Junior's Cafe

Holy guacamole, french toast with caramelized peaches as a special?! I don't know if I will ever be the same, and the only way to feel comfortable again is if they keep this "special" indefinitely!

Love love Junior's Cafe because it has a cute diner feel, but it's still young and cozy nuzzled in the cutest little neighborhood. The glittery gold booths and gaudy wallpaper are super charming and I find myself pointing out new things every time I come here.



Nana's vegan tofu scramble with spicy tofu sauce
[sauteed tofu, garlic, red onions, mushrooms & spinach]

Location: 1742 SE 12th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97214
Neighborhood: Southeast / Ladd's Addition

Foodie Friday: A N D Cafe

One of the places I was most excited to try the moment I moved to Portland was A N D Cafe. All vegan/vegetarian and full of deliciousness, this cafe was right up my alley. From an adorable menu with cute names for entrees, such as the "hot nest", to the pure aesthetics of the food that came out, this spot is top notch and by far one of my favorite go-to's for brunch in this city.



bennie in a mess: tofu scramble, tomato, spinach, homemade biscuit, hollandaise
[meatloaf benedict in the background]

meatloaf benedict: two eggs poached, walnut "meat"loaf, toast, hollandaise

full nest: 3 nests, veggies, tofu scramble, veg sausage, hollandaise, homemade biscuit

feast waffles stuffed with veggie sausage, potato & vegan mozzarella topped with hazelnut sausage gravy, tofu scramble annnnnd a side of nests

Tiger! Tiger!

Before leaving San Diego, it was vital that I tried a favorite brewery amongst natives, Tiger! Tiger!. Not the most vegetarian friendly, but I took the opportunity to get brunch on a lovely Sunday.

The biscuits and gravy had to have costed all of $2 to make and there was no fake meat, just a melted cream cheese sauce over two flaky pillsbury-looking biscuits. HOWEVER the potatoes were amazinnngggg. The prices were decent, the housemade lemonade was yummy and I loved loved that they let me "taste" the St. Louis Framboise beer that they had on tap... it was delicious. Take note that they have some awesome specials on beers throughout the week!

Milo's City Cafe

The day after moving to Portland, worn out and hosting two of my favorite people, I was taking advantage of all the new restaurants in my area via Yelp. Craving diner-ish food and not too expensive for a quick yet sit down meal, Milo's City Cafe popped up and this place really surpassed all of my expectations.

Not sure why I was under the impression after glancing over their website and skimming reviews that this was an older diner, nothing to really write home about, but boy was I wrong. On top of the spectacular food, almost every table was full while we dined in, but generally no wait...on a SATURDAY. Talk about awesome and practically inconceivable.

I got the smoked salmon benedict (the hollandaise sauce was what dreams are made of), fresh fruit & potatoes. I had no trouble picking out a few items I'd like to try when I return.





the best date!

salt city summer

After updating the other day about my most recent trip to Salt Lake, I came to the realization that I'd forgotten to post the photos from my trip home in June. If anything, this blog is a place for me to look back at my travels, all the wonderful food I had the privilege of eating and a time capsule of memories I'll always cherish.







my grama, the beekeeper



sauteed mushrooms with farm egg, potato sticks, parsley and garlic [copper onion]

shoshito peppers [copper onion]







the biggest breakfast burrito [jessie jeans cafe]

a little hike up adams canyon







grilled artichoke hearts with wild arugula and shallot vinaigrette [vinto]

margherita pizze







the perfect breakfast sandwich [sages cafe]

tigers blood italian ice from gay pride festival







avocado toast and soy vanilla latte [rose establishment]

drunk franny and i











pomodoro salmon: spaghettini, plum tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and evoo [trio]

liquid nitrogen ice cream with my mama [sub zero]

vegan biscuits and gravy + tofu scramble [vertical diner]

My favorite place for Fall

Without question, there is nowhere I would rather be than Salt Lake City during Fall.

The main event of this trip home was in honor of the hardest working, kindest and most giving man in my world retiring; Congratulations, Opa! Luckily it landed on probably the most perfect week of the year. Thanks to everyone (including Mother Nature) for making it everything it was. ♥



raiding my grama of all her canned garden goodness

this guy talks to you over a loudspeaker, very odd

vegan mac n cheese [city cakes]



avocado toast and soy vanilla latte [rose establishment]





homemade vegan tofu scramble from scratch



my favorite cake on earth, vegan tiramisu [sages cafe]







pickles on a stick





breakfast sandwich and cinnamon apple fries [em's restaurant]



g-ma helping prepare hobo dinners

campfires in millcreek canyon



obligatory cafe rio stop

caffe d'bolla "and a sun for the rainy day"

joseph smith sphinx, mormons are weird [gilgal]





sloppy josephina: vegan double cornbread smothered in sweet lentil chili [frisch]