By Ken Collura Introduction: I work the floor as a sommelier/manager in a busy restaurant five nights a week and try to dine out on at least one of my days off, so I’ve written this piece from the perspective of someone who has been an active participant on both sides of the table for many years. There are ways a … [Read more...] about Restaurant Customer Etiquette
Food Writing Archive
This category could be about anything having to do with food: Food Haiku, Limericks, Contests, Essays, Trips down memory line, musings about life... whatever strikes my fancy, and doesn't fit into the other categories
Five Oregon Artisan Cheeses You Shouldn’t Miss
by Tami Parr Now that spring has officially arrived you’ll be seeing more and more local cheeses in stores as Oregon’s artisan cheesemakers go into full production for the year. You might even say cheese season has arrived! And with the start of the Portland Farmer’s Market (as well as others around the area) local … [Read more...] about Five Oregon Artisan Cheeses You Shouldn’t Miss
Nancy Rommelmann Visits Taste of the Nation 2006
I love last minute invitations, including the one that came yesterday via email, from Food Dude, saying he could not make the Taste of the Nation event and would I like to go? He even offered to pay. (Thanks, Dude!) And so I get myself to the Convention Center for the event, which supports the hunger-fighting group … [Read more...] about Nancy Rommelmann Visits Taste of the Nation 2006
Winner of Our Food Haiku Contest 2006!
The winnner of our fooku contest is Fathom - Now forego the fork Hold close this slice of heaven Perfect on a crust Thanks to everyone for taking the time to vote. This provided a fun interlude, and we'll do more of this type of thing in the future. Runner up: Pam - Champagne, strawberries and you, here in my … [Read more...] about Winner of Our Food Haiku Contest 2006!
La Campana – My 1996 April Fools Day Spoof
[There are a lot of people new to this site, who may have missed this review when I first published it back in 1996. I Be sure to read the comments below - priceless!] Driving west on Burnside, one can’t help but notice the warm glow of the sign in the distance. La Campana beckons from a block away. “Come … [Read more...] about La Campana – My 1996 April Fools Day Spoof
Interview: Anya Von Bremzen – The New Spanish Table
“I love this book,” said Anya Von Bremzen, James Beard award-winning author and contributor to Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine and other publications, on her swing through Portland as part of a 25-city tour for her latest work, The New Spanish Table. “This is my fifth book, and it’s got everything that I want in … [Read more...] about Interview: Anya Von Bremzen – The New Spanish Table
What are the things that matter most to you when you dine out?
What are the things that matter most to you when you dine out? They include ambiance, location, pricing, quality of food and service. The best restaurants provide all of these elements, although sometimes there are certain places which we frequent, but aren’t exactly sure why. The French would call this the je ne sais … [Read more...] about What are the things that matter most to you when you dine out?
A James Beard House Dinner or My Quest for Quail Eggs, Tamarind Paste and Banana Leaves
By Ken Collura For those of you who don’t know who James Beard was, here’s a quick explanation: James Beard was born in Portland, Oregon in the early 1900’s. His desire was to be in the theater in his early years, but failing in that endeavor, he turned to a passion he had gained from his family - food and cooking. … [Read more...] about A James Beard House Dinner or My Quest for Quail Eggs, Tamarind Paste and Banana Leaves