Zydeco

Zydeco is located at 919 Bond Street in downtown Bend, Oregon.

House Smoked Trout Dip--$10. This is my favorite appetizer. The dip is so good and it's a generous portion--enough to serve 4.

Zydeco Farm Salad--$9. Mixed greens & romaine, champagne vinaigrette, hazelnuts, dates, goat cheese and cornbread croutons. The croutons were a nice change.

BBQ Shrimp over Southern Grit Cake--$15. This is listed under appetizers but it's a generous portion and enough for an entree.

The special fish of the night was Swordfish--$26. This was a little dry.

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier blend--$28 for a bottle.

The best thing about eating out in Portland? No tax!

2019 07 06

Comfort Inn & Suites, Bend

There were slim pickings in Bend, Oregon at the last minute. I did manage to get a room at the Comfort Inn & Suites but it was $144 for 1 night. It was a little steep for a 2-star property. It's located at 62065 SE 27th St.

The lounge was nice.

The room was large and comfortable.

There was a microwave and a refrigerator.

The toiletries in the bathroom.

Free breakfast is included and again the biscuits and gravy were good.

2019 07 06

Nong's Khao Man Gai

I made a trip to Portland to have lunch at Nong's Khao.

I visited the location at 417 SW 13th Avenue--they open at 10 am.

Regular order of Chicken & Rice--$11. Poached Mary's chicken with rice simmered in chicken stock and Thai herbs, served with sauce of fermented soybean, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, Thai chiles, vinegar, house made syrup and soy sauce. Garnished with cucumbers and cilantro and bowl of house made chicken broth. The chicken is tender but it's the sauce that makes the dish so good. You can purchase the sauce in a bottle.

2019 07 05

Nutty Narrows, Longview, OR

We made a detour in Longview to see the squirrel bridge. I had read about this wacky bridge many years ago but couldn't remember where it was exactly. I typed "Squirrel Bridge" in Google Maps and it actually found it.

The squirrel bridge, named Nutty Narrows, connects trees across a busy road, providing a safe route for the squirrels. Originally built in 1963, it has been moved and refurbished several times. It's the "World's Narrowest Bridge." 

2019 07 01

Comfort Suites Albany

After dinner, we weren't sleepy so we drove another 45 minutes to Albany. I looked on Hotwire and found a deal at Comfort Suites.

The Comfort Suites is located just off Hwy 5, so it was convenient.

We got a King Suite

complete with a little sitting area

microwave & mini fridge.

The hotel has an indoor pool and jacuzzi.

It even has a sauna.

There's a complimentary hot breakfast, including make your own waffle. There was an egg scramble with spinach, sausage & bacon. My favorite though was the biscuit & gravy!

2019 06 30

Olive Garden

We drove until it got dark and ended up in Eugene, Oregon. There wasn't much available and we had dinner at Olive Garden.

Bread sticks come with every meal and they're good.

You can get Salad with Italian Dressing with your meal. Or, you can get soup.

They were having a buy one entree, get one to go special. My husband got the Five Cheese Ziti--$12.99 with 2 Meatballs--$2.49 and got Spaghetti with Meat Sauce to go. How can you beat 2 entrees, salad & bread sticks for just $12.99?

I chose the Spaghettit with Meat Sauce for both my entree and meal to go--$12.99. The meat sauce is tasty.

2019 06 30

Thien Hong

I had read that Thien Hong is known for its pepper salted squid.

Thien Hong is located at 6749 NE Sandy Blvd.

Hot Sour Soup--bowl for $2.75. This was neither hot nor sour. Disappointing.

Pepper Salted Squid--$16. This was well fried and not greasy but it was sweet. I couldn't tell if it was sugar or MSG. In any event, I didn't like it.

Fried Vermicelli with Curry (with pork & shrimp)--$10.25. This needed a little more curry flavoring but wasn't bad.

2018 09 16

Nong's Khao Man Gai

Nong's Khao Man Gai is another Portland favorite.

