PDXfoodcarts Creating Food Truck Winter Survival Guide

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FoodCartsPortland (AKA PDXfoodcarts) is reaching out for some crowdsourcing assistance from the Portland Foodie community, tweeting this morning:

Carts – any tips on surviving winter? We’re putting together a post. kthxbye.

If you have any tips, thoughts or ideas, please Tweet them directly: @pdxfoodcarts

Or visit them online: www.foodcartsportland.com

About
Food Carts Portland documents and tells the story of the food carts and trucks in Portland OR. Check us out if you are looking for an alternative to the standard lunch fare. We’re at foodcartsportland.com Twitter: @pdxfoodcarts

D-Street Noshery | Portland | Food Trucks [Video]

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A whimsical introduction to a popular Food Noshery here in Portland, this is a single, continuous shot, which I edited with music, sound FX, graphic overlays, fast-forwards and freeze-frames.

This is the third of three takes we filmed the afternoon of June 2nd, 2011. The original, unedited footage is 4:30:04. I shot the video with my Droid™ phone (Droid™ Does. Just sayin’), and edited with iMovie 11.

In the video, we meet many of the charming D-Street gang:

Brian from Captured by Porches Brewing; Ashley from The Pie Spot; Gus from Awesome Cone; Dave from Oregon Ice Works; Adam from Fuego de Lotus; Fernanda from Samba Shack; Brian and Shannon (well, her hands, at least!) from Slice Brick Oven Pizza; Herb from Herb’s Mac & Cheese and; Lindsey from Koi Fusion.

Cupping at Kobos Coffee | NW Portland

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Kobos Coffee Portland Restaurant
Kobos Coffee

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first “Coffee Cupping” at Kobos Coffee in Portland. The “practice of observing the tastes and aromas of brewed coffee,” (Wiki) Coffee Cupping is a professional practice, generally done by professionals known as “Master Tasters”.

The friendly Master Tasters at Kobos Coffee – including co-owner Brian Dibble, his son Kevin and venerable Coffee expert Ed Menashe – are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all things Coffee. Excitement caused by the ritualistic act of Cupping transcends caffeine intoxication; this is an experience!

Kobos Coffee NW Portland Restaurant
Kobos Coffee in NW Portland

I won’t reveal the entire affair, as Coffee Cupping truly should be experienced in person, but the Kobos aficionados lay out an impressive (immersive!) spread, and clearly enjoy themselves… even with a Noobie like me.

Coffee Cupping at Kobos Coffee in NW Portland restaurant
Coffee Cupping at Kobos Coffee in NW PDX

Founded in 1973 by David and Susan Kobos, Kobos Coffee has enjoyed a long and fascinating history in regional Roasting and community involvement. Kobos’ staff really is a family, one who clearly love each other, coffee… and Portland. Guests are invited to visit the retail store at 2355 NW Vaughn, or stop by the Market Street shop (200 SW Market). I visited their NW Vaughn location, and enjoyed shopping their high-end kitchen and coffee wares.

From institutional food service and Private Label roasting to wholesale services, Kobos Coffee encompasses nearly the entire gamut of caffeinating Portlanders and all Pacific Northwesterners. One may enjoy Kobos Coffee at Hawthorne Street Café, at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center, or hundreds of other local destinations.

I encourage one and all to experience this exquisitely roasted coffee, and (if you’re so inclined) consider requesting your own Coffee Cupping. I guarantee it is a Foodie experience you won’t forget. Visit:

Kobos Coffee NW Vaughn (Google Maps)
2355 NW Vaughn Street
Portland OR 97210
(503) 222-2302

OR:

Kobos Coffee Market Street (Google Maps)
200 SW Market Street
Portland OR 97201
(503) 221-0418

OR visit Kobos Coffee online: Web site | Twitter | Facebook

Special thanks to Kevin, Brian and Ed for a unique and lovely experience. I am a fan for life.

Best Coffee in Portland?

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Mmmm Coffee!
Mmmm Portland Coffee!

I love me some Stumptown Coffee, but this town has a serious reputation for coffee excellence. So, since my wife and I are new to PDX, I used Twitter to ask some seasoned Portlanders for their opinions of must-try baristas. Here are the cafés my friends and colleagues Tweeted back:

Garrett Ira (@GarrettIra) supported:

Barista (baristapdx.com)
Twitter: @baristapdx
539 NW 13th Ave
Portland Oregon 97209

Kelly Feller (@kellyrfeller) suggested two destinations:

Urban Grind (urbangrindcoffee.com)
Twitter: @diancrawford
911 NW 14th Ave
Portland Oregon, 97209

Albina Press
4637 N. Albina
Portland, Oregon 97217

Jeffrey J Kingman (@JeffreyJKingman) also loves two particular PDX Coffee Houses:

Water Avenue Coffee (wateravenuecoffee.com)
Twitter: @wateravecoffee
1028 SE Water Ave, Portland OR

Public Domain (publicdomaincoffee.com)
Twitter: @pdcoffee
603 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205

Jeffrey was quick to point out there are “many other good coffee shops in PDX.” I cannot wait to try them all! What other Casas De Caffeine are we missing? Please Tweet me your faves!

– Benjamin

Updated Monday April 25, 2011

This morning, some Twitter Pals sent in a few more great PDX Coffee places to add to the list:

Kobos Coffee (www.kobos.com) shouted, “Heard u were looking for the best coffee in Portland, why not try one of the first!” And try it I will. 🙂

Twitter: @KobosCoffee
2355 NW Vaughn St.
Portland, OR 97210

Marcus Hecht (@cosmos503) threw out some great additions:

Citizen Coffee (www.citizencoffeepdx.com)
721 NW 9th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

Ristretto Roasters (www.ristrettoroasters.com)
3520 Northeast 42nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97213

Woodlawn Coffee & Bakery (www.woodlawncoffee.com)
808 NE Dekum St
Portland, OR 97211

Marcus added, “Try beans from Batdorf & Bronson and Trailhead Coffee Roasters.” While Batdorf Coffee appears to be from Olympia, Washington, I will keep my eyes peeled for their products in Portland, Marcus. Thanks for the great tips! Here’s the 411 on these roastin’ recommendations:

Batdorf & Bronson (www.batdorfcoffee.com)
Twitter: (@BatdorfCoffee)

Trailhead Coffee Roasters (www.trailheadcoffeeroasters.com)*
Twitter (@TrailheadPDX)

*According to their Facebook page, Trailhead Coffee and Espresso is available at: Warehouse Cafe (3434 SE Milwaukie Ave), Florio Bakery (Rosa Parks/MLK) and Cafe Velo (W Burnside/Broadway). Whole Bean Coffee is available at Whole Foods, Food Front, Market of Choice, Pastaworks & New Seasons (I love this store!).

Laurelhurst Theater | NE Portland

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Today, we took in a wonderful matinee – filled with well-behaved kids –  of Brad Bird’s (The Incredibles) brillilant 1999 movie, The Iron Giant. Laurelhurst Theater (online). Two slices of pizza, one bag of popcorn, one cold beer, one diet Coke and one classic animated tale. Voila! Happiness.

2735 E Burnside St. Portland, OR 97214
Movieline (503) 232-5511 | Office number (503) 238-4088