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Japanese Baked Treats at Beaverton’s Oyatsupan

April 17, 2017Filed in: Reviews

16025 SW Regatta Lane, Beaverton • Oyatsupan.com • 503.941.5251

Hours: Mon-Sat 7am-6pm; Sun 9am-3pm

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I enjoyed a little getaway up to Seattle where we ate some delicious food (particularly at Sitka + Spruce), saw a few good friends, checked out the cool Terracotta Warriors exhibit and enjoyed some much needed SUNSHINE! Seriously how great was that sun?!

Japan circa Nov 2014 – ready to eat all the treats

Back in 2014 (eeks, how has it been that long already?!), Brice and I ventured around Asia, exploring the culture and eating a ton. One of my favorite food explorations was the Japanese bakeries – complete with racks upon racks of doughy treats, all in self-serve. You’d pick up a tray and tongs and just go to town. Sweet doughnuts, savory pastries, white breads, little desserts with funny googly eyes or seasonal themes like Halloween creatures. While they weren’t always the most delectable of bakeries, often times overly sweet or bready, it was definitely fun. Continue Reading...

Holiday Gift Guide 2016 + GIVEAWAY!

December 1, 2016Filed in: General, Reviews

I’ve been doing this thing lately where I totally mess up the seasons. To give you one embarrassing example, when I was surprised by the cost of flights to Arizona this week, I actually said “is it because of spring training or something?” Oh wait, it’s December 1st. Definitely not. I’m not sure what happened but I think it has to do with the fact that 2016 has zoomed by.

Now, with Thanksgiving behind us, it is onto those pesky present-based holidays. I dig the holiday lights, the festive Christmas trees and of course all the cookies. But the present ideas is hard. If you’re like me, getting some suggestions is a much-needed stress reliever. As a food lover and celebrator of amazing local products and businesses, I’ve compiled my Top 10 food-centric Portland-based gifts to be giving this year, perfect for anyone on your list. Continue Reading...

Stop, It’s Churro Time: 180x Xurros + Xocolata

February 25, 2016Filed in: Reviews

2218 NE Broadway + 22nd • 180pdx.com • @180pdx

Hours: Daily 8am-4pm

If you’ve been following the Portland ‘Gram scene at all lately, you know there is something big going on with churros (like this or this). Yes, churros are those fried dough sticks you commonly see at the fair. But of course, these are not those greasy messes that make you regret what you ordered. At 180, these are super gourmet, authentic Spanish “xurros” (that’s how the Catalans spell it). Fluffy dough that is fried to order in front of your eyes, then rolled in cinnamon and sugar or dipped rich chocolate, or even stuffed with the filling of your choice. Continue Reading...