Monthly Archives: December 2018

Mexican

Si Señor

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I have been to this place multiple times with my kids before. And again last week, when I was craving for some Mexican food, I went there with one of my friends to try some new stuff. I don’t go to Si Señor for the food actually, because I’ve had more authentic and better Mexican food other places. Si Señor’s food is good too, but I love their colorful and fresh interior.

Si Señor, Cedar Hills
Si Señor, Cedar Hills

After they changed their location, the place looks amazing. All the furniture and decors are adorable. The customer service has also improved a lot. You will be treated with a bowl of tortillas chips, bean dip, and salsa after you sit down. BUT do walk to their salsa bar for more dips and sauces.

My Shrimp a la Diabla in Si Señor
My Shrimp a la Diabla in Si Señor

We’ve tried their carne asada, guacamole (pre-made), and tacos before. This time I had shrimp a la diabla (shrimp in red hot sauce) and my friend had mixed grilled beef, chicken, and shrimp. They all came with rice, beans, salads and fresh avocados. But next time I know I should order my shrimp diabla really hot and not medium. My friend’s grilled beef was smokey and tender. From my previous visit, I remember my daughter loved their carne asada too and finished it all. I wasn’t a big fan of the chicken BBQ…but then again our waitress mentioned that their beef is more popular there.

Mixed grilled - beef, chicken, shrimp in Si Señor
Mixed grilled – beef, chicken, shrimp in Si Señor

Si Señor is a nice place for celebrations or just to hang out with the loved ones. It is a bit pricey for the food quality. Again, food was great but I think they can kick it up a notch with some fresh stuff and not pre-made things sometimes for the price they charge. I would recommend this place to anyone actually. Try it out and decide. I will definitely go back there for no reason really. I always have had a great experience when I go their from their waiters/waitresses and managers.

Mixed platter in Si Señor

American, Bakery, Sandwich

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Downtown

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It is that time of the year for the ugly sweater contest and cookie exchange at my job. I am not a baker and didn’t even have time to bake last night. Therefore, the hunting for a cookie place begins. A block away from my work on the 2nd Street in Portland Downtown, there is a bread and bakery place, called Great Harvest Bread Co. It’s time to put them to test (muhahaha).

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Portland Downtown
Great Harvest Bread Co. in Portland Downtown

This is a little corner bakery shop with few other locations in Oregon, including one in Clackamas, Oregon. As soon as you enter the shop, you see all sorts of different breads and cookies being displayed. It looked like couple of their specialties are fresh milled and grind wheat bread and fresh challah bread. YUMMM. FYI, I’ve made challah bread before…my kids loved it. But then again, who doesn’t like freshly made warm bread right out of the oven???

Great Harvest Bread Co. in Portland Downtown
Great Harvest Bread Co. in Portland Downtown

I was in there for some holiday cookies and from many options, I  picked 1 ½ dozens of eggnog snickerdoodles. They also had oatmeal, chocolate mint, and tons of other cookies in the selections. But remember, these are jumbo sized cookies…bigger the better.

My jumbo sized snickerdoodles from Great Harvest Bread Co.

If you are not up for breads or cookies, maybe try one of their sandwiches, which would be my next adventure in this restaurant. There are only few high chairs to really sit down and have a meal. Most of the customers were there to buy different breads or grab a to-go cookie. But yeh, I would go back there to get some sandwich breads next time and try the chocolate mint cookies, because you can never go wrong with chocolate and mint together.

American, Asian, Mexican

Portland Food Hall

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Since I’ve started working in Portland Downtown area, one of my exploring points has been checking out the restaurants here. There are tons of restaurants within half mile from my work place and I’m planning to taste all of those out one by one.

Portland Food Hall is about 2 minutes walk from my workplace. It’s more like a food-court in the malls with only fast-food style restaurants. I didn’t explore much but looked like it has 5/6 different restaurants from Mexican to Asian to NY Style pizza/subs, and a bar. There are plenty of sitting options including some shared tables. The place is very neat and clean. I will be buying lunches from all of these places eventually and will list them here.

Aiko Ramen: This was my place in Portland Food Hall. The menu was pretty short without much options but you can customize it to satisfy your own taste buds. I ordered a miso soup soft boiled eggs for $11. Service is pretty fast and friendly too.

Aiko Ramen in Portland Food Hall
Aiko Ramen in Portland Food Hall

Now, about my bowl of miso soup with egg. It’s a nice big portion with a bit bland flavors when I started eating, even after adding some chili sauce. But half way thru my soup, I was done with the soup. I couldn’t take the broth or the noodles without much vegetables anymore. I requested them to pack my food and came out. Does that give you some idea about their food? I like spicy food but at the same time I’ve had good tasting miso soup too. But after my first time there, all I know that I won’t be going back there again.

Miso soup with soft boiled egg in Aiko Ramen (Portland Food Hall)
Miso soup with soft boiled egg in Aiko Ramen (Portland Food Hall)

Few weeks later I went back to the Food Hall, next place I tried in the Food Hall was the Mexican eatery, called Aprisa. This is more like a Chipotle style…make your own bowl kind of place. I had a burrito bowl with rice, beans, vegetables, chicken, guacamole, and salsa verde. Unlike the other one I tried in the Food Hall, Aprisa served me some good food. I loved that burrito bowl and will go back again for more.

Burrito Bowl in Aprisa inside Portland Food Hall