The day had started much like any other summer day. I had been around town all day, galavanting as I would say, with my friend Stephanie. As we decided what to do next, the idea of something sweet came to mind, and of all the other possible things to do in Portland, it won out.
"Fool Proof Fudge," it was called. A recipe that seemed easy enough, after stopping by the local Fred Meyer's of course. We returned home, and begun to make it. The fudge itself took all of about five minutes to make. However, the next two hours were spent waiting for the fudge to "cool." Why this was necessary beats me. Not listening to the recipe is what Stephanie and I decided against. A short bike ride to the park, some swinging, and an attempt at tennis later, we returned to find our fudge ready for consumption.
Before the day had begun, the evening had been set out for an official launch of carting, so after Stephanie left, it began.
Ketchup, Mustard, Pesto Mayo, Oh My!
So many options, so little time. A fantastic recipe for Belgian French fries has been created at Potato Champion, a cart that resides at Cartopia.
Food cart pod as they are called, have increasingly begun to be named. At the corner of Hawthorne and 12th, lies Cartopia. A pod consisting of about 6 carts, notoriously known for their late night hours.
Potato Champion offers an array of French fry items for consumption, that have all become quite popular for people alike, with varying taste buds. Poutine, a dish containing Potato Champions infamous French fries, cheese and gravy. Both vegetarian and meatatarian options are available. PB&J fries are new to the menu. A mixture of French fries, a delicious peanut satay sauce, and raspberry chipotle sauce. Delicious! Of course, if the French fries are all you have a hankering for, four sizes are available. From mini, perfect for a quick snack for one, to large, for multiple people ready for some fries. An array of sauces to choose from, each a bit different from the next. My favorite, pesto mayo. Potato Champion used to be open from 8pm-3am, for true night owls, but now offers earlier hours, for those requiring a bed time much earlier.
On this particular day, Mom ordered a small fry to share. With both of our personal favorite sauce, pesto mayo. Normally fries are not for me, but Potato Champion's fries are just to good. I find the sauces delicious, and along with a few other items from other various carts, the fries just hit the spot.
Holy Crepes!
One thing you should know, is that before today, I had never enjoyed a crepe. Shocking to many, I know. This has all since been taken care of though.
I walked up to the board. One side read: Sweet. The other: Savory. The cart continued to expel smells that wafted right up to my nose, and deciding what type you want your first crepe to be is a difficult task when about five crepes are all yelling out at you. The first order of business was picking which side to be on. After consuming perhaps a bit too much fudge, I decided on savory. The chefs at Perierra Creperie, were all to kind to change a crepe that contained meat, to a vegetarian crepe. Finally I decided. A mmozzarella, red bell peppers, and basil crepe, minus the sopressetta (an Italian salami). I stood in awe as I watched my soon to be dinner being created. A batter was skillfully laid onto the crepe cooker, using what looked like a squeegee. I have to say it did not look like much, but as the fresh ingredients were added, first the mozzarella, then the red bell peppers, and lastly the basil, the crepe began to form.
Alas, my crepe was ready. Elegantly folded into a flower looking shape and placed into a piece of wax paper, my name was called, and the crepe was handed down to my awaiting hands. I was about to consume my first ever crepe. Excitement welled up from within as I took my first bite. Very good, but not overwhelming. The crepe itself had a tasty, but subtle batter, that just worked with the cheese. The red bell peppers added to the kick that the crepe gave, and, looking quite fresh I might add, the basil was not heavy, but most definitely there. The crepe was perfect, and made me want more.
Along with crepes, Perierra Creperie has some of the best milkshakes in town. The milkshakes are highly recommended. Sugar intake aside, I went for it. While I stayed with a simple and traditional vanilla milkshake, other milkshakes, which included ingredients such as lavender and cardamom could create a bolder taste.
Crepes are now a food I will be looking forward to eating, and if you are looking for a place to eat a crepe, I would definitely recommend Perierra Creperie. Friendly people, skillfully making sweet and savory crepes.
Wait Until You Get a Whiff of This
Triple Berry, Nutella and Banana, Chicken Pot Pie, and Vegan Pot Pie, all different kinds available at Whiffies Hand pies. A newer cart to Cartopia, Whiffies Hand Pies offers an assortment of sweet and savory hand pies, easy to take on the go.
We decided to enjoy a dessert from Whiffies after having enjoyed a more savory of a dinner. A triple berry hand pie was chosen. Whiffies was incredibly busy, a good sign for someone who had never been there before, but the chef did seem to wait until he could make multiple pies at once. meaning the wait for our hand pie was about ten minutes. After a wait, we were rewarded with a hot, flaky, berry hand pie, wrapped in foil.
It was getting a bit late, so we decided to take it with us. A word of advice, grab a couple of napkins on your way, whether you are staying or going. As we walked to the car, the foil came off and the first bites taken. The warm, flaky, not to overwhelming sweet taste, crust of the hand pie was the first taste to be enveloped into your mouth. The warm compote of berry was next. The berry filled my mouth, and even after swallowing, the taste lingered in my mouth. As we worked our way through the hand pie, the ever increasing thought of coming to the end lingered. How we all feared this, but were consoled by the now faint taste of berry deliciousness giving us that last taste before it was all but lost.
Covered areas for sitting, eating, and socializing are all but available. however, arriving early (if this idea can be proven) is best for more private seating. Although, being in Portland, where hospitality and friendliness reign and is never hard to find, sitting with complete strangers can be the start of a friendship and is always enjoyable.
