Food, fun and family

Saturday night was Date Night. Went out with Lori to Departure, the restaurant on the top floor of the historic Meier & Frank Building in the heart of downtown. Despite all the buzz surrounding the opening of the Nines, the luxury hotel that took over many of the upper floors in the building now operated by Macy's, I hadn't been in the building for at least a couple of years.

Suffice to say I was wowed. The views of the city from the 15th floor are stunning -- much like what I felt when I looked out at the Chicago cityscape from the John Hancock Tower. Departure itself is sleek and the Asian cuisine a cut above, with its sushi rolls, edamame and other small plate offerings. Urban Farmer, on the 8th floor, bills itself as a modern steakhouse offering organic cuisine. We'll have to go back in the new year.

After a light dinner, we walked through Pioneer Courthouse Square -- the site of the Portland bombing plot  -- and marveled at the size of the city's holiday tree. The photo below is actually of the trees in the northwest corner of the square, just outside the TriMet office and below a Starbucks store. We had a drink in the bar of the Heathman Hotel, then headed back home. A lovely evening.

The fun continued this morning. We met Nathan and girlfriend Sara for brunch at Country Cat, a restaurant in the Montavilla neighborhood of Southeast Portland. We discovered the place a couple years ago after one of Simone's concerts at a nearby church, but had only been there for a post-dinner snack. Today was our introduction to the fabulous breakfast and lunch menu.

Lori and Sara went for the Eggs Benedict, featuring smoked steelhead, while Nathan and I made do with a hash that featured autumn vegetables, Swiss chard and bits of pork loin, topped with poached eggs. Yum.

Portland's become known for its food scene as much as its left-leaning politics and proximity to the outdoors. We don't always treat ourselves in this way, but this weekend made me feel spoiled. What could be better than to share a delicious meal with people that I love?

P.S. The foodfest continued Sunday night at the Ringside, one of the city's premier steakhouses. Lori's brother turned 65 and we were invited to join Jim and his wife and another couple to celebrate at dinner. It this keeps up, I'm going to have to start wearing sweatpants.