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Miyamoto

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Hot Spot of the Week is delicious Montavilla sushi spot Miyamoto! We visited Miyamoto recently to celebrate a birthday and sample their wares, and it was positively delicious.

Miyamoto is tucked on a little side street in Montavilla. The location is excellent as they can have a spacious covered outdoor seating area, yet you aren’t right on busy SE Stark. We started, of course, with a sake flight! I went with the Miyamoto flight as I wanted to see what their signature choices had in store. Luckily, we were sharing because those were some healthy pours! All three sakes were not only delicious, but distinct. I also found the tasting notes on the sake card to be incredibly accurate. The Tears of Dawn was bright and fruity with notes of melon. And yes, the Bride of the Fox WAS rich and nutty! My dining companions actually changed their minds about sake as a whole after this flight. They had both thought that they didn’t care for it, but tasting these was a revelation for them!

We also got some starters going right away, as we were quite hungry on arrival. The chicken karaage and the pork gyoza came out of the kitchen fast and went into our bellies even faster. The chicken was perfectly crisped with a nice spicy sauce. The gyoza were just the right combination of steamed and fried, plus tender and juicy on the inside.

After starters, we went on to rolls. We decided to try the Miyamoto roll, which had 4 types of wonderful fresh fish, pickled jalapenos, and a chili ponzu sauce that I wanted to lick off the plate. We also got the Billy Low Roll which had salmon, tuna, spicy mayo and tempura crunch and it was so yummy. To round out the table and our tummies, we added a simple tuna roll and some inari.

We really loved everything at Miyamoto and are so excited to go back to try the rest of the menu! I love that they have such a great selection of hot and cold plates, a lot of great sakes, and really beautifully prepared fish. Check out their menu Here!

Flying Fish Company

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Living in Portland exposes us to all sorts of amazing food, and on the top of that list is seafood. Are you ever craving some sushi-grade tuna at home, but you’re just not sure where you can find it? Or maybe you just want some oysters on the half-shell? Flying Fish Company offers a fresh fish market for consumers as well as a full-service restaurant. This week, we decided we needed to experience all that Flying Fish Company offers.  

The food

We settled in under their outdoor covered patio just after the lunch rush started to die down. The menu offers various seafood with both raw to cooked options. As well as salads and burgers. We selected the cod fish and chips, grilled steelhead sandwich, and tuna Niçoise salad. The freshness of the seafood here is unsurpassable.

The cod was lightly battered and fried until golden brown and crispy. Served with a side of Jojo’s and some citrus kale slaw. The grilled steelhead was perfectly seasoned and lightly grilled so that the interior of the fish was still moist and delicious, but the fish skin was nice and crispy. The fish was then served on a Grand Central ciabatta roll with the best herb aioli I’ve ever had and the kale citrus slaw that accompanied the cod. Last but certainly not least was the Tuna Nicoise. Poached albacore tuna was served on top of a bounty of greens with a light red wine vinaigrette with just the right amount of bite. The potatoes and egg were cooked to perfection making the salad stand up next to the other entrees without question.

On our way out we headed into the fresh fish market. Todays offering had fresh oysters, and clams, ahi tuna, cod, steelhead, Dungeness crab, Scallops and so many other fish options. In addition to all the fresh fish, Flying Fish Company also has a variety of canned seafood to stock up your pantry with. For the current list of what’s fresh go Here. Whether you’re looking for an easy meal out or a decadent dinner in Flying Fish Company has everything a seafood lover could need. For more local hot spots check out our blog Here.

Slappy Cakes

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Slappy Cakes is a Portland favorite and one of the most fun restaurants that you can visit in SE Portland.  With griddles on nearly every table, you can order and make your very own pancakes at your table.  They always have buttermilk, chocolate, and vegan batter, but there is also a rotating seasonal flavor to keep you coming back.  This time around it was a lemon poppy seed which paired perfectly with our fruit. 

Slappy cakes

I went as a special mom and daughter date, so we ordered all the berries, chocolate chips, and whipped cream.  The pancakes are light and fluffy, and the flavor combination was perfect.  In the past I have ordered chorizo and goat cheese toppings, so if you are feeling adventurous, be sure to check that out! If you aren’t in the mood for pancakes, they also have all the breakfast staples.  Hash, Benedict, Scrambles, Candied Bacon.  This place will truly please everyone in the family. 

