portland

the last three days were spent in Portland, Oregon, getting to know a new sales team, manager and owners. Having only been to Portland once before when it was sunny and warm I was once again welcomed with perfect weather. It was only the stories from the sales reps that told me that it's really not always like that. The downtown scene is amazing with the plethora of restaurants, the new lofts and the sidewalks full of strollers in the evenings. The advantage of doing sales throughout the city is getting to see, and eat in the quaint little neighborhoods. There was a wonderful cheese plate at Curds and Whey, served with a dense fig bread and a fennel puree. The final dinner was at Olea, where the bowls of fresh corn soup were scraped up by all who had ordered it. The seared ahi tuna was served over a diced panzanella salad and the contrast in textures and flavors were fabulous. I am anxious to return and revisit the new wine bar that is just opening where one of the small plates is to be salads on a stick, which is such a great idea I am going to steal it for use at the winery. Thanks to all who dragged me around the city and wined and dined me.