New post! Portland and blahh

I realize I haven't been blogging for months. Shame on me! :P It's just hard to find a time when I'm not feeling overly happy or overly depressed, cuz that's when I wanna blog the most. :P A lot of stuff has happened in the last 3 months, and now I'm just trying to find inner peace with my lab work in the midst of holiday festivities.

Went to Portland! We stayed with Deron's sister's family, and it was cold damp but very cosy! The food culture there is awesome. :)

Went to this best restaurant 2009 in Portland called "Beaker and Flask". Portland has a yearly issue of best restaurants, and people talked so much abt food and produce, it feels like Singapore. :)

The chanterella mushroom and bone marrow had such a delicate flavor, as the soft oily texture of the charred bone marrow complemented the rustic mushrooms to perfection, with a hint of lemon rind. Yum!

The risotto was great, with creme fraiche, and the roasted tomato was the best tomato every! It was sweet, and toasty on the outside, soft on the inside. Mannnn.

Even the deviled eggs were awesome.

The decor of the place, with barrels as seats. :)

The pork belly, with swiss chard (so fresh! in a cream sauce) and toasted kabocha pumpkin on top. Heavenly! I always enjoy a well cooked pork belly, the meat was tender and the fat was melt in yr mouth without being too oily.


My fav part of the trip, Deron's nephew Oscar! He wanted to be a xmas tree for halloween. Teehee! :)

Went to a farmer's market, where they sell the freshest produce ever. I bought the cherry tomatoes for 2 bucks, and Oscar and I finished it in 5 min. Sweetest tomatoes ever!

Had the home-made chicken and potato curry. It was very flavorful, and not too oily. Very homestyle. :)

They had a live band playing too. So cool. :)

Went to Deron's broter in law's cheese shop. Such a cool logo for the shop!



Went on a hike to a waterfall in the middle of a forest. It was breathtaking, the air was moist and crisp, and it was soo peaceful.

Walking...
Chui Kueh taking a break. :P

walking...


There! :P

Went to another waterfall too. Deron looking very "rustic" in his plaid shirt. :P


Went to this purely local produce restaurant called Ned Rudd, where EVERYTHING is cooked in this giant charcoal oven. So cool.

Had the best pork pie EVER. The crust was sticky and flaky, and the pork was soooo tender and bursting with flavors!

Roasted turnips and carrots. Yum!

Went to this other breakfast place that was great too, but a little lazy now... heh!


Like Oscar. He wanted me to take a pic of him while he pretended to yawn. Hee!