Pok Pok / Whiskey Soda Lounge

I had heard that Pok Pok has the best authentic Thai food that I would ever experience. It is true and was fabulous beyond words.

THIS IS THE BEST THAI FOOD I'VE EVER HAD ! ! !

My friend, Clark, who has a mutual love of Thai food, and I have been talking about going to Pok Pok for months on end. We finally were able to go there for lunch and found the food, service and whole experience to be perfect. We shared several dishes and every single one was delicious.

Here are some of the things we tried:

Kai Yaang
Half Bird $6.50 / Whole Bird $11.00
Roasted natural game hen rubbed with lemongrass, garlic, pepper and cilantro served with a spicy sweet and sour dipping sauce. Our signature dish.

Kuaytio Reua (Boat Noodles)
$10.00
Rice noodles in a complex dark rich broth with spices, herbs, stewed beef, poached flank, house-made meatballs, water spinach, dry chilies and bean sprouts. Traditionally sold from boats along the canals (khlongs) of Thailand.

Kung Yak Phao
$3.50 each, minimum 3 per order
Giant prawns, brined and grilled whole over charcoal, served with naam jiim thaleh, a spicy lime/garlic/chile dipping sauce.

Yam Makheua Yao (Available Vegetarian)
9.00
Salad of smoky grilled Chinese eggplant with fried dry shrimp and garlic, chopped boiled egg, Thai chilies, shallots, cilantro and a lime-fish sauce dressing.

The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed their outside seating. Service was excellent and knowledgable. The location is easy to miss. It is a mostly non-descript house and shack in the 3200 block of Division. We were there early, however, be aware that a line did form waiting to be seated.

You can find their website here:

http://pokpokpdx.com/index.php

Pok Pok /Whiskey Soda Lounge

3226 SE Division Street

Portland, OR 97202

(503) 232-1387

Bugatti's Beaverton

I dropped into Bugatti's in Beaverton a few Sundays ago as they have their Happy Hour menu available all day. On this day, just about everything was off... It started off with the bartender telling me that the beer I requested was out... so was the next choice so I had a Sangria that was good.

From there, the bar got a bit busy and the bartender became flustered and forgetful. One order was forgotten and no expanation. Things became so slow that I asked about the free wifi to play with my new iPhone. The bartender didn't know how to logon to the wifi and came back with a name and password that was printed on house stationary.... didn't work...

All and all, the food was very average... the prosciutto was so thick that it was like shoe leather... the rest was wadded up in a ball... no attention to presentation... The mussels were good and the Champagne salad looked better than it was... little to no flavour in the dressing... The fried Gnocchi was very bland and boring...

Here is the line up of things sampled:

Fried Gnocchi

Caesar Salad $2
Romaine hearts tossed with Caesar dressing, parmesan and croutons

Prosciutto Platter $5
An assortment of meat, cheese and olives with bruschette

Sautéed Mussels $5
With a lemon and thyme cream sauce

Champagne Salad Piadini Style $4
Candied walnuts, strawberries, gorgonzola, red onions and spinach atop a
whole wheat flatbread

You can find their website here:

http://www.bugattisrestaurant.com/bugattis_index.html

Bugatti's Beaverton

2905 SW Cedar Hills Blvd

Beaverton, OR 97005-1342
(503) 626-1400‎

Fresh Thyme Soup Co.

I recently went to Fresh Thyme Soup Company and had a very good panini sandwich. It was the special of the day... a barbeque pulled pork panini. Although it was very good, a panini just didn't seem right for a sandwich that is traditionally stacked high with coleslaw piled ontop of the pulled pork.

Also, I got a quart of chilled gazpacho soup to take home. It was absolutely delicious and had a bit of spicy heat to it... kind of unusual for a gazpacho soup. They sent me home with the soup, three tasty slices of garlic toast, tortilla chips, sour cream and fresh cilantro. Although I didn't get the toast into the picture, the whole presentation turned out splendidly.

I would certainly try this place again as they have a wide selection of classic panini's, cold sandwiches and wraps. Also, they have many vegitarian options. They rotate their selection of soups weekly and there is always several to choose from. I think this is a great "grab 'n go" idea if you are on the run and you want something tasty and nutritious.

You can find their website and menu's here: http://www.freshthymesoup.com/

Fresh Thyme Soup Co.

16155 NW Cornell RD

Suite 500

Beaverton, OR 97006-8101

(503) 466-9103