Hungry T's Eating Journal

Thursday Nov 3, 2005 - Dinner

Business dinners are one of the perks I love about my job. Last evening, Slim E., Lady E., and a visiting supplier who I will call S.B., dined at Portland City Grill. I had been to PCG for drinks before (I found the room to be a bit smoky, and the drinks only OK), but never for dinner.

S.B. and I arrived a little late, and Slim E. was already there. He had a glass of wine (I believe a Riesling). I ordered my standard drink, a greyhound, and S.B. got a glass of a local Pinot Gris. We brought our own wine for dinner (2001 Il Cuore Rosso Classico (a tasty blend of Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Carignane) and 2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon) both to drink and to share with the buyer and staff of the restaurant. Lady E, arrived shortly after, and went straight for the Il Cuore.

As a first course, I ordered an iceberg wedge salad. This may be standard stuff, but I found it a little odd (see photo to the right). I like iceberg, as I think I have mentioned before, but this was, literally, a wedge cut from a head of lettuce and drizzled with dressing. Tasty, but a little odd. In the name of full disclosure, this photo is not from PCG, but an image I found of a wedge salad online.

Next, a steak. With a wine as noble as a Pride Mountain Cab, I thought it'd be appropriate. I got a 12 oz NY Strip, which I requested to be cooked medium. The steak arrived, and was cooked just as ordered. I did find it to be a little salty (and for those of you who do not know me, I like salt), but not so much that it was too distracting. On the side, a little mashed potatoes (which needed added salt) and a few sticks of veggies. Wine and steak were a good pair.

Dessert was flourless chocolate torte with blackberry sauce and macadamia nut brittle. It was OK.

All in all, I found the food pretty good, but thought that for the money, we could have bought some great steaks and prepared them at home. But I guess you are paying, at least in part, for the view, the incredibly attentive (albeit slightly stuffy) service, and the experience of dining out at the PCG.

Alma, you ask? Well, she had a can of Iams beef cat food. I made it home between work and dinner to feed her and get the to PO Box.

posted by Hungry T @ 7:32 AM