Neighborhood Places We're Going To Miss

We have lived in the same home for 8 years, and over those 8 years we have seen the neighborhood change dramatically. We were so lucky to find a home that was smack dab in the middle of numerous evolving neighborhoods with so much to offer. During the recent snow storm, we quickly realized how lucky we have been to be within walking distance to so many terrific restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, pubs, grocery stores, shops and galleries. But that's what makes Portland such a great city, there's many many more places we'll be exploring in our new neighborhood.

We wanted to give our current neighborhood a proper send off with an ode to the best sushi/sake bar in town, the most amazing Mexican butcher, the cutest locally owned Japanese grocery store, a tapas bar with the best burger we've ever had, French pastries to die for, the best breakfast joint, a clothing boutique to drool over, and how could we forget our two favorite places of all, or our homes away from home. Thanks for so many great memories.

Others we'll miss include this place, this place, this place, this place, this place, this place (not once but several times), this place, this place, this place, this place...wow, and this place, this place, and this place. Just to name a few. But don't worry we'll be back, we still need to try this place, this place, and this place.

Recently we visited two of our go-to places and we'll miss having them so close, that's for sure. First up is the Radio Room, just minutes from our house with great drinks, eclectic food menu, friendly attentive staff and we really like the owners. Also, home to one of favorite bar burgers and the most addictive green chili poutine!

Another local spot even closer to us is the Grain & Gristle. We've had breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner at this place. Heavy comfort food at reasonable prices and their 2-fer nightly specials can't be beat!

We're already stalking spots in our new neighborhood, and hope they're as good to us as these have been. And by no means is this list complete...so many more we didn't mention.

Snowapocalypse 2014

We don't get much snow in Portland, a few flakes each year, maybe a half day of snow. If we're lucky, possibly a couple days to enjoy the blinding white, peace and quite only a snow storm can bring. It was short lived, but fully enjoyable. We were suppose to move the weekend the snow storm hit, but the City had other plans, so we blew off school and packing to be urban tourist and roamed around the neighborhood one last time for hours and hours.

Year of the Horse Tet Celebrations

This Tet New Year's celebration was made even more special because my baby sister was in town. That meant we spent even more time eating, gambling away lucky money and, well...more eating. There's a Tet superstition that your year will be determined by the first person who steps foot into your home and we're happy to report our new home was blessed by family, so we know it will be a great year. Our Dad was born in the Year of the Horse, so of course he took most of money, including an epic final 3-card hand - should be a lucky year for him! If you're interested in what the Year of the Horse will bring you can read a little about it here. Happy New Year Everyone!

Life, As of Late

We were very successful this year in warding off the winter blues. Right before the holidays our schedules opened up, and we enjoyed a long break from both work and school. We enjoyed zoo lights (and some fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon/sugar); satisfied our craving for Mexican food with a couple of versions of chilaquiles; ate more sugar, butter, fats, starch and protein in two weeks than we have all year; Andy Ricker - you've done it again; and rang in the New Year with a terrific brunch.

All Dressed Up for the Holidays

Even though the holidays are over, it's still winter here, and taking down the decorations and holiday lights means it will be dark. Our holiday decorations really makes hauling up inside for a few weeks worth it. So before I put all the glittery stars, Christmas trees, angels, and sparkly garlands away, I snapped a couple of shots of our "All Dressed Up for Holidays" home, which typically means dressing up items we have out all year round and a whole lot of candles. So. Many. Candles. We go to bed light headed from blowing them all out each night.

Much to be thankful for in 2013

2013 was an extremely difficult year for us, we were excited to see it come to an end. However, we also know 2013 brought many things to be thankful for.

In January we were thankful for family cooking lessons.

In February we were thankful for cozy family celebrations.

In March we were thankful for spring daylight savings & thawing out from winter.

In April we were thankful for birthday travels.

In May we were thankful for this patio.

In June we were thankful for dragon boat races and the beginning of summer.

In July we were thankful for summer road trips.

In August we had much to be thankful for.

