So many eateries, so little time! Egads! Three days (well, two and a half, really) is not nearly long enough if you want to make your way through Portland’s amazing food scene. I did my best and consider 14 destinations between Thursday and Saturday afternoon a mighty fine accomplishment. I think I’m still full from all that food. (Not really! 😉 ) If you missed the first two days of my Portland food extravaganza, click here and here to get caught up on all the good eats!
Also, on a slightly unrelated note, this is my 100th post! Hooray! I started blogging back in August on a whim. I was getting tired of Facebook and wanted a place to share more of my photography. Although I’ve had my own website for a few years now (www.pattynguyen.com), I wanted something more interactive, especially for my good friends/colleagues who aren’t on Facebook (that’s you, Carmencita! 🙂 ). I didn’t know exactly what the main focus of my blog would be, but I figured I could post about Bailey, my photography, and traveling. Somewhere along the way, I got into food blogging and it has been such a great experience meeting other amazing bloggers because of this. The friends I’ve made through Fiesta Friday (thanks to you, Angie!) are a wonderfully supportive bunch and I am incredibly happy to have connected with you all. I look forward to your posts and our conversations every day! ❤
And now, without further ado, here is a breakdown of my last (half) day in Portland!
3735 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Pictured: Little Bo Peep and Asparagus Mimosa
Evoe is a very casual dining spot connected to Pastaworks (a European-style market). Just imagine going to someone’s house and hanging out/eating in their kitchen and you’ve got yourself the Evoe experience. The Little Bo Peep (lamb meatballs on a ciabatta roll) had the most fabulous spring onion aioli. You could slather that stuff on a flip flop and have yourself a good meal. 😉 And the asparagus mimosa was the highlight of my lunch. Alongside the asparagus and eggs were crispy fried shallots and anchovy fillets. I’ll definitely be recreating this at home soon.
4733 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Pictured: Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip Cookies
After lunch I walked half a mile down to JaCiva at the recommendation from Nat at Evoe. The cookies were pretty good–thick and chewy, just the way I like my cookies.
**You’re probably wondering why I posted two shots of the same cookies. Well, I was playing with the lighting in the cafe and wanted to share how significant lighting is in photography. The left photo is backlit, which creates a moodier shot with deep shadows. To get the shot on the right, I simply switched seats and shot with my back to the window. Same cookies, but two very different photos. It’s that simple! 🙂
4733 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Pictured: Raspberry Danish
This is the other treat I purchased at JaCiva. The pastry was light and flaky and a definite win.
**Again with the two shots to show you how lighting affects food photography. The left shot is once again backlit with deeper shadows. The photo on the right has more even lighting and a cleaner look. The lighting you choose depends entirely on your style and preference!
3333 SE Division Street
Pictured: Mini Viennoiserie and Black Currant and Strawberry French Macarons
Our very last stop before heading out of Portland! The BF thought his pastry would be good because it had a fancy name, but he was left unimpressed. As for me, I am disappointed I couldn’t find a decent macaron in all of P-town! No worries, Portland, I shall return and let you redeem your macaron status next time! 😉
And that’s a wrap, folks! Thanks so much for letting me share my food-cation with you. It was a wonderful experience and I want to say thanks to my honey for putting up with me and taking me along on these trips. (Don’t worry, I put up with him, too! For Bailey’s sake, anyway. 😉 )
Missed any days of my trip? Here are the links!
Patty Nguyen Zurilgen 
That asparagus mimosa looks Fabulous!! 🙂 What a fun trip!
It sure was, Josette! 🙂
Congrats on your 100th post! In my opinion blogging is way better than Facebook because you can personalise it so much more, and reach out to people that are much more interested in what you have to show and say. Just checked out your website, its beautiful! Those cookies look great! xx
Thanks, Sofia! I’m glad you understand my blogging preferences! What you said is so true!
Alrighty!!! First, the asparagus is just so perfect with those ingredients and the preparation. It must have been soooo delicious. Then, on the meatball sandwich, I think it’s great to have a little veg tasting aioli counterpart to the tomato-ey and meaty and bready rest of the sandwich. Plus the aioli can help the frisee stick to the bread. Next, what is your lighting preference on that shot of the pastry? Lastly, those little macaroons just kind of remind me of you . . . refined, colorful, sweet! I mean I know you like your bacon and pork belly and get messy when you eat, but you still strike me as being refined! More Portland, more Portland!!!
Yes, the asparagus was phenomenal and the aoili definitely blew my skirt up. 😉 As for the lighting…that’s a good question because I asked myself the same one and didn’t have an answer. I think for a long while I would have said the right, but I’m learning to appreciate depth and shadows a bit more now. I think it will have to depend on my mood! What about you, Sue? Which is your favorite? And how nice of you to think of me as refined. I think I have my moments! But not around pork belly, oh no! Pork belly is my middle name! And I wish for more Portland. I guess we shall just have to wait. SIGH. (I am a very impatient person. Just ask Greg. Hehe.)
