line to the airport Lisa, Tricia and I helped the bell hops rearrange the furniture in the lobby area. What a marked difference that made!

Then off to the airport we went.

I have to say, it has been a long time since I have laughed that hard as I did throughout that weekend. I woke up Sunday morning and my stomach muscles were so sore from laughing! It was such a fun, exhausting weekend with a group of women that I am SO lucky to call my friends. I would do all over again, anytime!