I ❤ Salem

#14 (aka mild heart attack)

Josey's

#14: So, this is what a half-order of the biscuits and gravy meal looks like.  One egg (scrambled), two slices of bacon (crisp).  I do believe a full order should be accompanied by a gurney or a discount on liposuction or stomach stapling.

My take: It's a diner.  The food is diner fare.  The service is diner service.  Develop your expectations accordingly.  I ate about half this (alleged half-order) and was full half the day (do the math).  Depending on your outlook, that could be a bargain or that could be a major problem. 

Willamette Valley Grill

The Oregon Breakfast: new potatoes (overly oiled), two cage free eggs (perfectly scrambled - I'm guessing liberal use of butter), peppered bacon (crisp - choice of ham or sausage too)

My take:  It's set in a hotel.  The environment is clean and modern in a very un-Salem way (again, whether that's good or bad depends on your perspective).  The meat (and probably many other ingredients) in The Oregon Breakfast may not have actual Oregon origins (again, depending on your perspective, that may or may not matter - maybe you want to preserve Oregon critters!) -- I was informed that the bacon is from Sysco (Costco of the foodservice world). Despite their evil empire bacon, I confess that it did taste good. Their website does advertise their use of Oregon Country Beef though but I wasn't looking for a burger or steak.  The service was very efficient and, silly as it sounds, I really liked the salt flakes (mmm).

I'm posting this because I think it's a worthwhile educational opportunity. 

I entertain no grand thoughts that anyone actually reads this blog regularly (perhaps someday if I were to actually *blog* regularly there might be reason to) but in case anyone stumbles upon it, the information is available here:

The Annual Salem Peace Lecture is pleased to celebrate its 20^th year with organizer Dolores Huerta speaking on Immigration Reform & Farm Worker Justice.  The Peace Lecture will be held on Wednesday, October 21 @ 7:30 PM at Hudson Hall in the Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center at Willamette University.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

Dolores Huerta was co-founder and first Vice-President of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW).  In 1962 she and Cesar Chavez formed the National Farm Workers Association, the predecessor to the UFW.  She directed the UFW’s national grape boycott, resulting in the entire California table grape industry signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the UFW.

Ms. Huerta spoke out early and often against toxic pesticides, like DDT and parathion, that threaten farm workers, consumers and the environment.  She lobbied in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., organized field strikes, directed UFW boycotts, and became one of the UFW’s most visible spokespersons.  Robert F. Kennedy acknowledged her help in winning the 1968 California Democratic Presidential Primary moments before he was shot in Los Angeles.

Ms. Huerta directed the east coast boycott of grapes, lettuce and Gallo wines.  The boycott resulted in the enactment of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first law of its kind in the United States, granting farm workers the right to collectively organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions.  In 1975 she lobbied against federal guest worker programs and spearheaded legislation granting amnesty for farm workers that had lived, worked and paid taxes in the United States for many years.  Her efforts were instrumental in passing the Immigration Act of 1985.

Dolores Huerta has received many awards, including three honorary doctorate degrees.  In 1984 the California State Senate bestowed upon her the Outstanding Labor Leader Award.  In 1993 she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.  That same year she received the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) Roger Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award, the Eugene Debs Foundation’s Outstanding American Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom Award.  In 1998 she was named one of three Ms. Magazine’s “Women of the Year” and was honored among the Ladies Home Journal’s “100 Most Important Women of the 20^th Century.”

Ms. Huerta continues to work long hours on behalf of the rights of farm workers, immigrants and women, and she serves as president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.  She has been arrested 22 times for nonviolent, peaceful protests. 

Has anyone been to this place? What's the atmosphere like? Is the food any good?  How are the prices?

I've been meaning to check it out but I'm still a bit put off by the lack of web presence (MySpace doesn't count in my book -- in fact, it could be seen as a real turnoff). I'd been to Lefty's a few times before it closed and enjoyed the live blues -- their website was really helpful for knowing who was playing when or gleaning more info on their menu.  

