From the venerable Empire Chinese to Forage, Chaval, Pai Men Miyake, Little Giant, Evergreen Chinese, The Shop and dinner at home under the auspices of Martha Marley Spoon home delivery, it was a pretty good several weeks of dining in and out.
Martha-Marley Spoon. I started subscribing to Martha’s home delivery a few months ago, and once a week for $48 for 4 servings I receive dishes of my choice from a long menu list. For the most part the food is good: very fresh, either natural or organic ingredients, and most of the preparations are very similar: main dishes of meat, chicken or things like tacos or flatbreads along with various vegetable dishes. The prep list is somewhat complicated, though nothing takes more than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The delivery, however, is erratic, coming a day late and the freezer packs are perilously close to thawing out. Still it’s an A- service and I’ve enjoyed most of the meal plans. ***1/2
Seared steak with ginger butter and oven-baked fries and green beans
Empire Chinese. It’s still the best of our Chinese cuisine dining options. Authentic Cantonese dishes, including dim sum, are beautifully prepared. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. ****1/2
Kung pao chicken
