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Eleni Touhouliotis

September 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Eleni Touhouliotis (photo by Frank DiMarco)

Eleni is a delightful woman, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that she is not serious.  She is serious about her restaurants, serious about good health, and most importantly, serious about good food.  In fact, it’s not just about food — it’s about life. At her restaurants in Sellwood and in the Pearl, she prepares Cretian-style food with an abundance of olive oil, garlic and fresh vegetables. With a full array of traditional, delicious and healthy options, one can explore the menu, or simply ask for her favorite dish, a kalatsounia (spinach, fresh dill and green onions rolled inside a covering of philo dough). The Eleni’s restaurant website reminds us that the traditional Cretian diet, with its emphasis on fresh vegetables, olive oil and small amounts of meat, is the healthiest diet on Earth. Eleni eats this way at home, and luckily for us, now we can enjoy Eleni’s restaurants as she shares her healthy cooking heritage with us.

When Eleni Touhouliotis left the island of Crete in 1974 and embarked on her journey to the United States, she brought with her a Greek cookbook which had been authored by her cousin. Not only was Portland a new place — without the culture and family of home — Portland was missing a few other important things.  Let’s just say that our ability to find a tasty olive, or fresh flat bread has dramatically improved since the 1970’s. We don’t need to tell you that Portland has truly blossomed into a wonderful place to experience great food. Portland turned out to be the right place for her, she was embraced, and has stayed.

Eleni is known as a hard worker, and has worked in Portland restaurants since her arrival.  Throughout the years, she has served delicious, healthy Greek food in her home.  Finally, the right opportunity came along and she is now sharing the food of her home with all of Portland, sharing her appreciation for the experience of eating together, and sharing good health and strength in community.

Greek food in Portland is now better than ever since she opened Eleni’s in the Sellwood area six years ago (Eleni’s Estiatorio), and a second one, Eleni’s Philoxenia, at 112 NW Ninth Ave.

SAMPLE MENU SELECTIONS

OREKTIKA appetizers

Fasolia Kai Rizi – $9
Scarlet runner beans and black beans sautéed with a combination of three rices, green olives, peppers, onions, garlic and fresh mint.

Melitzanes Yemistes – $10
Grilled eggplant stuffed with roasted zucchini, peppers, onions and garlic.  Baked with feta cheese and a roasted tomato and red pepper purée.

Horta Me Skordo – $9
Raddichio, baby spinach and chard sautéed with roasted garlic, fresh chile and kasseri cheese, sprinkled with dill and fresh lemon.

Spanakotyropita – $9
Spinach and Greek cheeses wrapped in filo dough and baked until golden.

Garides Me Manitaria – $9
Tiger prawns sautéed with mushrooms, green onions, garlic, white wine, crowned with a pinch of kasseri cheese.

Soutzoukakia – $9
Cascade Natural beef meatballs seasoned with fresh herbs, garlic and onion, served in a roasted tomato and red pepper purée.

SALATES salads

Selino Salata – $10
Shaved celery root, gran apple, pistachios and chives in a spicy lemon vinaigrette.

Lahano Salata – $10
Thinly sliced cabbage, shaved fennel and toasted almonds, tossed with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and smoked paprika.

KYRIA PIATE main courses

Makaronia Me Lahanika – $12
Diced eggplant, seasonal mushrooms, peppers, squash, spinach, kale, olives, capers and garlic sautéed in olive oil, finished with fresh herbs and served over spaghetti.

Makaronia Me Kima – $12
Cascade Natural ground beef simmered with peppers, onions, tomatoes, zucchini and garlic.  Lightly spiced with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg and served over spaghetti.

Moschari – $18
Braised Painted Hills beef prepared daily with nightly features.

www.elenisrestaurant.com

Eleni’s Philoxenia – Pearl District
112 NW 9th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
tel:  503 227 2158

Eleni’s Estiatorio – Sellwood
7712 SE 13th Avenue
Portland, OR 97202
tel:  503 230 2165

Dinner Only
Tues – Sat / 5 – 10

• Full Bar
• Exceptional Greek Wine List
• Warm Atmosphere
• Daily Specials

 

Filed Under: Greek, Northwest, Southeast

The American Dream of Alexis Bakouros

May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Alexis Restaurant is a great place for families to gather

 

Alexis Bakouros came to the United States at age 15.  He was penniless and didn’t speak the language but he is the epitome of the American Dream.  He’s now quite well off, spends his summers in Greece, and lives in a big house with his beautiful wife.  He started his empire washing dishes in a Greek restaurant and soon saved up enough money to start his own restaurant. He then saved up enough to buy the building on Burnside and NW 2nd.  Then he started a food import business, using his Greek contacts to import olive oil and olives. That business started growing faster than his restaurant business and soon he was buying a warehouse located at inner SE.  He now has real estate on both sides of the river and a food import business that is expanding into big corporate opportunities in Seattle.

