Wine – Page 23

MEC: Checking Out John Gorham’s New Restaurant

July 14, 2014Filed in: Events, Reviews

333 NW 13th Ave & Everett • mediterraneanexplorationcompany.com • 503-222-0906

Hours: From 7/16-7/31: Wed-Sun 5:30-10pm; TBA after August 1st

John Gorham’s new restaurant, which was announced back in March, is just about open! I got to attend a really awesome opening party for MEC last weekend. Complete with a DJ, tons of happy guests, delicious cocktails and a sampling of the menu, it was one heck of an evening.

Though a wordy name for a restaurant, Mediterranean Exploration Company is just that, an exploration of the cuisine of Israel, Turkey and North Africa. (You can even see photos of John and MEC Executive Chef Kasey Mills’ research trip to Israel on their website/Facebook page.) Similar to John’s other restaurants, Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons and Tasty n Alder, MEC’s menu features small plates that will be served family-style as they are prepared. Continue Reading...

Maurice Pastry Luncheonette

June 2, 2014Filed in: Reviews

921 SW Oak St – between 9th and 10th • mauricepdx.com • 503.224.9921

Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm

This little French-Norwegian luncheonette and pastry shop in the West End of downtown has become one of my new favorite places in Portland. Maurice is owned and run by the talented pastry chef, Kristen Murray who has an impressive resume making desserts for acclaimed restaurants like Paley’s Place, New York’s Aquavit, Boston’s No. 9 Park.

Kristen opened Maurice in late December after raising over $40,000 in a Kickstarter campaign. Set on the short diagonal Oak Street near Powell’s, the small space is transformed into a quaint European cafe. The open kitchen and pastry case filled with beautiful treats greet you when you walk in. With only 580 square feet, it is a tight squeeze but it works with the the all-white decor and big windows giving lots of light. Continue Reading...

Date Night at Acadia: A New Orleans Bistro

May 22, 2014Filed in: Reviews

1303 NE Fremont St & 13th • AcadiaPDX.com • 503.249.5001

Hours: Mon-Sat 5-10pm; Lunch on Wed 11:30am-2:30pm

If for some reason you’re talking with me and can’t think of a conversation topic, just ask me about food. I can chat your ear off. I pretty much spend all day reading, talking or thinking about food. Restaurants I want to try (yes, I have a spreadsheet with my never-ending list), recipes I want to make, oogling over food photography (I’m sorry, I really don’t like the term food porn, but I guess that is pretty accurate). So it isn’t really surprising that I also really love listening to food podcasts on my way to work. Continue Reading...