Because I was having a mommy and me date, we ordered some fresh squeezed orange juice.  They have multiple juice options, but if you are in the mood for something a little stronger they also have a fantastic cocktail menu.  I highly recommend the Slappy Cakes Bloody Mary!

We constantly go back to this restaurant for the fun atmosphere and the yummy food and drinks, have you been to visit yet?  Make sure to let us know when you go! 

Kimura

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This week we headed out to try something new. I’d never had a japanese toast before, but I’d only heard good things. Located on the very popular Williams corridor and next to another favorite hotspot, Kayos Ramen, you can come to Kimura for lunch or dessert! Shokupan, also known as japanese milk bread, is a soft and spongy this bread that you can order with a huge array of toppings.

image courtesy of https://kimuratoast.com

The toast reminded me of a mix of a croissant and french toast. It was thick and spongy like a good french toast, but delicate and buttery like a delicious croissant. I chose to have mine topped with strawberries and cream which perfectly complimented the warm sunny day.

kimura - strawberry toast

Naturally I enjoyed my toast with my favorite beverage, a glass of champagne, but they also have a wide range of other drinks to choose from. There are multiple wine options, coffee and espresso with coffee beans from Proud Mary Coffee, teas from Smith Tea Maker, and of course, Matcha tea and lattes.

We are definitely going to be going back to visit again to try some different toasts and house made butters. Let us know if you have stopped by yet and what your favorite dish is. You can also check out their website and menu Here. If you want to see what else we love, all of our hot spots can be found Here. See you next week!

Portland’s Best Decks

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Springtime in Portland is unbelievably beautiful! Flowers are blooming all around and the blue skies are finally showing themselves again. One of our favorite activities is sipping a drink or two and enjoying some delightful bites while sitting on one of Portland’s best decks! Portland has a few elite options when it comes to dining in the sunshine. We could only choose a few to make our list so we took into consideration the outdoor space, the food, and of course the drink quality! In no particular order, here are our favorites!

Hammer & Stitch Brewing

2377 NW Wilson St., Portland OR 97210
Menu Here
Open Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 12 pm – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm
Minors allowed

Revolution Hall Roof Deck

1300 SE Stark St. Portland, OR 97214
Menu Here
Open Monday – Thursday 3 pm – Late
Friday – Saturday 12 pm – Late
Minors allowed until 7 pm

Botanist

910 NW 14th Ave. Portland, OR 97209
Menu Here
Open Wednesday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm
Friday – Saturday 10 am – 2 pm & 4 pm – 10:30 pm
Sunday 10 am – 2 pm

Tope

15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Menu Here
Open Thursday – Sunday 4 pm – Late
Minors allowed

Radio Room

1101 NE Alberta St, Portland OR 97211
Menu Here
Open 7 days a week 9 am – 11 pm
Minors allowed

10 Barrell Brewing

 1411 NW Flanders St, Portland, OR 97209
Menu Here
Open 7 days a week 11 am – 11 pm
Minors allowed

Warm weather has already hit us this spring, so it’s about time to bust out those sandals and hit one of Portland’s Best Decks! Any of these places are guaranteed to show you a good time. If you didn’t see your favorite deck on our list leave us a comment and we will check it out! We also have several other Portland favorites Here.

Yalla

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This week, our Hot Spot is phenomenally delicious Mediterranean BBQ spot Yalla! As Spring gets started and the weather becomes more forgiving, we have been trying to find great outdoor dining options. Both of us independently saw an Instagram post by the one and only @foodiesnitch that featured Yalla’s adorable dining cabanas and decided we had to go!

First of all, we thought these cabanas were so perfect! With one fully open side and a small directional heater, they are totally equipped so that we felt both safe and comfortable. Food was delivered in to go-style boxes to our end table that we then distributed family-style.

We started with drinks of course. Yalla has a nicely curated list of beers and a few canned wines, plus a couple of solid cocktails and their own house-made sodas. I ordered the Prime Manhattan for an opener and Jessica tried out the Ginger soda. Both were great for sipping.