He’s a very fun man and is no stranger to enjoying great food and wine. As he sells to all of our local restaurants, he is frequently out on the town and is an expert on who’s doing what in the Portland restaurant scene.  He’s an active member of the Greek community and a family man.  He and his beautiful wife have two children (a boy and a girl) and one grandchild (a boy).  His son, Sotiri, works on the family business with him.  Sotiri is a good local guy who appreciates the opportunity to work with his dad.  Alexis also employs several folks who all think he’s a great boss.  He outfits them with iphones and let’s them drive company cars.  He’s a big sponsor of the annual Portland Greek Festival and active in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Overall, Alexis is a great guy, who is fun to break bread with and he’s never afraid to order a nice bottle of wine.  He’s a wonderful story of hard work and reinvestment in the community. We toast to his success, are happy to consider him a friend while hoping to emulate.

Filed Under: Family Style, Northwest

Life of Riley

April 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We wouldn’t label Todd Miller a sentimental man, but he does take the experience and wisdom of his elders to heart. His father taught him to live by the George Bailey (It’s A Wonderful Life) philosophy: If you do a bit for your community, and you’re nice, you’ll be respected and, most important of all, have friends. Throughout his life, Todd Miller heeded this advice and created Life of Riley with this guiding concept in mind.

One rainy night in 2006, when Todd Miller spotted the available restaurant on the corner of 10th and Everett, he knew it was the perfect spot for a neighborhood joint – the likes of which you find in the heart of neighborhoods in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago or New York. You know the spots – the place you can go in, day or night, in chic or workout attire, and not get the “what is s/he doing here” once over from anyone.

Essentially, Life of Riley is the spot where customers check their social labels at the door and get to simply be. (So refreshing!) It’s a unique restaurant culture intentionally fostering the inter-generational, inter-financial co-mingling. It’s a community spot where urban dwellers, regulars, first-timers and tourists are welcome. On any given evening, you’ll see regulars range from 27 to 72 years of age. You’ll see retired couples, recently married couples and art school colleagues in the mix, enjoying an end-of-the day drink or the fine fare.

Life of Riley isn’t comfortable encouraging cliques – it’s for the any and the every person. You’re always welcome at Life of Riley. Always. It’s a restaurant designed to provide quality food, excellent, personable service, where everyone is comfortable and welcome.

Now, about the name…

The idea to call the restaurant Life of Riley came from Todd’s grandfather who used it as his leading principle in his own life. For him, it was important to live an ideal, contented life, a life in which one doesn’t take herself/himself too seriously, where there is time to stop and enjoy the moment, and other people. The point is to live relaxed, and not to take one’s self too seriously. Todd’s grandfather believed in a balanced life well lived, and Todd does, too.

Well done, Todd Miller. Life of Riley is a reprieve from a hectic world. Remember this the next time you walk into this cozy “every persons” neighborhood restaurant: you’re always welcome, all the time.

Filed Under: Northwest, Pub Food

Micah Camden

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

It’s easy to envy Micah Camden as he’s launched several successful restaurants in Portland, he’s young, smart and good looking.  I first met Micah when he was opening Cobra’s and Matadors with Steven Arroyo of Los Angeles.  Steven was running several successful outposts in the southland and Micah was heavily involved with the opening of C & M in Portland.  Micah has always had great taste in food.  I remember fondly eating Spanish cheese drizzled with honey while sipping on a Spanish white at that jinxed location.

Cobra’s & Matadors failed but Micah had already moved on to do his own thing, with partner Dayna McErlean,  which was to open Yakuza a modern sushi restaurant on N. Killingsworth, where most of his empire is located today.  Yakuza is a very cool restaurant where you can enjoy fresh and inventive dishes and cocktails.  The décor is super sleek and modern with wooden block style tables and Japanese style murals along the walls.  The food is delish and includes traditional sushi favorites as well as one of the best burgers in Portland four years straight.

From there Micah & then chef Naomi Pommeroy (she recently bought him out in 2010) opened media darling Beast to both local & national acclaim, including the Oregonians 2008 co-restaurant of the year shared with Gabriel Ruckers’ Le Pigeon.

After the success of Beast, Micah & Dayna wanted to open a restaurant that would compliment but not compete with the other restaurants. D.O.C is a jewel box of a restaurant serving farm fresh Italian inspired dishes to customers in plain view of the really open kitchen (customers actually enter directly into kitchen before being sat at a table).

From there Micah tried his hands at a short lived British pub called Fats, but alas the concept hadn’t taken off like the other restaurants. He ended up selling the concept and moved on to his current project in the Pearl District with Little Big Burger, together with soon to be wife Katie Poppe. They developed LBB to be a quick, quality & affordable option for people looking for a quality burger on the west side of the Willamette!

Filed Under: Northwest

Bar Mingo

April 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If Café Mingo is the plump, reliable older sister where you go to get a “yes” out of a marriage proposal then Bar Mingo is the younger brother where you take your beloved every other Friday night.  Bar Mingo is younger than Café Mingo, more casual and less expensive with the same neighborhood “see and be seen” atmosphere as Café Mingo and Serratto.

