Take Your Bike To Work Day

With no sales calls scheduled for Friday, and clear skies for as far as the eye could see, this morning seemed like the perfect opportunity for my first bike ride to work. I get up at regular time, make coffee as usual, but skip the e-mail/pitchfork/blog session. I leave for work at 7:15, figuring on a 45 min ride.

As it turns out, Shift was offering free coffee and doughnuts to bikers on the Broadway bridge (a photo I did not take appears above and to the left), so I stopped off for a few minutes for a break, talked to some fellow bikers, and admired the view of the city from the bridge.

I got to work a few minutes shy of 8. Unfortunately, no one was there to witness my glorious arrival.

Biking home was a bit more difficult (or at least could have been). I cross the Broadway Bridge again, but instead of peddling my heart out on either the Interstate or Greeley Ave. hills, I caught the max in front of (the now defunct) Gotham Tavern. I only rode one stop, right up the hill, and got off in front of Kaiser. A quick ride back to the casa. Cool shower and cold beer.

EP - Dropped Foods

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Pork Pok

No, not a typo. I met CC at Pok Pok last evening. Instead of getting my usual (which CC got), I got Muu Sateh (pork loin skewers marinated in coconut milk and turmeric, grilled over charcoal and served with cucumber relish, peanut sauce and grilled bread). Mmm, tasty. Juicy, flavorful meat. Nice peanut sauce. Spicy cuke relish. Very enjoyable. As usual, we split the mango and sticky rice dessert.

Steak

I hate cooking for one. It's a bitch. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook, but I also love to share the experience. Tonight, table for one (unless you count Alma, who was trying to nibble at my food, in which case it'd be table for two)...

I have no clue what to make. I ask around at the office, and there are few good suggestions. Seems to me that the easiest thing to do is get a piece of meat and some veg for the side. I stop in at New Seasons on the way home from work, still not sure what I want.

I head to the meat counter first. I get hanger steak. Then to produce, where I get a shallot, some thyme, a lemon, and some kale (I also get half and half for Friday's coffee).

First, the meat. I consider grilling, but it's already 7, and the kitchen is still messy and needs cleaning before I cook. Grilling will take too long. I put some oil into a pan and heat it up. I coat the meat with salt and pepper. I coarsely chop the shallot. Both go into the pan with the whole thyme sprigs. Cook it on down.

For the kale (and this is a nod to my ex, ADC), I put some olive oil in another pan. Chop a few leaves of kale VERY coarsely. Put into pan and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Saute, but don't wilt. I like veggies to have a little crunch.

When the meat is done, I pull it out of the pan to rest. I then pour some of tonight's wine (2003 St. Cosme Cotes du Rhone) into the pan with the now caramelized shallots and sprigs of thyme. This simmers down until a bit thicker. I cut the steak, put the kale next to it on the plate, and drizzle the pan sauce on top.

Not too shabby. Ends up I put too much lemon juice on the kale. I cut the meat at the wrong angle. At least the sauce tastes good. I sit at the table to eat, listening to the blues (Lightnin' Hopkins, and at the very moment I type these words, 'Baby, Please Don't Go' is on...)

Worst Quesadilla Ever?

I went to La Calaca Comelona last night with M. The idea was that we would go to a place neither of us had been to before. And it was my job to figure out where. This place, with it's striking blue building and a sign with their name spelled out in bones seemed like an OK choice. I couldn't have been more wrong. FYI: La calaca comelona means 'the hungry skeleton.'

First, and this isn't really a big deal, they don't have burritos or chips/salsa. They say those foods aren't traditional, and they may be correct, but I kind of had a craving for those exact things. They had a number of entrees, all of which seemed over priced. We both ended up getting quesadillas. M got spinach and tomato, I got 'housemade' chorizo. Both ran about $6.00.

These were thick! Lots of cheese and fillings. Honestly, too much cheese. These looked more like plump omelets that quesadillas. The, they were greasy. Not sure what cheese they used (although I swear I saw 'mozzarella' on the menu), but there was too much. Neither of us finished. And, they forgot our appetizer.

So, after running an errand or two, we take a walk. And midway through the walk, my belly starts to rumble. I haven't felt worse so quickly after eating in a long time.

I'm warning you, just don't go.

Rating : 1 of 5

New Bike

I bought a new bike yesterday afternoon. It's the first bike I've had for a while, and the first bike I've had that fits me properly in quite some time. Got it over at the Bike Gallery. Got lights, a lock, some repair type tools, and a water bottle. I should be all set to go...

I woke up extra early this morning (5-ish) and couldn't get back to sleep. I drank some coffee, bought new flip flops and FM, and then, with nothing better to do at 7:30 in the morning, decided to ride to St. Johns, and more specifically Cathedral Park (I've never been before).

The ride took about an hour and a half total, including a quick stop at the park to admire the river and the St. Johns Bridge.

Eating with the Parents

My folks were in town last week. Here's a sampling of what we ate...

Autentica:
Since it was Thursday, most of us had posole. My mother had short ribs. We shared a cactus salad, some chorizo and cheese, and tacos. Everything was OK. I'm sticking by my previous statement that the way to go is tacos al pastor with beer at the bar.

Fire on the Mountain:
My folks loved the wings. I had the spicy peanut pasta with chicken. They had wings (medium sauce, I convinced them not to get El Jefe). We were there on a Friday for lunch. It was packed and loud, but really good.

Apizza:
The folks meet ADC. We eat the best pizza in Portland (the Apizza Amore). Also, Cesar salad. Mmmm. Everyone is VERY happy with this meal (has anyone ever been unhappy at Apizza?!?)

New Seasons:
We need a light lunch after a morning of fixing things around my old house. New Seasons makes pretty good sandwiches. Kettle chips and sodas. We get them to go and eat at my pad. Me: curried chicken salad. Mom: roast beef. Dad: tuna salad (I think, but I may have this all wrong).

Pix:
Lunch was late, so we don't have a proper dinner. We do, however, get dessert after the "Shanghai Tunnels" tour. Pix is so tasty! Passion fruit macaroon, the amalie, torte, apple tarte, coffee.

Simpatica:
Brunch. It's good. I don't think it's great. I may have built it up too much in my head before going. I got the bbq sandwich.

Dinner at Home:
My folks want to eat at home one night. A number of tasty cheeses with crackers (the ADC made me swear to put a picture of her favorite cracker on this blog, you'll see it to the left). Butter lettuce with homemade buttermilk dressing (buttermilk from the butter I made). Bread and homemade butter. Penne with tomato basil cream sauce and sausage. Sorbet with strawberries and dark chocolate shortbread. Wine.

Bon Temps:
After a trip to Home Depot, we need some food. Po boys at Bon Temps do the trick. Boylan Black Cherry Soda, chaurice, softshell crab, pork tenderloin, cole slaw, potato salad. Mmm.

Russell Street BBQ:
Last night in town. Something casual. BBQ fits the bill. I like Russell Streets vinegar sauce. Pulled pork all around. Lots of sides. Folks agree it's a bit different than in the south, but they like it...

Merritt hawks Cesar

I was watching TV the other night. The Magnetic Fields' song "I Think I Need a New Heart" from '69 Love Songs' was in a commercial for Cesar Dog Food. Huh?

Stephen Merritt, what gives?