When driving on Northeast Glisan Street you might spot this brightly colored building that looks very out of place in the rainy city of Portland, but step inside the Pambiche Restaurant, and you are immediately transported to Cuba! The actual inside seating area itself is very small and can only accommodate about 25 people, but not to worry, there is outdoor seating also. Pambiche has won many awards and has been mentioned in numerous food magazines. There is often a line waiting to get in, and such was the case with my first visit.
Pambiche is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights! Cuban-Creole cuisine often consists of a variety of marinated meats such as beef, pork, and chicken, and most meals are served with rice and beans. Tostones are the french fries of the Caribbean, and a popular Cuban side dish. They are fried green plantains (similar to a banana) served with salsa and lime.
Pambiche takes great pride in their desserts, which is clear by their extensive menu and glass case full of treats. While I was dining there I had the pleasure of enjoying the Torta Dominó, a white chocolate cake finished with chocolate ganache and a white chocolate domino piece. Pambiche also has a non-alcoholic drink menu that is hard to rival; their lemonades with fresh pressed sugar cane juice bring a new flavor to a familiar drink, and the Cuban milkshakes such as Plátano, a banana spice milkshake, are delicious. A personal favorite of mine, and a very warm and cozy drink to have while taking advantage of Pambiche's outdoor dining during the winter (yes, I did that last weekend!) is the Oaxacan hot chocolate. It is a very rich hot chocolate with a touch of cinnamon and topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and mint (and only $3)! This drink is something I know I will crave all winter long, and I can't wait to go back and get it again.
No comments:
Post a Comment