Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Celebrating at Castagna

Happy new year!

Where in the world could Jen be? Hopefully she isn't doing anything boring! We are missing her at Oregon Wines on Broadway!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

A spread fit for a princess, catered by Nicolas'. Lamb kebabs, kafka, falafel, and spankthepita. And baklavaklavak.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

There she is, the hostess herself. In the bar, of course.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Michelle has a party!

Arriving at Michelle's for her annual Christmas party, which had to be postponed until after Christmas due to Arctic Blast '08.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas

Tabletalkportland was VERY good this year...Santa brought us oysters and a magnum of cava.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Shucking Christmas oysters

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Christmas Tea carnage.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

This spread is brilliant, good job Philippe Boulot and team!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The eats are here! Attack!!
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

And Jen is filled with champagne.

Actually, Jen is filled with Segura Viudas cava, which is her favorite everyday table sparkly. So if you haven't gotten her Christmas present yet because you weren't sure whether to get her a bottle of bubbly, diamonds, or a small bulldog, consider yourself informed.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Michelle is filled with holiday cheer.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The Heathman's historic Tea Court halls are decked with holly.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The only thing better than a milk mustache

Is a Cacao drinking chocolate mustache.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Cacao

We just finished learning important lessons at Portland Center Stage's production of A Christmas Carol. Now we are pondering our newfound insights on life at Cacao over small cups of drinking chocolate, while we wait for our Christmas Tea to begin in the Heathman drawing room.
This drinking chocolate is the stuff dreams are made of--a spicy, sinfully scintillating concoction of 72% arriba dark chocolate infused with cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and ginger, and blended with milk, cream, and coconut milk. Only $2 a shot, and one shot of this stuff will put enough theobromine in your system to keep you on a chocolate high until 2010. Bottoms up! -J
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Monday, December 22, 2008

Jen and Michelle Got Mail!


Sometimes, when one of our readers is in dire need of a restaurant recommendation, or is snowbound and really bored, we get mail here at TableTalkPortland. If we happen to be sober when we read it, we usually reply, otherwise we tend to forget we ever read it. Sorry. Anyhow, we thought it would be fun to start a new segment called "Jen and Michelle Got Mail!" Here is a random sampling of mail we've received this month.

To: Jen & Michelle
Date: Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Subject: Where to go tonight?

Hey Michelle and Jen,

We have 7:30 pm tickets for the Christmas Carol at Portland Center Stage, and it's Adam's 11th birthday. We're looking for a place that's good, not too expensive, has burgers and breaded chicken strips (for Adam), where the hubby and I can get a decent meal, and is close to the venue?

Any ideas?

Janine


Hi there Janine!

Have you tried Deschutes Brewpub? It's a block from the Armory and has a lively vibe, not to mention quite a few burgers. Plus, they do not give children snotty looks or try to lure them into the kitchen with turkish sweets and bake them into pies, which is nice.

Here is a link to the menu: www.deschutesbrewery.com/brewery/brew-pubs/portland-pub/pdx-pub-menu/default.aspx

Tell Adam Happy Birthday from TableTalk!

Graciously,
Jen


To: Jen & Michelle
Date: Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Subject: How do I get to do what you do?

Dear Jen and Michelle,

After stumbling upon and watching your daily adventures as chronicled on your blog now for several months, I have to ask: how on earth are the two of you able to (1) do anything but eat and drink all day, (2) pay for it and (3) go without taking a day, a week, or a month off?
I am sincerely yours, sitting eating frozen pizza and watching day 24 of storm coverage with no life of my own,

Steve B


(that’s not exactly true, I just got done updating my wine inventory and ordering four bottles of a St. Emilion Grand Cru so I exaggerate a bit)

Dear Steve,

Wow, that's a lot of questions, Michelle hasn't had to endure an inquisition like that since she was pulled over for the third time for driving with no front license plate, which was, let's see...yesterday!

We'll try though. Here goes:

1)We actually DON'T do anything but eat and drink all day. But if we did, I would be a princess and Michelle would be a super nice traffic cop who never, ever gave people tickets for not having a front license plate. Or, I would be a writer and Michelle would be a CFO, which is sort of what we do when we aren't eating and drinking.

2)In times like these, who hasn't had to sell an organ or two to afford dinner out? Really though Steve, affording our lifestyle is all about priorities. For example, I find that electricity is completely overrated, and Michelle just let her housekeeper go and makes Mom clean her house instead. See? Priorities.

3)We are just driven girls, I guess. Kind of like our bff Madonna (you can see our beautiful friendship evolve starting here: http://tabletalkportland.blogspot.com/2008/10/just-hanging-out-with-madonna.html), we have an incredibly tenacious work ethic when it comes to our "art". We don't have very big biceps though.

Now we have some questions for you, Steve. It's only fair.

1. What kind of frozen pizza? Better be frozen Apizza Scholls or Ken's leftovers, Mister. Which you should never freeze, btw. It's best fresh.

2.
Mom used to date Jacques Hebrard and every Christmas he has a case of Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru delivered to her house on the back of a winged golden stag. So, where did you get yours?

3. That is not actually true. I'm sorry I lied. Are you still going to invite us to your tasting party? We love parties!

Thanks so much for your letter Steve, and stay warm and dry, drinking your
St. Emilion Grand Cru by the fireplace! Hopefully you have a fireplace, it seems only appropriate.

Cordially,
Jen

To: Jen
Date: Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Subject: Bring me lunch

Sis,

I just woke up. I'm hungover from my pub crawl down Belmont last night.
Bring me lunch now.

Michelle

Dear Sis,

No way. Not until you agree to let Guinevere, my highly anticipated Christmas bulldog, live at your house since my apartment building doesn't allow dogs.

Resolutely,
Jen

And that concludes the first edition of Jen and Michelle Got Mail! If you have any questions or comments of your own, please write us at tabletalkportland@gmail.com. FYI, pre-happy hour inquiries are the most likely to be answered.



Sunday, December 21, 2008

Keeping warm at Side Street off Belmont

Free Burgers at Morton's TONIGHT!


So there's a light dusting of snow outside and it's a little chilly...quit whining, put on your snowshoes, and get down to Morton's for FREE MINI-CHEESEBURGERS TONIGHT!

As part of Morton's celebration of their 30 years as the nation’s largest owned and operated steakhouse company, and 10 years as a successful steakhouse in Portland, today only, from 5-6 pm, all locations are offering COMPLIMENTARY mini-cheeseburgers at the bar. Yes, that's right--free cheeseburgers, and all you have to do is blow in the door and shake the snow off your boots to get some.

Morton's is located at 213 S.W. Clay Street in downtown Portland. No reservations are necessary for the "birthday burger" celebration in the bar, however, you might want to book a seat for a leisurely supper and take advantage of Morton's 30th Anniversary Menu, which is offering a prix fixe steak-and-seafood meal for $49.50 per person (through Dec. 28...details at www.mortons.com/steak.)

The weather outside is frightful, but free burgers are delightful, so take a break from shopping/wrapping/drinking too many hot toddys/staring morosely out the window at your totally snowbound CR-V, and get to Morton's!

-J

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Wine and pommes frites at muu muu's

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

It's bring your own bar snacks at m bar.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Staying cozy at m Bar

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Baby it's COLD... but braised pork and homemade pasta, and red wine at Castagna keep us warm!

Friday, December 19, 2008

At the vault

With a B-52 and a Tattooed Lady. Yep, that's right, Michelle is inked.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Calamari frites
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T