Joshua "ninja photog" C.'s Profile

While it's been open for about a year, Cafe Hibiscus and I go back over twenty (though I didn't know it until three weeks ago).

Twenty Nine Years Ago: Chef Martin Wyss leaves the Kahala Hilton returning to his roots by working with wife Jeannie to open the neighborhoody Swiss Inn in a supermarket strip mall on the outskirts of  Honolulu, HI.

Twenty Eight to Eleven Years Ago: One of my earliest foodie memories, I recall sitting with my family in a dark overhead beamed European style chalet dining room, sipping an amazing slightly sweet savory Swiss Onion soup from a stone bowl (note: Childhood memories like half-remembered dreams are slippery at best).

Eleven Years Ago: After a successful eighteen year run, one that would see Swiss Inn write it's own special chapter in Honolulu culinary history, Martin and Jeannie decide to retire and close their beloved eatery.

Four Years Ago: The Wyss' give their blessing to daughter Jennie as she turns a selling-to-coworkers side project into a successful bottling and distribution of the family's secret Swiss dressing here in PDX.

Three Years Ago: Setting up audio visual gear at a corporate event catered by the Wyss family, I rejoiced at the opportunity to devour a smörgåsbord of old school Swiss Inn favorites, but left wondering whether I'd ever do so again. Shortly after, but unrelated to this event, we packed up and moved to Portland.

About  A Year Ago:  Unknownst to me, Jennie opens the deceptively named Cafe Hibiscus, a cute Alberta neighborhood joint serving her family's Swiss cuisine with a generous side of Aloha (Hawaiian style love, not the suburb pass Beavertron).

Twenty Four Days Ago: My brother and sister-in-law meet Jennie at the Alberta street fair, promising to convince his brother (me) to return with him the next day for lunch. I don't remember everything he said, but "Swiss Inn" was enough.

Twenty Three Days Ago: We show up at Cafe Hibisicus and are immediately treated like part of the Wyss Ohana ("family" for those who haven't seen Lilo and Stitch). I have my mind bending "Anton Ego Ratatouille" moment as I take a bite of the Swiss soup and myself both grown up and child simultaneously enjoying the same bowl. We order way more than five people should eat for lunch, but there are no complaints, at least not until we try getting up and walking (btw though not required, for maximum cost-effective-variety-sampling-action eating family style is totally recommended).

Twenty Two Days to An Hour Ago: I edit pictures. I take more. I work. I play board games. I work. I procrastinate on writing this post. I reflect on the warmth and goodness of the Wyss family and our wonderful lunch. The Swiss Salat Teller, a sampling of all their salads is an order-every-time dish for me (along with the Swiss Onion Soup). Also loved the Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, their classic Emince Zurichoise (pork cutlet in creamy mushroom sauce), and anything that has to do with either their spatzli or their garlic butter.

This very moment: I finally finish writing about how an unlikely Swiss restaurant with Hawaiian roots causes a temporal collision of my past and my present, my old home and my new, and how I definitely think you should pay Jennie and Cafe Hibiscus a visit (name a another delicious 808 or PDX Swiss restaurant that treats you immediately like family, in fact name another Swiss restaurant, see what I mean).

original blog post: http://www.pdxploratio...

I won't tell you too much (the pictures do that already http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and discovery (both before and during) only adds to the delight of the pop-up experience.

What I will say about Boke Bowl IX (the ninth materialization of this whimsical roaming ramen joint, existing ephemerally two months ago at Accanto) is that while not quite perfect (difficult to do when you're in operation only once a month), I'd return without hesitation.

{buns. handmade ramen. house brined pickles. pork belly.}

It's a fun experience for the patient (it's improbable that you'll get reservations, don't be afraid to walk-in and wait) and the open-minded (traditional flavors creatively combined with new ingredients and /or used in different ways).

See you next iteration.
(Which happens to be today, 11am-2pm 23Hoyt in Nob Hill http://bokebowl.com/)

I know this isn't much notice, but it's more warning than I had last year when I found out about this by accident. The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby, which happens TODAY (Saturday August 13th, 2011) is one of my favorite yearly "ahh Portland" events (one of those random, weird, unique things that only increases my love for this city).

Mt. Tabor. Thousands of Portlanders in full summer mode (hmmm everyone seems to have a cooler). Marching band intermission. All sorts of creative mayhem powered only by gravity.