For our meal, we were so excited to try the food that we ordered a bit of everything. For our salad course we tried the Gathering Together Greens with dill, radish, ricotta salata, and walnut vinaigrette. Let me tell you, I don’t normally get very excited about salads, but this one had me scraping the bottoms of the box!

The next course, we tried the Hummus with Burnt Ends and the Yellow Falafel. The falafel was so nicely crunchy on the outside but tender inside and the flavors were on point. The burnt ends seriously melted in your mouth with that perfect amount of smoky fat and the hummus was a great accompaniment. That dish also came with some delicious roasted poblanos that further elevated the flavor profile. We also had a side of the oven roasted carrots with harissa and they were delightful. Cooked perfectly with just the right spice and sauce.

Next was a battle of the fried chickens! We ordered both the chicken wings served with pomegranate molasses and the fried chicken with harissa honey and pickled cauliflower. Both were absolutely top notch, with super succulent meat ensconced in crispy batter with a touch of sweetness. Comparing notes later, we discovered that while we thought both were excellent, I leaned slightly towards the fried chicken and Jessica leaned slightly towards the wings.

We cannot wait to go back and try all of the rest of the menu! In particular, we are very excited to return for the short ribs (a dish recommended for 2-4 people) and the desserts! If you want to decide what to order when you stop in for a visit, check out the menu here. If you want to see where else we have eaten lately, you can find our other Hot Spots here.

Do you have somewhere we should feature next? Let us know in the comments!

Portland Style Cheesecake & Dessert

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We all have that one dessert that brings a smile to our faces. Sometimes it’s a dessert that reminds you of your childhood. It could be something that you love to make on your own. For me Cheesecake has always been that one dessert. I’ve indulged in my fair share of cheesecakes throughout my life, and I can happily say that Portland Cheesecake & Dessert company has mastered the perfect cheesecake.

Portland Style Cheesecake & Dessert certainly isn’t new to the Portland area. This company has been crafting desserts for over 30 years now. We decided it was time to take a trip to their local shop! The staff here is so welcoming, and it was apparent to us that they have a passion for what they are doing. We were immediately welcomed with a big “Hello how are you doing?” everyone working was eager to help out, and answer any cheesecake lovers’ questions that we had. There were quite a few options to choose from. If you’re torn between what flavor to get then simply get the cheesecake “cupcakes”. The cupcake route is the one we chose to take. My favorite was the classic vanilla, but marionberry was a very close second. Both cheesecakes were the perfect combination of creamy and fluffy.

Portland Style Cheesecake & Dessert can be found in New Seasons Market as well, but we would recommend heading to the shop for a more personal experience. The shop is open Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm. Trust us when we tell you, that nothing beats the smell of just-baked cheesecake. You won’t find that aroma at your local supermarket! If you’d like to order ahead of time, you can do so on their website Here.

Are you about ready for a slice or two from this local company? While cheesecake might be what they are famous for, they do also offer a variety of other desserts that are sure to please any crowd. Take a look at our some of our other Portland Hot Spots Here to see what else Portland has to offer.

Güero

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We have loved this place for quite awhile and it is high time we share it with everyone! Hopefully you have already been to try this awesome restaurant, but if not, here is why we love it! Güero started as a food cart and after their massively popularity, moved into its brick and mortar location. They landed on Ne 28th which has become a more and more popular destination for food and snacks. They have been making fabulous tortas and margaritas since they opened in 2017.

Guero

All of the food is phenomenal, but they are of course best known for the tortas. My personal favorite is the Ahogada, a carnitas torta with jalapeño slaw covered in achiote tomato sauce. I always gravitate towards saucy things on the menu and this one really wowed. If you aren’t in the mood for a sandwich, you can also try one of their fabulous bowls. No matter what you order, I can guarantee you will enjoy it.

Güero also has a fabulous margarita, you can order one with Mezcal or tequila, and have them on the heated patio, or to go! They are simple yet perfectly tart and dangerously drinkable. If you want something lower in alcohol, they make a great horchata and aqua de jamaica.

Güero has done a great job of making things cozy for people wanting to dine in, the patio area is well covered and has several heaters going to keep you warm. We went out on a brisk 40* degree and were quite comfortable with our food. If you have tried this restaurant we would love to hear your thoughts! If not, be sure to go check it out soon! You can head over to their website to see the full menu and hours HERE.