The atmosphere is upscale NW where you’ll find yourself sitting next to West Hills types with successful careers.  You’ll want to freshen up before hanging out in the warm, modern lounge decorated with floral accents. The food and wine are the big draws at Bar Mingo. Chef Jerry Huisinga is a fantastic chef and Michael Cronan is a phenomenal restaurateur so there are no flaws their execution. The food is simple Italian. Focused on simplistic flavors. We tried the sausage. It was filling and we also ordered the Lamb meatballs – it was a high protein night – but they do have delicious salads and homemade pastas if you’re not into meat.

What’s interesting about this restaurant is that the price point is really reasonable.  You can eat expertly prepared, simple, exquisite food for $5. Seriously. It could be chalked up to Cronan’s restaurant expertise and economic timing. Wouldn’t put it past Cronan to open a reasonable, upscale lounge just when the public demand for lesser prices without compromising experience would be at an all time high.  After all, he is the Portland restaurant godfather.

We spoke with a couple of frequent diners who told us that they crab salad was a “destination salad” and that they love the mussels. The wine list is excellent and crowd is of mixed ages throughout the night with older people eating early while younger people are trying taking advantage of filling up at happy hour.  Later in the night turns more party atmosphere but the delicious dining is available all night.

 

Filed Under: Cafe, Northwest

Lucy’s Table: tasty food, gracious hearts

April 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Gathering at Lucy’s Table has long meant good food, good wine and good conversation. Lucy entertained three generations of family and friends around the table gracing the dining room floor. Chef/Owner Michael Conklin, wife Kaye and daughter Becca are proud to have her table and continue her legacy.

This family is proud to carry on the family tradition at Lucy’s Table and to generously support the Portland community. Michael volunteers his time to sit on the board of the Nob Hill Business Association and serve as Chef Chair for the March of Dimes. Additionally, Lucy’s Table supports many nonprofit organizations in town through a program called ThursGiving. Each Thursday, Lucy’s Table donates 10% of sales to charity. Beneficiaries include Children’s Relief Nursery, DoveLewis and Sisters of the Road

Organizing a fundraising auction? Lucy’s Table will gladly support the cause with a gift certificate donation to your charity events. If interested, please send your charity request to the “Donation Committee” at lucys_table@hotmail.com.

With a successful family business, civic minds and philanthropic hearts, Michael, Kaye and Becca are incredible people invested in making Portland better. We are big fans of this trio and their wonderful staff. Lucy would be beyond proud.

A native of Portland, Chef/Owner Michael Conklin started his culinary career in high school. He trained with Xavier Bauser at the London Grill in the Benson Hotel. He went on to chef at the Shilo Inn in Newport, the Raku Grille in Neskowin, and JB Peppercorn in Lincoln City. He is assisted in the dining room with his wife and daughter.

 

SAMPLE MENU SELECTIONS

LUNCH

Roast Beet Salad $6
Pear, Spinach, Red Onion, Cilantro, Feta with Cider Vinaigrette

Pomegranate Glazed Baby Back Ribs $10
Glazed Carrots & Garlic Bread

Albacore Tuna $9
Seared Tuna, Cherry Tomato, Quail Egg, Lemon Vinaigrette

Goat Cheese Ravioli $9
Brown Butter Sauce, Pecorino Romano Cheese, Crispy Shallots & House Made Pancetta

French Dip $10
Roasted Rib-Eye with Horseradish Sauce on Baguette With Jus

Lucy’s BBQ Burger  $10
Ground Beef Patty, Lucy’s BBQ Sauce and Crispy Shallots.  On Whole Wheat Bun

DINNER

Vegetable Risotto $18
Arborio Rice, Seasonal Vegetables, Pecorino Romano Cheese & Flavorful Vegetable Broth

Trout $24
Trout Rolled with Rosemary Pesto and Seared, Served over Beluga Lentils

Braised Lamb Shanks $24
Slow Roasted Lamb Shank served with Braising Vegetables & Lamb Jus with Rogue Blue Cheese

Pan-Seared and Roasted Chicken Breast $22
Stuffed with Spinach, Sundried Tomatoes & Goat Cheese served with Potato Gratin & Jus

Pork Osso Bucco $24
Braised Pork Shank with Rainbow Carrots, Celeriac & Cannellini Beans

Artisan Beef of the Day $MP
Natural Fed, Dry-Aged, Regional Breeds that may be traced back to the farm

Vegetarian Meatloaf $15
Mashed Potatoes, Vegetables, Romano Crust & Herb Pistou Sauces

 

Name: Lucy's Table
Street: 704 NW 21st Avenue
City: Portland
State: OR
ZIP: 97201
Website: www.lucystable.com
Phone: 503-226-6126
Neighborhood: NW 21st
Quadrant: NW
Twitter: lucystable
Happy Hours: 4pm to 6:30pm
Hours Open: 11am to close
Chef: Michael Conklin
Family Friendly (Y/N): Y
Patio (Y/N): Y
Private Dining (Y/N): Y
Valet (Y/N): Y
Lunch (Y/N): Y
Live Entertainment: N
Facebook:

Filed Under: Fine Dining, Northwest