Today I read online at the Statesman-Journal, that it's changing hands again.  I hope the new owner(s) develop a real website and lose the juvenile MySpace.  For a venue that hosts live music, you'd think they'd want to keep customers informed of events -- performers, dates, times, cover charge, etc.  While some of this info is posted, like most MySpace pages, it's too busy and the formatting is unappealling.  It makes me wonder what kind of clientele they're trying to attract.

According to the S-J, the live music format will be scaled back.  Citing the costs of luring live bands, the new general manager indicated that there will be more DJ performances: 

"What we're planning to do is, we're going to turn this into another very nice, DJ/dancing, multi-use venue," said new general manager Marcus McQuade. "I guess you could say similar to a Vegas-style … the music we're going to do will be a mixture of top 40 and some '70s dance music." ...the venue still will feature live music and comedy on Thursdays, with Fridays and Saturdays reserved for dancing.

It will be interesting to see how the new owner and management does and whether this new approach appeals to more people. The location should be ideal - close to downtown and Willamette.  It would be nice to see this business not only survive but thrive.  Let's hope that the new ownership is more successful than the previous ones.

One of the best things about living in Salem is the proximity of great produce.  The Saturday (and Wednesday) Market is a good place to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables -- or supplement your home garden. 

However, sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach -- that is, I wind up with a bit more that I could eat before it goes bad.  One way I try to counter this is by using food that might otherwise be wasted to make soup, which I can then freeze.  I used to simply do this on the stove, but my gas burners really heat up the kitchen (not fun in the summer) so I've turned to a crockpot -- which not only prevents turning my entire house into an oven, but it also allows me to cook the soup for days, if I so choose.  It's ridiculously easy -- I just chop the ingredients to the preferred size, throw 'em in the pot, and let time work its magic.

With the warmer weather these past few weeks, I haven't felt like cooking anything at all -- so I've been sticking to salads and other no-cook items (chilled soups are a great option too - but that's another post).  I knew I wouldn't be able to get through all my produce though, so I wound up putting a bunch of stuff in the crockpot -- and when it was done, half went into the freezer for future use, and the other half became a week's worth of lunches. 

I love making soups because it's really hard to go wrong.  If you try something and don't like the taste, tweak it a bit and move in a different direction.  Vegetable soups are one of the easiest, healthiest (provided they aren't cream based), tastiest (in my opinion) and most economical options.  Minestrone is a nice spin off vegetable soup -- usually defined by more Italian herbs, the addition of beans, pasta and/or potatoes.  Below is my latest rendition.

Summer Minestrone

measurements are approximate

4-6 C broth (your choice) and/or water (quantity varies depending on how long you plan to cook it or how thick/thin you like your soup)

2 C tomatoes (I halved grape tomatoes this time and threw in a can of diced tomatoes)

1 C zucchini

1 C green beans

1 C carrots

1 onion (your choice of size and color - I usually go with a medium red)

1 C chard

3 celery stalks

bunch of basil (really unsure of the amount - probably at least 6 leaves, so several tablespoons fresh)

2 T dried oregano

1 can of tomato paste

1 can of beans, drained (again, your choice - most people prefer cannellini but I used regular red kidney beans because I had them on hand) or you can prepare dried beans if you don't mind the extra time involved

1 C dried pasta (I used pipette this time) a dozen cloves of garlic (+/- according to your preference)

salt and pepper (to taste)

Chop/dice/mince/julienne raw vegetables to your preferred size.  You may prefer to saute the onions and garlic in a couple tablespoons of olive oil first before adding them to the pot.  Combine all ingredients in crockpot and let cook for a couple hours, at minimum.  For best flavor, wait a day (though it should taste fine the day its prepared) or two... or three. 

Makes approximately 10-12 servings. Freezes well. Serve with a slice of bread and green salad for a hearty, healthy meal.  During cooler months, I like to make my own sourdough - and will use the day-old bread to make croutons (brush cubed bread with olive oil and top with your choice of shredded cheese - parmesan works well - and your choice of herbs, then broil).    

