eat & drink—Humboldt, Northeast (NE) Portland...

Food is a necessity for all living creatures. But unlike our wild counterparts, wehumans have developed complex appetites that are often based on exorbitant wants rather than pure need. We've easily created the tools necessary to satisfy our cravings. But often our modern means are not always the most economically sensible or environmentally friendly. So, in honor of Earth Day 2012 on April 22, Neighborhood Notes would like to more...

Judging by the restaurants, bars and food carts that line our streets, we Portlanders sure like dining out. But when you consider the many successful urban farms and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) cropping up all over town, we sure like dining in too. If you and your family are thinking about joining a CSA, how can you tell which one works best for you? Do you choose the one that empowers underserved youth, the one that more...

Well, this topic has been a long time coming. We’ve been to a lot of patio bars, had a few too many punch bowls, and we might have tried to drink our nocino way too early. So what can you do with your heavy, nauseated sack of a body when you’re hung over? Your choices are to sit quietly and hope to die or ingest something. We think that doing the latter—really taking charge of one’s self-imposed state—is more...

Better late than never, right? Summer, that is, and all the foods with which we associate the season. Owing to the impact of late storms and fluctuating temperatures, local farmers’ most reliable summer crops are just now starting to fill market stalls and CSA boxes. What does all of this mean for you, your kitchen, and your belly? It’s time to take full advantage of the flavors of late summer by sourcing your goods close more...

Spring is a tricky season in the Pacific Northwest, holding onto winter cloud and cold while allowing some glimpses of warm sun to peek through. The local food menu reflects this contrast, with winter crops coming to market at the height of their flavor and early spring crops making their first appearance. Just as you may be confused about whether to wear short sleeves or a heavy coat, accessing the array of local seasonal foods can be more...

If you yearn to eat seasonal, local foods while also deepening the impact of your purchasing power so that it directly supports the work of local farmers, you may want to consider becoming a member of a CSA. A CSA, which stands for community-supported agriculture, allows individuals and families to directly invest in a local farm by purchasing shares of the farm’s harvest. In return for your subscription, you get a box, basket or more...

A food-buying club (FBC) is just what it sounds like: a group of people getting together to purchase food. There are several reasons to join or start an FBC, the most obvious of which is the increased buying power provided by a collective. By purchasing items directly from farmers and vendors, an FBC avoids the overhead costs that drive up retail prices. Members also benefit from greater choice and flexibility, enhanced freshness and more...

Eating locally, sustainably and seasonally can often seem daunting, especially in winter. By January, having eaten through all the Hubbard squash and home-canned tomatoes in storage, you're kind of tired of potatoes, and you inexplicably find yourself craving bell peppers and cucumbers—both months out of season. Want to know the local secrets to fighting mid-winter's food doldrums? With a little planning and some new more...

Portland happy hours have evolved. Long gone are the early evenings when happy hour consisted of limp chicken wings and various other-worldly deep-fried delectables being rolled out on a white-covered tablecloth, devoured, then sent back into the kitchen by 8 pm. Throw off a couple of bucks on well drinks and beer, and everyone was happy. Nowadays, Portlanders require a bit more than barely edible food and watered down drinks for more...

Unless you grow all your own food and haven’t visited a supermarket or a food co-op for quite a while, you have doubtlessly noticed two short words now appearing on the packages of both new and familiar items as you stroll the aisles: gluten free. You’ll find them on packaged products in nearly every aisle of your neighborhood grocery store. Meanwhile, Portland pizza chains post signs for their new gluten-free pies and you more...