Advice, go early, plan on not finding parking anywhere on the Mt. Tabor (though it's worth looking cause I did last year), better yet bike or get dropped off, bring tasty things to eat and drink, find a comfy spot, get off the road when they yell "get off the road!" and hit up Cheese Bar after (just cause it's close by and awesome).  Also download this event map (I wandered aimlessly last year).  http://www.soapboxrace...

It starts in an hour, stop reading this and GO...don't worry it lasts all day beginning with scoping out the vehicles up close in the "pits" then spending the afternoon watching three at a time "races."

Sometimes...

I don't want just the greatest hits or some best of playlist.

I want to listen to "Reckoner" as part of "In Rainbows"
                     or "No Surprises" as part of "O.K. Computer"

I want to savor Shostakovich's "String Quartet No. 8" in it's entirety,
                    not just the brilliant "Allegro Molto."

Sometimes...

I don't want just a country's most famous dishes.

I want to consume just the food and wine of a particular region.

I want dishes that aren't just executed well, but work well together.

And that's why I loved our Lyonnaise dinner at St. Jack, why I chose it as my order-whatever-I-wanted birthday meal.

    Pommes Frites
      Rustic Pork Terrine with Pistachio
        Pork Rillette
          Saucisson Sec
            Cervelle De Canut
              Cowgirl Creamery Red Hawk Cheese
                Gratins d' Escargots
                  Fisherman's Stew
                   Special Pork Shank
                     Vacherin Aux Fraises
                        Mascapone Mousse
                           Madelines

The rusticness of it all. The beautiful Saucisson. The pickled fruit and veggies. The hints of mustard. The crusty baguette that you have to pull apart with your hands. The perfect scallop in the stew. The melty meat on the must order Pork Shank. The mind blowing Vacherin. The simply sublime Madelines. I loved it all.

I can't wait to return for Roasted Bone Marrow, Frog Legs, Fried Tripe, Whole Roasted Trout, Mushroom and Asparagus Tarte, Blood Sausage, Onglet Steak Frites, and Gratin de Macaroni. Few menus truly excite me, but "yes" I basically want to try St. Jack's in its entirety.

While not necessary, I found that reading up on Lyon and taking a cursory glance at a few articles about St. Jacks definitely added to the experience, as did sipping a glass of Seven of Hearts Pinot Noir (Not a Lyonnaise wine, but I couldn't pass up a glass pour of one of my favorite French style NW wine producers).

So sure there's plenty of Best of Some Country type restaurants out there, but if you're the type that likes more than just what's popular, what's mainstream, that salivates at the mere mention of "Roasted Bone Marrow," and craves some regional specificity St. Jack is a food adventure well worth taking.

for larger images and article links visit http://www.pdxploratio...

Note: Ryuji, the sushi chef mentioned in the previous review, is now at Tokurri Tei http://www.yelp.com/bi...

As my friend described it "literally a hole in the wall."

And while I'm usually not timely with my posts, what better time than June to enjoy Waffle Window's Rose City strawberry rhubarb special?

Of course it's always a good time for a 3 B's, bacon, basil, and brie with an orange marmalade.

A not so secret stumptown secret, Waffle Window's one of my favorite spots for an affordable breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner, etc.

Don't really have time to write more, so I'll let the photos do the talking (it tastes as scrumptious as it looks).

"Piset," is all I say.

Nong's Khao Man Gai serves exactly one dish, but does it very well.

"Piset"

This cart blazes at lunch. While sweetly adorable Nong rocks the order taking window, her highly efficient team of three or four line chef dudes (who don't seem like they should all be able to fit in such a tight space) crank out order after order.

"Piset"

Khao Man Gai (the one dish) is poached chicken served with rice cooked in chicken stock, ginger garlic soy dipping sauce, and side of broth. Options include more sauce, more rice, more chicken, and/or the addition of chicken liver, but that's about it. To make it even simpler you can say a magic word and receive all the previously mentioned additions while saving $2 in the process.

"Piset"

So how's this for a recommendation? Because of where I work, I eat SE Asian food about 80% of the time, in fact I often have our very good version of this exact dish, and yet, there I am on my days off sitting curbside on SW Alder, savoring each tender morsel, the ginger sauce, and the subtly savory rice.

"Piset"

This is not shock and awe cuisine, no gimmicks, no fancy colorful garnishes, no molecular gastronomy, no wow factor what so ever. Nong's is all about comfort food, it's just a pile of rice, chicken, some soup, and sauce. Fast. Simple. Delicious. Perfect.

