Tacos – Taqueria Nueve

Tacos - Taqueria Nueve
Carne asada: grilled beef sirloin steak. $3.75
Pollo asado: grilled chicken with chile marinade. $3.25
On a house made corn tortilla with cilantro and onion.
Taqueria Nueve, Portland OR

These tacos were very good and the meats were flavorful and tender. I also loved the house made tortillas. That always makes a difference. The accompanying salsas and pickles were a nice touch.

Pickled vegetables and salsas - Taqueria Nueve
Pickled vegetables and salsas.

Cocktails – Kachka

Baba Yaga cocktail - Kachka
Baba Yaga: chamomile vodka, liquore strega, lemon. Happy hour $5
Kachka, Portland OR

These cocktails were yummy and great at only five bucks a pop during happy hour. I enjoyed the herbal flavored vodkas – it made the cocktails different and unique.

Laika cocktail - Kachka
Laika: tarragon vodka, grapefruit, tonic. Happy hour $5

Moscow Mule cocktail - Kachka
Moscow Mule: vodka, ginger beer, lime. Happy hour $5

Ceviche – Taqueria Nueve

Ceviche - Taqueria Nueve
Lime-marinated seafood of the day with tomato, onion and cilantro. $4.75
Taqueria Nueve, Portland OR

This was really delicious and fresh tasting. I liked that they served it on a tostada for some added crunch. It was on the small side but then again it cost less than five bucks so I can’t complain.

Chihuahua cocktail - Taqueria Nueve
Chihuahua: Olmeca altos blanco, fresh grapefruit, St. Germain. $8

Bocadillo sandwiches – Pepe Le Moko

Bocadillo sandwiches - Pepe Le Moko
Chorizo rioja and mahon cheese. Sweetheart ham and zucchini pickles. Each $5
Pepe Le Moko, Portland OR

OK, this bocadillos were pretty good. Thank goodness after those chip-your-teeth oysters. I liked the simple, quality ingredients and they were nice and gooey from the hot press!

Manhattan - Pepe Le Moko
Manhattan.
Lay off the vermouth, sister! Apparently they don’t understand what “I don’t like sweet drinks” means at this bar. Between the snow cone Bakersfield and this candy Manhattan, I’d think I was at a malt shop instead of a bar.

Wild salmon hash – Mother’s Bistro & Bar

Wild salmon hash - Mother's Bistro & Bar
With leeks, potatoes and a touch of cream. Served with poached eggs and whole wheat toast. $12.95
Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Portland OR

This hash was really flavorful, but the salmon was on the overcooked side. Kinda sad because I liked everything else about it.

Ginger molasses cookies - Mother's Bistro & Bar
Chocolate peanut butter walnut ginger molasses cookies. Complimentary with check.
That is a long name for a cookie!

Lamb andouille sausage – Clyde Common

Lamb andouille sausage - Clyde Common
Shelling beans, arugula pesto, poached eggs. $14
Clyde Common, Portland OR

This was a very hearty dish, but I felt like the andouille was dry and overcooked. Even the poached eggs were hard poached. The shelling beans tasted good, but the entire dish was just too dry for me. I had high hopes, but this dish fell flat.

I, Chihuahua - Clyde Common
I, Chihuahua: tequila, orange marmalade, soda. $9

Clyde Common