Park Kitchen

We went there for lunch today. This place is tiny, a hole in the wall, so we were glad we got there at 11:30 (no reservations!). The drinks looked interesting, but as we were there with our bosses, we kept to the non-alcoholic stuff. They serve splendid coffee.

So, food: I should have stolen a menu. We started with bread and soup. The bread costs $2.50 but is worth every penny--it's from Ken's Artisan Bakery, 5 large slices, served with the most luscious olive oil. J. got the "Sweet pepper and hazelnut soup with sherry marinated anchovies", a smooth creamy soup that was just delicious. I got the summer beans, duck confit and pesto soup, which had a broth base, with the most fabulous vegetables which went crunch and zing in my mouth. If only vegetables generally tasted like that--I'd get my five servings and then some. We switched bowls halfway and enjoyed both of them--though I'm convinced I was the winner.

The main course: several of us ordered the small shells with duck and hazelnuts--yum. C. ordered the main course flank steak salad with bleu cheese and sherry-marinated onions. B., the halibut with cabbage and potatoes, and A., the salami-squash-radicchio sandwich. We were all quite pleased.

And then dessert time. Dear g-d. We ordered one of everything, passed them around, and called them all exquisite. Double chocolate pudding in an oatmeal shell with salted pecans-yum. Plum/almond crostata with cinnamon ice cream and plum sauce--yumm. Apple-cinnamon brown butter tart with vanilla ice cream and the most incredible caramel sauce--yumm. Creme brulee--yum. Concord grape sorbet w/peanut butter cookies--tee hee!--yum.

Luckily, we didn't have to catch the tab, though I think it would have come to $20 per person without tip. Oh, and the service, as you might imagine, was great.

422 NW 8th
503/223-PARK
www.parkkitchen.com

posted by vj @ 6:03 PM