"Piset"

for a closer look at the images visit http://www.pdxploratio...

Once upon a time in the land of NoPo there existed a magical cafe.

An oasis of perfectly executed egg sandwiches, bike delivered Courier Coffee, random conversations with strangers, farm fresh huevos rancheros, and homemade baked goods, this little eatery transformed and inspired those who ate there and the neighborhood surrounding it.  This was the LRBC (Little Red Bike Cafe)

Once upon a time in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes a magical new burger developed.

So named the Jucy Lucy, this burger consisted of cheese infused patties, where bits of cheddar or American were incorporated into the ground beef (as opposed to being on top), resulting in a luxurious lava like eruption upon consumption (addicting and dangerous gotta love that).

Seasons changed and despite surviving a flood and many other challenges, the time of the LRBC passed.

A story of love, food, heartbreak, and triumph recorded honest-to-blog by a couple (who are also a couple) of talented foodie writers. Free to roam, they traveled in search of inspiration (and some well earned relaxation).

And then there was Lucy.

Having many PDX friends from the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes, seeing some cultural similarities (indie rock, bikes, etc), and finding no one already making them in Portland, the couple decide to bring the Jucy Lucy to the Stumptown masses. Thus was born Lucy's Original.

-------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

It took me far too long to make it here. I meant to go opening day, but months were wasted before I got my first bite of what is currently my favorite burger.

The Pineapple Express: Cheddar infused beef patty, grilled pineapple, sriracha aioli, peanut sauce, and bacon served on perfect set of buns. Sweet, savory, spicy, amazing.

Former LRBC regulars will be stoked, that in addition to some of their favorite peeps, they'll also be able to order some of their favorite egg sandwiches like the Messenger (bacon, homemade apple butter, blue cheese/gorgonzola spread, and a runny fried egg served on a Fleur De Lis Ciabatta!). Additionally burgers can be made in the style of egg sandwiches and vice versa.

While a new concept, some other LRBC traditions have also made it into LO, the use of ultra fresh high quality ingredients, spot on execution, sense of community, and ridiculously good baked treats (I saw a woman walk off with two massive banana cake slices because she and her spouse had problems sharing one the last time!).

[there's even a secret menu, fans of in-n-outs animal style might want to whisper "So Cal" to the chef]

There's a lot of great eateries in Portland, lots that I like, some that I love, only a handful that I actually crave. Lucy's Original, with it's wonderful inside out burgers and heart of gold service, is definitely the later.

for nicer images check out http://www.pdxploratio...

Zenbu is

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                                            T H I R S T - Q U E N C H I N G
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I eat here all the time. Yet I rarely ask for anything specific. While I have my standbys Ginger Chicken, Soba Noodle Soup, and Tonkatsu, I've found it best to eat Omakase (chef choice), leaving the door wide open for this dynamic duos wild creativity. Sometimes it's Tempura Fish Tacos or Fried Sushi Rolls topped with Scallop Mayo or Broiled Mussels or Seared Ahi Nigiri or Shrimp Teumpura Roll topped with Smoked Salmon....so far it's all been fun, whimsical, and delicious.

I love their presentation, their attention to detail. This goes beyond typical cart fare. While I might go somewhere else (like Honolulu) for super high end sit-at-the-counter uber perfect nigiri, this is my go to PDX spot for casual affordable sushi. So far this is the first sushi spot in Portland that I actually like, that gets the flavors of the rice right, and taking the quality of ingredients into consideration is really a great value.

A few insider tips: the sparkling apple cider is only $3 for the whole wine sized bottle, on Wednesday nights you can hang out at the board game shop and have awesome platters of sushi delivered to your table, adventurous eaters should really consider Omakase style dining ($15 is a good amount, note this is only possible if they aren't too busy...if they are all of the standbys mentioned at the top are great choices), lastly if you let them know in advance Wes and Phinn do a rocking job with catering or party orders.  

While there's busier, more popular places to eat in Sellwood, don't overlook Zenbu. It's not just good for a cart, it's just good.

Pictures (worth a look, at least I think so):http://www.yelp.com/bi...

I wish there was a Portland place I could get an amazing cheap high-quality huge-ass Roast Beef sandwich with mushrooms, mayo, olives, avocado, bacon, crushed potato chips, shredded carrots, fresh lettuce, and tomatoes on an Asiago cheese roll. Oh yeah, there is.