Thursday, December 9, 2010

Anyone try the wild mushroom-nut burger at Grüner?

Gruner (photo: SeriousEats)
Serious Eats' ongoing column A Hamburger Today recently gave Grüner's burger what can only be termed a glowing review.  Even going on to say that it outshines the rest of their menu. 

One might rightfully ask themselves why a vegetarian food blog would care.   I tend to miss hamburgers, i'll admit it.  More importantly, however is how one food item can speak volumes about the rest of the menu.  Despite SeriousEats' Adam Lindsley's admonitions about the pale menu in comparison to the burger; if it really is that good, how bad could the rest of the menu be? 

Tread lightly ye, the menu changes often, and this "Alpine" eatery is pretty heavy on the meat and the post-animal ingredients.  But, their fall lunch menu (through december perhaps) has a "wild mushroom-nut" burger which is topped similarly to the carni-burger.  Remember to ask for it without bacon!  Adam calls the bun "[none] better", and goes on to say:
The cheese is nutty and rich, and strong enough to stand out among so many other powerful flavors. Front and center are the insanely good bread-and-butter pickles. The neon pink pickled onions combine the sweetness of grilled onions and the bite of vinegar, and the mustard greens further widen the flavor spectrum by adding a touch of bitterness. As if the burger wasn't already transcendent, Grüner also gives you one of the best sides you're likely to find anywhere: fried smashed potatoes.

Apparently they also have house made ketchup, which, as of late, has become somewhat of a passion of my own.

let us know how it is.  i'll try to get over there this coming week.

http://www.grunerpdx.com/   503.241.7163
527 SW 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

PoMo Gives "Miss Delta" happy hour of the week

"Miss Delta" (photo: portlandmonthlymag.com)
We reviewed "Miss Delta" back in August, giving it 2 out of 4 stars.  We go there often, due to its decent vegetarian menu, and good, if a bit inconsistent food.   We love their drinks.   Happy hour is probably the time-to-go.  We haven't tried the brunch as of yet, but have heard good anecdotal things.

John Chandler from the Portland Monthly seems to like miss delta for happy hour, mostly for it's decent food and great prices.   He says:

The kitchen crew at Miss Delta aren’t shy about repurposing (sic) the chow, as evidenced by my meatloaf mac and cheese ($6), and my brother’s meatloaf po’ boy ($6).
more here:
http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/blogs/