"I like the Walrus best," said Alice, "because you see he was a little sorry for the poor oysters."
The Walrus and The Carpenter is an excellent recommendation that I received on a local food forum. Portland is missing a casual oyster bar like The Walrus. It is small but not stuffy, plays great music but not too loud, laid back but attentive service.
That is my Mom’s graceful hand in the background. The tumeric stained our fingers, it was fun. I like stains, you might not agree, whatevs!
Maple Bread Pudding, espresso butter sauce, whipped cream
This was an aggressive little dessert! I had three bites from various stages in the cooling process. The room temperature bite was by far the best, such is the nature of coffee. I liked how the sauce was more of a gravy and I think they should just call it gravy on the menu.
My incredible Dad cannot be bothered to pause from eating long enough for me to snap a picture. I credit him with the fantasitc action shots I have whenever he is around. The man weilds a spoon like a weapon. He taught me well!
Fried Avocado.
Birthday dinner at 94 Stewart. If you want to dine near Pike Place, this is a good option. Do you remember that part in Plath’s “The Bell Jar” where Sylvia talks about a Seventeen magazine luncheon and describes the crab salad stuffed avocado? Well, I do and I have always wanted to try one and this fulfilled that goal so I was happy.
Yep! Happy with memories of suicidal pseudo-fiction. Life goes on, friends, life goes on. Even better? Life gets awesome.
Okay. I recently became overwhelmed with how behind I am in my blogging. So without further explanation, let’s remember back to July of 2009 when I ventured to see friends and family in NC. I discussed Yum Yum in the previous post.
Crab Bisque with my Mom
My Mom and I went to Ganache for dinner and I was really pleased the see some positive changes in effect. The last time I ate dinner at Ganache it was 2006 and my sister and I were presented food that was definitely over salted by what must have been an angry, sabotaging chef. It was so gross. . .and painful, huge salt crystals all over everything. It looked like Christmas in Vermont. Ugh. However, Ganache was once just a tiny dessert (walk-in, no table service) cafe that was right next door to the Greensboro Music Academy where my sisters and I studied notes and tunes after school. I have fond memories of the dainty berry tarts that followed my jazz flute lessons. The crab bisque in the photo is garnished with crab roe, fresh chives, an “Old Bay dipped” spoon and Sherry on the side. Truly tasty.
My dear friend Katie Southard, owner of the Green Bean Coffeehouse visited me last June and she was inspired by the John’s Collins cocktail at my neighborhood tavern, Savoy. She created the same drink back home and poured it in a Mason Jar – the KT Collins was born. It contains bourbon, fresh ginger, something else I can’t remember, and some ginger beer. I miss Katie and the KT Collins!
The infamous KT Collins.
I know, let me explain. . .
San Luis is a Mexican Restaurant that borders a neighborhood in Greensboro where most of my friends in GSO live. Therefore, everyone I know loves this place and has for years. I like it here too. I was feeling more adventurous than enchiladas, and I know the city of San Luis is known for seafood so I tried a seafood special. Don’t ask me what is was called, I can’t remember. It’s a bunch of scallops, oysters and clams swimming in a house-made cocktail sauce, garnished in avocado, cilantro and lemon. Not your average ceviche. I might have worried about eating raw oysters in a land locked town but I was more skeptical of the cocktail sauce. It looked like tomato soup and the whole ostentatious gobblet of bottom feeders was surrounded by a bed of Saltines. I felt like I was in the 1960’s and I wished I was wearing an appropriate wool suit with matching handbag. I digress. . .I loved this dish, the sauce was very tomato-y but it packed a load of bright citrus flavors. It made me happy, and the oysters were completely fresh and delicious.
Also, they have tiny margaritas for a dollar.
Okay! That’s it for my NC wrap up! Is it okay that I am relieved? For the foreseeable future I will be catching up on blogs about Portland. In a few weeks I am going to Canada for fun and no doubt food. Check back soon!
bunny bread surprise 