Seattle Day 1

I've never been to Seattle before, I was not sure what to expect. The Interstate was so damn busy (and a little scary) while nearing two hours outside of the city. Once we arrived we decided to go strait to the waterfront and eat at The Crab Pot: a restaurant that was featured on The Travel Channel. I have been searching for the fresh-massive-served seafood the whole trip: and this was it! I spent 30 bucks on the shrimp and crab combo. They brought out a bib, mallet, large sheet of paper, and bashing bashing board before the meal arrived. We ate the crab stuffed jalapenos poppers. They weren't even deep fried but so damn good!!!

They brought of the fish in a large metal bowl and just dumped it in front of my on the table. They also gave me three sides of butter (smart people). I was a little creeped out pulling the heads off the shrimp but I am sure I will get used  to it. I don't have anything bad to say about my meal. It was so damn delicious and I would recommend for anyone to come here while in Seattle for the fresh seafood experience. I finally have had my fill of crab for awhile. I can't even believe I ate the entire meal besides a crab leg or two.

We walked to the Aquarium afterwards for Ziggy. I was not impressed. The small aquarium in Newport, OR was bigger then this one (and they charged us 20 bucks for each adult). They did have an awesome purple octopus that everyone was crowded around with their camera phones, and the seals were so beautiful.
Later we went to Pikes Market which overlooks the waterfront. All of the shops were closing at 6 which was right when we arrived. They have a huge fish market, and all these random little shops and it's difficult to figure out the directory. They had a disgusting gum wall that I guess is really popular. 

For dinner we went a little out of the way to Jai Thai, obviously a Thai restaurant. I can't remember the name of what I ordered. It was basically just a stir fry with beef, basil, pepper, onions, mushrooms, in a spicy sauce. It was very good and at an awesome price. It was nice to have a 12 dollar plate of food and not 30 dollars. I was jealous of Zach's drunken noodles though. I also had a Thailand Mudslide that I had to resist ordering another one. It was made with Thai tea, Bailey's, and some other alcohol. I must go home right away, get my hands on some Thai tea, and recreate this. Very inventive. 

Seaside, OR

This morning we packed up and checked out, getting ready to seaside where….the sea is….but first we had two make two last stops before leaving Portland.

It was the first day of our vacation that it was chilly and rainy. It actually felt great and I loved those kinds of days where you can really enjoy your hot cup of coffee. We went to screen door, a very popular southern restaurant somewhat similar to country cat. The food is cheap, wonderful, and they give you way more than you can handle. I ordered chicken and waffles and Zach got the biscuits and gravy so we could both share our plates. It was so hard just to choose one thing off the menu.

 The chicken and waffles were ridiculous. You need three very hungry people to be able to eat the whole plate. There were three large fried chicken breasts stacked on top of a giant sweet potato waffle, served with a side of syrup and a dash of powdered sugar. The biscuits and gravy were also delicious; I don’t know how else to describe it. The gravy was similar to the one I make from scratch (like any normal person should do), where you fry up the sausage then add the flour and milk to the remaining oil. 

 

We also stopped at the PSU farmers market which was mandatory. I was so incredibly stuffed from breakfast but everything looked good. I bought some fresh cheese, chilies, strawberries, and two different kinds of potatoes. I was able to sample cardamom cheesecake and pick up a gift or two.A cook's dream, especially one from rural Utah.

Where to start with seaside? Well it was packed, which I wasn’t so surprised but I was almost wondering if I had ended up in California if it hadn’t been for any sun. Our hotel was right on Broadway where the shopping strip was located. The beach was just a two minute walk down the street. It was also packed with people but we walked a little further and avoided a majority of the crowd. I can’t say anything horrible about the Ocean itself. I could spend days staring out at the Ocean and building sand castles so Ziggy can destroy them (which is what we did for two days).

The first night we ate at this restaurant called Maggie’s on the prom (named after a cat). It was okay. The view from the restaurant was beautiful but like just about everything I ate in Zeaside I was disappointed. It was fine dining, and I ordered the hazelnut crusted halibut. It was just all right, not really a thirty dollar plate of food. I had the clam chowder which was also okay.

The second day we visited Cannon Beach fifteen minutes from Seaside. It also had a big main strip of tourist shops. The access to the beach was a little crazy trying to park. The beach was crowded but not too bad. There was definitely more sand castle building going on. Cannon beach hold an annual sandcastle competition that hopefully one day I will have the pleasure of visiting. It is also known for haystack rock, a giant rock formation right off shore. 