This can be a simple vegetarian dish or you can add italian sausage for a lil' extra somethin'.  Some people like potatoes in their minestrone -- I don't because I think I've got enough pasta in there to satisfy the carb/starch/bulk element. Soups are such an easy "dish" to adjust to one's own preferences -- add a little there, take away a little something there.  Go, play, enjoy.

Pho tai @ super pho

Located on Lancaster amidst the big box stores and chain fast food joints, Super Pho opened towards the end of June.  Recently, I popped in -- surprised to see that it was finally open (I'd been eagerly anticipating it for seemingly months) and relieved that it seemed busy with happy customers and upbeat staff.  The atmosphere was cool (great on a hot day) and the service was attentive and friendly.  Staff seemed genuinely interested in how I liked my meal and what I thought about the place. 

#5 appetizer @ super pho

So... I suppose I should tell you about that, eh?  Well, I ordered the Pho (duh) -- Pho Tai, to be specific.  Two sizes of bowls are offered so I opted for the smaller one and asked about the size of the appetizers because they looked appealing and I wanted to sample one.  I ordered the #5 (I forget what it is exactly now but it had barbecued pork, mint, veggies, and rice noodles in rice paper).  It came with the most amazing peanut sauce I have ever had (and never imagined could be that good).   The rolls were huge - much larger than I expected, perfect for a couple or split in half for a four-some.  My "small" bowl looked standard size so I wound up taking a full container (quart-size I think) home with me. The pho was delicious - it arrived steaming hot with plenty of fresh green onions in the broth with a generous portion of eye of round steak and rice noodles.  The condiment plate had two different kinds of basil along with lots of jalapeno slices, bean sprouts, and a lime wedge.  Pretty standard stuff -- but served with care and pride, which makes the experience all the better.

I can't wait to go back and try other items on their menu -- there were a number of tantalizing options.

Having lived in many a city, town, and rural community in Oregon, I've heard the cries for Trader Joe's -- the rumors, the hopes, the fears.  Having worked in the "natural" grocery industry, I understand some of the inner workings of store location strategies and the bigger corporate picture.  And, last but not least, as a frugal (wannabe) foodie, I like to shop there.  Since I've moved here, I've heard the familiar rumors about (and pleas to petition) Trader Joe's coming to good ol' Salem, Oregon.

Here's the thing, Salem: it isn't gonna happen!

(I would love to have a TJ's here - trust me, I would - but it just isn't realistic.) 

Demographics is just part of the reason.  It is true that TJ's seeks an educated shopper base.  The reality is that in a demographics war for a TJ's in the mid-Willamette Valley, Corvallis will beat Salem every time.  Thank you, EatSalem blog, for illustrating this in a recent post entitled Trader Joe's Salem Oregon, Definitive Data in which the author cites his blog poll as "definitive data," going on to say:

95% of the people who answered the poll on this page said they would shop there. It would be 97%, but three people answered "not sure." And what about the demographics of Corvallis, makes that a more attractive place to open?

Now aside from the fact that the author apparently doesn't understand the first thing about polling or statistical significance ("definitive" - my ass), a simple review of U.S. Census data can answer that ever-so-perplexing question of what makes Corvallis more attractive.  Certainly there are a number of intangibles, but the one figure that's hard to argue with is education: compare Salem's 24% to Corvallis' 53% -- that represents the percentage of persons with a Bachelor's degree or higher (2000 data).  Add to that a large state university (cultivate future shoppers) and Corvallis looks like a good prospect.

But it's not just a matter of breaking down the immediate population base - it's about geography too.  For instance, take Costco -- there's one located in lil' ol' redneck Albany, Oregon.  If Costco was only looking at Albany's demographics, it would never have happened.  Instead, there's the consideration of Corvallis and small Linn County towns like Lebanon (same goes for the Super Wal-Mart in Lebanon).  For Trader Joe's (with locations in Portland and one in Eugene), the geographic sweet spot will be either Corvallis or Salem.  With the demographics in hand, Corvallis wins.

