After what has been a very difficult few weeks, we had reason to actually go out in public - DT's college roommate, Red, is in town from Chicago for a few days on business.
We met Red downtown Portland for a cocktail at The Nines. I realize it is February and I realize I live in Oregon, but it was such a beautiful day - hipsters were actually enjoying their cocktails outside on the roof-top deck of the hotel bar!

Keeping with my all-things-Oregon and all-things-Organic philosophy mantra one-woman Chamber of Commerce belief, we chose to dine at Wildwood in NW Portland. Wildwood features local produce, meat, fish and game and is owned by Portland-native Cory Schreiber.


The boys ordered Red Wine Braised Cascade Natural Beef Short Ribs, with balsamic braised radicchio risotto, gorgonzola and crushed walnuts.


Dainty little eater me? I ordered the Confit of Cattail Creek Lamb Shank with Ayers Creek Tarbais Beans, slow cooked kale and creamed wild mushrooms. Tarbais Beans are a large white bean (similar to a cannellini bean) that are uniquely trained to climb up amongst the stalks in a corn field! Who knew!
It was a wonderful evening.
Until my next update, I remain, well-fed correspondent.