We ate at long established restaurant called Driftwood in Cannon Beach. There clam chowder was really good, some of the best I've had. The fish and chips were okay: I'm not sure why I ordered it because it was too much. I should have just ordered a giant bowl of clam chowder and would have been happy. 

Cannon Beach: Haystack Rock

 Overall I am very disappointed in the culinary experience Seaside and Cannon had to offer. Everything is mediocre family dining for the price of a five star restaurant. It actually makes me appreciate Moab a lot more and how much I spend there. Every one complains how expensive it is (including myself), but there are a lot more crazier places! However, it was so difficult to turn my back to the ocean and leave.

Portland Day 5: Ziggy builds his first bear

Our amazing adventurous time in Portland is coming to a close. Today was our last day (besides a few hours tomorrow morning), before moving onto Seaside. Of course I wanted our last day to be amazing and memorable. I tried to rack my brain to think of last few things I just had to do before we left.

We went to sushi as a starter. I was going to go to the Portland famous 'Bamboo', but they were only open for dinner and I wanted to save that spot for something else. We ended up at Masu Sushi, a small but well established sushi bar at the beginning of Pearl District downtown. I ordered my favorites from sabaku: a spider roll (soft shell crab), and unagi maki (eel). I also decided to try the volcano roll, which has white fish, crab, in some sort of 'volcano' sauce that was sweet not spicy. The volcano roll was presented with a flame beside it, which was made by a cucumber pedestal holding ice and alcohol. Everything was also cooked, I think they must have used a blow torch on it. It was interesting because I have never had hot sushi. Sad to say, Sabaku back home in Moab still beats them in taste and presentation.

We did some shopping downtown again. Zach found a few used vinyls for a cheep price. I went into Penzey's spice store and entered heaven. They had so many different kinds of spice blends, dried herbs, etc. etc. I did not know what to get because there was so much i wanted. I decided on some that I could not find very well in Moab, including Szechuan peppercorns and anise seed.

Then we went into Cacoa, an amazing chocolate shop! I want one near us sooooo bad. They had a variety of fine chocolate bars, a case full of truffles, and a drink menu that included chocolate coffee drinks and drinking chocolate. I had a chocolate macchiato that was perfect. I want to go back and try the chocolate-cinnamon drink.

 We took Danzig out to Washington Square: a giant mall in beaverton about twenty minutes away so he could build his first bear. I've built a few bears in my time, so we were both super excited. He picked out the black bear, and dressed him up as a "ninja". He is confused about his name but assured us it was a boy bear.

O, and also I found my Rogue bacon maple ale!

Before dinner we stoppped by the tasting room at the Upright Brewery. They are a local and very small Portland Brewery that sells their beer in local bottle stores. I wanted badly to have a taste at the tasting room last time but couldn't obviously, I was only twenty. There is nothing bad to say about that place, the beer is amazing.

We went for Toro Bravo as our last dinner in Moab. It is a Spanish inspired tapas restaurant. It is not really ethnic food, but a very creative take on the culinary scene in Portland. I really loved having everything a la carte and being able to match my own food the way I wanted. We started with the fried potato salad w/peaches and arugula. That was definitely the best part of the meal. Then I had braised lamb w/ noodles which was also delicious. This was by far the best meal we have had in Portland, I was so impressed and I would love to cook for them.

Portland Day 4: Beer Beer Beer

At last, more beer consumption! We began with the Bridgeport Brewery for lunch located in the Pearl's historic brewing district. I ordered a seasonal spiced harvest ale, the Witch Hunt. Zach had some kind of ale similar to barley wine. I knew without a doubt I had to order the Cottage Pie made with stout braised beef. It was similar to Shepperd's Pie but only meat and potatoes. It was presented beautifully in miniature cast Iron and was super rich and delicious. I could not eat the whole thing though I tried.

Afterwards we his the Ground Kontrol Arcade, also in the Pearl. They have all these vintage arcade games and pinball machines. I was hurting for some Galager time, and was stoked to see they had Area 51, a first person shooter that I have played countless times through childhood restaurant visits.

 

I was craving some more food cart time, even though I was still stuff from cottage pie. I order not just a gyro, but a super gyro, from a Greek stand. Yes I only ate a few bites, It was a monster. Of course it was delicious. There was so much lamb in it! 

