Bakery Bar

The well-designed sign outside of Bakery Bar on Glisan and 30th says, “Eat cake.” OK, no problem. But wait, there is a problem because not only must you eat cake there, you must eat scones, muffins, breakfast sandwiches on homemade English muffins, brownies, and more. Then you can eat cake.

Bakery Bar is my new favorite place to hang out, read, work, drink a latte and listen to the great mix of music that they play. They’ve also expanded their menu to include breakfast and lunch.

Good design, good music and good food converge all in one spot.

Raisin Fennel Bread

Bread can be a boring vehicle for sauces, meat, cheese, jam, or it can be fabulous on its own. I found one such amazing loaf—raisin fennel bread—at Petite Provence Bakery on Division and SE 48th. It seems to be a dense pain au levain base packed with sweet raisins and licoricey fennel. It makes perfect toast with a thin layer of butter and tart jam.

The bread’s sourdough base reminds me of my favorite bread in Columbus: La Chatelaine’s au levain loaf.

Tanuki is mischievous

If you’re looking for something more than sushi and noodles, try Tanuki on NW 21st and Flanders. We ordered the name-your-price chef’s menu (opted for $20/person) and were excited by the various dishes brought to our table: oysters with some kind of fabulous sauce, seaweed salad, edamame, duck hearts, shiitake mushrooms, unagi, a savory steak & corn dish, a spicy kimchi veggie dish, and lychees for dessert. Washed it all down with some crisp sake.

Yet another highlight of the evening was that Melissa, one of the owners, recogized Eric. Turns out they went to Kenyon College together, and she’s a fellow Ohioan.

So if you want a culinary adventure, try Tanuki’s chef’s menu, and look for their future house specials. You’ll have a unique experience at a price that you name.

The Story of Tanuki

-from Tanuki’s web site:

“Tanuki is a Japanese raccoon dog, but also the stuff of legends…

According to Shinto folklore Tanuki is a kami, a spirit creature with powers to shift shapes at will in pursuit of women, wine, a free meal and mischief in any order they were to be found.

Often Tanuki is pictured looking inebriated, confused and holding an empty sake flask and a counterfeit promissory note or a leaf—Tanuki were famous for having the ability to trick sake shop owners into believing the leaves were money in payment—as soon as Tanuki left the money turned back into leaves.

For obvious reasons sake merchants and restaurateurs adopted Tanuki as their protective kami, often placing a statue of the fellow outside where he was a sign that good times were to be had inside…

TanTan Tanuki

No kintama wa

Kaze mo nai no ni

Bura Bura

…tsugi watashi wa no ban desu!”

Laloo's goat's milk ice cream

Ice cream, among other sweets, is my weakness. My one gastronomical complaint about Portland is that there are too many gelato establishments and not enough traditional ice cream spots (no offense to the Italians and my friend Matt of Madisono’s—gelato is just as tasty). I miss the good old-fashioned ice cream that I grew up on from Friendly’s and Graeter’s in Columbus.

Last week I discovered another ice cream option: Laloo’s Goat’s Milk Ice Cream from Petaluma, California. It is quite delicious and the only flavor that I tried that had a hint of goat’s milk was the Vanilla Snowflake. Plus it’s lower in fat and lactose. So far I’ve seen Laloo’s at Whole Foods, but I’d bet it’s at New Seasons and Zupan’s as well.

But as healthy and tasty as goat’s milk ice cream is, I have to say that I still miss my Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup sundae and chocolate Fribble.

Salts at The Meadow

Most foodies in Portland have been to The Meadow, a small boutique on Mississippi that sells salt, chocolate, wine, and flowers. But not everyone knows about their great tastings that they offer (although word is getting out).

For around $15 a person, you get to try salts, chocolates, caramel, etc., and they usually provide wine/champagne. It’s a great deal for gourmet treats and education.

Check out their event schedule or sign up for email notifications about future tastings.

Bacon Truffle from Xocolatl de David

It may sound like a bizarre combo, but bacon and chocolate love each other. Just ask anyone who has tried Xocolatl de David’s bacon infused caramel chocolate truffle.

I was introduced to this perfect match at a salt and chocolate tasting at The Meadow. At first bite, the truffle is sweet, but then the smokiness of the bacon kicks in. The taste experience ends on a sweet, salty note from the crunchy candied bacon on top. And don’t worry, there is no fatty piece of bacon in the middle; the caramel is infused with applewood smoked bacon flavor.

If you like bacon and chocolate, then try this truffle. It’s so potent that you may need a moment to sit down.

*****UPDATE: ROCKET IS CLOSED.*****

When Rocket first opened, it was so-so. The space is great, but the food and clientele were weird, and not in a good way.

The menu was trying to be too tongue-in-cheek cute, and the dishes weren’t worth the steep prices. And the crowd had a misplaced Lake O vibe.

But that was then, and now I’d give Rocket a chance. We went there with guests from out of town who had a college connection with employees at the restaurant.

We enjoyed our drinks and appetizers, but the real excitement came when we got backstage passes to Rocket’s roof garden. Rows of kiddie pools are hosts to gorgeous lettuces, peppers, tomatoes, beans, etc. The vegetables go from roof to plate…you can’t get much fresher than that in a city restaurant.

And they still serve their lamb corndog.

Masu East's burger: Wagyu beef, Tillamook extra sharp white cheddar, carmelized onions, house aioli, house brioche bun and tempura onion rings. Ross William Hamilton/The Oregonian

Eric and I are Masu East regulars, especially during happy hour when some of their food items are half off. We have been singing the praises of Masu’s Kobe Beef Burger for a year now and have introduced it to countless friends.

It is a bit strange that one of the best items on the menu at this sushi restaurant is a burger, but it’s so magically delicious. Plus it used to be only $7 during happy hour…a steal to say the least.

Then The Oregonian had to go and spoil it. They named Masu’s burger as one of the best in town. So long happy hour menu…the burger is now only full-price at $14.

So I plead with you, Masu, bring the burger back to happy hour!