Sunday, January 16, 2011

what's with the Oregonian Food Blog lately?

photo: beerandblog.com
It's mostly beer.  I love beer.  Who doesn't?  But i can't help but notice that the majority of the posts are related to beer.  Not even bars or booze.  Just brewing.  I guess that's one place there is still money in food journalism?

Check it out:  www.oregonlive.com/dining/
Today on the front page of 15 posts, 9 are about beer.  That actually seems low based upon my fairly un-scientific poll as of late...

That being said i still enjoy the unique perspective they bring to dining in portland, despite them firing most of their good reviewers and writers.

anyone been to C Burger in Old Town?

photo: burgersdogspizza.com
C Burger has a veggie burger that the Oregonian "Cheap Eats" recently said was "satisfying in a way that meat burgers generally are and veggie burgers generally are not" [sic]. And about the $2 sides: "The house-cut fries are that wonderful combination of crisp and comfort with their soft interior and crunchy exterior coated with just enough oil to anchor the salt. And the onion rings are fried with a mild buttermilk batter that allows the sweet Walla Walla onions to shine through.  "
One thing i do miss a lot is a good burger.  I'll have to go check this out after the disappointing dust-puck that was the Gruner veggie burger.  The pictures of the C Burger, conventional burger look amazing, so how bad could it be?  famous last words since i've said that before... You can get it on a muffin or a bun, oh how sweet to have choices. 

C Burger is on Couch, between 3rd and 4th. 
cburgerpdx.com; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
Tell us what you think in the comments.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

no-wait breakfast at Meriwether's in NW

This place was suggested by a friend as being untouched by the hipsters and if you go early enough you can beat the church goers (to the table).  It's huge and they appear to have a huge staff.  Our meals and beverages came quickly and the service was great.

I had their Huevos Rancheros which have an interesting mole patty, they claim is vegetarian.  They call that part a casserole.  While overall it was very good, the patty was overcooked and dry at the edges.  This is one of their signature dishes and was good except for the edges of the patty.
Huevos
theSmallViking had the florentine benedict.  The egg was perfectly poached and the hollendaise and muffin seemed great.  But it seemed they must have replaced the typical spinach with a heartier green that was almost completely uncooked.  it basically ruined an otherwise good dish.  The potato au gratin that came with her dish was just plainly marvelous, it's too bad her main event was so poorly executed.

I'd probably go again if someone was going, but i'd rather wait for 5 minutes to get breakfast elsewhere.

Meriwether's (0 to **** (stars), higher=better):


  • Food Quality: *  (1 star, good ingredients, poor execution with a smattering of good)
  • Vegetarian menu: * * (a bunch of good options, but this is brunch afterall) 
  • Vegan menu: 0* (one or two if you are lucky or they are willing to convert)
  • Service: * * * (friendly, very fast, non-pretentious)
  • Atmosphere * * (like your boring aunt converted a nice farm house)
  • Green: * * (+: lots of local ingredients, green-ish takeout containers)
  • Gluten Free: * * (lots of options and replacements)
  • price: $$ (moderate)
  • overall: * (they messed up, some of the food, maybe it was a fluke?)