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Portland, Oregon 2009

Another FANTASTIC trip to Portland, OR in March.  All new dining spots (with the exception of Andinas), hotels and outings.  Here's the recap of my favorites from that trip.  I would definitely recommend checking a few of these out if you go to PDX or Mt. Hood area!

• Iced Chai and homemade granola at Coffee House Northwest on Burnside
• Real, non-fat authentic yogurt at Skinnidip
• Man-cakes at the Stepping Stone Cafe
• House salad and homemade chips and salsa at T. Pauls Urban Cafe
• Turkey on grain bread with cran relish and a "secret sauce", and housemade southwest veg soup at McMenamins
• Mt. Hood Coffee Roasters
• Lentil Burger w/ arugula on 9 grain roll and beer bread at the Ice Axe Grill/Mt Hood Brewing Co.
• Mediterranean Plate and Marinated Chervre w/ Crustini and Piquillo Pepper Stuffed Olives Plate at the Rendezvous Grill & Tap Room
• Pisco-brined Draper Valley chicken w/ Peruvian peppers, tomato, Chickpeas and quinoa-coated potatos w/ corn puree at Andinas
• Coconut cupcake from Cupcake Jones

Tasi Cafe, Columbus

Think I have a new favorite!  Some friends took me to Tasi Cafe Friday night for dinner when I enjoyed a delicious Mesclun Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette and Ribolita - a Tuscan Bean and Vegetable Soup. Probably should have order the special Casserole Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Thyme with Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes.  Next time, when I'm a little more hungry. 

Hours
Monday- Saturday:  7 a.m. - 9 p.
Sunday:  8 a.m - 4 p.m.

Share your favorites with me if you go!

Hawa Russia

If you're looking for some traditional Russian hospitality & cuisine, check out Hawa Russia (pronounced “Nasha Rossiyah”), in Columbus.  Directions.

update - my favorite dishes

You have to get the "oliver", kind of like a potato salad
"Pirizhok" - meat pastry

And if it's available, try the cornish hen. 

MONDAY THRU THURSDAY:
11 AM to 2 PM LUNCH
5 PM to 10 PM DINNER

FRIDAY:
11 AM to 2 PM LUNCH
8 PM until the last guest leaves
LATE DINNER LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

SATURDAY:
8 PM until the last guest leaves
LATE DINNER LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

SUNDAY:
12 PM to 6 PM

The Northstar Cafe, Columbus, Ohio

Northstar Cafe in Columbus, Ohio has become a favorite. I'm drawn to their emphasis on healthy/natural.  Even their decor gives a sense of clean eating.  Some hot menu items are:
Sunday Brunch:  The BIG Burrito - a mix of onions, peppers, chicken, brown rice, grilled sweet potatoes combined with spices and wrapped in a tomato flour tortilla.  Amazing stuff.  And portions are 1/2 take-home.
Lunch or dinner:  Thai Wrap (with chicken or tofu...i prefer the chicken) with a light peanut sauce.  The chips are great dipped in the peanut. 
If you're with a friend or two, a must have is the chips and guac plate.  Fabulous guacamole. 
And don't leave without a cold glass of their homemade Ginger Ale.  It's the best I've ever had.  If you're at the High Street off Henderson location, grab a cup of their black current iced tea.  Also very good.

For a chocolate overload, grab a dark Belgium Chocolate cookie. 

Cost is $7-12 a dish.  Menu is limited and portions are huge.  Share or take home.

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.