Someone I work with told me about this place, Bunk Sandwiches, being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I looked into it, and decided to check it out. I believe that any place that seasons and makes its own pork belly deserves a shot.
We ordered the pork belly bahn mi. While I fancy myself a connoisseur of bahn mi, I've never had it with pork belly. And I don't know why, because it was AWESOME!!! The only downside is that I split the sandwich (instead of ordering my own).
We also had the cauliflower and chickpea curry soup. Much like the sandwich, the soup was delicious, but it was the sandwich that would bring me back. Again, and again, and again.
Friday, October 7, 2011
BridgePort Brewing Company (Portland, OR)
I may have had the best burger of my life here.
I showed up planning on sharing an appetizer and/or a sandwich as a 3:30 pm "lunch" (knowing that we had dinner plans with friends). When I saw the Pimento Burger, however, I changed my mind and just went with the flow.
And the flow was good. Local beef, topped with pimento cheese, bacon aioli, and fried green tomatoes. I'm pretty sure that a more decadent (and, yet, complimentary) combination of three burger toppings could not exist.
This must be a new burger, as it's not on BridgePort's online menu, so it may not be there if/when you visit -- but if it is (and I should hope that they make it a permanent fixture on the menu) -- jump at the opportunity to enjoy this outstanding burger.
I showed up planning on sharing an appetizer and/or a sandwich as a 3:30 pm "lunch" (knowing that we had dinner plans with friends). When I saw the Pimento Burger, however, I changed my mind and just went with the flow.
And the flow was good. Local beef, topped with pimento cheese, bacon aioli, and fried green tomatoes. I'm pretty sure that a more decadent (and, yet, complimentary) combination of three burger toppings could not exist.
This must be a new burger, as it's not on BridgePort's online menu, so it may not be there if/when you visit -- but if it is (and I should hope that they make it a permanent fixture on the menu) -- jump at the opportunity to enjoy this outstanding burger.
Cafe Pasqual's (Santa Fe, NM)
The one stop I was not going to miss on our trip to Santa Fe was Cafe Pasqual's. I saw their Huevos Barbacoa on a "Best Thing I Ever Ate" episode about eggs, and have been dreaming of it ever since.
Pasqual's frequently has a wait -- and our visit on a Monday was no different. But the Huevos Barbacoa lived up to the "Best Thing I Ever Ate" episode's touting. A pleasant amount of heat, balanced with rich and succulent meat, and I was done with the entire plate of deliciousness before my fellow diners finished half of their sandwiches.
I would be remiss if I did not mention these sandwiches. Pasqual's has a green chile cornbread, baked and sliced as sandwich bread, that changed my impression of what can be done with corn in bread form. Never before had I seen sandwich-style cornbread -- and it was good.
On my next trip to Santa Fe, I'll have to hit up Pasqual's on multiple occassions -- first to get the Huevos Barbacoa and second to get a sandwich.
Pasqual's frequently has a wait -- and our visit on a Monday was no different. But the Huevos Barbacoa lived up to the "Best Thing I Ever Ate" episode's touting. A pleasant amount of heat, balanced with rich and succulent meat, and I was done with the entire plate of deliciousness before my fellow diners finished half of their sandwiches.
I would be remiss if I did not mention these sandwiches. Pasqual's has a green chile cornbread, baked and sliced as sandwich bread, that changed my impression of what can be done with corn in bread form. Never before had I seen sandwich-style cornbread -- and it was good.
On my next trip to Santa Fe, I'll have to hit up Pasqual's on multiple occassions -- first to get the Huevos Barbacoa and second to get a sandwich.
Galisteo Bistro (Santa Fe, NM)
If you're looking for a place with ambiance and character in Santa Fe, Galisteo Bistro is your place. With the open kitchen (who doesn't like that?!?) and the chef visiting each table to discuss the day's specials (who doesn't like that?!?), Galisteo Bistro welcomes you like no other restaurant in Santa Fe.
