Dining Out: Papa Haydn, Portland OR

27th birthday.  Movie matinée.  Happy hour on the river front.  Then dessert at a "surprise destination."

Down on NW 23rd, beaming in the middle of draping white lights for miles is Pearl District's Papa Haydn.

Pink Grapefruit Vinaigrette On Spring Greens

I just love when grapefruit are in season.  Like any other citrus, you can get them anytime of year, but when they are in season- they are phenomenal!  I like them big, bad and bold.  Such a unique fruit.  When I'm not dusting a large half with a touch of sugar for breakfast, they'll find their way into other dishes.  Why not salad!

I researched a few different takes on using the juice in a vinaigrette.  After combining a few of the ideas, here's my own version.  So sweet, tangy and fresh.  Perfect for Spring being right around the corner!

Easy Spanish Eggs

These days, I only make breakfast on the weekends.  Monday through Friday, I'm bumbling around while Chris whips up either steel cut oats or an egg dish and puts the coffee on.  One more reason I'm so thankful for him.

Every now and then it's good to switch up "the usual."  I called my mother to recall a faint memory of her version of Spanish eggs.  Apparently just early that day, my dad had requested the same dish?!  Miles apart, our taste buds still speak the same language AND at the same time?!

The Ritter Burg

We've always been fans of making our burgers from scratch.  So much better that way.  I've learned a few tricks along the way too.

You can pile anything you'd like on yours, but we love experimenting with different cheeses, onions, and greens.  Plus, the real beauty with these burgers is in the ingredients, not just the toppings.

50th Post! Whipped Cream a la Port and Dark Chocolate

My 50th post?!  This calls for a celebratory and EMBARRASSINGLY SIMPLE recipe.

A client asked me about Portland Palates today: "where do I find the time?"

I guess I've always been like my dad in this way.  Every 5-10 years (he has a little more experience than I) we discover a new hobby that we devote ourselves to and fall in love with.  For him it went: triathlon, country music, roses, wine, travel, and my latest prediction is photography (you should see the text pics he sends me on his less than impressive flip phone.)  Our hobbies don't die off, but just expand to new and different, while still staying loyal to the old.