Friday, July 18
I had a bunch of meetings today, but they were marketing focused. I have a lot on my plate, but it’s all good stuff. I spent much of the day planning for the pre-IPNC dinner. I am excited about it. I love planning dinners and doing the décor, putting the flowers together, just being creative and trying to create a memorable experience.
I had to pick up lunch today, because I forgot to get turkey breast lunchmeat. So, I went to Panderia in Newberg for three corn tortilla tacos with carne asado and a side of rice and beans. It was amazing. I just love authentic, fresh Mexican food. And I’m 99% sure it’s gluten-free.
In the afternoon my co-worker and I walked over to Coffee Cottage for iced lattes. I had a raspberry white chocolate latte, more dessert than an afternoon pick-me-up. Oh well. Nothing like a sugar rush.
I left work later than I hoped and headed for downtown Portland. I was meeting Kerry, Shirley and Susan at Park Kitchen in the Park Blocks to celebrate Kerry’s 35th birthday. We started with a round of delicious cocktails served up by our friend, and bartender extraordinaire, Jamie. I had an herbaceous cocktail with a floating pear peel. Kerry brought pink bubbly, which we had once we got a table outside. Our friend Shelby met us at the table.
I ate a lovely cold cucumber soup with almond, shrimp and Thai spice flavor. I then had lamb tartare with mint and chick pea hummus. I was still hungry. Shirley and I selected a bottle of 2002 St. Joseph. I ordered the roasted duck and split it with Shelby.
After dinner, we walked over to Ten-01 and found our friend, and sommelier extraordinaire, Erica Landon, outside sipping on some Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny with her boyfriend and friends. We grabbed the café table next to them and ordered a bottle of Ennio Morricone Moscato d’Asti and dessert. I split the crème brule. It was the perfect end to a perfectly lovely evening.
