Fish Sauce

What's your first thought?

For me, the key ingredient in one of my favorite dishes that my mom used to cook when I was a kid-pos pas. So naturally I think of Asian food. When you walk into this corner restaurant that is totally not the impression I got from the name.

My first thought was family style country food. Homey, comfy, very laid back. I was not disappointed but was reminded that it really is Asian cuisine when I took a glance at the menu. My nerdy friend and I took a seat at the small bar at the end of the restaurant. The decor is simple and from what Will, our Bay Area bartender, told us- all handmade by Ben, the owner. It is a completely family run business on its way to success.

Since we were the only ones there right at opening, Will took the time to chat and fill us in with his story about how he came to Portland and how he ended up here at Fish Sauce mixing up some pretty mean drinks. I'd tell you but you could go in and ask him yourself too. I took on the Short Round, for a short round, and the daily punch- better than Hamburger Mary's punch since I didn't wake up with a raging headache in the middle of the night and really there is no comparison. Will seems like a guy who loves what he does. He took quality time to make each drink and still took the time to chop it up with us and the new wave of guests that came in.

Opening time also meant happy hour! My favorite hour of the day. An already inexpensive menu with an even more inexpensive happy hour menu with filling and delicious home cooked food. And from what I understand, it's Ben's mother cooking- you can't get more homemade than that. As an owner Ben is very friendly and takes the time to stop and say hello to every guest- I love these kinds of places. And even if starting and running your own place takes up most of your time and away from sleep, with Ben you could never tell.

The food is simple, delicious, and filling. As usual I over ate but left happy. I broke down and got some Cha Gio (crispy rolls) which tasted surprisingly like the lumpia that my mom and I make at home. I took down some Bo Cuon (beef rolls) filled with Walla Walla onions and carrots and the lettuce wraps with the recommended chicken and mushroom filling. Delicious. My nerdy friend got the pho and it could have fed two! None of the items that we picked off the menu, including drinks exceeded $7- where else can you find a deal like that?

By the time we left, it felt like we had made some new friends and were sufficiently full and filled with good booze. To put it simply, I can't wait to head back for more from Fish Sauce. And best yet, it supports local business and what your tummy wants.

Tip for the Day: Sometimes recreating childhood meals yourself isn't the same. But sometimes someone else can make it or you might need to head home for that yummy goodness and home felt feeling. Mom- the next time I come home I want pos pas please :)

A Pinteresting Fool

Yes, I used it as a verb. For more delicious finds follow me on the ever growing Pinterest. I have found tons of workouts, healthy foods and pretty much money saving tips and can dos.

Whiskey, smoke, BBQ...

Well who could ask for more? A sister restaurant to my ever favorite Casa del Matador and the Kickin' Boot up in Seattle, up on the ever so popular NW 23rd. Southland Whiskey gives wafts of smoked meats and spicy sauces from blocks away. I waited months for this place to open.

The interior is decorated with the unfurnished wood panels and vintage handles and fixtures in the bathrooms. The bar and tables are thick panels of wood, some with huge benches and tall metal stools. At night it's a bit dark but the large sliding windows let in tons of natural light to see all of the neat interiors. The bar is a gem on its own. Hundreds of bottles line the shelves behind the bar with a plethora of lights behind them. It's a whiskey lovers heaven.

The bartenders are all personal and are willing to please with different mixtures and friendly conversation. A few servers really go above and beyond and seem to really enjoy their work. There are few places that I can go and can have a conversation with the general manager. Southland is one of these places.

The food is always delicious. I have gone several times and have only ever had one complaint. Let's start with the awesome: I go back specifically for their onion rings. They're huge, crispy nicely seasoned rings that you could eat as a meal in itself. It's served with the house barbecue sauce but I usually get it with the chipotle ranch. Like I said- one of my favorites and I've yet to find anyone who thinks otherwise. Their fork tender and smokey. The catfish po-boy is tasty even the next day for lunch (I couldn't finish the whole thing so had to bring it home). The mac n cheese has four gooey, thick cheeses and a side itself could be its own meal. 

My one complaint? I had the wings- full of flavor and soaked in sauce (yum yum!) but they were a little on the cold side. When I asked about why they were not very hot, I was told that they were trying to not over cook them. Fair enough, but I'll take crispy and over cooked for wings. And in all honesty, I've asked other people who have had the wings and they were nice and hot. So maybe it was a slip in the kitchen. In general there is no sexy way of eating wings and these are definitely no exception making them all the more delicious I am sure for my next time. But regardless of one slightly disappointing experience, it has not deterred me from returning- little will truth be told.

