YouHaveToGoThere

Portland, OR

Trip to Portland May 21-26 was great!  First 2 days were filled with conferences but I was able to hit some fabulous restaurants for dinner.  Here's a list of the places we went...and most of these I would encourage you to check out during your next trip.

• Andinas - Peruvian
• Cupcake Jones - Gourmet cupcakes...the best I've had.
• Isabel Catina
• Portland Steak & Chophouse (At Embassy Suites)
• Voodoo Doughnuts - This place had a line down the street the ENTIRE time we were there.  We finally stopped by to try it out and they have sold out and had to close for 2 hours to catch up!  Nuts.
• Kells Irish Pub
• Pastini Pastaria
• Jakes Famous Crawfish - considered one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the nation and the first McCormick & Schmick's Restaurant
• Henry's 12th Street Tavern

Picture from Voodoo Doughnuts

Indian Oven, Columbus

My introduction to Indian food took place at the Indian Oven in downtown Columbus. The experience was better than expected at this classy, trendy little space.
It begins with your server bringing a plate a pita-looking paper-thin crisps and this amazing chile-pesto looking dip.  great combination, light and flavorful.
I ordered a spiced creamy tomato.  It was perfect.  For the main dish, I ordered Tandoori Chicken Tikka ($12.95) - Chicken cubes marinated in spices, herbs & yogurt then roasted in a clay oven.  You''ll think they brought you strawberries in a bowl, with the pinkish/red coloring.  This is of course served with white rice.  Simple.  Tasty.

A friend at our table ordered the Alu Gobbi ($12.95) - Cauliflower cooked with potatoes & spices in a sauce. Had a chance to sample it and think I need a dish for myself:)

Tribute to a mentor and friend

A deserving post outside my usual travel, recipe and dining topics.... Thursday night I attended Keyholder 8, presented by the Woman's Fund of Central Ohio, to listen to women pay tribute to significant individuals in their lives. Since I paid late and didn't get to put a tribute in the program (I think that's how it worked...?), I wanted my chance to share what I would have said.  So, here's my opportunity to "pay tribute" to and thank an individual who has played a very significant role in helping to shape me as a young woman in Advertising 
Leigh - My mentor and friend.  Everyone deserves a Leigh and I was one of the lucky few.  From day one with her as my boss, she took me under her wing, challenged me to dig deep and try new things, and most importantly...she believed in me.  After four great months on her team, she left SBC to pursue new opportunities at Ologie, but never lost touch.  Weekly I receive links, emails, calls, advice, or a post on her blog that happens to answer my burning questions:) Feels like she's always teaching me something new. 

I wish I knew how to give back for all Leigh has done.  I'm sure someday she'll need a huge favor and I've already requested she play the "You Owe Me" card.  But for now, I just want to tell her here, on the blog she helped me start, how much I appreciate her.

For the new grads, my friends in their first few years of a career, or those looking to make a change, there's relevant advice for all of you at ADVERGIRL.

Headed to Portland...need your help!

Headed to Portland, OR, May 21-26.  Looking for restaurant, hotel and activity recommendations so I can share them with all of you while I'm gone.

Tea Bar in Crystal River, Floirda

If you ever happen to find yourself in or near Crystal River, Florida, a must-stop is the Back Porch Garden & Tea Shop.  The place started as a garden shop with a very small selection of tea.  But the owners' love for GREAT tea and the customer demand for the same turned this quaint gardening stop into a large Tea Bar.  I was there Saturday and had the most fabulous Chai Tea - Marsala.  It's served with steamed milk, sugar and honey.  I had mine iced, of course and it was nothing like Tazo (Starbucks) or Oregon (everywhere but Starbucks).  Grandma and I enjoyed to tea with a freshly baked Cherry Scone.  Also the best I'd ever had. 

This place was perfect.  I WILL be back.  And next time, I'll enjoy lunch next door at Cafe On The Avenue. 

Starliner Diner, Hilliard

Check out Starliner Diner next time you're in Hilliard, Ohio.  Friendly place, eclectic decor, and surprisingly good food/menu.  I had the Grilled Cajun Chicken Salad with their house salsa dressing.  Amazing stuff...totally unexpected. 
Nice spot for a casual lunch.   

Creamy Tomato Soup with Asiago Cheese Croutons

From the Panera Bread Kitchen
Serves 6
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
1/2 bay leaf
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups tomatoes, chopped (fresh or canned)
    Adding baking soda to the tomatoes keeps the milk from curdling
1 Loaf of Asiago Bread(sliced Thick)
Melt the Butter in a soup pot.
Add the onion and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion is softened but not browned.
Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Slowly add the milk, bay leaf, sugar, and salt and continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened.
Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes.
Add the tomatoes to the milk, and bring just to a simmer.
Remove from the heat and put through a strainer.
Taste and correct seasonings.
Reheat before serving.   Top with Asiago Croutons- The More the Better!
Make croutons for the top of the soup by cubing Panera Bread Asiago Loaf into 3/4-inch thick slices.
Butter both sides of those slices, then cut the slices into bite-size cubes.
Bake the bread in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes or until crispy.

Other recipes are in the Panera Bread® Cookbook, available at www.barnesandnoble.com.
© Panera Bread 2006
http://www.ketv.com/recentrecipes/15377554/detail.html

Dinner in Boston

If you have plans to be in Boston, I have two great dining recommendations.

Stephanie's on Newbury - a fabulous stop for lunch.  Cobb Salad and Sesame Chile Chicken Skewers with chilled sobe noodles...amazing.  There are much better items on the menu so check them out!  And..request the porch, it's worth the wait.

Dolce Vita Ristorante - perfectly authentic Italian.  And equally excellent, is the atmosphere.  A old wrinkly man playing an accordion and singing Italian love songs kept us entertained until dinner arrived, followed with a restaurant wide-chorus, "That's Amore", led by the owner, Franco.  Great times and the best Italian food I've ever had.    

Jeni's Ice Cream

If you're living in Columbus or just visiting,  making a dessert run to Jeni's is a must.  Grab samples and pick your 3 favorites for a trio.  You can't leave with just one!

Find a location

Byrdy Cake - A healthy alternative to traditional chocolate cake

Matt's mother made a fabulous chocolate cake this weekend.  Not the least bit sponge-y..full with thick chocolate goodness.  So of course I called her for the recipe and made a version appropriate for this (now) healthy home.  I was shocked at how great it tasted when I was done.  I use all non-fat, sugar free, naturals - with the exception of the starting mix.  I promise this one will be a hit!  Well, here it is...straight from the Byrdy test kitchen, moments ago.

• 1 box Devils Chocolate food cake mix (dry mix)
• 1 small box Fat-free, Sugar-free Instant Chocolate Pudding (dry mix)
• 1 1/3 Cups Unsweetened Apple Sauce (this replaces using eggs)
• 1 Cup Fat-Free Sour Cream
• 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup water
• (optional - I did not use this in the healthier version) grate 2 small blocks of semi-sweet baking chocolate into batter. 

Spray a 9x13 glass dish and sprinkle with whole wheat flour to lightly coat.  Spread batter evenly in dish.  Bake at 350 for 35-40 min.