that’s funny, I have been told I am the most impatient person a certain person in my household/family has ever met. 😦
Oh pish posh. People are just jealous because they can’t keep up with us, right?! 😉
After much thought I agree with you 🙂
The asparagus looks awesome I don’t like anchovies but would eat that! Wow you ate all that in two days? Hah I like the cookie shots and the left looks almost fatter amazing how angles etc make such a difference! Sad it’s over? X
Yes, I’m sad it’s over, but my pants are glad I’m done. Teehee. You don’t have to eat the anchovies, Justine. I’ll take them for you! 🙂
lol my phone doesnt show what i have said and i was wondering oh my i shall wait until i get to the computer and can read what i said as i thought why is she talking about her pants haha..i am sure you are exaggerating… ;-P
Hahah, you crazy girl, Justine! And no, my pants are getting uncomfy. Sigh. But no worries, I shall whip myself back into shape one of these days! It’s easier to do during the summer because I have more time to work out.
very true, its such lovely weather to go out at the moment in. Oh yes I just saw you had some graphics done by the same lady who did Basil, Breadcrumbs and butter, I was about to contact her for mine, hehe..haha…yours look greeeaaat, how long did it take from start to finish? Did you see sketches first to approve or anything? Just wondering how it work 😀 Yours is really fun!
It took a few weeks and she gave me sketches to preview and approve! I gave her my favorite shots of Bailey and me as reference. You should definitely contact her, Justine! 🙂
I have, yesterday i sent her an email, yay so excited, haha, i definitely want the dogs in my header and some other things, hehe will be fun. I have a cartoon avatar made for my livnigineastsheen.co.uk blog and i hate it, its still up there, i look demented i really should take it down lol x
I can’t wait to see what she comes up with for you!!
hehe me neither x
Yummy 🙂
Indeed!
OMG Patty! PIG out trip it was for you :). Lucky you! Girl, what fantastic eateries and what yumm food.
A big hurray for the 100th post my dear!
Hugs :). Do you see me jumping :).
Yes, I see you, Sonal! I’ll jump along with you to work off all those calories! 😉
Happy 100th post, Patty. 🙂 And I’ll have one of everything please? 14 places in 2 1/2 days is a job very well done.
Thanks, Aditi! One of everything it is! 😉
Happy 100th Post, Patty! I still can’t believe you visited 14 places on your trip — too funny! So glad you had a good time eating your way through Portland! And love how you shared your lighting tricks — definitely makes all the difference. Can’t wait to hear more of your foodie adventures!
Thanks, Neely! I can’t believe it either!! I don’t know if I can ever top that. Not that I really want to either! 😉
You amaze me! So many eats and treats in two and a half days….good job! Loved reading the reviews and congratulations on your hundredth post!
Thanks so much! I sure did eat a lot. Now the daunting task of working it off! 😛
Happy 100th post, Patty! We’ll get some good macarons (and champagne) and celebrate together soon. It’s been such a joy to read your blog and get to know you – here’s to the next 100! The asparagus dish looks delicious and the lamb meatballs too. Great pictures showing how the different lighting/angles can affect the photo. I must remember this.
Macarons and champagne! It’s a date! But what about fish sauce wings?? Can’t leave those babies out! I’m so glad to have met you, Ngan. Happy blogging to us both!! 😀
Patty it was my 100th post a few days ago too! I updated my Green Tea Guava Macaron pictures as a way mention my 1st anniversary…cheers!! I didn’t realize that we started blogging around the same time. I also started blogging to venture past the FB realm. Food, photography, and our furry little pooches…so much more to blog about, right? I must go visit Portland soon…that asparagus dish looks way too delicious to pass up!
Yes, blogging is way better! FB annoys me more often than not nowadays. Hmmm. Anyway, congrats on your 100th as well. We are blogging sisters! And you would love that asparagus dish, Bonnie. It was soo good!
Yippee…congratulations on post #100! Looks like some serious eating was going on! Portland is obviously a foodie’s dream destination! Now I wanna go…NOW.
Thanks, Nancy! I highly recommend you go asap!! 🙂
Lookks ahmazing! Sad i missed ya!
I know!! 🙂
Those of us (especially me) who is not a photographer surely appreciate your countless hours of photo sharing. Although, I think I have gained a lot of weight just browsing through the food photos, and of course our Friday lunches.
Friday lunches! Wheeee!
Yum! I love your lighting tips/comparison shots, too. You taught me something new 🙂
I’m glad to hear that, Angenette! 🙂
Wow! I didn’t know that you ate so much! Then you had lunch and dinner with me and those photos aren’t event here….
Omg you’re such a brat! Not true and you know it! Hahah!
wow, I cannot spell when I post here….”even”! geez…
Yes, I noticed that but didn’t point it out since you’d just call me mean. 😉
Congrats Patty for your 100th post!
Thank you, Margherita! 🙂
Congrats on your 100th post! I’m glad you decided to come to wordpress as well. 🙂
Hooray for WP! 🙂
Congratulations on 1000 posts!
I haven’t been to Portland but I keep hearing good things about it. I look forward to going some day.
Beautiful photos as always!
Thanks, Stephanie! But I’m only at 100 so far! 😀 You should definitely visit Portland. It is such a great city.
Wow, congratulation on your 100th post!! Your food photos make my mouth water! Especially those asparagus caught my eyes! I love asparagus. Please post recipe if you recreate it at your home. 🙂
Oh, I’ll definitely share, Weebirdie! It’s such a simple dish and shouldn’t be too hard. 🙂
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Now I feel like I really have to go to Portland one day. Second article about Portland I read today and it sounds terrific. 🙂
Yes, you definitely need to go! 🙂