A very fitting finale

A very fitting finale

DSC09972

It’s been another day of altogether different experiences from yesterday. For our last full day we decided we’d start at the Farmers Market – bustling with trade on this lovely sunny morning.  We browsed around enjoying the sight of the freshest of vegetables and seeing plenty of evidence that strawberry season has arrived in full force.

DSC09973

It wouldn’t be Portland without some curiosity though – there were several amusing signs and again, enough raw material for several novels if only we stood still long enough to record it all.

DSC09984

Like in Seattle, the mixed bunches of flowers were looking lovely in the sunshine and many of the market customers were carrying huge bunches home with them.

DSC09985

Best of all were the berries – we were to enjoy some of these later!

DSC09990

Our next stop was the Saturday market, at the other end of the city centre, not far from Voodoo Doughnuts.

DSC09987

There was a long queue outside there this morning!

DSC09989

We understood this market to be “arts and crafts” and knowing Portland to be a creative kind of place, our expectations were high.  Too high as it happened, because this market turned out to be like many others, full of pretty mundane things, very few original or well made and as a result, we didn’t linger.

DSC09994

Instead, we took the streetcar to the north western end of the city centre, where Mary recalled a neighbourhood full of interesting streets to potter about in.  She was right!

DSC09999

We spent a happy couple of hours in the sunshine, in and out of shops, people watching and finally, gelato-eating.

DSC09996

Very good it was too – my zabaglione and pistachio were excellent.

DSC00004

Across the road, one of my favourite shops was to be found, too.  I didn’t even go looking for this one!

DSC00012

Late afternoon by now, and time to return to the hotel to enjoy a bit of sunshine and sadly, to begin the packing up.  On this summer Saturday afternoon, Portland was out to play and the riverside park was rather busier than we’ve seen it.

DSC00025

This evening, we had our “Portland Summer Dinner Party” to look forward to.  Arriving around 6.30pm, we were welcomed with a glass of bubbly and took our places for a great demonstration as Adam, the chef, cooked dinner for us.  The whole seven courses were first class from the first bite to the last. 

The Menu?

A tuna amuse-bouche

DSC00020

Oregon White Peach Salad with Shiso, Pickled Onions and summer Radishes

DSC00021

Chilled Cucumber Gazpacho with Marcona Almonds, Cilantro and Creme Fraiche

DSC00023

Baked Shrimp and Crab Cakes with Roasted Pepper Aioli and Watercress

DSC00028

Five Spice Crusted Tuna Loin with Grilled Asparagus and Sesame Noodles

DSC00031

Dry Aged Ribeye steak with Herb butter, warm potato salad and Arugula (I was losing the plot by now and forgot to take a picture of the dish – here’s Adam plating it up for us)

DSC00033
Winking smile

and finally, Fresh Oregon Berries and Angel Food cake with Vanilla Whipped cream, which didn’t stay on the plate long enough to be photographed

We all agreed that it had been a great way to spend our last evening together before setting off home tomorrow.  It’s been a great trip!

Presumptious, moi?

Presumptious, moi?

River deep, mountain high

River deep, mountain high