Reasons I love Portland:
1. Starbucks
2. Gardens and greenery galore
Obviously this was the highlight of my visit to Portland (aka the only reason we stopped on our drive up to Kyle’s parents’ house in WA).
You see, these ladies hold a very special place in my heart. Care to Eat was actually the VERY FIRST food blog I read. I fell in love with Erin and Andrea after just one post. And then once I discovered the (since dissolved) blog of the sarcastic and witty Mama Pea, I knew I had to join the blog world…if for no other reason than to one day meet these people that I stalk on the internet know way too much about.
Mission accomplished.
We met at Vita Cafe, a vegetarian/vegan (and child) friendly restaurant, and for the first time in my life I asked for kids menus. Good thing Gigi and Lulu claimed the crayons because I was eyeing them, too.
Also for the first time in my life, the menu was my second priority. I was hardly paying attention to what I was going to order because of the great company! Our poor waitress wasn’t very pleased, but she rolled with it. With these cute faces staring up at you, how could you not?
And let me just say, these girls know how to hold a pose until you are camera ready.
While they enjoyed their berry smoothies, I tried to keep my language G-rated as I chatted with the grown ups.
And then our meals arrived. I ordered the SUPERGRAIN SALAD.
It had black and white quinoa, tempeh bacon crumbles, red peppers, currants, pumpkin seeds and guacamole with carrot ginger dressing.
After my salad at Blossoming Lotus, the bar was set pretty impossibly high, so I’ll try not to hold it up to such insane standards. I don’t know that anything will top yesterday’s Green Goddess dinner. This one was definitely good, though I could probably think of a few ways to improve it. The dressing was pretty tasty, so I wish it hadn’t been served to me on the side, I like it when my salads come pre-tossed (provided they aren’t soggy from too much dressing). Also, I take issue when big salads are served on plates so you can’t cut it or move anything without stuff falling off the plate. Either give it to me in a bowl, pre-toss/cut everything, or serve it on a massive platter because I want it all, and I feel gypped when half ends up on the table around my plate. There were also only a few bacon pieces (I actually think there were exactly three), which wasn’t quite enough for my liking. And a little more avocado wouldn’t hurt either, if I’m being picky.
But aside from those few deets, the flavors were great. The combo of the pumpkin seeds and the currants and quinoa was something I will definitely reproduce. Tres yum.
Kyle got the SEITAN CHEESE STEAK, which was sliced seitan with sautéed peppers, onions, mushrooms and real pepper jack cheese served on a baguette.
It came with a house salad topped with the basil vinaigrette dressing (which he chose).
It looked deceptively meat-like, and I think he really liked it too.
I wish we didn’t have to get back on the road right after, but sadly, the I-5 waits for no man…and we still had 5 hours left until our final destination.
At least I had Gigi’s fine artwork to entertain me on the ride up north. I really don’t want to get back in a car for a very long time.
Thank you everyone who made Portland restaurant recs!! We are now in upstate Washington (slash Canada), but we will be doing the reverse drive in a few weeks so I will keep them all in mind. And now I’m off to play with my (future) nieces.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a great meet up!
Can’t wait to hear about your Washington travels/eats because we are headed there next week!!
Love those peas 4eva!
That salad looks awesome! Portland sounds amazing. And the Pea family is just too cute
Salads that try to escape drive me loco! Pretty jeal of the blogger meet up – three fabulous and sassy ladies in one place? Not fair!!
Gigi artwork is the best! I still have some Pea family originals on my wall and they’re not going anywhere!
haha its such a great moment when your bloggie dreams come true! it’s seriously so surreal and awesome meeting people you know SO much about for the first time
totes worth the stop.
p.s. i know you’re parking yourself somewhere sweet tonight for the wc finals!
I’ve never been to Portland, but it looks beautiful! How great that you were able to meet up with your blogging idols
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What an awesome group of ladies! I also dislike when salads are served on a plate and falling over the edges – so inconvenient. Bowls are much better.
Looks like an awesome meal, especially your salad and the cute kiddos!
We loved every second with you guys too!
(Any chance I could get you to remove the old blog name? We are still on the DL from our creepers…I think…)
NP. Done.
What an awesome meet-up! I totally would have been eyeing the crayons too.
That salad looks phenom!
Dude, i am so jealous. Number 1: You getting to drive up the West Coast and hit all the hot spots… Number 2: You get to chill with Gigi, Lulu and MP… Number 3: You look like you have been hittin’ the weights hardcore! Good for you
Number 4: That salad sounds like a freakin’ winner. Number 5: You are probably somewhere around my future home right now (Kenmore — Outside of Seattle) and that makes me that much more envious of your lives right now… Hope you are livin’ it up and not stressing to much about the wedding. So glad to see you and Kyle are happy West Coasters now 
1) I miss you, where have you and your blog gone!?! Please get back to it. 2) I HAVE been hitting the weights hardcore, and it makes me sooo happy that you noticed
3) I’m in Lynden (a super small town in Northern WA thats basically Canada) – not sure if you’re future home is near me or not? 4) Once I move to So Cal you should really come visit, ok? Ok.
I have a friend that just moved to Portland and I can’t wait to get there! That salad looks delicious! I am glad you had a great lunch and I hope you had a good ride home!
You will LOVE it! I can’t wait for you now
Awww – such lovely pics, Elise!
It looks like you and Kyle had an amazing time
Wish you a great week!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I live in Portland and read all 3 of your blogs so Elise, when you said “I knew I had to join the blog world…if for no other reason than to one day meet these people that I stalk on the internet know way too much about”, I felt as though you were reading my mind. How I would have loved to have lunch with you ladies . . . guess I’ll have to start a blog!
Glad you loved P-town!
Awww…I know what you mean. Enjoy your fabulous city!
where did peas and thank you go?! i love both of your blogs and have been trying to catch up with her blog after a weekend away from my computer … but no dice. sadness! at least yours is still up!
peas and thank you is still alive and kickin’ – it was her former blog that is now kaput.
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