Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1521576
e Dossier enjoys a convenient downtown location, so we had only a short walk to our dinner reservation at Dolly Olive. is popular local restaurant has a cozy vibe and an intriguing menu. e culinary director spent time cooking in Sicily and brought those traditions here. Our server explained that Dolly Olive is a "sharing plates place," but I wasn't about to share my delicious Rotolo Verde and my husband felt the same way about his Eggplant Parmigiana. is meal remains one of my all-time favorites. e next day's agenda was ambitious, so we started with a hearty breakfast at Besaw's. is gem dates from 1903 and feels more like a city tavern than the popular brunch spot that it is. Richard indulged in a Dungeness crab omelet, and I had a wonderful dish that included cheddar cheese from nearby Tillamook, local eggs, locally grown organic spinach, and very flavorful morel mushrooms. "Of course they're delicious," our server said. "Morels are in season now." Who knew that Portland was foodie heaven? Obviously, not me. On the way to the gorgeous Portland Japanese Garden, I peppered our Uber driver with questions. "It's all about the fresh ingredients," he explained. "We have some of the finest seafood in the world; our climate is great for growing produce; and most farmers are organic. Also, people in this area eat in season when flavors are at their peak. Serious chefs love to work in Portland because this is where their food tastes best. And also, our chef community is very welcoming. Did you know that James Beard was a Portland chef ?" e coveted James Beard Awards were established in 1990. In this year's competition, Portland's finalists include the ai restaurant Langbaan for Outstanding Restaurant, Jinju Patisserie for Outstanding Bakery, and Hayward for Best New Restaurant; Chef Sarah Minnick of Lovely's Fifty-Fifty is nominated in the Outstanding Chef category, and Chef Gregory Gourdet of Kann is a finalist for Best Chef. Gourdet opened Kann in 2022 and won Best New Restaurant last year. e winners will be announced on June 10. Food Carts and More Fun Portland is recognized as America's food cart capitol, and it's one of the few cities where carts are organized into pods so diners can sample a variety of cuisines in a single stop. One pod includes Korean tacos, Mexican meals, and Egyptian cuisine. e Heist Bar & Food Carts on the site of an old US Bank offers Chicago-style hot dogs, chow mein, coconut soup, and more. Portland is also renowned for its colorful farmers markets << ranchandcoast.com 92 JUNE 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE DOLLY OLIVE: PHOTO BY AUSTIN PHELPS CAFE OLLI: PHOTO BY CASSANDRA PETERSEN CULTURAL VILLAGE: PHOTO BY JAMES FLORIO