Quick Bites PDX: Rick's Wild Seafood; Bar Avignon; Jade Teahouse; Por Que No

For something with so much universal appeal, why is it so hard to find good fish and chips in Portland? It doesn't seem that tough to make, but still there is constant disappointment to be had in the oily, or over-battered, or soggy, or not fresh fish, or limp fries versions that are littering the restaurant landscape. That's why it was with more than a little interest that I'd been reading about the Rick's Wild Seafood cart on the corner of SW 3rd and Ankeny downtown. Online buzz had it that they are putting out some kickass pieces of fried fish, with better than average fries. Obviously this was something that needed my attention. When I walked up to place my order...for the cod, which is my barometer...I noticed how spotless the cart looked inside. Good in any food cart, but seems especially important in fish shack on wheels. With just a short wait, out came my order (for just $6), three pieces of what looked like lightly battered fish sitting on top of a pile of fries with a side of slaw. I took a bite, hoping for the best. As the thin batter fell away under my bite and I noted the fresh fish flavor, I knew. Mmm, this was good stuff! The fries were also very good, crunchy, not limp or overcooked, nice potatoey bites, and the slaw did not disappoint either, although I would like a touch more dressing. A minor complaint when I know I can get F&C this good. If only there was a beer cart next door, it would indeed be nirvana! I'll be back, regularly, for more. Also, follow Rick's on twitter for specials (@wild_seafood). It seems like the billboard above the cart perfectly expresses the Rick's ethos.

I also have a soft spot for the F&C at Horse Brass Pub. I'd love to know where you get your fried fish on...do tell!
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This is a great time to be going by and checking out Bar Avignon on SE Division & 21st. Owners Nancy and Randy have always had the beverage side dialed in, with food that also doesn't disappoint. But they have just hired Jeremy Eckel as their new chef, and he is slowly making his mark on the menu. Eckel has been in town for about a year, working at Lincoln, and previously in his Bay Area life he was chef at the highly regarded Foreign Cinema. If you go, don't miss his addictive Washington mussels with white wine, cream, and tarragon; the fra'mani ham sandwich; and I just noticed he has some fried squash blossoms working, a rarely seen but always worthy indulgence. The seasonal flag is flying in the kitchen at BA, and combining this new kitchen energy with the always comfy (and affordable) drinking vibe bodes well for future visits!
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What you see to the left are, in my semi-informed opinion, the best salad rolls in the city. Jade Teahouse in Sellwood (@JadeTeahouse on twitter) has once again thrilled my palate. These salad rolls, at a very reasonable $5 for a very generous portion, are sparkling fresh and vibrant with flavor. The chicken or shrimp versions are most desirable, and their peanut dipping sauce (with a splash of Sriracha chili sauce on the side) is the perfect thing to snap your palate into shape. I don't why I am always so surprised at just how good Jade's food is, but this is absolutely some of the best Thai/SE Asian food in town!
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I've mentioned before my appreciation for having the new-ish Por Que No on Hawthorne a mere three blocks away from my front door. It really is unfair to my weak mind and hungry tummy to put their other-worldly carnitas tacos within such easy reach. Not to mention some very credible margaritas that do much credit to their main ingredient. No weak sisters, these beverages. Their whole menu seems to be working, but w and I have a weak spot for Sunday brunch at PQN. Last week I had their migas (pic at left), a mix of tortilla chips, eggs, and veggies perfectly suited for sliding between their house made fresh tortillas. w had the huevos, which never disappoints, and don't miss their ginormous breakfast torta if it's on the specials board of you're a fan of waddling.

Quick Bites PDX: noodles at Jade Teahouse and other news.

Food for hard times? How's that bowl of goodness from Portland's Jade Teahouse look? I know, incredible! If you're trying to stretch your dining out dollars and not eating bowl after bowl of noodles from your local Asian joint, you are missing out. The bowl in the pic, a coconut curry with shrimp, shredded chicken, and veggie condiment over perfectly cooked rice noodles was just $8 for a portion big enough for two. More options in PDX? Check out Ha & Vl or Miwon BBQ or Good Taste Noodle House or..............

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This morning in the online version of our local fishwrap, Karen brooks gave DOC up off NE Killingsworth what I think is a very generous "B" rating. Her comment that "consistency is missing, and all the more noticeable for a bill that easily reaches $40 or more a person." From personal experience, the "...or more" part is more often true. Most people I talk to seem to agree, which is unfortunate because it really is a nice space.
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Been hearing great things about new Tabla executive chef Anthony Cafiero since he's taken over the kitchen. I'll be checking it out next week and report back. Their 3 course for $25 dinner is still one of the best budget stretchers in town.
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Anticipation builds for the hoped for early May opening of David Machado's new project Nel Centro in the Hotel Modera. Machado, whose Lauro Kitchen and Vindalho continue to impress...well, actually I like Vindalho much more than Lauro, has a great track record and no lack of confidence, as evidenced by this statement from the Nel Centro blog: "Dining in downtown Portland, Oregon will never be the same." Time will tell, but another good dining option downtown is much hoped for.
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Looking forward to my first dinner at Simpatica this weekend. Can't believe I haven't been there yet. Any of you eaten there recently? Ever? Comments?
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one year ago today @ E.D.T.: drinking organic at the HUB!

