Komforte Chockolates

I've decided that one thing I cannot live without is Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. I can't help it, I love it. I think having a small piece of chocolate after a meal completes the meal. When we go grocery shopping at New Seasons, Jeff and I like to check out the chocolate and see what crazy chocolate bars they have. One of the blogs I read mentioned Komforte Chockolates and I had to check it out. The chocolate bars they have sound amazing and I can't wait to try them. I'm not sure which one I'm more excited about, I think we'll have to get all three. I like the packaging too.

Jimmy John's

I'm sure this isn't big news for most of you, but Oregon got it's first Jimmy John's and it's located relatively close to where we live. We are in heaven!! Jeff and I love their sandwiches and we make it a point to go there whenever possible. The closest Jimmy John's to us was in Seattle. Well, now we don't have to drive too far.

Alice Lane Home Collection

I can't wait to check out Alice Lane Home Collection the next time we are in Utah visiting family and friends. I can tell from the pictures and the website it's going to be worth the trip. If you live in the Orem area, you'll have to head over to the store and let me know how it is. They also have a blog that shows some of their recent projects, I love seeing the before and after pictures. Here are some of the items that I liked from their store.















Pictures via Alice Lane Home Collection website

Castagna

For Mother's Day, even though I'm not a mother yet, Jeff took me to Castagna for dinner. We had a wonderful time and the food was absolutely delicious. The chef at Castagna has been named one of the Best New Chefs of 2010 by Food and Wine and he did not disappoint. Jeff is still talking about the dessert he had with beets and sable caramel. You'll have to check out the menu here.

We took advantage of the nice weather and took a walk around the neighborhood by Castagna. We both had a wonderful evening and we can't wait to go back and try some of the other things on the menu.

24 Hours in New York

I love this print by Fernando Volken Togni. I hope he does one for Los Angeles and Portland. Check out some of his other prints here.

Beast

Last night we went to dinner at Beast with a few other couples from our church. It's one of our favorite restaurants in Portland. We went last year for Jeff's birthday, you can read more about that experience here. The food is absolutely amazing. The chef, Naomi Pomeroy, has been nominated for a 2010 James Beard Award. Last year she was one of Food and Wine's Top New Chefs of 2009. Her name is constantly popping up in magazines, blogs and TV shows.

We had such a fun time with everyone and can't wait to do it again.

The menu changes weekly and like I said before the food is amazing. Here is the menu from last night:

LEEK AND GREEN GARLIC SOUP
CARROT CREAM & ESPELETTE

CHARCUTERIE PLATE:
FOIE-GRAS BON-BON, SAUTERNES GELEÉ
STEAK TARTARE & QUAIL EGG TOAST
CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE & PICKLED SHALLOT
BOUDIN NOIR & DUCK FAT APPLE PASTRY
CARLTON FARMS PORK SHOULDER RILLETTES

LOCAL QUAIL
STUFFED WITH KEN’S BRIOCHE, RABBIT LIVER,
RAMPS, MORELS & SPRING HERBS
WILTED FRISEE & SEARED FRENCH BREAKFAST RADISHES

GROUNDWORK FARMS SPRING GREENS
HALIBUT CHEEKS, ASPARAGUS & PARMESAN
BROWN BUTTER & 30 YEAR AGED BALSAMIC

~SELECTION OF STEVE’S CHEESE~
ANISE & FLEUR DE SEL SHORTBREAD
OREGON WILDFLOWER HONEY
POACHED APRICOTS & MARCONA ALMONDS

RHUBARB GALETTE
PISTACHIO ICE CREAM
CARAMEL SAUCE

Here are some pictures of Naomi Pomeroy and her restaurant Beast that I found from Google Images.

Charcuterie Plate

Fusion Brands

As you probably know, Jeff loves to cook and he is always looking for cool kitchen gadgets. While browsing through one of his cooking magazines, he found Fusion Brands. They make the coolest kitchen gadgets ever! Right now we are loving the food pod, the ice orb, and the poach pod. All their products look great and we can't wait to try more of them.