Quick trip to Portland

As my work travel adventures continued I was looking forward to working at Reagan National (DCA) and have a break from the crowded planes, but at the last minute DCA cancelled and we were told to go to Portland, Oregon.  As I planned my travels I knew that there were several Triple D places in the Portland area that I had yet to try so I would be able to try some new places!

The flight out was pretty much a nightmare, with only a late afternoon nonstop from Dulles to Portland I decided to go through Chicago on a very early morning flight.  I would arrive about 10a and start a new adventure in Oregon, but Mother Nature had other ideas!  As my flight approached Chicago a thunderstorm parked over the airport and we diverted into Indy and with that delay I missed my connection and ended up flying from Chicago to Denver and then onto Portland arriving around 5p, yes about 15 hours from Dulles to Portland!

After getting a car and checking into the hotel I decided to try and rescue the day by heading to a Triple D place.  I drove east along the Columbia River, which divides Oregon and Washington, to the town of Troutdale, about 15 miles west of Portland. Troutdale is beautiful on the Historic Oregon Highway towards Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.  I arrived at a place that looks like a wilderness lodge and has a very fun name, "Shirley's Tippy Canoe Restaurant".  Shirley's is a very homey place featuring  dining room and patio seating along with a large bar area.  As you enter you feel like you're entering a cozy living room of a private home.  I took a seat at the bar and met the bar tender and one of the restaurant regulars.  They told me all about the area and different mountain peaks and trails.  We chatted about Mount St. Helen's the famous Washington state volcano that erupted in 1980.  As I looked over the menu I noticed two things, everything looked delicious and that it was bit pricy in my opinion.  Seafood and beef are the main dishes that are featured at Shirley's and I decided on the Crab Linguine.

Shirley's Tippy Canoe Restaurant in Troutdale, Oregon

A cozy living room area greets you as you enter Shirley's

Shirley's bar area

The linguine was delicious had a nice white sauce and was loaded with vegetables and topped with a mound of crab meat.  I asked what type of crab and they told me that it was Red Crab, which is found in the Pacific Northwest.  It was a very filling meal and the plate was much larger than my appetite so I made sure to eat all the crab.  

Crab Linguine at Shirley's Tippy Canoe

I headed back to the hotel after a very long day of travel, but at least I was able to have a great meal to finish it off!  

After work the next day I wanted to go out and try some places.  One of my co-workers, Eva, loves to shop at Costco, so I told her I'd take her to the nearest store if she would come with me to a couple of Triple D places.  We headed out and after a quick visit to the local Costco we took a short scenic drive to Corbett, on the edge of the Columbia River Gorge and back into Portland via Troutdale.  The scenery is spectacular.  We drove back into Portland to our first stop.  P's and Q's Market" is a small neighborhood market with a small kitchen and seating area for small meals, the market features Organic and locally produced products.  As we walked in we passed a large chalk board at the front door that invited any and all to write a greeting.  Inside the store they had a vending machine that sold local seeds.  Both Eva and I saw items that we were interested in but would be difficult to transport home.  Eva decided to try a Cacao based candy bar and I chose to try a couple of the fresh baked cookies they make on site, they were delicious!.  I was able to meet the owner and have her sign my book.

P's and Q's Market in Portland featuring Organic food and groeries

P's and Q's chalk board by the store entrance

The organic market features locally produced foods, beer and wines

The seed vending machine

Eva and I headed out to our next stop just a few miles away.  "Swiss Hibiscus" is a small restaurant on a neighborhood side street which true to it's name features the cuisine of Switzerland.  I believe this is the first Swiss restaurant I have ever been to.  We were seated at a small table near the "Guy" poster.  Both of us weren't sure what Swiss cuisine was but as we looked over the menu Eva, who is of Hungarian descent said that much of the menu is very reminiscent of foods she grew up with.  The co-owner met us and was excited to hear about my DDD travels and told me that she would send the chef who had cooked with Guy on their episode out to sign my book before we left.

