Michael Charles

About Michael Charles

Bread baker, farmers market maven, and reluctant raconteur, with a laser-focus on fine food. These are the characteristics contributor Michael Charles brings to this blog. Mr. Charles is a Portland native who remembers Yaw's, Mr. C's Hippopotamus, and Henry Thiele's. He likes to eat stinky cheese and almost all animal parts. Restaurants that don't take reservations make him cranky, as do poor service, inadequate seasoning, and vegan pastries. His food-related passion extends to the works of the great food writers from Brillat-Savarin to Jeff Steingarten, both lawyers. By trade, Michael is a lawyer too. Coincidence? You decide.

Fogo De Chão-Fresh Meat for Diners (and Reviewers)

By Michael Charles Last Update May 3, 2014 9 Comments

by Michael CharlesPortland teems with healthy eaters and special needs diners, but carnivores have yet to be banished altogether and there are restaurants that still exist to serve them. Enter newcomer Fogo De Chão.Sure, the new Portland branch has not yet actually opened to the public, but there was a media dinner and it’s been a little dry around here lately … [Read more...] about Fogo De Chão-Fresh Meat for Diners (and Reviewers)

Review: American Local

By Michael Charles Last Update June 29, 2020 1 Comment

As the Pythons used to say, “…and now for something completely different.”There is traditional American cuisine – featuring the usual roll call of comfort food classics – and Modern American, blending hyperlocal and global ingredients with whiz-bang tricks from the 21st century world of food science and technology. The American Local has a foot in both camps—christening … [Read more...] about Review: American Local

Review: Pok Pok – Another View

By Michael Charles Last Update January 16, 2014 15 Comments

If you have never heard Lou Reed sing "Heroin" ("Heroin, it’s my wife and it’s my life") on Velvet Undergound's first album, "Velvet Underground and Nico," you should have a listen. In protopunk style, Reed nails the junkie insanity of anticipating his fix then rushing through his run and falling back to earth again–pathetically and inevitably. Reed lurches through high-low … [Read more...] about Review: Pok Pok – Another View

Michael Talks Cheese

By Michael Charles Last Update March 10, 2014 5 Comments

Dear Diary:Today I went to a cheese festival. It was sort of like Disneyland for cheese lovers, and I left feeling a lot like I do after a visit to the Magic Kingdom–exhilarated and slightly sick to my stomach.The annual conference of the American Cheese Society-yes, the one and only, accept no substitutes-hit town on Thursday, and all sorts of cheese makers and fellow … [Read more...] about Michael Talks Cheese

Review: Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille

By Michael Charles Last Update May 20, 2016 19 Comments

Down in blue Hawaii. So far away from blue Hawaii. Aloha nui means goodbye.“In Blue Hawaii” Brian Wilson/Van Dyke ParksOn yet another daylight-challenged, Oregon grey winter day, we puzzle over where to eat. It is a frequent noon time ritual at my office. My business partner–a social worker masquerading as a divorce lawyer--disdains a “project lunch.” The term … [Read more...] about Review: Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille