Cool Treats}Cool Moon

The temperatures are rising here in Portland and we are in for a hot weekend.  If you need to cool off a bit head on down to Cool Moon Ice Cream located in the Pearl right across from Jamison Park.  It’s located on the corner of 11th and Johnson.

You can cool off with a delicious ice cream treat and a dip in the fountain!

Cool Moon has lots of fun and unique flavors to choose from.  There is Good Bye Yellow Brickle Road (Locally made English Toffee rubble in a light butterscotch ice cream)
And if you like chocolate be sure and check out the Wicked Chocolate - it is chocolate!!  Lots of fun flavors!

So pick your favorite flavor or two and grab a chair outside on the sidewalk and relax.

Or head on across to the street to the park!  Enjoy the taste of summer!

Ruby Jewel Scoops Ice Cream

Nothing tastes better than some yummy, creamy ice cream on a warm summer day. Don’t you agree?

We recently tried out the new Ruby Jewel Scoops location at 3713 N. Mississippi.  We are no stranger to Ruby Jewel as we have purchased their delicious ice cream sandwiches at the Portland Farmer’s Market but they now have their own store front on N. Mississippi Avenue so you can get Ruby Jewel ice cream any day of the week!

At the store you can enjoy one of their wonderful ice cream sandwiches or a scoop of their locally made ice cream.  Ruby Jewel has  a fun selection of flavors.  Everything from vanilla bean and fresh strawberry to caramel with salted dark chocolate.

Not only is the ice cream delicious but their housemade waffle cones are one of the best I have ever had.  I believe that ice cream just tastes better on a cone and Ruby Jewel’s waffle cones are light and crisp, not thick and chewy like so many.

Ruby Jewel is a new favorite for our family!  Do you have a favorite ice cream spot in the Portland area?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Kenny & Zukes

Have a craving for a good pastrami on rye, some potato latkes or some NY cheesecake but you are in Portland not New York City?  No worries just head on downtown to Kenny & Zukes, Portland amazing Jewish deli.

Their pastrami is made on the premises and the servings are decent size. I split a sandwich with my daughter.  Not as big as the 7 inch high pastrami we had  at Carnegie’s Deli in NYC that fed the whole family though!!  And of course each plate comes with a pickle.  It doesn’t have quite the same hustle and bustle feel of the NY deli but the food made us feel like we were there.

I had my first potato latkes at Kenny & Zukes and they were great. Nice and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, but not too soft.  I don’t like potatoes but I enjoyed these.  A side serving of applesauce and sour cream to go with.

Our server was friendly and helpful and we will definitely go back next time that a craving for a Reuben or a Pastrami hits!

And if you get thirsty they have amazing selection of soda!

Pour Que No

Pour Que No is hard to miss. For some reason  bright teal blue buildings just stick out!    Pour Que No actually has two locations.  One at 4635 SE Hawthorne and the other at 3524 N Mississippi, that one is pink!  We love this place and have eaten at both locations multiple times.

It’s hard to miss not only because of the color of the building but because there is always a line out the door.

Don’t let the line scare you away though.  You order at the counter and then find a table so it moves fast.  But be sure and follow the directions and order first before sitting down!

The place is full of stuff, a truly eclectic collection of kitsch!  You definitely won’t be bored while you wait for your food.  There is sitting inside.

As well as some fun sitting in the alleyway out back.  While sitting out there I really felt like I was in some fun, hole in the wall tacqueria in Mexico!

Not only is Pour Que No fun to visit it is delicious too.  The chips and salsa are amazing.  They don’t come with your meal so be sure and order some.  The chips are made fresh from their tortillas which are also made fresh daily.  The guacamole is great too.

If you are thirsty they have a great selection of unique juice combinations.

The best part of Pour Que No though is the tacos.  First of all they are cheap and second they are delicious.  There are all kinds of fun combinations and flavors.  I always go for the carnitas and carne asada.   Pour Que No strives to support the local economy so uses local meats and line caught fish.

My husband is always more adventurous and tries something new.  He especially likes the Pescado made with Alaskan cod and the Camarones with shrimp.

The tacos are small so you will need more then one.  Two always does the trick for us.   My daughter has enjoyed their Brian’s Bowl, a combination of meat or veges, rice, salsa, queso fresco, guacamole, crema, and cilantro

If you didn’t find enough fun things to look at inside be sure and check out the mural on the side of the building when you leave.

Noodles

My favorite Westside/Beaverton area restaurant is Noodles, not to be confused with Noodles & Company.  Noodles is a small, locally own restaurant located at 6830 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.  Tucked in amongst a strip mall lined busy road  Noodles is a treasure waiting to be discovered.  It is one of those places that you probably wouldn’t stop at unless someone recommends it – that’s what happened to us at least.  But I feel sorry for all those who don’t stop – it is a find!  Thanks to my friend Cathy who first told us about it.

With its walk up counter and hand written menu you will be greeted by amazing aromas of dishes being cooked right before your eyes.

The food is inexpensive and delicious.  They do a big take out business but also have a in house seating area.  Each dish is fresh, individually prepared and brought to your table piping hot!

Everything we have had there is great.  They have a nice selection of salads in addition to their pasta selections.  My personal favorite is the Penne Pasta Marinara, I get it every time!  I also get it with an order of Garlic Cheesy Bread .

I could eat the entire thing myself but I am good and share.  You MUST get the Garlic Cheesy Bread.

My husband likes to try something new each time and has enjoyed the lemon piccata as well as many others.  On our last visit he had the beef stroganoff which was delicious.

You order at the window but your food is delivered to your table by a friendly and helpful server.  Service is excellent right along with the food!  Don’t forget to check out the dessert selection too, all home made and delicious.  The Creme Brulee pie is amazing!

Best Breakfast}Byways Cafe

Located in the Pearl District of Portland, Byways Cafe is like stepping back in time.  Although it’s only been there for ten years, you feel like it’s been there forever. With a fun and charming retro atmosphere and lots of comfort food Byways is a popular destination for Portland locals and visitors and has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

We arrived at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning and had about a five minute wait.  By the time we left an hour later there were a dozen people waiting in line.

There is lots to keep you entertained while you wait for your food.  The place is decorated, rather covered in travel memorabilia and souvenirs.

Many of the items have been brought to the cafe by their customers when they return from vacation.  While we were there a man brought in a shirt from a favorite ball team of one of the cafe workers!

The menu is full of lots of down home, comfort cooking.  I ordered the Blue Corn Pancakes which is a specialty of the house.  They were served with a yummy pecan and honey butter as well as maple syrup. Yes, the pancakes are blue and they have a nice little crunch to them with the corn meal. It was a fun variation on a pancake and I loved the pecan honey butter.  My husband enjoyed a nice egg scramble with fresh fruit.  If you go for lunch I understand their burgers are the best!  They serve breakfast all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

I loved the retro counter.  There is just something about a restaurant with a counter.  It reminds me of my high school days and going to the lunch counter at Woolworths downtown on our lunch hour.

Definitely give Byways Cafe a try and enjoy stepping back into time for an hour or so while enjoying some good food.

Out to Lunch}Pasta Pronto

My favorite place to go to lunch in my own neighborhood is Pasta Pronto.  It is one of the few “locally owned and operated” restaurants in the Beaverton/Bethany area.

Voted the “Best in the Burb’s,” Pasta Pronto is located at 2515 NW Town Center Drive, Beaverton.

Its location is a bit strange – located across from Barnes & Noble, Target and Safeway right off of 185th in the Tanasbourne area it can be a little hard to find but worth it!

It is part of a small row of business.

You order right at the counter.  Be sure and check out their list of specials for the day because there are always some great things to be found!

Everything is cooked to order from scratch and is fresh and delicious!

Their bread is made in house to and is wonderful!  I could go just for the bread!

And don’t forget to check out the dessert case.  The desserts are all fresh and delicious too!

So if you find yourself out in the “burbs” be sure and pay Pasta Pronto a visit, you won’t be sorry!  Even if you don’t find yourself out in the “burbs” make a trip to Pasta Pronto!

Best Breakfast}Beaverton Farmer’s Market

One of my favorite places to go for breakfast on a Saturday morning in the summer is the Beaverton Farmer’s Market.  The market is now open and in full swing.

For location and more info on the market go here.

On our visit to the market last Saturday we couldn’t decide where we wanted to eat breakfast so we split up.  My husband headed over for a Canby breakfast omelet.  They are delicious and HUGE – I think you could feed the whole family!!  All three of us worked on it.

Each omelet is cooked to order, right there in front of you!

There are lots of other delicious breakfast selections available.

The girls got in line at Zest Crepe.  This place is popular so be prepared to wait a little bit!
Tina and her girls are always friendly and lots of fun!

We always have such a hard time choosing what type of crepe we are going to have – sweet or savory?!

We usually go for sweet!  The Sweet Italy is so good!!

Tessa went for the Sundae Surprise off the children’s menu – it’s filled with chocolate chips!

If you are looking for something a little bit lighter for breakfast you can pick up a fresh baked scone at the Lavender Tea House booth and head over to listen to some music!

The Beaverton Farmer’s Market – a perfect way to start the day and the weekend!

Bob’s Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill – “Whole grain foods for every meal of the day.”  With over 400 products Bob’s Red Mill is an amazing site and resource for whole grain products, gluten free products and certified organic products.

Located in Milwaukie, Oregon, Bob’s Red Mill is not just a store but also a restaurant.  You can also take tours of the actual mill.  It makes a great family outing or field trip!  Tours of the mill are available Monday through Friday and begin at 10:00 a.m.

The selection of whole grains, flours, cereals etc. is amazing and I could have spent all day wandering the aisles.  You can buy their products packaged or in bulk (you save money by buying bulk)

I picked up some steel cut oats, whole wheat pastry flour, granola and almond flour while I was there.

If you get hungry while you are there you can have breakfast or lunch at the restaurant which is open until 3 p.m. each day.  There is lots of whole grain goodness on the menu.

I enjoyed breakfast there with some girlfriends.  One friend ordered the grits, which if you like grits, I guess are fabulous.

Another ordered the polenta which came with fresh blueberries – the polenta does take 15 minute to prepare.

I went for the Belgian waffle with real maple syrup.

I think the best thing on the menu is their amazing scratch biscuits!  They are huge, light and fluffy!!

There is also a vegetarian menu available.

A trip to Bob’s Red Mill is a fun and tasty adventure.

Out to Lunch}Blueplate Counter

As promised, today I am sharing one more great Portland grilled cheese sandwich location.

First we had the food cart, The Grilled Cheese Grill.

Then there was the more upscale grilled cheese sandwich at Paragon.

Today’s featured grilled cheese sandwich location falls in between the food cart and the upscale Pearl District restaurant – it’s a lunch counter!  A real life, old fashioned lunch counter and soda fountain – Blue Plate Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain located in downtown Portland at 308 SW Washington Street.

Blue Plate has been featured on Diners,  Drive-ins and Dives.  Blue Plate is only open for lunch from 11 – to 5, so go for lunch or an early dinner.  It is a popular lunchtime spot for the downtown working crowd.

Housed in a former department store there are lots of fun architectural details to give the place some character.

The menu is limited but when it’s all good you don’t need a lot of choices.  Of course our first choice was the grilled cheese and tomato soup.  You have the option of adding bacon and tomato but we kept it pure. The tomato soup was wonderful and we licked the bowl on that one.

We also ordered some Northwest Sliders which came with a yummy basil spread and Tillamook cheese.  They also come with a side of mashed potatoes but we opted for a side salad.  The sliders were juicy and yummy and just the right size!

Both the grilled cheese and the sliders are regulars on the menu.  There are two specials each day too so check out the menu on their website.

There is also a great selection of soda fountain treats including some not so typical choices – vanilla honey sodas and the PR  Nelson Milkshake which is made of  huckleberry ice cream blended with the house made purple haze hibiscus syrup.  Next time we will go just for dessert!

And if that wasn’t enough for you – there is always the penny (10 cent) candy!

Enjoy a fun lunchtime experience downtown at Blueplate Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain!

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