The Cab Franc from the vineTraveling west out of Colfax, Washington recently, I was hit with the unmistakable aroma of Cabernet Franc. Not just any Cab Franc either, but something out of France's Loire Valley. It took a minute to realize it was the burnt grass stubble sticking out of the snow along the roadside ditch. "Of course!" you say, "burnt roadside ditch stubble." Since assuming the lofty position of the Source's newly established wine columnist, I've been working hard to fortify my wine vocabulary. "I like it!" and "Mmmm!" are clearly no longer adequate.
Cabernet Franc: the well kept secret of the Loire
Posted inFood & Drink
Hot Spot: Redmond’s Spot Café brings a fresh
When the food is this good, there’s no time for photosJust when Bend seems ready to engulf Redmond in its culinary shadow, another eatery pops up to shed some needed gastronomic sunshine on the northern burb. In this case, it’s a breakfast establishment the likes of which Redmond has yet to experience.
Although the building is old and has a look that suggests it may have once housed a similar eatery, the Spot Café is shiny and new. Located right downtown with a cool retro sign and a full glass front, it’s reminiscent of the diners of old.
The Spot is owned and operated by partners Scott Gennrich and Scott Byers. Both arrive with experience; Gennrich is a part owner of the Astro Lounge and Byers is a veteran of several local restaurants, including, Bluefish, 28, and Seasons at The Seventh Mountain Resort where he was the executive chef.
Rather than tackle a dinner menu, they opted for a more manageable route, focusing on breakfast and lunch. The interior is pleasant and clean, if a bit stark; it reminds me of Alpenglow 10 years ago. Piles of fresh-baked goods greet diners at the counter, while food servers bustle through the swinging kitchen door with steaming plates of food.
Posted inFood & Drink
Hot Spot: Redmond’s Spot Café brings a fresh
When the food is this good, there’s no time for photosJust when Bend seems ready to engulf Redmond in its culinary shadow, another eatery pops up to shed some needed gastronomic sunshine on the northern burb. In this case, it's a breakfast establishment the likes of which Redmond has yet to experience.
Although the building is old and has a look that suggests it may have once housed a similar eatery, the Spot Café is shiny and new. Located right downtown with a cool retro sign and a full glass front, it's reminiscent of the diners of old.
The Spot is owned and operated by partners Scott Gennrich and Scott Byers. Both arrive with experience; Gennrich is a part owner of the Astro Lounge and Byers is a veteran of several local restaurants, including, Bluefish, 28, and Seasons at The Seventh Mountain Resort where he was the executive chef.
Rather than tackle a dinner menu, they opted for a more manageable route, focusing on breakfast and lunch. The interior is pleasant and clean, if a bit stark; it reminds me of Alpenglow 10 years ago. Piles of fresh-baked goods greet diners at the counter, while food servers bustle through the swinging kitchen door with steaming plates of food.
Posted inOpinion
Honestly, We Measured It
Alert Source readers will remember that we sent H. Bruce Miller under not-so-deep cover last week to investigate rumors that there is no standard for pint glasses or pours in local bars and pubs. Shocking stuff. And in fact, we found a wide variety of glasses, prices and beer volume when we put local pints to the test, via Mr. Miller's trusty measuring cup.
So it was probably no great surprise that we got a call from one of those establishments demanding a recount, or repour, if you will. Bend Brewing Company owner Wendy Day told Source staffers that her pints had been given the short end of the stick and challenged us to repeat the experiment using a more sound methodology. Never one to pass up a drinking challenge, Upfront moseyed down to BBC on St. Patty's day and bellied up to the bar. We warmed up our glasses with a pint of BBC's Dry Irish Stout and got down to business.
We can't speak to how much beer our intrepid reporter was served on his earlier visit, but our glasses were poured to the rim with about a quarter inch of creamy head. As far as volume, we found that the glasses on that day, and presumably every other day, held a full 16 ounces of liquid as measured by Wendy's in-house measuring cup, which we assume is in compliance with all known international regulations. That's a little different than what our story said. We're sorry about that Wendy and Co.
We've ordered a thorough review of the Source's science curriculum and banned any use of measuring cups in the field. In the meantime, we'll have another stout to go with our dish of crow.
Posted inOpinion
A Tempest in a Pint Glass
Good morning H. Bruce Miller
Again, you write us a thriller
With St Patrick's Day here
You criticize the beer
But like your comments it's all filler!
In this case, the cup lied to you, and you believed it. What kind of comparison is this when you have no consistency or baseline to your measurements?
A: You're comparing pints with different "head" on them. A half inch of head is damn near three ounces in one of those "shaker" glasses! Forget your geometry classes?
Posted inOpinion
What’s Really Sacred
To those of you who felt we somehow dishonored our military by demonstrating for peace outside the recruiting office on Valentine's Day, I ask you to take a closer look at what you hold sacred.
I personally cringed when I heard a young military man give an interview about the first days of the war in Iraq. He described how they welcomed our troops as heroes. The streets were calm and the mood was one of thankfulness to those who came to "liberate" them. "It was a bit disappointing", he said "because we joined up to see some action."
We are sending our young vulnerable men and women into a war where it is unclear who is the enemy. They make decisions that are often immoral. They leave full of feelings of pride and nationalism, proud that they are brave enough to face the evil that is trying to destroy our country! Often, very often, they come home mentally and spiritually wounded. There are a record number of suicides among our military.
Posted inOpinion
Of High Gas Prices and Russian Gypsies
We all know that the political leaders raise the gas prices everywhere throughout the nation and people still go along with it like a herd of sheep. I have been here in Bend for a year and a half coming up from that overpopulated state to the south. The majority of residents here in Bend who do not need the auto have a simple yet effective alternative to spending money on their motorized chariots.
Pick up a bike, support a good bike shop that really is involved in the community, lose weight, save gas, help the city of Bend with pollution, etc.
I work in a grocery store here in Bend and constantly hear people complain about being overweight, they pay way too much for gas to operate their five-ton trucks … duh!!
Posted inOpinion
Support Your Local Video Store
I was so happy to see the article on Westside Video in the March 13 issue. I love Westside Video, and I feel very strongly about supporting local business at all cost (even as a poor college student and mother of three! Anyone can choose local).
Posted inNews
Metal Memories, Real and Fake
Motorbreath in the shred zone.If you were lucky, you were in the crowd that caught Portland-based Metallica tribute band Motorbreath’s show at the Reed Pub the other night. (Sound Check was.) Your lucky streak ain’t run out yet, either, because you find yourself here — where you can check out bonus photos of Motorbreath, Tentareign, and a video clip of the last song from Vengeance Creek’s set. Horns up and read on.
Posted inNews
Getting Off the Bottle: Where does your bottled water come from? You may be surprised
The logo for Sierra Springs bottled water shows a range of beautiful, gleaming white peaks. The image and the name conjure up visions of icy-cold, crystal-clear water gushing from pristine springs fed by pure mountain snows.