Their main location is at 609 SE Ankeny Street. Another outpost at 417 SW 13th Avenue. Sadly, their food cart on Alder closed.

Order at the counter and your order is brought to you when it's ready--takes about 5-10 minutes.

Their specialty is Chicken & Rice. It's $11. They have a large for $16 and it includes liver (and/or gizzard)--highly recommended. The sauce is what makes this great.

If you come for Happy Hour, daily from 4-6pm, 1/2 orders are $5 with the purchase of a Happy Hour Beverage--$3 beer & wine, $5 cocktail.

2018 09 16

Pok Pok

Pok Pok is another favorite. It features Thai street food. Pok Pok is located at 3226 SE Division Street.

Spicy Peanuts with Basil.

Ike's Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings--$15.75. They're expensive but worth it. You get 6 wings.

Kung Op Wun Sen--$16.75. This is served dine-in only. I loved this dish--make sure to mix it all up and scrape off the coating on the bottom. It's wild caught prawns baked in a clay pot over charcoal with pork belly, lao jin, soy, ginger, cilantro, black pepper, Chinese celery and bean thread noodles. 

Cha Ca La Vong--$15.75. This is a Hanoi specialty. Catfish marinated in turmeric and sour rice, fried in turmeric oil with scallions and dill, served on rice vermicelli with peanuts, mint, cilantro and mam nem.

2018 09 16

Jacqueline

It's a tradition for us to visit Jacqueline for their Happy Hour. Jacqueline is located at 2039 SE Clinton, just a block from Fifty Licks.

Their oysters are $1 each during Happy Hour, Mon-Sat from 5-7 pm. You can even make reservations.

This time, we were served Hammersly & Pickering Pass. They were great with a glass of Cote de Gascon--$7.

2018 09 15

Fifty Licks

I used to like Cool Moon Ice Cream but they changed owners. Now, my favorite is Fifty Licks.

Fifty Licks is located at 2021 SE Clinton Street.

A classic scoop is $4.25. A mini scoop is $2.95.

My favorite is Blackstrap Gingersnap. It even has pieces of ginger snap.

Thai Rice--creamy but the flavor pales after you have a bite of the Blackstrap.

2018 09 15

Olympia Provisions

We had a mid-day snack at Olympia Provisions. They have a Happy Hour menu from 3-5 pm daily.

There are several locations: 1632 NW Thurston Street and 107 SE Washington Street.

The sign says it all.

Mid-day Chef's Choice--selection of 3 meats, bread and pickles--$9. We got Sweetheart Ham, Andalucia Chorizo and Salami Nola.

Steak Tartare, Olives, Parsley, Shallots & Egg Yolk--$13. This needed some dijon mustard.

2018 09 15

Life of Pie

One of my favorite places in Portland is Life of Pie. They have a happy hour from 11 am to 6 pm.

Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinegar and Parmesan Cheese--small for $4, large for $8. This can easily feed 2-3.

Margherita Pizza--$5 during Happy Hour. Otherwise, it's $12 for the same pie.

Next time, I'll try their spaghetti & meatballs.

2018 09 15

The Fields Bar & Grill

After an afternoon of eating, we grabbed a light dinner. The Fields Bar & Grill, located at 1139 NW 11th Avenue, was right across the street from where we were staying.

Salmon Cakes--$11.25. It came with baby greens, slaw and tartar sauce. This was pretty good.

I opted for the Fields House Salad--the Entree portion was $9.75. It was a huge salad and included baby greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion, sunflower seeds, house made croutons and choice of dressing. I chose sherry vinaigrette.

Tavern Burger--$14.75. Two 1/4 lb patties, American cheese, grilled red onion, thousand island, lettuce, tomato on brioche.

IPA Mac & Cheese--$11.75. Cavatappi pasta, 4 cheese blend, bacon and green onions. Next time, we'll ask for it spicy.

The Fields has a Happy Hour M-F 3-6pm and daily from 9pm to close. Not sure if the portion sizes are the same during Happy Hour.



2018 09 14