I began my meal with the "House Specialty," artisanal duck liver pate. I love pate, but had hit a streak of inconsistent and/or poor duck liver pates. Well, Galisteo Bistro's house specialty broke the run of bad duck liver pate. It would be safe to say that I was disappointed when it disappeared.
For my entree, I had the Pasta Al Forno with Veal Ricotta Meatballs. Having had the pasta at Galisteo Bistro recommended to me by my dining companions (although none had previously had the Pasta Al Forno), I was disappointed -- but probably because I anticipated a veal meatball with fresh ricotta melting atop the oven roasted pasta. Instead, the ricotta was blended with the veal IN the meatball. While okay for what it was, I would not order the dish again. I was certainly jealous of my other dining companions, who all LOVED their entrees.
The dessert, however, is another story. I enjoyed "Decadence" (their name, not mine) at the conclusion of my meal, a flourless bittersweet chocolate cake on an almond crust -- and it lived up to its name. I would be the first to acknolwedge that I am a sucker for flourless chocolate cakes, but this one may have been the best I ever had.
Needless to say, Decadence helped me forget my disappointment with the Pasta Al Forno and left me with nothing but positive vibes about Galisteo Bistro. I plan on returning.
I began my meal with the "House Specialty," artisanal duck liver pate. I love pate, but had hit a streak of inconsistent and/or poor duck liver pates. Well, Galisteo Bistro's house specialty broke the run of bad duck liver pate. It would be safe to say that I was disappointed when it disappeared.
For my entree, I had the Pasta Al Forno with Veal Ricotta Meatballs. Having had the pasta at Galisteo Bistro recommended to me by my dining companions (although none had previously had the Pasta Al Forno), I was disappointed -- but probably because I anticipated a veal meatball with fresh ricotta melting atop the oven roasted pasta. Instead, the ricotta was blended with the veal IN the meatball. While okay for what it was, I would not order the dish again. I was certainly jealous of my other dining companions, who all LOVED their entrees.
The dessert, however, is another story. I enjoyed "Decadence" (their name, not mine) at the conclusion of my meal, a flourless bittersweet chocolate cake on an almond crust -- and it lived up to its name. I would be the first to acknolwedge that I am a sucker for flourless chocolate cakes, but this one may have been the best I ever had.
Needless to say, Decadence helped me forget my disappointment with the Pasta Al Forno and left me with nothing but positive vibes about Galisteo Bistro. I plan on returning.
Coyote Cafe (Santa Fe, NM)
On our first night in Santa Fe, we went to Coyote Cafe (on the insistence of my parents). It was an excellent choice.
I began the meal with the New Mexican Sweet Corn Soup -- probably because it claimed to be "New Mexican" and definitely because it included black truffles. The silky texture complimented the sweetness of the corn and the earthiness of the black truffle superbly.
For my entree, I selected the elk tenderloin (on the recommendation of my father). Tender and flavorful, the elk did not disappoint. Throw in some mashed potatoes, bacon, and mushrooms, and the entire dish delivered.
I also nibbled on a few other dishes, highlighted by the sherry infused italian brown mushroom struedel. Without a doubt, one of the most flavorful and "meaty" vegetarian dishes I've ever had.
While a pricier restaurant, Coyote Cafe delivers and justifies the prices charged.
I began the meal with the New Mexican Sweet Corn Soup -- probably because it claimed to be "New Mexican" and definitely because it included black truffles. The silky texture complimented the sweetness of the corn and the earthiness of the black truffle superbly.
For my entree, I selected the elk tenderloin (on the recommendation of my father). Tender and flavorful, the elk did not disappoint. Throw in some mashed potatoes, bacon, and mushrooms, and the entire dish delivered.
I also nibbled on a few other dishes, highlighted by the sherry infused italian brown mushroom struedel. Without a doubt, one of the most flavorful and "meaty" vegetarian dishes I've ever had.
While a pricier restaurant, Coyote Cafe delivers and justifies the prices charged.
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