East Side Deli

I'm in the middle of reading this month's Saveur which is dedicated to sandwiches.  I've lived in Oregon 10 years now and as much as I love everything about this place....it only lacks a few things, as far as food is concerned.  I grew up in Pennsylvania and hoagies (subs to some of you), wings, and authentic pizzerias are as much common place as they are a lifeline.  Everyone has their favorites and they, and the establishments that thrive from selling them, are about as plentiful as coffee shops in the Northwest.  I keep searching for places to find these tasty bits, in order to at least "feel" closer to some of the only good things about the East Coast.  I just finished reading an article about good rye bread and earlier today had spotted the East Side deli, so I thought we should check it out.  Located at SE 47th, it is a small little place with only a couple of tables.  They have a decent selection of natural sodas and juices and carry just as many vege sandwiches as meat, as well as vegan options.  I had the Turkey Reuben which was pretty good.  Lots of Boars Head (awesome cold cuts from the East Coast) turkey, mild sauerkraut, and not too much thousand island dressing.  My man had a roast beef and swiss piled high with fresh cut veges and a spicy horseradish mustard.  Pretty good if you're looking for a quick bite.
http://www.pdxdeli.com/hawthorne/index.html

Saveur

If you're a REAL foodie than you subscribe to at least one magazine that is at least 50% food.  And all those silly soccer mom magazines (Cooking Light, Everyday Food, etc, etc...) don't exactly count.  I guess they are decent in some respects, but I'm talking about magazines that educate you about food and where to get it.  My personal favorite is Saveur (also at www.saveur.com).  I consider it a food version of National Geographic.  The articles actually educate about the food and in most cases, the culture in where it comes from.  Save for the special editions like the Chef Favorites (January 2011 version....all chef picks) and this month's edition: "The Sandwich Issue".  If you like sandwiches....you have to read this one.  What I like about this magazine is it doesn't just talk about creative ingredients that you might have to look closer to find, but it also talks about plain jane, simply good food.  For instance, on page 44 Francine Prose, author of My New American Life, (Harper Collins, 2011), talks about the plain 'ol grilled cheese sandwich.  It reminds me of my childhood days on the farm when we had lunch with Grandma.  Her efforts in the kitchen were like magic.  She never had bread sitting out, but could some how whip up the best tuna fish sandwich I've ever had.  Brown bread, albacore tuna, light on the mayo, iceberg lettuce from the garden.....ah....heaven!

Hoots and Hellmouth

Are playing tonight at the Doug Fir.  I haven't seen them myself, but my sister won't shut up about them.  Apparently their only form of percussion is the band itself stomping on the floor.  Worth checkin' out for sure.
 http://www.hootsandhellmouth.com/

Circa33

Circa33 is located at 3348 SE Belmont.  We had been up and down Belmont about a million times before we finally noticed it and made a note to revisit.  We went in for dinner a few nights ago and found a very warm and bright atmosphere.  The ceilings are covered with an old burlap and really add to the old look they are going for.  The place name is a shout out to 1933, the year that prohibition was abolished.  The drink menu is quite interesting with older style cocktails and mixes show with their date of origin.  I had a tasty "punch" (pictured above) that was like a mojito with fresh nutmeg.  For a beginner, we had the smoked salmon and trout plank that came with crackers and spread, one horseradish and the other herb.  For our main course we had an interesting grilled pork with a creative version of German potato salad, with whole olives.  Definitely worth another visit.
http://circa33bar.com/