I'm going to bite my tongue regarding a few other things I'd like to say about the faulty reasoning exhibited at the EatSalem blog but I'll save it for now.  I will say this though -- posts like that do not help Salem's case.  Its embarrassing grammar and logic (or lack thereof) only serve to drive home the thought that Corvallis is home to a more educated, savvy populace.

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July 6 Edit:

Some 20 hours after I wrote this post, the Salem Statesman-Journal confirmed the Corvallis rumor with this article posted online:

Trader Joe’s intends to open a new store at Corvallis Market Center, said Craig Ramey, a senior vice president with Regency Centers, which owns the Corvallis shopping center. The grocer is expected to open the 12,000-square-foot store in the first quarter of next year. Corvallis Market Center is located at NW 9th Street and NW Garfield Avenue. Trader Joe’s considered Corvallis an under-served area and it liked the university town’s demographics, specifically the high level of education among its residents, Ramey said.

For years, Salem and Keizer residents have wanted a Trader Joe’s. Some regularly make the trek to the Portland area to shop at the nearest stores. Salem Mayor Janet Taylor and other city officials have met with Trader Joe’s officials twice and presented a case for opening a local store.
Jennifer Martin, a real estate agent with Sperry Van Ness Commercial Advisors LLC in Salem, said there are likely a couple reasons why the grocer placed Corvallis ahead of Salem.v“It’s really about the income of the community and the education level of the community. Those two points are really important in Trader Joe’s world for analyzing a site,” said Martin, who specializes in retail properties. Corvallis ranked a bit higher than Salem on both points, she said.

No kidding.

[Also: a primer on polling] 

I've been meaning to visit the little Vietnamese restaurant downtown across Center Street from Rite Aid, near T-Mobile, around the corner from Golden Crown, See's, etc.  It's placard advertising beef noodle soup has beckoned to me on various occasions.  Finally, I found the time to visit. 

pho

It was a slow, hot weekend afternoon.  The air conditioning was a welcome relief from the scorching midday sun.  Any signs of a lunch rush were gone - the place was tidy and just a few booths were full.  The hostess/server seated me at a table right away and brought hot tea and ice water.  The menu featured a number of Vietnamese soups and noodle dishes, as well as some Chinese choices.  I ordered the pho tai which was described as beef round steak in the traditional noodle soup.  It arrived a few minutes later, piping hot, and was accompanied by the plate of side items that can be added to the soup -- a generous amount of basil and bean sprouts with some cilantro, a lime wedge, and a slice of some jalapeno-like pepper.  There were plenty of thinly sliced pieces of beef along with the noodles and broth. I sampled a couple of the peppery condiments at the table and added about a teaspoon of each to the broth as well.  Suitably seasoned and with nearly the entire plate of side items used, I enjoyed every sip, slurp, and bite of the meal.  At $6 for the works, it's easy on the wallet - and waistline.

My only complaint?  I could have used more water (and/or tea).  Otherwise, the service was very nice.  I noticed that once tables were abandoned by diners that they were quickly bussed.  There was one somewhat odd thing - no music or background noise to drown out others' conversations.  

There are all kinds of websites that can explain the history and variations of pho (much better than I can) but what I like is its versatility -- a soup that is fulfilling (yet not overly filling) and appealing even on a hot day.  You can spice it to your preference - or enjoy it simply as it is.  No wonder it's such a popular dish.  Now I just wonder why I don't have it more often -- and what took me so long to try this place!

The Sassy Onion is one of those cult restaurants with quite a following.  It always seems to be bustling -- and, given its location close to the Capitol and Willamette University, this comes as no surprise.

I have been to the SO before and haven't come away impressed.  I decided to give it another try when my first choice was overwhelmingly busy -- and the SO wasn't busy at all, so we had no wait for a window booth. 