In September we were thankful for a long weekend at an Idaho lake cabin.

In October we were thankful for living in a colorful city.

In November we were thankful for volunteer pumpkins and delicious autumn birthdays.

In December we were thankful for our first Christmas tree!

Hope 2013 gave everyone much to be thankful for. Now let's bring on 2014!

Life, As of Late

Time usually flies right after Halloween (Mike's birthday) straight until New Years. This year the pace has felt just right. Weeks leading up to Thanksgiving we made a concerted effort to do a bit of stomach stretching, but we were still defeated by too many pre-turkey appetizers. Thanksgiving was really relaxing this year-why do we host when not hosting is so nice?! We were actually able to enjoy the extended Thanksgiving weekend this year, and even did a bunch of re-arranging/purging and much needed cleaning in between all the terrific leftovers. We were gifted with a free Christmas Tree-the first tree we've ever had and the first time Anne got to go cut one down. How tranquil would it be to own a Christmas tree farm? We headed back to Benihana to celebrate another birthday, this time it was Mom's and her recent retirement. Gotta love anyplace that has an extensive collection of hot sauces - Russell Street BBQ is one of our favorites. 

Restaurant Review: Nuestra Cocina

Ever since we vacationed in Los Angeles earlier this year, we have been head over heels for the culinary scene from the City of Angels. We are also big fans of Mexican food and have had Nuetra Cocina on our to-dine list for awhile. When we heard the owners are from LA and met while working at a restaurant, we put on our warmest coats, gloves and boots, and headed out to try their take on the flavors of Mexico.

We started with a Margarita De Granada (ginger infused silver tequila, pomegranate & lime - $8.50), the best margarita we've ever had, it was seriously delicious and we had to sit on our hands in order not to drink it in one sip! We also had the house special sangria, which was holiday'd up with cranberries and citrus ($6). We were also welcomed with the cutest and yummy house made tortilla and a smokey housemade salsa.

After hearing about the specials we ordered the two appetizer specials: cactus salad ($6) and the rockfish ceviche ($7). Both were terrific. We mixed everything on the cactus salad up and used the housemade chips that came with the ceviche to scoop it up. The rockfish ceviche was perfectly seasoned and the fish was wonderfully raw.

Nuestra Cocina's menu changes weekly and has an extensive starter menu. We had a hard time not ordering one of everything, but decided to add another appetizer - their housemade queso dip with chorizo. Yummy goeyness, especially with the housemade tortillas! ($7)

We decided to share one main entree, and since most of the items on the Platos section of the menu were things we were familiar with, we ordered something not seen on the typical taqueria menus we usually eat at - a Barbequed Lamb Shoulder Braised in a Banana Leaf with spicy green salsa ($18).

Nuestra Cocina is probably the fanciest Mexican Restaurant we've been to, the food is beautiful, yummy and worthy of a celebration. They also have a large banguet room called the Mole Room, but unfortunately it isn't a room full of mole pots cooking as we had hoped. We're already racking our brains for when the next birthday or celebration is so we can suggest Nuestra Cocina!

Nuestra Cocina
2135 SE Division Street
Portland, Oregon
503.232.2135

Tuesday - Saturday 5pm to 10pm

Life, As of Late

While we were busy in September cursing that summer was ending, October snuck-up on us and cruised straight to Halloween and Mike's birthday. Although Mike's birthday wasn't a blow out celebration, he did get his favorites - ramen, tacos, and a birthday pie, so he was pretty happy. Just when we thought autumn colors couldn't get any better, we turn around and there's another gorgeous tree or scene to take in. We're tucking everything in for the winter and getting ready for the holidays, because it looks like they'll be here before we know it. Daylight savings wasn't too bad this year, especially when it marks the beginning of yummy comfort foods, such as the totally delicious Bavarian birthday meal we had with friends that ended with the most terrific homemade desserts.Thanksgiving will be here soon and this year we're not hosting! YAY! But that hasn't stopped us from decorating with all the volunteer pumpkins we grew. Hope everyone is having a wonderfully soothing fall.