Swiss Hibiscus, a Portland restaurant featuring the cuisine of Switzerland

Inside Swiss Hibiscus

I decided to try one of the dishes that Guy had on his visit, Paprika Schnitzel and Eva chose the Roast Chicken breast sandwich.  As we waited they brought us a basket of bread with two thick spreads, one was mild the other spicy.  Before the meal arrived we were served Swiss Cole slaw topped with a very tasty Swiss inspired dressing, we tried to figure out the flavor but were unable and the recipe was a restaurant secret.  Soon our meals arrived, Eva's was chicken breast seasoned with rosemary, thyme and paprika and mayo on the side.  She said it was very good and filled her up.  Mine was locally farm raised pork medallions topped with a paprika mushroom cream sauce and it was delicious.  Chef Jenny came out as we were finishing up to sign my book and chatted for a few minutes about how grateful they are that Guy visited, it has really been a great thing for their business.  We headed back to the hotel, satisfied having had a great meal.

The bread service with Swiss Hibiscus name on the cloth cover

The other side of the coly cover saying "Hello Everyone"

Swiss Cole slaw

My Paprika Schnitzel dinner

The next night I headed out after a tiring day and decided that I would try a couple more places but would do carry out since the rest of my co-workers were staying at the hotel for the nightly reception and I was hoping to join them there.  My first stop was only a few miles from my hotel but took a good forty minutes to get here due to traffic, but not as bad as the DC area!  "Tails and Trotters" is a butcher shop that sells to go sandwiches, butchered meats and some frozen and local groceries.  I perused the shop and decided to get one of their signature sandwiches.  The Porkstrami sandwich is a mix of pork and pastrami on thick cut marble rye bread with Swiss cheese, mayo and spicy brown mustard.

Tails and Trotters - A Portland Butcher and Sandwich shop

Pork is their specialty

Inside Tails and Trotters

My Tails and Trotters Porkstrami sandwich

From Tails and Trotters I drove over to a very popular Triple D place.  "Frank's Noodle House" features the cuisine of Northwest China.  As I drove up I noticed that the name is spot on, it is really in a house!  I walked in and looked at the menu and decided to try the Dumpling appetizer.  As I waited I was able to meet the owner and namesake of the restaurant, Frank.  He thanked me for coming in and signed my book and we even got a picture together.  The 10 dumplings were presented  in a traditional Chinese carryout box along with a soy based sweet sauce for dipping, they were some of the best dumplings I have ever had.  Frank's is a must when visiting Portland, aka The Rose City.

Frank's Noodle House - A Triple D Portland landmark actually in a house!

Love the "Guy Ate Here" sign in Chinese!

Frank and me

Frank's delicious dumplings

I had hope to get to a third place to finish my day but as I arrived at "Matt's BBQ", a food trailer in a small lot with 5 or 6 other food trailers.  I walked up and was greeted with a sign on the closed window stating "SOLD OUT".  That says to me two things, I need to go back sometime earlier on the day (not possible on this trip) and I need to get there when it opens!

My last night in Portland I planned to meet a friend I've known since both of s were in high school and we were "brothers" in out DeMolay Chapter.  Steve met me in a popular restaurant area of East Portland.  There were several great looking places in the area and I think we met at the best, "The Country Cat Dinner House" is a large place that feature good old fashion country cooking.  The restaurant has an open kitchen and bar and has a lot of very cool decorations.  We wee seated in a booth and it took some time to decide on meals.

The Country Cat Dinner House in East Portland

I chose the Fried Chicken Dinner and also ordered the biscuit appetizer plate.  After a short time the biscuits came with whipped butter and local organic honey.  The biscuits were huge!  One could fill you up!  They were flaky and tasty.

The Country Cat's biscuit appetizer plate

The meal came, 4 large pieces of chicken with mashed potatoes topped with gravy and greens.  The chick was delicious with a crispy barter crust.  The potatoes were really good and the gravy was very tasty.  I also enjoyed the greens, but I found them to be a bit on the vinegary side, very strong flavors.  I would definitely get this meal again, but might bypass the biscuits, not because they weren't fantastic, they were, but I was so full that it was almost impossible to finish it all.

My Country Cat Fried Chicken Dinner

Steve and I said our goodbyes, he headed home and I headed back to the hotel, my week in Portland was over and I flew back hoe the next morning with a lot of good memories and  great food!  My Triple D count at 647!