Park Kitchen
Where to go for lunch? was the question on Lauren and my lips this afternoon. We had originally planned on going to
see the incomparable Don Clarkson give a talk on visualization at the downtown library, but he was "ill" so it didn't happen. So our thoughts turned to lunch. Sadly, the nearby Vat and Tonsure has closed down, but the uber-organized Lauren has a list of restaurants in her car that we want to try. We decided on Park Kitchen (422 NW 8th), we have never been but heard many great things. Today was a cold, rainy and windy day and as we parked we could see the inviting lights of the restaurant across the street. We stepped into the cute space, and loved it at first sight. When you first walk in, there is a long bar to your left, and a few tables to the right, next to a large window that can be rolled up in the summer, looking out into the park, perhaps spying upon a nearby game of Bocce. On the bar are a few glass jars filled with different varieties of cookies to buy. We walked past the bar, into the cozy back room, with a charming open kitchen. Amazing smells wafted about the room, and continued to do so throughout the entire meal. The walls are painted a bright green, and there is a bench around the entire restaurant, with just a few cozy tables. The menu is small, but pretty perfect. For lunch, there were soups, salads, and entrees. There was the most interesting dish, a house-made hot dog, bun, ketchup and potato chips. There is something so intriguing about taking a casual meal like that and making it the most high quality, fresh, and delicious that you can. I didn't get it today, but swore that I would next time. I instead ordered the Crispy salmon with saffron and squash and an iced tea. Lauren ordered the Pulled pork sandwich with the aforementioned house-made potato chips. Both were incredibly tasty. But we saved the best for last, in the form of Pumpkin creme brulee with almond brittle and gingersnap cookies. OH MY GOD, SO GOOD! I could have eaten like three of them. Every part of the dish was so choice, I don't even like gingersnap cookies, but these were perfect, crisp on the outside, but chewy on the inside, with a smattering of sugar on the top. And that almond brittle was the perfect accompaniment to the spicy pumpkin creme brulee. I so enjoyed my lunch there, Lauren and I had a lovely time catching up on all the latest gossip, the Tyra show, Sarah Jessica's decorator, you know-the usual. I highly recommend Park Kitchen, and can't wait to go back for Brunch!
see the incomparable Don Clarkson give a talk on visualization at the downtown library, but he was "ill" so it didn't happen. So our thoughts turned to lunch. Sadly, the nearby Vat and Tonsure has closed down, but the uber-organized Lauren has a list of restaurants in her car that we want to try. We decided on Park Kitchen (422 NW 8th), we have never been but heard many great things. Today was a cold, rainy and windy day and as we parked we could see the inviting lights of the restaurant across the street. We stepped into the cute space, and loved it at first sight. When you first walk in, there is a long bar to your left, and a few tables to the right, next to a large window that can be rolled up in the summer, looking out into the park, perhaps spying upon a nearby game of Bocce. On the bar are a few glass jars filled with different varieties of cookies to buy. We walked past the bar, into the cozy back room, with a charming open kitchen. Amazing smells wafted about the room, and continued to do so throughout the entire meal. The walls are painted a bright green, and there is a bench around the entire restaurant, with just a few cozy tables. The menu is small, but pretty perfect. For lunch, there were soups, salads, and entrees. There was the most interesting dish, a house-made hot dog, bun, ketchup and potato chips. There is something so intriguing about taking a casual meal like that and making it the most high quality, fresh, and delicious that you can. I didn't get it today, but swore that I would next time. I instead ordered the Crispy salmon with saffron and squash and an iced tea. Lauren ordered the Pulled pork sandwich with the aforementioned house-made potato chips. Both were incredibly tasty. But we saved the best for last, in the form of Pumpkin creme brulee with almond brittle and gingersnap cookies. OH MY GOD, SO GOOD! I could have eaten like three of them. Every part of the dish was so choice, I don't even like gingersnap cookies, but these were perfect, crisp on the outside, but chewy on the inside, with a smattering of sugar on the top. And that almond brittle was the perfect accompaniment to the spicy pumpkin creme brulee. I so enjoyed my lunch there, Lauren and I had a lovely time catching up on all the latest gossip, the Tyra show, Sarah Jessica's decorator, you know-the usual. I highly recommend Park Kitchen, and can't wait to go back for Brunch!
posted by Crystal | Thursday, October 13, 2005
2 Comments:
Man, that sounds incredible! It's starting to get cold here, which makes me homesick for Portland, but also makes me want to be at Gustav's, spearing a piece of sausage and dipping it into cheese. Damn!
Polly they now have a delicious Pesto Fondue, which is quite divine!
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