“Mr. Zusman, you had the table for. . .ONE?” the hostess at the hot new place asks, flashing her best paste-on smile [Before anyone paid me to write about food, just around the Y2K bend, I wrote a few food-related essays for Food Dude. He was the first one to let me try my hand at food writing, something for which I … [Read more...] about Dining Out Alone
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
How to Make Bacon Apple Pie – Jenn Louis
Bacon Apple Pie Recipe. Why in the world haven't we ALWAYS eaten this? This is a repost from 2008, as it was just featured on the Food Network, which has generated lots of traffic today. They say one can't taste a dish through a picture. Conversely, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. This picture of a … [Read more...] about How to Make Bacon Apple Pie – Jenn Louis
2015 Wine Haiku Contest Winner!
Voting has ended for the 2015 wine haiku contest, and we have a clear winner. With 33% of the vote, Miles takes the prize: Mute crystal balls hang, Tendrils, clusters, shimmering, Vineyard chandelier Runner up with 24%: work day is over pour a glass of pinot noir let your troubles … [Read more...] about 2015 Wine Haiku Contest Winner!
In Depth Review: Gas Station Food
[Note: Since I don't have anything ready for April Fools day 2015, I thought I'd repost this story from 2010. The best part is, this really happened, but I thought it would make a good April Fools Story. I've written many on this site over the years.] A few years ago, food critic and Gourmet Magazine editor Ruth … [Read more...] about In Depth Review: Gas Station Food
Book Review: Food Lover’s Guide to Portland 2nd Edition
With the first edition of the Food Lover’s Guide to Portland, writer Liz Crain filled a need, pulling together a list of the best food purveyors in Portland, and giving gentle reminders to the bounty that is our amazing food scene. This new, second edition expands on it, with over thirty new full listings, 150 new … [Read more...] about Book Review: Food Lover’s Guide to Portland 2nd Edition
The Backlot Dims: Remembering Joan Rivers
A story of the most memorable celebrity I have ever met - Joan Rivers. In the late 1970s, I was working at a "fern bar"; the hot new thing, known for featuring lots of greenery and Boston ferns in macrame hangers, fake antiques, and a clientele wearing mostly polyester clothes. I had only been bartending there for … [Read more...] about The Backlot Dims: Remembering Joan Rivers
Book Review: Breakfast in Bridgetown 3rd Edition
In 2006, Paul Gerald contacted me, asking if I would like to run some reviews he had written about places to eat breakfast in Portland. I was dubious, as I frequently get approached by folks with great ideas that they never follow up on, people with personal agendas, and quite a few who have a sense of taste that … [Read more...] about Book Review: Breakfast in Bridgetown 3rd Edition
Local Figs: A Love Letter to a Short Sweet Season
Figs are coming into season early this year, and Lizzy's post from 2006 is always popular, so I thought I'd run it again. Recipe by Eric Bechard Portland Oregon is practically raining figs. There are big brown, black and green blobs on sidewalks, on top of cars, and backyards are slippery mine fields. It won’t … [Read more...] about Local Figs: A Love Letter to a Short Sweet Season