Fresh Nibbles | Curiously Colorful

Tasty grub worth the added time and cost of dining out

Portland on a rainy Thursday with Megan & James

April 26, 2012

Living relatively close to Portland, one would think we would make the trek down more often for some of it’s more enjoyable rarities, including the swelling number of hipster sightings. But it took my friends Megan & James coming down from Alaska for us to make the journey this past week for a grand day of eating and driving. We partook in some food frivolities of the taco, doughnut, ice cream and popcorn varieties. Head down to Portland hungry and you won’t leave disappointed, unless you count the fact I couldn’t manage to find the entrance to the fancy white bridge that makes Megan feel like “she won the Oregon Trail” when she crosses it.

Our day started at Por Que No Taqueria for some delicious lunch.

Next we headed over to Salt & Straw to inquire about the ingenious flavor combinations it is so famous for.

They had a great option called the "Tasting Flight of Four" where you get 4 scoops of your choice of icecream in small tasting bowls.

Mind bending delicious flavors as follows : Honey Balsamic Strawberry with Cracked Black Pepper, Salted Caramel Cupcake, Pear with Blue Cheese, Almond Brittle with Salted Ganache, Black Current Sorbet, and many more seasonal offerings.

They had this fantastic owl ice cream scoop shirt, but a certain un-named husband reminded me I have too many shirts.

Leaving the scene of the tasty treat crime, and they have a water bowl out for pups!

Non- stop pouring rain?? Why not fight the ludicrous line at Voodoo Doughnut

The rotating doughnut showcase show down is true torture as you try to find room to stand without molesting strangers.

Let's play hopscotch while we wait

Way too many flavors to list but I will enlighten you with our choices : Tango Mango , Cotton Candy, Grape Ape, Lemon Chiffon Crueller (YUM) and Aint That a Peach Fritter. Can you tell we are fruity fans?

Planning a doughnut party? Get their coffin full of donuts for $100! And you get to keep the coffin, would make a great yard prop for Halloween...

Good things come in pink boxes! Especially after you have driven all the way home from Portland in the rain waiting to eat it.

The great find of the trip was the school turned hotel/ theater/restaurant of amazingness. Thanks MEGAN!

The only give away that the school building is a business is the sign. McMenamins has turned Kennedy School into a full service hotel, including outdoor warming pool, on site brewery, restaurant, outdoor courtyard, theater and event hosting.

Too bad it was raining so hard, the courtyard looked perfect for enjoying the beauty of Portland.

The hallways are decorated with local art, and guide you all the way to the full service bar connected to the theater.

BEST movie theater ever, outfitted with large comfortable love seats and tables for your food and drinks.

The theater is located in the old gymnasium where they were playing "The Secret World of Arrietty" the latest Ghibli film to be released in theaters. Did I mention that the movie tickets were only $3 for an adult? At 5:30 at night no less, BOOM.

Breakfast & sweets in Seattle – Bacco Cafe and Top Pot Doughnuts

September 6, 2011

By chloe

There are so many fun places to eat in Seattle that it’s hard to make a decision where to stop. On my last visit into downtown I let available parking be the judge, so wherever we could find parking was where we would dine! We landed on 1st and Stewart for breakfast at Bacco Cafe. Dessert’s destination was just off 5th under the monorail at Top Pot Doughnuts where President Obama stood, apparently that’s why the line was so long… thanks Mr. President!

orange vanilla french toast on brioche bread with fresh bananas and berries

Erin's coffee after she obliterated the art with her first sip

while waiting in line you get a nice view of their extensive library, they are real books I checked... no foam filled fakes on display here

the raspberry old fashioned turned out our favorite by far

I would love to have this at my house as a lamp

Erin being my beautiful doughnut model

Alexa’s Garden Cafe in Seattle – fresh nibbles

August 23, 2011

By chloe

Have you ever gone WAY too long without seeing dear friends for no reason other than life is too busy? Well I just amended one of those ridiculous errors in judgement this past week with a lunch date with my law school lady Vanessa. I realized on the way to Seattle the last time I had seen her was on my wedding day over 8 years ago. TOO long. Our designation to catch up was Alexa’s Garden Cafe inside Swansons Nursery on the north side of Seattle. It’s so tucked away in the gardens that I thought I had gotten the wrong directions when I first pulled up, but the little hidden cafe was there sure enough. You are greeted by a beautiful conservatory full of luscious trees and greenery, not to mention the huge koi fish in the pond! Brunch was scrumptious and even more surprising was how well priced everything was on the menu. Would be happy to go back to enjoy the food and the delightful walk through the nursery afterwards. Especially if it means I get to see Nessa more often.

I ordered the VEGGIE BENNY which consists of a poached egg on top of avocados, tomatoes, and an english muffin with hollandaise sauce

Orting Bakery – Fresh Nibbles

August 18, 2011

By chloe

Some recent photographing adventures took Erin and I out to the Orting area for some prime locations, along the way we discovered a delightful bakery on the main street across from the park. Orting Bakery offers a wide variety of fresh made goods to tantalize your taste buds. The pleasant aroma greets you on your first step in the door, catching your attention and inviting you in further. On the menu you will find Pineapple oatmeal cookies , peach & cream cheese tarts , and parmesan croissants…. need I say more? Everything was affordable and the polite staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, even pointing out some of their favorite suggestions. Make your way down to Orting Bakery for delicious baked goods, coffee , and great atmosphere!

Erin's rasberry filled powdered donut

Foccacia Bread with bell peppers and mushrooms.... you have no idea how amazing it was with our greek salad for dinner

The adorable peach cream cheese tart that looks like an egg sunny side up!

Orting Bakery located at 212 Washington Ave S., Orting, WA 98360

Fresh Nibbles – Comfort Food Cafe – Puyallup, WA

July 28, 2011

By chloe

Every now and then a place comes across my path that makes eating out seem worth the cost and the effort, Comfort Food Cafe is my newest food craving on the forefront. They serve organic food, while specializing in vegan, gluten free, and dairy free options. As a vegetarian sometimes it is difficult to go out to eat and not go on ” carb overload ” because of all the bread involved BUT the organic Comfort Food Cafe is a whole other story. Their menu changes frequently based on seasonal ingredients and new recipe ideas. Another enjoyable part of the dining experience is the up front and honest nutritional information on the menu. Although, at first some of the calorie and fat counts seem shocking, it really just makes you wonder what you are eating everywhere else when they don’t list the not so nice details. Be careful to come for lunch because they are only open from 11 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Saturday ; check your watch and arrive in time for some good eats.

Who wouldn't be joyous with such a delicious salad ready to be devoured

My merry berry salad - featuring apples, cranberries , almonds, parmesan , feta cheese and berry vinaigrette on the side. Not to mention the scrumptious cheesy herb biscuit.

My lunch date was miss Erin who ordered a tuna sandwhich with swiss on whole wheat bread. PS- bread is from Great Harvest, so you know its excellent.

The mood at the cafe is lively and warm, including the staff who make you feel right at home, including your dogs since they have set out water bowls for them outside!