Quick Bites PDX: Udon Noodle Soup at Jade Teahouse

You may or may not have read my post about one of my new favorite spots in town, Jade Teahouse and Patisserie in the Sellwood neighborhood across from the wine shack. The latest bit of deliciousness from Lucy's kitchen of southeast Asian delights that's got hold of my head is their udon noodle soup with shrimp and chicken ($7.50 for a very large portion). A perfectly rich broth with hints of lime and cilantro and udon noodles with the perfect chew. And yes, it looks better in the bowl than in the quart to-go container in the picture. But I'm at work, I'm hungry, and this is a most convenient delivery vehicle right now. Remember what your mom's said: It's cold, you need to eat your soup!!
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one year ago @ E.D.T.: cart nirvana via the meatball hero at the Garden State Food Cart

Jade Teahouse and Patisserie...forgive me for I must indulge!

A little piece of Paris, mixed with a healthy dose of old Vietnam, has come to my Sellwood neighborhood here in Portland with the opening this week of Jade Teahouse and Patisserie. I've been watching, and anticipating its opening for months. And especially since owner April Eklund stopped by the wine shack a couple of weeks ago to introduce herself and clue me in to what is already one of my favorite places in town.

It seems that for years April (at right with her mom Lucy) has wanted to open her own place, to satisfy her love of the world's great teas and her desire to share her knowledge. But what is tea without something to nibble, so she talked her mom Lucy out of retirement. Lucy owned Beau Thai restaurant here in Portland a few years ago. After she sold that, Lucy decided she wanted to go to Paris and learn to make great patisserie and bake bread, so off she went, found several jobs apprenticing in different bakeries, and thankfully brought that experience and what is apparently a crazy set of skills to Portland. Now, to accompany April's very impressive tea selection, you can indulge in some incredible sweet treats, equal to if not better than anything I've had in town. Jade is a calm, warm, light-filled space that will have you dreaming of sitting in a Parisian café, nibbling happily while sipping a delicious, perfectly brewed cup of hot tea. Lucy also has come up with a selection Vietnamese style sandwiches on her house baked baguette. I've had them two days in a row. I'm hooked.

Both women are incredibly nice, and Lucy showed me around her kitchen and bakery area. How someone who is maybe five feet tall and weighs basically nothing does so much I have no idea. I only wish I could work as hard. Everything is made from scratch here. When we were downstairs, Lucy had me grab a container off the shelf that was FULL of her own candied ginger. Out of this world....puts anything you buy at the store to shame! She was telling me that she has been putting in 18 hour days, getting there early to start the bread, then moving on to the days pastry selection. April has already put together approximately 40 different teas (some samples of which are displayed lower right) with more to come. Today she made me a cup of the Iron Goddess oolong tea to take back to work along with my Vietnamese Meatball Sandwich (above right). I am absolutely no tea expert, but this was a wonderfully sublime tea, with intoxicating aromas of flowers and spice. The meatball sandwich was also delicious, with a generous helping of Lucy's meatballs (make sure you have plenty of napkins) and lightly pickled daikon and carrots with a few sprigs of cilantro. I also tried their Drunken Chicken Sandwich (above left) and was equally impressed both with the quality and seasoning of the chicken and its generous size. Lucy's baguette is also the perfect vehicle...not too crusty, with a just right chew. All sandwiches are a more than reasonable $6, and they also offer a soup and a couple of starters.

Now, about those pastries. I have bought a couple, and Lucy and April in their generous way have also plied me with several. Everything I have had, as I said above, has been superior. Lucy's Pandanis Green Cake (at left- $3) was one of those desserts that totally plays into my food-addictive tendencies. In between the layers of moist green pandanis leaf cake were crispy layers of pastry with a topping of not-too-sweet frosting. I've also tried her perfectly satisfying Red Velvet Cake cupcakes (right- $1.25), a tasty little Fudge Brownie with Matcha Green Tea Frosting (3/$1!), and a lovely little frosted lemon cookie. Oh, and a gluten-free macaroon that was, well, just about perfect. I'm really not that easy to please I promise, and I haven't tried everything, but based on my initial visits I'd highly suggest you check it out.

So, in two days I've gained about five pounds thanks to the talents of April and Lucy. Unfortunately, with it being right around the corner from VINO, and so damn good, the future doesn't bode well for my waistline. Do me a favor, next time you see me don't mention the stretch waistband pants!

Jade Teahouse and Patisserie/7912 SE 13th Avenue/Portland, Or/503.477.8985
hours: Monday-Saturday 11:30-6:30/ closed Sunday