I have a new addition to my cast of characters . . . the chef. Tall, dark and handsome with a booming voice and a love of food, he is the best friend’s and my guide to all things foody in the city of Portland.
Every third or fourth Sunday morning I meet up with the chef and the best friend for a new adventure in eating. Most of the time it’s amazing breakfast fare but once in a while he breaks out a new suggestion and we end up somewhere like Hanoi Kitchen eating Vietnamese food. (I didn’t know what to expect the morning menu to offer, but it appears to be the same as the lunch menu and the dinner menu.)
His story is as varied as all of ours, both celebratory and sad, with everything in between. But, unlike most of us, his knowledge of food is immense. I love hearing him speak about new recipes, old recipes, his plans for a pop-up and/or food cart.
Sunday he explained to us his frustration with the coffee offerings in this state. You would think as Oregonians we would have this all figured out by now, since the brew is in our blood. But, after more questioning of the chef, I believe he has a valid beef. You see, at no coffee kiosk, stand or corner shop can you get a smattering of international coffee fare. How about Turkish coffee, Austrian Melange, Greece Frappe, Ethiopian Buna or Denmark’s Kaffee. Seriously, where can one go to get all of these choices in one place? I really think he has potential for a great coffee shop.
But, he also wants to open a pop-up and a food cart and more. His plans are endless which is endlessly fascinating. He recently spent some time eating his way through Viet Nam. This explains why we went to Hanoi Kitchen. He had a craving.
Since our chef is considerably younger than we are, and in order to not appear like two creepy old “cougars”, we just consider he is going out with his two mothers. This thought is much easier on us and our fragile egos.
He is a dog owner, which is a huge trait in his favor. Tiger has the body of a pit bull and the soul of a cocker spaniel. His loves and kisses are ferocious and are not to be denied. He is so well-trained that, when you taken him for a walk, you only have to tell him right, left or straight and he follows the verbal directions. No pulling, tugging or sitting down. Who’s a good dog. I call him Spanky instead of Tiger. I don’t know why, he just looks like a Spanky.
Stay tuned for more food adventures with the chef. Portland has a plethora of restaurants and this magical mess can’t wait to try them.
magicalmess 