Southland is a place that everyone should try at least once. I could go on and on but you should come check it out for yourself...

Tip for the Day: Everyone always claim to be the best. "The Best Cup of Joe", "The Best BBQ in the South", "The Best blah blah"- you'll never know the best unless you try it for yourself. So eat up buttercup, life's too short to not enjoy the best!

http://www.southlandwhiskeykitchen.com/

In the mood for some Asian?

Steamers: Asian Street Bistro. This little shop opened up sometime last year right next to the SW Madison Street Starbucks. I've passed by several times and never given it a second thought. When I decided to meet a friend downtown for a quick lunch we thought we'd try Steamers.

As we approached we weren't sure if it was open because you couldn't actually see inside. The windows were all steamy. A neat trick given the name :) When we walked in I was instantly excited because I saw steam baskets and bao on the menu. It was a dumpling and tea joint!

My friend picked out the ever classy pad thai noodles. It came in a small bowl enough for one packed with rice noodles with your choice of chicken or tofu. The mild spicy peanut sauce was abundant and it smelled delicious. I ordered the 6 dumplings, 2 of each flavor- ginger pork (classic), szechuan chicken (wrapped in a carrot-juice infused wheat wrapper) and spinach (wrapped in a spinach-infused wheat wrapper), a roasted pork bao and a side of jasmine rice.

I can't speak for the pad thai, but I'm sure it was just like the classic. You can also have your pick of additional sauces- soy ponzu, chili garlic, hoison peanut, sesame ginger and spicy peanut. My dumplings were full of flavor; however, were a bit dry and seemed to have the taste of sitting in a bamboo steamer for a little too long. The ginger pork was yummy and the szechuan chicken was great with the sesame ginger sauce. The spinach was on the stringy side with bean thread noodles and spinach inside and is a great veggie alternative for the dumplings.

The rice was a typical sticky rice and I used the leftovers in a breakfast fried rice later. I was thoroughly disappointed with the bao. My childhood memories of what pork sticky buns are supposed to taste like put a high expectation on every one I try now. This pork is marinated in a sweet and tangy asian barbecue sauce making the bao more of a savory dessert than an entree. And even then the sauce was overpowering and completely turned me off of the bun.

Overall, for the price I paid for all that food was pretty good. It is a good spot for a quick, cheap bite but not if you're looking for quality Asian street food. Filling and satisfying but not my first pick for a quality Asian meal. And I love dumplings.

Tip of the day: Fresh is always better.

The New Ram's Head

They've remodeled, re-vamped and redone their digs up on NW 23rd. One of many McMenamins here in Portland has a very different look since I last visited a few winters ago. Located in the old Campbell which now houses multiple residential condos, it still has that historic and charming look. An apparently popular 23rd hangout is now furnished with simple dark wood benches and stools and a little more light and space.

To set it a part from the other local McMenamins in the Alphabet District, Blue Moon and the Taproom, The Ram's Head has added some new menu items. Particularly aimed towards the healthy vegan yummies. Truffle fries, Coffee-Roasted Duck Carnitas and Dry-Fried Brussels Sprouts have been added as well as a new Curry Seafood Bowl.

The Ezell and I started with some Truffle Fries and the Prawn Wontons. As yummy as those sound- our fries, paired with a black garlic aioli, came a bit on the floppy side. The flavor was still yummy and bold especially with the aioli. Our first round of wontons were presented uncooked and still frozen on the inside. The chef promptly brought out another batch- cooked and crispy and explained that he was training a new cook.

When our Island Friend joined us we enjoyed the brussels sprouts- tangy and delicious, a couple of The Grateful Veg Burger and a Roasted Beet Salad. The burger, a "vegan hemp patty, walnut-pomegranate spread" paired with the oh so magical Cajun Totes, was filling but a bit bland. It did provide another nice meal as leftovers. The highlight of the evening, besides the wonderful company of a girls night!- our handful of hard cider's and brews.

I have never been a fan of McMenamins, except for maybe the movie theaters and Edgefield, and even with this new makeover, the new Ram's Head is nothing to hoot and holler about. A fun place to enjoy during the summer time to kick it with your canines no doubt. But in the end, still a McMenamins in my eyes.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/RamsHead

Tip of the Day: When eating, always be sure to pair with something delicious like a robust cab or a light hoppy brew! Don't waste.