Birthday-Belated Post 3: Pepper Club, Follow the Monk, and Mini-Inferno Freezing with Triple D

Other fantasticness in Portlandia...

1. The primary reason we drove up to Portland for my birthday were these two individuals -- the newly enfianced.  The four of us have an amazing time together, and frankly, it had been way too long since we had been together.  Thankfully their visit to family provided us with the opportunity to see them as well.  I must say though, that E and I do make a pair -- I'm vegan and she is a pescetarian who can't have gluten or soy.  Thus, we must give a salute to the Pepper Club in Portland <http://www.pepperclubrestaurant.com/menu.html>.  The restaurant is vegan-friendly (not entirely vegan), and the staff was understanding and accommodating about our food needs.  Believe me, such accommodation is often extremely rare.  We were probably a bit difficult as a table, especially for a brand new waiter, but they were graceful and, ultimately, we had a very good meal at that location.

2.  Follow the Monk!  The people in Portland were simply lovely.  From the hotel staff to restaurant/bar staff to people on the street who we stopped in order to pet their animals, everyone was just very kind.  Frankly, it kind of reminded me of my home growing up -- I miss that friendly atmosphere.  Anyway, in addition to the Pepper Club, we also went to an incredible beer garden called Novare Res <http://novareresbiercafe.com> recommended to us by our very friendly hotel valet.  Everyone knew that as soon as he said, walk to x street and look for the monk that this was our kind of place. If you are a beer person, this place is for you.  There was a binder beer list -- a binder!  Our bartender was incredibly knowledgeable about the diverse array of beers available.  Although many speciality places like this can be intimidating for (or downright snotty to)  those with a more basic familiarity with the product, once again, everyone was kind, and the atmosphere was welcoming.  In addition to getting to try some specialty brew from a local brewery and one of my favorite breweries (Abita), there were darts.  Let me just say -- that the ladies surprised the men with some rockin' dart throwing.  Frankly, I surprised myself too.  Three bullseyes -- yay me!

3.  Did you feel it Pilgrim as you and Virgil were strolling through the Inferno on Tuesday afternoon?  If you felt that brisk, if momentary, cooling, it was the moment in which I agreed with Guy Fieri.  To be clear, I have no personal issues etc. with said individual or his show -- clearly as I do not know him and have only a vague knowledge of the show.  I just did not think that there would ever be a time in which I would agree with any place that he enjoyed.  After all, he is carnivorous maximus, and I clearly am not.  My father loves his show, and I know others who do as well, but I just thought it would be the proverbial "cold day" before he and I would agree on something.  Well yesterday, that cold day happened.

A recent episode of Guy Fieri's show "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" filmed at a diner in Portland called Becky's Diner <http://www.beckysdiner.com/>.  As I recall from what was recounted to me by our friends, the focus of the show and "big deal" at the diner is its perpetual serving of a complete turkey dinner.  Right...so you see, that I had good reason for my skepticism.  Still, Monday and Tuesday in Portland have somewhat restricted options, especially for breakfast, and my friends were very excited about this place, so we decided to go.  I am so happy that we did.

From the minute we walked in, I knew that we had made the right decision.  Having looked at the menu, I didn't think that they would have soy milk, so I had gotten a coffee elsewhere.  I know that bringing a beverage into another establishment is not appropriate, so I asked one of the waitresses if this was ok given my dietary constraints, and she said it was just fine.  It turned out that this young woman was our waitress for the meal, and we explained to her our various needs.  She was extremely accommodating.  From checking on the gluten-free bread (which they actually had!) for my friend (which alas contained soy) to creating a wonderful vegan homefry dish for me, this place filled our tummies and surrounded us with courtesy and understanding.  The broccoli, mushrooms, and spinach in my homefries were incredibly fresh and crisply steamed, the portion (as you can see) was filling, and the price was extremely reasonable.  Although you would certainly have to create your own dish (as I did), I have to give props when a staff is willing to make that dish happen.

As you can see, it was a delicious and amazing birthday getaway.  What about the cake you ask?  Don't worry -- I ate a piece Monday before we left and yesterday...when we finally got back.

If you haven't been, I encourage you to check out Portland, Maine.  Although not the hub of vegan food like Portland, OR is, the people are wonderful, the restaurants are accommodating, and the experience is memorable.  The hub and I look forward to going up again in the summer months.

Ok, hope I've made up appropriately for my posting lapse.  And now...I must consider what to make for the upcoming holiday.
K