Vancouver Restaurants

Roots- Voted Restaurant of the year 2004 by the Oregonian! Fresh NW cuisine served in an upscale atmosphere. Minutes from HP and Hi-Tech Row in Camas/East Vancouver. 19215 SE 34th St Suite 100
360-260-3001

La Bottega - Is a lovely little Italian bistro located in Uptown Vancouver. Great Italian food at reasonable prices, some of the best sandwiches in town. La Bottega also has a wine shop and deli, throughout the year they host seasonal theme dinners. 1905 Main St, Vancouver WA 360-571-5010

Saigon Express - This is the greatest little hole in the wall restaurant. Located in a strip mall off Andresen and 4th Plain this Thai/Vietnamese restaurant has really great food at fabulous prices. Their wonton soup is my favorite quick take out lunch. For $6.50 you get a huge bowl stuffed with shrimp, pork, and wontons spiced up with cilantro and fresh veggies. 3021 NE 72nd Dr. 360-944-8338

Thai Little Home - My personal choice for some of the best Thai food in the area.  The best Shrimp Pad Thai I have ever tasted. 3214 E 4th Plain Blvd 360-693-4061

Portland Restaurants

Papa Haydn's has been one of my favorite restaurants in Portland for many years but I have to say I was there last week and things have changed ...When do you ever hear that a restaurant that has been around for over 20 years, has not been content to rest on it's laurels but has actually shaken things up and improved on a good thing?

Some of the mainstay desserts recipes have been revamped. The venerable Marjolane, my favorite dessert in the world has a crispier merinigue and a more intense flavor in the filling. The Boccone Dolce alas has not been changed, it remains the sweet wonderful bite of crunchy meringue and airy cream and  fruit that it always has been.

The entree's at Papa Haydn's have always been secondary to me, it was the desserts that I kept coming back for, but no more. Last week I had one of the better meals that I have ever had in Portland. A lovely grilled Sea Bass with a Celery root puree, topped with crispy leeks.

Its great to see such a Portland tradition only getting better with age.