Chips and Trudy N Meet the legendary I-95

While not exactly a trip, Trudy and I were fortunate enough to share a meal with legendary poster I-95 this week. We met at Jake's Seafood grill in Portland. I-95 and I each ordered local Columbia River Sturgeon while Trudy ordered local wild(not farmed) Salmon. The food was exquisite, the conversation filled with the humor and intelligence I-95 has always exhibited. It was too short an evening but I wanted to note it. I have found a marvelous fellowship because of this forum(and TOS) and have made many new friends. A broad thank you to all I have met and will continue to meet.

Per usual, Mr. Chips is being way to kind towards others involving our recent, shared dining experience at Portland, Oregon's famed:


[url='http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.display&pageid=96&id=1']Jake's Famous Crawfish[/url]
401 SW 12th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205
503 / 226-1419

As Mr. C noted, our dinner took place at the more than century-old Jake's Famous Crawfish -- the predecessor to the McCormick & Schmick's chain (). It was at this Pacific Northwest, fresh fish mecca where I met up with Portland's "Prince of Provisions," Mr. Chips and his child bride, Trudy. (Poster Bill Voss was also supposed to meet us but some garbled message from him about bail money, second mortgage, blah, blah, blah was lost on me.) Mr. Chips was the first to arrive and so we sat in Jake's convivial bar area feasting on both microbrews (me -- most notably a pint of Bend, Oregon's Deschutes Brewery's delicious [url='http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/BrewPub/OnTap/5830.aspx']Mirror Pond Pale Ale[/url]). Most notably shared and enjoyed were a couple of orders of Jake's fantastic salmon cakes (which wanderingjew previously touted [url='http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20385&SearchTerms=jake's']here[/url] and whose photo from the aforementioned hyperlink I will steal and post here if just for the obvious drool-inducing factor:)




Later, Trudy joined us and all three of us enjoyed a highly-conversational and enjoyable meal made even more pleasurable by Mr. C and I both ordering that night's special, a perfectly grilled fillet of locally caught sturgeon. Trudy ordered the salmon and all parties remarked at what perfectly prepared fish dishes they were enjoying. Mr. Chips and Trudy proved wonderful dining companions and their knowledge and enthusiasm of all things Oregonian was both appreciated if not contagious. They are the PERFECT couple to consult if anyone else is planning a trip to this country's 33rd state.

One addendum: Before that same evening was over, and after saying (wait for it...wait for it), "[url='http://www.sounddogs.com/previews/2206/mp3/319429_SOUNDDOGS_CR.mp3']Goodbye, Mr. Chips[/url]," it was a quick cab ride over to what [url='http://cityguides.msn.com/citylife/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5354141']MSN[/url] recently hailed as a "hipster-friendly hole-in-the-wall in downtown Portland (which) tests sensory limits with super-sweet (and often adult-themed) creations, bright colors and guilty childhood pleasures—just try getting through the Captain Crunch doughnut without succumbing to sugar shock" otherwise known as:




[url='http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.html']Voodoo Doughnut[/url]
22 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon
503 / 241-4704

The goal here was to find something to bring home for the kids. A Voodoo Doughnut baby doll t-shirt proclaiming that "Good Things Come in Pink Boxes"? Um, no. A black, concert-like t-shirt with a skeleton protuding from a doughnut hole with the heading that "the magic is in the hole." Yeah...no. A box of "Voodoo Doll" doughnuts each resembling, well, a voodoo doll including an inserted pretzel in the doll's midsection serving as a "pin" and filled with (you guessed it) raspberry jelly to simulate, well, you can only guess?...




...priceless!

And while I'm pretty sure that the multi-pierced girl working the counter that night thought it was a raid as I walked my sport-coated self into the goth establishment that night, the end result was a box of safely transported, "blood-filled," yeast-raised voodoo dolls that were thoroughly enjoyed by three east coast kids last night (and much to their mother's chagrin).


All in all, a pretty darn good visit to the City of Roses.

I would have given almost anything (except the airfare) to have been privy to the dinner conversation at Jake's! Congratulations to both of you for the driving of the theoretical 'Golden Spike/Fork' of Roadfood and uniting the country (again)

quote:

Originally posted by Al-The Mayor-BowenCongratulations to both of you for the driving of the theoretical 'Golden Spike/Fork' of Roadfood and uniting the country (again)

It did somewhat resemble this, Al:

I recognize Mr Chips famous Thumbnail...But, My Interstate Friend, I think you need to see a dermotalogist!!

