I'm happy to say that "It went DELICIOUSLY well, thank you."
This trip is the first of many a road trip based on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." Concentrating on Washington and Portland we managed to hit three of the joints featured on his show. We would have hit more in San Francisco itself but hey - you learn to compromise when your world is ruled by a 6 month old.
(I must take a moment to say how much I love the concept of Triple D. Especially for foodies starting a family. Virtually all the places he features are family friendly, in that there's no stuffy maitre'd or white table cloths to spill on in sight.)
Our first stop was the Arleta Library Bakery Cafe. Tucked into a very unassuming, family-oriented neighbourhood in Portland, this place is a diamond in disguise.
">
One of the first things we noticed when we walked in was that there were at least three other tables with kids under the ages of 3. Amazing when you also see that the place is rather "cozy".
Paul had to try the Portland's Best Biscuits and Gravy because Guy tried it on the show. Whoever thought a peppery, rosemary gravy slathered over house made fluffy sweet potato biscuits and house-roasted pork loin could be so good? Paul almost didn't get his share of the Library fries - chunky spicy potato wedges because I kept sneaking them when he wasn't looking.
The day we went it was Cuban Pork Wednesday - and after an enthusiastic recommendation from our server that the Mojo sauce "...is ridiculously good today." - I had to try it. Locally raised Carlton Farms pork loin slow roasted to perfection slathered with Mojo sauce (Cuban barbecue sauce?), pepperoncini, melted provolone and pickles - it was porky heaven! And it's worth mentioning that the hallmark of a great sandwich lies greatly on the bread - which happened to be a perfectly crisp (but not too chewy) wholewheat baguette. I'm not sure if the pickles or the baguette was house made too but it sure tasted like it. Where were these pickles when I was pregnant?
And of course we couldn't leave without sampling some of the baking - it IS the Arleta Library BAKERY Cafe after all. We took to go the Pear and Fig Coffeecake and a couple of Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Espresso cookies. When I was choosing the cookies our server told me I couldn't have the regular Chocolate Chip because someone had called ahead and reserved the last two (WHO DOES THAT? Only if they're REALLY good!).... and she pointed to the Espresso ones and said I could have them but in a part apologetic and part warning like tone said, "They DO have espresso though".
OMGoodness -I'm pretty picky when it comes to baked goods but this cookie has taken a spot in my top three cookies EVER eaten. Delicately crisp on the outside, fudge brownie like on the inside, the chocolate chips still melty so you knew it was baked that day, the real kicker (pardon the pun) was the REAL espresso grounds and toasted walnuts. Absolute BLISS in cookie form.
The pear fig coffeecake was equally as good - fresh local pears, just the right amount of crunchy crumbly topping and dotted with figs. But it didn't quite give the kick we needed like the cookies did to keep us driving for another 5 hours to Medford.
Arleta, we're in love.
And we will be back.
