"Risking our lives for a doughnut?#$@*&%$!!!"

Ah SUCCESS!!!

Well that's what we said when we were safe in our downtown Portland hotel room.  So let me back up... on a recent "Girl's Weekend" in Portland where my lovely niece, Chelsea, was competing in a cheerleading competition, we made sure to allow plenty of time to check out Portland.  My sister, Cindi, kept reminding us of a sale at Macy's, but all I had on my mind was the Maple Bar with Bacon at Voodoo Doughnut.  OK, it seems every douhgnut shop has their own version of the maple bar with the beloved BACON, however, after the 2008 Obama win, when I was in Portland with my husband, it was so rainy I wasn't in the mood to go to Voodoo for a damn doughnut.  So 4 years later, here we are again!

Voodoo Doughnuts is open 24 hours, but for many of those hours, day and night, there is a line.  So we went to the Saturday Market and bought Rouge Brewery Bacon Maple Beer instead.  Seriously!  FYI - the guy who sold it to us said, "Make sure you don't drink that if you are vegan, there's real bacon in the beer" 

Ha, ha!!!  Did I mention the line was long at Voodoo Doughnut...  Some people weren't too happy.

OK, after a full day of Portland followed by a lovely Dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House in downtown Portland, we got on the train and head to Voodoo Doughnut again...at NIGHT!!!  By day, the Skidmore STOP near Chinatown is full of people, totally safe.  By night, totally desserted and sketchy.  Thus my sister's statement, "Risking our lives for a doughnut!"

Well, after standing in line twice in one day, I didn't take too much time picking out my doughnuts...so, we all ordered ones that looked good and the baker's dozen. 

"V" for Voodoo!

I went to Happy Hour this week: The Urban Farmer, Portland, OR

 Right in the heart of Downtown Portland.  Interesting seating...

 Local Beers on tap...A+

 I had the Cocktail of th Day: Doom and Gloom...delicious!

Go for the Cheese plate, a few local touches with some imported cheeses.  Kobe beef slider in the background (very good), every bar has their own version.  To be honest, if I didn't already have dinner plans at another location, I would have ordered everything on the menu.  Next time...

Brasserie Montmartre, Portland, OR

I know the Portland Food Carts are the big rage, however, if you have time to sit, drink, and eat, go to Brasserie Montmartre. It's been a few years since I have been to Portland and the last time I spent all my time in the Pearl District, which I still love.  Well, I had passed by Brasserie Montmartre on my last visit, wanted to go in, but I had spent the whole day going in-and-out of so many food places, I couldn't put one more crumb in my mouth.

So, the last time I was in Portland, it was November, drizzly and cold.  I spent the days in-and-out of cafes and shops, in between walking in the rain.  On this past visit, the weather was GORGEOUS. 80 degrees in the summer!  To be honest, I had intended to go check out the food carts, but my 5-inch heels got in the way of all the walking.  Well, what a wonderful surprise to see Brasserie Montmartre off on a side street and outdoor seating...aaaah!  Another plus on this particular HOT day, Le Boissons include many COLD beers on draught, a full bar, many French wines by the glass and several very interesting cocktails.

Sandwich: Jamon Beurre with salad

Brasserie Montmartre is casual, funky, and attracts many different people.  I've been to Montmartre in Paris, and Brasserie Montmartre didn't quite bring me back, but it is a nice mix of French and American.  I mean, I was in Portland, n'est pas?


The offering for lunch, Le Dejeuner, is FANTASTIQUE.  So many options I took forever to choose.  As husband sipped his cold glass of rose, he quickly decided on the Jamon Beurre, sandwich, with a house salad, he could have had frites with his sandwich, but knew I'd probably order frites and he could steal a few from me.  OK, the Jamon Beurre ($8.00), ham, brie, mustard, arugula on a baguette...delicieux!

The Jamon Beurre, a little Paris and a little Portland

OK, moving on to Les Frites!!!  All the frites are served with garlic aioli.  I chose the pork belly & tarragon frites...yum.  I was sipping a Deschutes Twilight, blond ale.  Perfect pairing with the hot, crisp, salty frites.

I also ordered the French Onion Soup. Brioche crouton, Gruyere cheese, oozing over caramelized onions and rich broth...tres bien.