Cruising the Willamette on the Portland Spirit

 August 28

Cruising the Willamette on the Portland Spirit

The weather could not be more perfect, the moon fuller than on Friday evening for our Willamette River cruise. 

We drove and parked in downtown Portland, walked several blocks to the riverfront location for the large boat. Waited among a surprisingly large group to have our photographs taken and walk down the long steep ramp to board.

We entered a large window lined dining room, aroar with the sound of tables filled with people, and a pianist playing above the noise. Apparently, dinner was served immediately. We were served a nice simple salad and a plate of focaccia, then chose steelhead from the list of choices available. Our fish was excellent, a large portion with a sweet tart sauce that set it off nicely, couscous tossed with veggies on the side. Cleaned our plates, ordered cheesecake for dessert to come later and headed out onto the deck to enjoy the sweet air and the water, views and narration. It was lovely. I relished the sensation of the breeze blowing my hair.

We also enjoyed the music provided by the pianist - who played River Flows in You at my request. 

A really nice evening enhanced by a huge yellow full moon all the way home.

10 of 10

Laney is 75 Campagna

 August 23

Laney is 75

Family Dinner at Campagna Italian restaurant

Seven of us gathered at an outdoor table on an absolutely perfect evening. We started with a toast with a lovely sparkling wine, graciously served. Then we shared a tomato bruschetta, a caesar salad and excellent shrimp scampi.

We passed around plates of a variety of pasta dishes, and H ordered cod. Fish was perfect, pasta was mostly way too al dente, but well flavored. Tiramisu for dessert.

A lovely meal, a lovely time together. Levi entertained us by being himself. We sang the song and celebrated being together and healthy and hungry and aging gratefully. Then we took a walk.

10 of 10 for service, company and celebration.

7 of 10 for underdone pasta 

Two in One Week -; pancakes and ramen

 Two in One Week -; pancakes and ramen

H had been jonesing to try The Original Pancake House since reading a rave review about the Dutch Baby served there. On Thursday morning, after teaching for the three earlier days, he convinced me to go out for breakfast. I needed convincing because it is not my practice to eat heavy carbs in the morning. But, it was a cloudy day with nothing else on the agenda.

The first surprise, at 9:15 am - was an almost full parking lot, and a waiting area with 16 people in front of us and a completely full and very noisy dining room.  We sat in chairs along the wall perusing the menu. Each item had its calories listed - 900, 1200, 1800!!!  The bottom of the menu mentions that 2000 calories is the recommended daily number.  I was frankly a little put off with the idea of consuming much at one time.

When we were finally seated, we were able to see the plates being served. Everything was enormous. We ordered a dutch baby, served with whipped butter, powdered sugar and lemon sliced, and Nebraska Corn Pancakes for me - I love corn and these were only 780 calories. H added corn beef hash. I was truly astonished to be served NINE full size pancakes. I ate 2 and a half and they made three more breakfasts. The d b was big enough to feed our family, dense and eggy - H's is better. So - all in all, lots of leftovers. H is still wanting to go back to try the crepes - the size of a small train tunnel. At least, after seeing the size of the servings, I understand the enormous calorie counts, but who in the world can eat nine pancakes?

$44.50

On Saturday evening we returned once more to NOA to try their ramen. Excellent as expected.

$46

Fogo De Chao

 Fogo De Chao   August 9

Market Table

Caipirinha Cocktails

Free Key Lime Pie Dessert 

Gorgeous place. We'd been to the one downtown last year and had enjoyed the variety of items on the salad bar/market table, and especially the tapioca cheese ball/rolls. This is a place to dress up for and enjoy the varied offerings of meat and beverages moving around the many rooms. 

we started with excellent cocktails and waited til we were done to begin visiting the choices that awaited. 

Gazpacho, which I was eager to try was too salty, all other options, including rice and beans were tasty and fresh. Lots of fruits and salads of different types.

A fun meal, not to heavy and not too pricey.

8.5 /10  Fun atmosphere, simple food great drins\ks 

$96 +15%

Noa Noa Noa Sushi

 August 1

Hank's favorite. We were back for round three and not disappointed though we powered through our meal in record time. Clams and abalone in smoky miso broth was delicious. double crunch lobster roll, shrimp tempura and an octopus dish were all, as usual, beautifully presented and excellent quality. We have yet to sample ramen - so we may be back.

I once again loved the Passion Fruit Sake.

Also purchased a drawing from a man selling his art in the walkway of the mall. 

8 of 10 - too fast service

$66 + 13 = 79 

Thien Hoang with family

 Thien Hoang Vietnamese  July 26

It started with a question about an old favorite restaurant - Thien Hong, which closed during the pandemic. It was a favorite family treat to go there for salt and pepper squid; garlic eggplant and other rotating favorites We would order vast quantities and bring lots home with us. On a recent drive-by, I noticed that it appears to be open once again. When I googled it, I discovered what turned out to be a related place, with a larger, but similar menu. 

So, in celebration of Joanna and Justin's birthdays, we all, including Levi, met there for dinner, and ordered similar versions of personal faves.

Clams first, were plump and excellent. The squid was tougher than it should be - not as good as Thien Hong. Excellent Chow Fun, my favorite and Crispy Eggplant - deep fried in rich sauce. Lots of rice - all in all - a fun meal, but not as good as I'd hoped - but reminiscent of past pleasures.

7 of 10

Seasons and Regions - Happy Hour

 Sunday July 19

We'd been here before and liked it a lot. We'd heard that Happy Hour was excellent - it was.

Arrived at four - just in time - and ordered four dishes off the menu. First tall glasses of ice-cold prosecco to set the mood. Other than being WAY too talkative, our server was excellent and enthusiastic about our choices.

Alaskan Halibut cakes - two perfectly delicious and crunchy cakes on a plate filled with roast vegetables, including radishes which I had never eaten in this way before, and really liked, and both mashed and tiny crispy fried potatoes filled a plate that would easily have been my dinner. Only $11.95

H blissed out on Mac and Cheese with BBQ pork. We also had a smoked salmon and artichoke crepe in a lovely sauce, and pesto shrimp and rice. The plan was to take some home, and it worked.

Since it was our anniversary (again? still?) we were also given a free scoop of homemade ice cream with our key lime pie for dessert. I was especially impressed by the creme anglaise served with the pie. That was a lovely extra touch.

Great meal, great deal. 

9 of 10. One dish was under seasoned and the server talked too much.

$76 = $88 total