I’ve written time and again about how much I love my job as a meat distributor. My hands-down favorite part is being able to eat the dishes that chefs create with our meat — from the basic cuts to the more unusual offerings. These pictures are a perfect example of offal at their best.
The restaurant Kingdom of Roosevelt is fairly new to Portland, though the chef has been around for a while and is even slightly infamous in this town for entirely different reasons. The menu is not for the faint of heart — take a peek at the last picture if you don’t believe me — but let me tell you, the food is incredible. Every dish was superbly executed, not something that happens often especially with such ambitious ingredients.
Fallow Venison Heart Tartare, Venison Marrow Bone and Arugula Salad
Roasted Beets, Pickled Elk Tongue and Bush Berries
Oregon Quail with Fried Quail Eggs and Alliums
Antler Chandelier
Besides a cheese plate, there were two offerings for dessert. Blood pancakes with berries and cream, and a birch syrup pie with soured milk. We went for the pie with soured milk…and again — incredible! Seriously!
Heart tartare. That sounds kind of gnarly. And that chef looks like a bit of an a-hole. You’re a stout-hearted lass!
The tartare was fabulous and actually the chef is a sweetheart — I’ve hung out with him on several occasions. He just has a little fire inside. =) But yes, I take pride in the fact that very little is too weird for me to eat. Hasn’t steered me wrong yet!
Excellent! I stand happily corrected on both counts. 😉
Some very interesting looking dishes. I will be adding this to my list of Portland’s great restaurants!
Definitely do! Really, even though I knew it would be great, I was a little hesitant just because of how crazy the menu was. But seriously — soooo good!
loving the chandelier!
Me too! Even though they are so very trendy in Portland right now. At least in this space, it’s really makes sense given the cuisine and the name of the restaurant.
Meat Distributor…the job of dreams!
I know! It keeps me happy and well-fed! =)