I figured it was time to try one of the various french toast options for which the Sassy Onion is allegedly famous.  I settled on the hazelnut and opted to "combo up" for two eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage.  My dining companion went the egg-ier route -- selecting the tomato, bacon, avocado scramble, which came with the standard frozen hash browns and an impressive slice of homemade toast.

I enjoyed my thick portion of french toast, topped with chopped hazelnuts.  It was dense, chewy, and perfectly complemented with the hazelnuts -- a good choice for me.  My dining companion enjoyed the fluffy scramble, which offered big chunks of perfectly ripened avocado.  The homemade bread earned a thumbs up as well. 

Venti's Moroccan Wrap

I've tried this special at Venti's a couple of times.  A variety of spices contribute to traditional Moroccan spiced dishes - usually involving some combination of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chile, ginger, tumeric, cardamom, saffron, paprika with salt, pepper, and sugar.  Moroccan spice blends can vary somewhat but the strong sweet-spicy combo is pretty consistent in these North African dishes. 

Venti's version uses not only the Moroccan spicing but adds more Middle Eastern standards like hummus and tzatziki - so, plenty of garlic is in the mix.  This dish is not bland at all.  There are so many flavors to behold that it can't possibly be boring.  And the plating is lovely.   

I'm still trying to decide whether or not I really like it or whether it really appeals to my taste buds, but it is pretty unique in Salem - so when I'm in the mood for something a little different, it delivers.  

French press

French Press serves - you guessed it - coffee... and crepes.  The new little cafe in South Salem roasts their coffee beans in house.  Besides french press coffee, some standard espresso selections are offered as well as smoothies and shakes. 

Breakfast crepes are personalized - choose a meat and a couple other ingredients (egg comes standard).  Some savory crepes include variations of the club sandwich.  Sweet crepes feature fruit and whipped topping - one called Emilee's Love includes flambayed/flambeed bananas, custard, and hazelnut chocolate sauce.

All in all, it was good but not phenomenal - which isn't a bad thing, it's just that I've been spoiled by newcomer phenoms La Capitale and Word of Mouth.  French Press has plenty of potential.  They have some kinks to work out - plenty of efficiencies to pursue, but that's to be expected with a new restaurant. 

Emilee's Love

While I'm not usually a sweets-oriented person, I did like Emilee's Love.  The bananas were perfect - neither too soft nor too firm.  The chocolate sauce was smooth, warm, and decadent.  While I'm not a custard fan, it did lend a nice binding transition between banana and chocolate.  All in all, I would recommend that sweet-lovers try it.

On the other hand, the breakfast crepe I had was nothing to write home about.  The egg was overcooked (a breakfast sin) and the other ingredients (bacon, avocado, swiss) were just OK. 

The french press, while slow in coming (and not because it was actually setting), did not disappoint - rich and dark, I almost felt guilty indulging in it.  At $3.95 for three modest cups, it's not a bad deal for "real" coffee.

Crepe master at work

The service is rather interesting.  You order at the counter.  Coffee drinks are served to the left - you wait and pick them up.  However, food gets assigned a number and is delivered.  Since I ordered both food and coffee at a busy time with few tables available, I wasn't sure whether I should snag a table or wait for my coffee.  Self-serve water is available and utensils and napkins can be found at the same station.  The outdoor seating was popular on a warm spring day - though I'm not sure what the appeal is of sitting a few yards from Commercial Street. 

While it's nice that it's not another Starbucks, this place kind of has the same soulless feel to it.  Perhaps it was just the busy day or the drone customers or the apparent owner/manager who, while friendly and seemingly enthusiastic about the place, told the same tired jokes over and over.  It will probably be a welcome establishment in South Salem but it pales in comparison to fellow newbies La Capitale and WoM.

I'd definitely give it another try (I want to sample some of their savory crepes and maybe a smoothie or some other drink) if I was in the neighborhood, but I probably won't seek it out specifically.