Category Archives: Portland

Food Portland

{Taste} Portland, OR: Boke Bowl

May 13, 2013 – 6:30 am

My mom used to crave warm soups on winter days. We’d drive around to find a local pho or noodle soup place to cure the craving and the cold. Since then, nothing’s given me more comfort than finding a perfect soul warming bowl of noodle soup. A and I headed to Boke Bowl. We ordered siu mai and fried chicken in steamed buns (I’ve been meaning to try out their Boke Bird on Thursdays) for an app. Then we got a bowl of Pork Dashi and Miso Black Cod Ramen to share. Then, the Donutorama creme brulee doughnut taunted us in the case, so we saved that for dessert. I just love the feel of the place and the branding. So simple and direct. Our noodles were a bit undercooked, so that was disappointing though the flavor of the broth was super umami (do you like my made up adjectives?), but those fried chicken steamed buns. WOW. I think those stole our tastebuds’ hearts. We’ll definitely need to take an early Thursday off work one day to make the fried chicken night…

{Boke Bowl} 1028 SE Water Ave., Portland, OR 97214 | 503-719-5698

What’s your cold day comfort food?

Tags dinner, Japanese, lunch, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} Beaverton, OR: Honey Toast Cafe

April 29, 2013 – 6:30 am

In the Bay Area, I had lots and lots of Taiwanese style cafes to choose from. Each with their little specialties. But in Oregon, I don’t really have that little luxury anymore. So, when I found out a new choice opened relatively nearby, I had to test out the waters. Honey Toast Cafe has little savory Asian snacks like salt and pepper chicken, fried tofu, sandwich-bobs, and the like along with the usual boba teas and coffees. Their namesake dessert though are honey toasts. They are a hollowed out sweet Asian breaf loaf that is sprinkled in sugar and charred on the inside. The bread from the cavity is then cut into little soldier sticks that undergo the same treatment and layered back in with honey pastry cream, ice cream, fruit, and even macarons of your flavor choice. We’ve tried the strawberry, honey classic, and deluxe versions. The classic and deluxe are our faves. The faint honey taste in every bite totally makes my mouth happy and I love the almost creme brulee taste with every toasty stick. I’ve already started taking my visiting friends there and though the size is really overwhelming, it’s a fun shareable dessert that everyone can’t stop eating. Plus, it’s open late for an after dinner stop in.

{Honey Toast Cafe} 12520 SW Farmington Road, Beaverton OR 97005 | 503-747-2712

Are you a fan of boba/bubble teas? What’s your favorite flavor?

Tags Asian, dessert, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} Hillsboro, OR: Curry And Crust

April 22, 2013 – 6:30 am

I would never think about Indian food with pizza, but this new place we tried recently definitely had me backtracking. Their indian style pizzas are so creative and delicious! Think naan with curry built in. We tried one with tandoori chicken and another with paneer (Indian style cheese) and we were hooked. The creamy sauces with the herby crust. It was crave-able! We also got some papri chaat, which I haven’t seen served in Oregon much. It’s a delish snack introduced to me by my bff back in my Berkeley days. We used to share one from Chaat Cafe. It’s a mixture of tamarind and yogurt sauces with little crispy chips. garbanzo beans, and potatoes. Anyways, it took me back to our “studying” days. I’m excited to go back to this place to try their daily buffet and other desi pizzas.

{Curry And Crust} 4950 NE Belknap Ct, Hillsboro, OR 97124 | 503-992-6363

Have you tried any unexpected food combinations recently?

Tags dinner, Indian, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Color Fashion Portland

{Color Palette} A Statement Umbrella

April 16, 2013 – 6:30 am

Photo via Kate Spade

Spring in Oregon is often a waiting game. It’s that big rainy lull between winter (often bright but just cold) and the amazing summers. A got me a really bright umbrella (similar to the one in this post) for my birthday to cheer me up when skies are gray. This floral one would also do the trick! Also check out this fun umbrella mobile DIY.

How are the Springs where you are?

