Updated 6/20 I'm indulging myself at the beginning of this review of Podnah's Pit Barbecue by taking a walk down memory lane. Click here if you'd like to jump to the review section. When I was growing up, I spent many summers on a big cattle ranch just down the road from the booming metropolis of Maypearl, Texas, population less than 300. We had a sprawling old ranch house … [Read more...] about Review: Podnah’s Pit Barbecue
Brunch
Review: Meat Cheese Bread
In the last few years, Portland sandwich shops blossomed. We went from a town with hardly any decent options to an embarrassment of riches.The secret ingredient that is setting these shops apart is the staff; they actually have a chef and workers who are passionate about making the best damn sandwich they can. This leads to innovations that rise beyond the norm. In the case … [Read more...] about Review: Meat Cheese Bread
Review: Pine State Biscuits
[updated 04/2021]Witness the humble American biscuit. It's not very big, it doesn't store well, and it's not particularly attractive. I think it's safe to say that you won't see biscuits at your local Boulangerie any time soon. Biscuits just don't get that kind of respect.Enter Pine State Biscuits, which have come to Portland on a mission. Any discussion of the new … [Read more...] about Review: Pine State Biscuits
Review: Broder Scandinavian
Comfort Food for Portland, Scandinavian Style (Minor updates, 4.15)On SE Clinton Street, there is a restaurant that translates Scandinavian cuisine perfectly for Pacific NW palates. It emphasizes simple cooking, using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. Judging from Broder's increasing popularity, they have nailed it.Broder means brother in Swedish and is a play on … [Read more...] about Review: Broder Scandinavian
Review: Acadia Restaurant
Note: 1/2016 - This restaurant is now closed.When I was growing up, my mother used to make jambalaya regularly. It was one of my favorite dishes, and I still make it now and then using her old recipe from the 40's. With fond memories of that dish and New Orleans cuisine in general, I was excited to be reviewing Acadia. Though I hadn't been for several years, the cooking at … [Read more...] about Review: Acadia Restaurant