Andina - Peruvian Cuisine

Andina is a popular Peruvian restaurant in downtown Portland in the Pearl district. We went their last weekend for date night. The multi-level restaurant was awesome. It had a neat atmosphere. 

While we waited for a table we watched the craziness of the open kitchen cranking out food as fast as they could. We only had to wait 15 minutes for a table on a Saturday night, which for Portland is amazing. 

The meal started off with bread and three dipping sauces a jalapeño  sauce, passion fruit sauce, and some sort of peanut sauce. All the sauces were tasty. 

Next, we shared a small salad which was plenty for the two of us. The salad is one of their small plates that can come in small, medium, or large. All their Peruvian tapas can be ordered that way. Although there were lots of tapas on the menu the salad was the  only one we tried.

Instead of tapas we ordered from their entrees menu. This one is the lamb entree. It was a huge portion. 

I ordered one of the specials flank steak with chimichurri sauce. It was a wonderful meal! I do not know what to call the vegetable rice stack, but it was so good. 

We finished the meal off with dessert. We had the flan which was good, but thicker then flan I've had before. Andina had a bunch of unusual sorbets on their menu we had some sort of raspberry hazelnut sorbet. 

Departure - at The Nines Hotel in Portland, OR

Departure is a trendy Portland, Oregon restaurant serving Asian fusion cuisine. It is located inside The Nines Hotel, an upscale hotel near Pioneer Square. 

They have a great happy hour and a killer patio with stunning views of downtown Portland. I've been here twice to eat dinner and once late at night, just to hang out and get drinks. At night it is very crowd with lots of people seated and standing. It seemed to be a late night hot spot. For dinner things are much quieter and everyone is seated at a table. There is no one milling about like at night. 

Departure food is incredible, hopefully the picture do the food justice. We ordered small plates to sample a variety of what they have. For the most part it is all small plates or sushi rolls. 

This curry noodles was good, but it is bright and it is messy. Next time we would not order it, because if you do get it on your clothes I think it will stain.

Curry

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Monster Jam is coming to Portland

MONSTER JAM® RETURNS FOR MORE CAR-CRUSHING at the Rose Quarter In Portland

**Three Trucks are Making Their Portland Debuts This Year**

For two days only, fans will witness the world’s best monster trucks battle it out in the ultimate event of intense speed, racing and destruction as Monster Jam® returns to Portland!  Eight massive trucks will be part of the dirt-flying, car-crushin’ action at the Moda Center – highlighted by the Portland debut appearances of Metal Mulisha, Wolverine and the all-new 2014 season truck New Earth Authority (NEA)driven by local Oregon resident Norm Miller; additional fan-favorite trucks include World Champions Grave Digger® and Max-D℠ plus Iron Man™, The Patriot, Tropical Thunder and Captain USA!          

In addition to the world-class racing and freestyle competition action, die-hard fans can come to the stadium early on Saturday to enjoy the Party in the Pits pre-show experience – which gives fans unparalleled access to view their favorite trucks up-close, meet the star drivers for autographs and take photos!

WHERE: Moda Center (Rose Quarter) – 1 North Center Court Street, Portland, OR 97227

WHEN: Saturday, February 15, 2014                              
Party in the Pits 11:00AM–12:30PM*                                 
Event Times – 2:00PM & 7:30PM                                                

*Saturday and Sunday 2PM event ticket &; Pit Pass required for entry; Pit Pass available to purchase for $10 Adults/$5 Kids

Sunday, February 16, 2014 Event Time – 2:00PM          
Party in the Pits 11:00AM–12:30PM*




TICKETS: Ticket prices range from $20, $30 (Gold Circle) &; $40 (Front Row); Kids tickets available for only $5 each (select seating only; limit 4 Kids tickets with one Adult ticket purchase)

• Tickets are available to purchase online at RoseQuarter.com, charge by phone at 877-789-ROSE or in-person at the Moda Center Box Office.

**Above ticket prices are advance purchase only; all ticket prices are $2 more when purchased the day of the event; tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees. 

For more information and updates log onto www.MonsterJam.com
For specific Portland event info, visit http://www.monsterjam.com/Events/2014/02/15/Portland,_OR/

Oaks Park - An Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon

Did you know that there is an amusement park in Portland, Oregon?

Oaks Park is a small amusement park located in Portland, Oregon in the Sellwood area.  They've got rides for every age.  One area is set up just for younger children which is perfect for kids 2 - 7 years old. Most of the rides are what you would typically find at a fair or carnival. The best deal is to get your kid a wrist band that allows them to ride all of the rides for $16. If your child is too little to ride the largest rides then get the limited bracelet for $13.

They also have an indoor skating rink and putt putt. The skating rink hosts a preschool time each week.

For parents there are lots of benches for sitting!


















Every summer the Multnomah County library offers a summer reading program. The reward for finishing the program is a voucher to Oaks Park. It's a great way to take your kids there for free!

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Koi Fusion - Portland, OR

Koi Fusion at Bridgeport Village

Koi Fusion is an extremely popular food cart in Portland, Oregon with multiple food carts and two permanent locations offering a fusion of Korean BBQ and fresh Mexican flavors. It also happens to be my favorite food cart so far. They have tacos, sliders, hotdogs, tamales, kimchi, and more. Their hotdogs are wrapped in bacon! I still remember the first time we ate here. We were in a hurry and just needed to grab something and go. I took one bite and was like holy..... Their food is amazing.

The food carts change locations, so check their website to see where they are on which day. 

Koi Fusion tacos

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo

Each year the Oregon Zoo goes all out for Christmas and decorates everywhere. Everywhere you look are beautiful lights and it is the perfect place to take fun pictures with your family. 

 In past years there has been a train to take you around to see the lights, but this year the train was closed so we walked around. The zoo has it set up so you walk through certain parts ensuring you see all the lights. I found this to be a much better way to see the lights. I doubt we even ride the train next year. Even though it was 30 degrees outside we stayed warm walking around, much warmer then we ever did riding on the train! 

Even though most of the animals are put up they still keep open the viewing areas. Which means you can go see the baby elephant, Lily. When we got there she was sleeping, but the other elephants kept tapping her until she got up.

For the first time we ate at the Cascade Grill, which is the restaurant that you can go to without paying for zoo admission. Normally this restaurant closes at 2 PM during the winter, but stays up for ZooLights. They have soup, salads, Sheppard's pie, and kid's meals. You order food at the counter and then find a seat and they bring your food to you. The food was great and my kids think they have the best french fries in Portland and I would have to agree. You can get a coupon at the gate for a free kid's meal.

Cascade Grill at the Oregon Zoo

Zoo members get free admission to ZooLights for everyone else it is $10 for adults and $7 for children. Seniors get a discount as do groups of 20 or more.

Disclosure - I was offered free tickets by the zoo in exchange for this review, but opinions are my own, and we would have gone anyway.