Another restaurant I've been wanting to try is Vindalho, a popular Indian restaurant on the hipster scene. This was the first time I did not feel stupid for making reservations-it was packed! Everyone was socializing, laughing, and genuinely having a good time (well not everyone but we won't go there). I started with a Mint Julep which was a very good size drink. I could do with a little less fresh mint floating around in the glass, it became hard to avoid swallowing most of it. We both got Honey Cumin chicken wings and I also ordered mussels steamed in coconut milk. Both plates were delicious. The mussels just melted in my mouth.

Portland Day 3: Back to the Falls

It all started out with a delicious relaxing lunch at Oregon Culinary Institute, my future prospective school. They offer a three course lunch (starter, entree, dessert), for a whopping $9. Me and Zach both chose the BLT Salad w/ Tarragon Ranch for starter. SO FRESH. For the entree I broke my promise of no pizza the whole trip. The pizza of the day was made with goat cheese, chorizo, red bell pepper, and black beans. It was made beautifully, and the goat cheese and chorizo was awesome. I could have done without the beans-it just ended up being too much to eat. For dessert I had a peach and berry strudel, also delicious and I was relieved they did not serve me a ginormous portion. They also offered Ziggy an astonishing fruit plate for his lunch. One of the instructors also brought him crayons and asked him to color a picture for him, which Ziggy was more then excited to do.

Then we headed off to Multnomah Falls for the second time. Unlike last time, we did not go on the weekend and there was no wedding going on. We tried hiking to the top of falls on our previous visit and do to a certain little man we only made it 1/4 of the way. This time we are proud to say we made it to the top! The hike was a little over a mile to the top at a steep incline. At the top a creek ran along the trail before the falls, and many children were playing in the shallow water having a blast. I am so proud of Ziggy for making it with out being carried the entire time.

At the top of the falls looking down

We completed the day with a trip to Cartlandia: a Food cart pod located a little bit away from downtown. Honestly, it was a dead scene. The Carts aren't prepared to handle the head (god forbid it be high 80's), and most are shutting down. We still found some awesome Thai Food: our favorite drunken noodles for only 6 dollars a plate. This is why I want to live here!

Portland day 2: A day for play

We started off with The Country Cat, a place I have not eaten but have dreamed of eating and even dreamed of doing my future externship from culinary school too. The country cat was opened after to chefs met in culinary school. He's the butcher, and she makes the sweet yummies.I do not know how else to describe it but that it serves strait up delicious southern cuisine with Portland's fresh ingredient scene. They serve brunch and dinner, the brunch consisting of fried chicken with maple syrup, chicken fried steak with Worcestershire gravy, eggs Benedict, and so on.You can probably tell what i ordered.

My plate was only 12 bucks or so. Holy crap that was a big chicken fried steak. I haven't seen anything like it since going to a real black eyed peas down in texas. The bacon was the icing on the cake. It was just freaking delicious: Thick cut, with a tad bit of pepper and a hint of maple. The Country Cat is also in a more mellow part of town (Stark St.). We found parking easily right across the street from the restaurant, and inside the cat had a reasonable crowd. I would of course go again, and now dream of trying the Eggs Benedict.

We then headed of to Ziggy's day: The Children's Museum. My friend Cat told me about this place but I didn't realize how bad ass it was and how much fun Ziggy would have. The parking lot was pretty crazy because it is located right next to the zoo, but we got lucky and got in fast.Some of the exhibits including a building room with giant Lincoln logs and blocks, a water works center, a grocery store and the "butterfly bistro", an animal hospital, and the dig pits.

I am happy he had so much and we had a lot of fun playing with him. I admit I was little pushy for him to go to the grocery store and bistro, other then that I was on my best behavior.
We wrapped after the night with a trip to the Hop and vine bottle shop where we picked out glorious barrel aged nectar.

At last we stopped at Fratelli's, an Italian restaurant located in the heart of the Pearl District. It was relaxing and delicious. The server was very kind and on top of things, meaning he did not take forever. I started with wine and antipasti: a bruchette with caper mascarpone, house cured salmon, and pickled red onion. Wow it was amazing, and actually better then the shrimp fettuchini I ordered. I wished I would have just ordered bruchetta for dinner.

 

All in all a relaxing, well deserved meal.