A few weeks ago, I watched an episode of "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" on the Food Network and was introduced to the Portland Thai restaurant Pok Pok (though it really isn't a diner, drive-in or dive). My obsession with the flavors of Thai cuisine, which had been spawned by my trip to Thailand a couple years ago, came roaring out of dormancy. I wanted Pok Pok, which promised so much goodness that Seattle couldn't offer. I wanted it bad. So Rob and I decided to drive down to Portland for a little weekend of eating.
We had to wait a little bit so Rob had a beer and I tried their signature drinking vinegar in the pineapple flavor.
SO delicious. The pineapple flavor was really fresh and juicy tasting and the vinegar gave it this little oomph, like a sour gummy bear. It also really whetted my appetite for dinner. I need to find my own supply of fruity drinking vinegar so that I don't die of yearning. Uwajimaya this weekend, I think.
And then dinner. We had the famous fish sauce wings, stir fried brussels sprouts with Thai chilies, a spicy forest mushroom salad, Northern Thai chicken curry noodle soup and a fried golden tilapia with a green chili dipping sauce. All of it mind-blowing. Everything was the perfect complement to everything else. Oh, earthy, nutty brussels sprouts! The keffir lime-y/lemongrassy/cilantro-y taste and textural symphony of the mushroom salad! The savory richness of the curry soup and the tenderness of the chicken! The perfectly crisped skin of the tilapia in that bright, kicky sauce. And those wings... oh my. Best wings I've ever eaten.
Pictures don't do it justice, so you'll just have to imagine it.
On the bright side, pictures DID capture the Voodoo Donuts for which we waited in line almost an hour. No regrets!
Nom nom nom, donuts everyday!
Oh and here's a sweet kitty we met:
