Unleash the Beast

I feel like I always forget how much I actually really love Valentine's Day... until the date nears, that is! Maybe it's the fact that over the years, my best girlfriend has gotten me into the spirit (it's her most favorite holiday) and even we give each other Valentines or perhaps it's because every shop and window is decked out in cut-out hearts and feel-good shades of pink and red! I don't believe in that whole "Valentine's Day is corporate/commercial made by Hallmark" b.s. or that you "don't need a holiday just to show her how much you love her" excuse because honestly, how many of you guys actually show her you love her everyday?! And girls don't even, we're just as guilty as they are. That's why Valentine's Day should be special (because the same argument could be used for Thanksgiving, Christmas or your birthday, yet no one gripes about that)! And for those few folks who actually do make a daily, consorted effort to show your lady/gentleman you care, then bravo! But anyone would be lying if they told you they didn't like attention especially on Valentine's Day! Every girl I know loves getting flowers delivered to her work (no matter how much they might tell you they hate flowers and to not waste your money) or surprises at their door. Even guys love the attention! As humans, we bask in the joy of having someone tell the whole world how much they love us! Sure, you might turn red when that singing telegram shows up at your office or when you get that panty-gram (yep, underwear delivered ;) that pops out of an envelop, but you LOVE it! And if you're single, get over it (that's why we threw that Singles Mingle :) because no one says you can't take your best single girlfriends out on a night on the town! One year in New York, two of my single girlfriends and I stayed in, ordered Thai food and watched a movie... then we thought, forget this! We raided my closet, hailed a cab and ended up with drinks in hand at some random bar 30 minutes later. Life is good people! Love it up!... with anyone!!!

But I am quite lucky to have a man who's willing to put aside his true feelings about Valentine's Day and at least humor me on this lovely February day. Each year, Michael and I take turns planning Valentine's Day. See, I like to give LOVE too! Last year, we had the most amazing lunch at Gordon Ramsay's Maze Restaurant in London, where we witnessed food service like no other - before serving each course, the servers would line up against a wall to make sure they were taken notice before presenting the plate to diners. Even the "gourmet foam" as I'd like to call it, that accompanied some of the dishes were a sight in itself. A bit fru-fru sounding I know, but if you saw it, you'd think it was pretty cool too.

This year, was my turn to plan Vday. The bads news was the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tết also happen to fall on this day, so I had to consider family events when planning the day... but the good news was because of Tết, I only had to plan half a day :) (hehe)

I had been wanting to have brunch at one of Portland's biggest restaurant phenomenon's Beast, for quite some time. While likely more famous for its French-infused Pacific Northwest prix fixe dinners, most people know by now I am a huge fan of brunch. Beast only serves brunch on Sundays, usually requiring a reservation at one of its two seating times, 10AM or noon. And if you know me and Michael (particularly Michael :) we don't "do" Sunday morning commitments. Sundays, especially mornings should be a leisurely affair - wake up when you want, eat when you want, right? No one wants to rush to a reservation... unless its on Valentine's Day and your girl said SO!


Beast is a small ma-pa like joint, located in the residential area of the Alberta Arts District and owned by one of Food & Wine's 10 Best New Chefs of 2009, Naomi Pomeroy, who much to my own surprise was once a vegetarian for seven years and now, incorporates meat into most of her dishes (hence the name, Beast) and politely, but clearly declines substitutions.

Though seemingly impersonal in its seating arrangement of two long communal tables, which accommodates 10 and 14 people respectively during each seating, the service is sharp, intimate and the immaculate menu yesterday consisted of:

Brioche & Baguette Bread Pudding
Maple Bourbon Sauce
Candied Hazelnuts & Glazed Bacon

Milk Braised Pork Shoulder
Brussel Sprouts, Apples & Market Potato
Poached Farm Egg
Hollandaise

Selection of Steve's Cheese
Frisee
Sherry & Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette

&
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Coffee Creme Anglais
Candied Citrus

Though we were both expecting a slightly more uncommon experience from the menu (it's what happens when people rant and rave about a place - your expectations get set too high :) Michael and I were both still very satisfied and happy nonetheless. The candied bacon was to say the least, the bomb. As a quote on their blackboard wall said, "Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon!" Or in this case, if it tasted like Beast's brussel sprouts! WTH. Those brussel sprouts must have been dipped in crack. They were so yummy! And to think I didn't like brussel sprouts! (Apparently, they are all the rage now - I saw a pic of Rachel Bilson in L.A. buying some at a farmers market in a recent US Weekly ;) I will defintely come back to Beast and try out what everyone else has been telling me is the proper experience, dinner. In the meantime, I look forward to next year's Valentine's Day. "Quiche me baby, quiche me!"