Half and Half tag:www.urbanhonking.com,2008-04-13:/halfandhalf//49 2008-05-06T03:01:52Z Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.0 Our first blog on the new platform tag:www.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.14168 2008-05-06T01:50:16Z 2008-05-06T03:01:52Z Switching over to the new platform has made me realize one of the reasons we started the blog and how we have moved away from it. When Mikey, Daniel, Robin and I met over pot stickers at the Phoenix lounge,... flickr pics here. Biggy]]> Coffee Thoughts - Our 100th Blog tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11236 2008-03-28T01:01:10Z 2008-04-14T01:09:43Z I have finally been spending more of my time thinking about coffee, and after some absence, I am remembering the things which made me geek out by those little beans and why I love the Courier who delivers them. After... Courier who delivers them. After a very long hiatus, I consumed my first Stumptown espresso at the newly opened Albina press on upper Hawthorne. It was delicious – although it took the barista at least ten minutes to produce a shot worth serving. The flavor, almost malt-like, took me back several years to when I first started to pull shots and I must admit, it tasted so much like I remembered. Year in and year out I drank that espresso, pulling it every which way you could think to pull it. But in the end, although magnificent, it was still the same espresso, day in and day out, year after year. Working with a small company who roasts very small batches of ever changing beans taught me even more than what I learned from pulling that same blend again and again. I now have the luxury of trying single origins through our Synessos; I have the luxury of trying different blends at different temperatures; and I have the luxury of working hands on with the man roasting those beans, giving him my feedback and learning what different beans, from different regions, taste like when pulled as espresso. Currently we are running a mixture of Yemen Matari and Rwanda Kinunu. And as the owner of a very small business, I am inviting you as customers of something small and genuinely Portland to partake in this process with us and give us your thoughts and feedback as well. And as Stumptown makes it’s way to San Francisco and Seattle and eventually to other US markets, you will have every chance to drink what is one of the best espressos you ever will taste. And as that happens, geek out with us once in a while and learn a little bit about how the upstarts operate and how enjoyable some variety can bring to your life. Love Portland – Love Coffee.]]> Dirty Food Rap tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11235 2008-03-18T03:29:09Z 2008-04-14T01:09:43Z For several months the doormen for the Benson have been coming to the Half and Half for their morning coffee and sending guests over as well. It is a strange mix to ad to the Half and Half - usually... Benson have been coming to the Half and Half for their morning coffee and sending guests over as well. It is a strange mix to ad to the Half and Half - usually rich folks looking for "the best coffee" with the women very nice and overly talkative and the men grumpy and disengaged. The doorman we have been seeing the most has been N**k (will not use his entire name). N**k first started coming in and talking about his golf game usually wearing some sort of golf attire. Always nice, chatting up my employees, asking them about their days; their lives. Everyone likes him, everyone looks forward to seeing him. Soon he was making his way to the Acorn where he quickly made friends with those folks. Iced coffee or french pressed coffee with ice has been his standard along with sandwiches and scones and a little more talk of his game. Next came his co-workers and we now see him everyday buying coffee three or four at a time for the dudes down at Broadway and Oak. Like I said, this man is one of those regulars everyone likes and just amazingly respectful. Last week he gave me a slip of paper on it with his website. He would not say what it was and I admit that I left it on my desk not thinking it would amount to much. But it amounts to this - gastroerotica.com - be warned, the sounds are graphic. Oh and yes, we are now french pressing all of or house coffee at the halfy.]]> Art Shows For March tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11234 2008-03-07T04:55:14Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z At the Corn: At the Halfy: Mountain Dew and Espresso: New flickr photos.... P9060233.JPG P9060231.JPG At the Halfy: P9070238.JPG P9070236.JPG Mountain Dew and Espresso: P9070239.JPG New flickr photos.]]> The Power Of Love tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11233 2008-02-12T04:21:21Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z We're not very good at holidays in the Crowsenberg's Family. Even less festive are we sentimental, but for some odd reason I live for decorating heart shaped cookies for Valentines Day. Maybe it's the fat and sugar, maybe it's... We're not very good at holidays in the Crowsenberg's Family. Even less festive are we sentimental, but for some odd reason I live for decorating heart shaped cookies for Valentines Day. Maybe it's the fat and sugar, maybe it's the artificial food coloring, maybe it's the danger of wielding a pastry bag full of royal icing...or maybe it's the sheer pleasure of capturing the spirit of this special day of Love. This is the most romantic, most passionate, most significant and special day of the year for Lovers the world over, so don't blow it by eating at home. The first wave of shortbread heart cookies have arrived, appearing at Half & Half and Acorn through Thursday. They're $2.50 a piece, and if it's possible to put a price on love, that's quite a bargain. The photo above shows some of my romantic creations, and the sliver of cookie and glass of milk in the foreground is evidence of my dedication to quality control.]]> Art Shows For February tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11232 2008-02-12T02:57:43Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Better late then never. If you click the pics they get bigger. Halfy - Corn - Biggy... P8110221.JPG P8110222.JPG Corn - P8140223.JPG P8140225.JPG Biggy]]> Bizarro World tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11231 2008-02-11T02:23:05Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z So I have always had this little fascination since the advent of the internet to try typing in words as e-mail addresses. I would just type in www.peanutbutter.com or www.cup.com to see what would come up for no reason whatsoever.... www.scott.com www.jeff.com and www.lasthope.com All of them were just random thoughts, but the last one tripped me out so hard that I needed to blog about it. At first glance it seems like a legitimate sight trying to help people cope with the seriousness of life, but lumped in with aids and death is baldness and insurance. Weird. Also found this little pancake gem. Sandwiches this week include a vegan gem. Tofu-Sweet Pea Salad with Red Onions and whole Shaved Lemons. Yum.]]> The Women of Crowsenberg's: Part3 tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11230 2008-01-30T21:51:33Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z In this third episode, the Half and Half is proud to announce the hiring of a new art curator. Her name is Dana Dart-McLean. I had heard rumor she was the heiress of the famed Midwest Irish/Mexican chain Carlos O'Kellys,... Carlos O'Kellys, but I have not been able to confirm this. Anyway, she will be taking portfolios at halfandhalfshow@gmail.com. So on another note... I have made something today for the cafes that is both delicious yet campy:
The Buffalo Tofu Sandwich
Like a hot wing sandwich for vegans, I marinated the tofu in Frank's Hot Sauce and peanut oil, then roasted it at high temp until the tofu became somewhat fried, then cut and tossed it again with more hot sauce. It is served on roll with leaf lettuce, tomato and a homemade roasted garlic and celery slaw. Can you say vegan sports bar heaven? We are also doing: *the Pryzybilla - albacore, capers, onions, parsley and shaved lemons. *the Chavez - turkey breast, chimichurri, red onion and cheddar *Pittock the Fourth - escarole or dandelion, chevre and onion marmalade *the Bobby Fisher - sweet and spicy tempeh, arugula, sherried onions and tofutti And, the newest J K Production is out. Peace.]]> The Women of Crowsenberg's: Part 2 tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11229 2008-01-17T01:45:01Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Hello. In this second installment I would like to introduce you to the morning offerings of LiLi Patisserie, 8337 se 77th. Portland, Oregon. 97202 – 503-233-8844 We Have… *Huckleberry Coffee Cake* *Morning Glory Muffins* *Apple Danish* *Spinach in Puff pastry*... We Have… *Huckleberry Coffee Cake* *Morning Glory Muffins* *Apple Danish* *Spinach in Puff pastry* …And If That Was Not Enough *Pumpkin Bread* *Ham and Cheese Danish* *Some of the Best Scones In Our Zipcodes* So come on in. On our menu this week we are running: turkey, chevere, kumquat, spinach. Ham, celery root remoulade, tomato. Egg Salad with sun dried tomatoes and arugula. And a vegan bahn mi – pictures of the makings here.]]> The Women of Crowsenberg’s: Part 1. tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11228 2008-01-08T02:12:09Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Good evening. What you are about to read is the beginning of a multi part series dedicated to the women who are currently making the Half & Half and Acorn function. They are the backbone of a complicated company constantly... P7110178.JPG An organic kombucha made from green tea, which she brews and bottles all by herself out in St. John’s. I must admit, at first we were skeptics, but when she brought a case into our boardroom, we knew we had struck gold. Some members described it as soda like, but I described to be more like the sparkling wines that are currently coming out of New Mexico… sweet but fleshy, with a very fine bubble. This is not the bulk kombucha coming from people living in Malibu wearing turtlenecks, idolizing Glenn Close and sipping chardonnay – ouch! Biggy.]]> Wake Up People!!!!! tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11227 2008-01-04T18:21:24Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Holy Crap! Where are we living? My last blog which was titled Rose Bowl Parade has left me speechless. When I posted the blog, the link took you to some pictures on a yahoo website. There were at least seventy... here.]]> Rose Bowl Parade! tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2008:/halfandhalf//49.11226 2008-01-02T03:43:32Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Did anyone check out pictures from the Rose Bowl Parade? Pictures My favorites are 2, 9, 32, 36, 37, 38, 47, 48 and 53.... Pictures My favorites are 2, 9, 32, 36, 37, 38, 47, 48 and 53.]]> Saludos. tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2007:/halfandhalf//49.11225 2007-12-30T04:54:34Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Hello. Knock, knock. Keeping this one short... but back to writing. The man I am immortalizing was our waste removal manager. At the beginning of the holiday season he was waving at me and wishing me well. Then I noticed... fw5.jpg Amore]]> The Old Number Twelve tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2007:/halfandhalf//49.11223 2007-12-13T02:00:55Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z They took a tooth from head today at 1:27 p.m. The number twelve tooth. An upper bicuspid partially broken off while eating a crab roll in San Francisco. And it was of no comfort to hear the doctor tell me... 700 building and I rode the elevator to the eighth floor and entered an office on a corner space, which I would get the corner chair. It was a wonderful view of downtown and the 405 bridges. There was also a very visible Red Lion's head right in front of me from the Red Lion Hotel, lots of people doing lots of work while suspended eight stories up in the building next over, and a nice view of the new tram. Looking around the room, I noticed that I was in some maxillofacial chop shop, a system of executing pariodontal precision in a timely manner. Hanging on the wall was a computer monitor and all of the appointments were in shifts with mine and three others seated at once. The doctor came in, gave me the novocaine, then went into the next room and numbed them up. Same procedure when it came time to do the work - one room then the next, always leaving a nurse behind to finish up. My tooth did not come out easily. Must have been those long roots. I even had to re-up on the novocaine after much pulling. The pressure feels exactly like bone pulling away from bone. They stitched me up and gauzed the gap. I checked out, walked to my car and spat at least a half cup of bloody saliva. It bled for the next hour or so. Making it home I started eating codeine and wrote this.]]> Acorny Place tag:www2.urbanhonking.com,2007:/halfandhalf//49.11222 2007-12-07T04:07:44Z 2008-04-14T01:09:42Z Have not blogged in a week because I sat on jury. We sent a man to prison and I am feeling awful about the whole thing. It was a case involving child molestation and the things I have heard leave... Lil'. acornyplace3.jpg We have them in green and yellow. You can purchase them at the Acorn or I will mail one to you if you give me your credit card number, your social security number and your mother's maiden name. Biggy]]>