Tags Color Palette, pink, purple, umbrellas | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} Portland, OR: Jam On Hawthorne

April 1, 2013 – 6:30 am

This place always has a huge line so we avoided going there because there are lots of brunch options in Portland, but right before moving into our house I convinced A that we had to try it. I’m so glad we did. I opted for the corned beef hash and some lemon ricotta pancakes to share. Of course, silly me bought the “wrong” lens so you get a good close up view of the hash.

Jam On Hawthorne | 2229 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 | 503-234-4790

Is there a place that always has a big line that you’ve been wanting to try?

Tags American, breakfast, brunch, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} West Linn, OR: Lil Cooperstown

March 18, 2013 – 6:30 am

Sometimes A and I just go driving with no destination and we end up somewhere new. Unfortunately, we’ve been doing this for a while, so now even when we try to get lost, we can’t. But! Sometimes it’s pays off. We found the adorable little downtown of West Linn one time and we’ve been back a couple times since because they have a really good fabric store, a little French boutique and more. This time we ate at Lil Cooperstown, a local chain. The burgers were huge and the decor was eclectic. We’ll definitely be back.

Lil Cooperstown | 1817 Willamette Falls, West Linn, OR 97068 | 503-655-1995

Do you go exploring in different neighborhoods often?

Tags American, burger, dinner, lunch, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} Portland, OR: My Brother’s Crawfish

March 11, 2013 – 8:04 am

I have a soft spot for Southern food. I don’t know why. It’s just comforting. We tried out a new place a bit ago called My Brother’s Crawfish. We were super hungry so we got oyster shooters, crabcakes, crawfish gumbo, and blackened catfish. It was all so delish that we cleaned our plates. We can’t wait to go back and get the crawfish boil.

My Brother’s Crawfish | 8220 SE Harrison St, Portland, OR 97216 | 503-774-3786

Do you like Southern food?

Tags dinner, seafood, Southern, Taste | Permalink | Comment (0)

Food Portland

{Taste} Hillsboro, OR: Veggie Grill

February 4, 2013 – 6:30 am

Last week A & I went to a Yelp event because I’m lucky enough to be Yelp Elite. I was super excited for A to try out this new vegan place, Veggie Grill. I first had it with my cousin D when I lived in LA. We were obsessed and after this meal, I remembered why! I’m definitely a carnivore, but if I could eat vegan like this every day, I would have no issues switching. It’s so darn good! We got a veggie stack (veggie steak with onion rings on a burger bun) and a Santa Fe “chicken” sandwich. We also tried out the buffalo wings and their chocolate pudding parfait. OMG! Both were soo good. At the end of the meal, A & I were stuffed, but he said “Can we just start over?” Yes, please!

Veggie Grill | 2065 NW 185th Ave | Hillsboro, OR 97124 | 503-466-0345

Have you tried any vegan places?

Tags dinner, lunch, Taste | Permalink | Comment (1)

Nature Portland

{Smell The Roses} Christmas Tree

December 24, 2012 – 6:30 am

I’ve wanted to cut down a tree for years, but I never had the room or a reason. Finally having the room in the living room this year to have a tree was quite exciting! With the encouragement of my friend E, we went to a tree farm in a town nearby and picked out our fave (after much debate and walking). A started the sawing and we realized the teeth on our saw were all bent and messed up. So, we resorted to notch making around the perimeter and A pushing the tree over. Haha. Luckily we purposely chose a littler tree with a small trunk! I can’t get over the delicious smell of pine. I just want to sit there all day to take it in. We are definitely ready to make it a yearly tradition. Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

Have you ever cut down your own tree?

Tags holiday, house | Permalink | Comment (0)

Nature Portland

{Color Palette} Crabby Mood

December 18, 2012 – 6:30 am

Photo by I_Van

The Portland Aquarium opened last weekend and we went to pet the stingrays and sharks. I got A’s parents a membership for Christmas and I can’t wait for them to explore it too! I used to wander in awe at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and wished I could stay for hours and stare at the jellyfish. I thought this color palette was perfect in celebration for our first visit!

Have you ever been to an aquarium?