Dammit, Al, I fear you are right as I just got my pictures back from my
Portland trip and at least this one of me and Mr. Chips (on the left)...




...shows that I may need to be using a tad bit more moisturizer.

Thanks for your concern.

Looks like a marvelous time was had by all!

Glad to hear you guys had a great time

It appears that I95 is a little confused as to which state he was in
as demonstrated by this photo. Although he was close- Idaho is only one state away from Oregon!

What fun it sounds like you all had...hope to be able to meet some of my Milw/Chicago roadfood buddies soon for a meal...

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

It appears that I95 is a little confused as to which state he was in as demonstrated by this photo.

Wow. Where did that come from? To compare me with a socially-inept never mind animated character from some bawdy FOX Network cartoon??

Honestly, this is the most unwelcoming board I've ever been on.

quote:

Originally posted by i95

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

It appears that I95 is a little confused as to which state he was in as demonstrated by this photo.

Wow. Where did that come from? To compare me with a socially-inept never mind animated character from some bawdy FOX Network cartoon??

Honestly, this is the most unwelcoming board I've ever been on.

looks like it may be the only one though....

To return to topic, If I May !

I really enjoy reading the comments of the participants at these meetings...whether they are a large gathering like the BBQ or Hot Dog gangs, or just a couple of folks with a common interest Like I-95 and Chips and his wife. I have been fortunate enough to share some time with both of these folks (haven't met Trudy yet!)and find them to be great company. Recently we shared an evening with IQDiva and her Husband and Adjudacator and his wife. We had a very good dinner, and some great conversation. I recommend this sort of socialization to everyone on the site.
Whenever we travel we try to build into the schedule some time to share with our internet friends to get to know them better, and have yet to be disappointed in one of those events.

Yes, I should probably post this under a separate "Trip Report" and, yes, this is reviving one of those dreaded, drivel-ridden "old threads" but I'm specifically posting this here as such seems most appropriate following my RETURN from Portland, Oregon just this week to formally declare:

mr chips is da' man!


Indeed, this "Prince of Portland" provided me excellent counsel in where to eat in this my MacArthur-like return to the City of Roses (accompanied by my twelve-year-old son). And while I wasn't able to get together with either he or the equally helpful Bill Voss this time around, their collective guidance was extremely helpful and directly contributed to the following Readers Digest(ive) trip report:


Amazing as always. Had the salmon cakes appetizer and grilled halibut while my
son enjoyed the roasted plank salmon plus a couple of crawfish. All stupendous.



Awesome as well. My son had the OUTSTANDING smoked salmon chowder
while I the halibut fish & chips along with a draft of the locally crafted:





Hit this hippie den not once but twice. Simply perfect.
Brought home six voodoo doll doughnuts, as well.



Organic can be good as proven as this breakfast / lunch spot where we had a fabulous breakfast
topped by addictingly good marionberry sauce. Had organic outmeal with fresh fruit while the
boy had pancakes with said sauce. Yummo.


and



Already reviewed and touted on this site[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1837']here[/url] and excellent. Informal seafood market and restaurant.
Best darn fish & chips (halibut, again -- although you could choose from shrimp to salmon nevermind
squid steaks). I couldn't recommend more.



All in all, an excellent culinary soujourn to the Pacific Northwest. Thanks, Mr. C!

It just occurred to me that I forgot to list another spot recommended to me by mr chips and which my son and I visited last week ad during my second trip to the City of Roses that being the venerable...



Char Burger
745 NW Wanapa Street
Cascade Locks, Oregon
541 / 374-8477


In terms of full disclosure here, Mr. C wasn't touting this place as the be-all place to dine in Oregon but rather a "best of" spot when in Oregon's stunning Columbia Gorge region. That said and as the seating for the spacious restaurant easily off of I-84 (no relation ) overlooks the beautiful Columbia River and just east of the "Bridge of the Gods," Char Burger proved the perfect place for my son to grab what he said was a very tasty burger while I dined on the specific, site-made delicacy which mr. chips did specifically endorse, Char Burger's scrumptious Marionberry Pie.



Two words: Yum mo.

Thanks, again, Jim!

I'm guessing you didn't go to Astoria?

quote:

Originally posted by bill voss

I'm guessing you didn't go to Astoria?

Actually, I "hybridized" your and mr chips valued Pacific Coast recommendations last week to include, at least, Seaside and Cannon Beach. Therefore, yes, we didn't make it as far north as Astoria but loved Cannon Beach (and this famed formation...




...) -- and Ecola Seafoods -- enough to also not make it farther south than about eight miles down the coast from there. (Translation: No . )