Monday, November 05, 2007

Monthly Menus at Opposable Thumbs

Chefs are creative people, and as such they can get bored churning out the same old, same old every day. They can express some of their creativity in daily specials, but those generally follow in the same vein as the rest of the menu and don't give these folks an opportunity to really stretch out in new directions. Thus the proliferation of special events like Castagna's rosé dinner series each summer, or the annual Dia de los Muertos dinner at ¿Por Que No? Taqueria in early November.

One of the latest entries in the event sweepstakes is Laughing Planet chef Jon Grumbles, a noted vegetarian and vegan chef, who will be offering a monthly series of dinners at the Opposable Thumb Gallery and Café on SE Belmont. Opposable Thumb, owned by Laughing Planet's Richard Satnick and right next door to the LP location on Belmont, is starting the series off with a four-course vegetarian dinner featuring light appetizers followed by a first course of roasted autumn vegetables with chickpea puree and saffron yogurt dressing. That's followed by a second course of wild mushroom farroto with truffle-roasted cauliflower purée and a dessert of bruschettas with varied toppings.

It all comes with a glass of wine for only $25, a great value for what sounds like some really excellent food. To go to the dinner or get on the mailing list, just e-mail and let them know you're interested!

Details: Four-course Vegetarian Dinner by Jon Grumbles. Thurs., Nov. 8 at 7 pm. Opposable Thumb Gallery and Café, 3312 S.E. Belmont St. Phone 503-235-o146.

4 comments:

Loo said...

Sounds like something we would love! It really is amazing what is happening in Portland and the food scene. We finally got a slightly better quality restaurant here in Santa Barbara...an import from L.A., still nothing to rave about.

This place is YEARS behind in terms of food.

Kathleen Bauer said...

Glad to hear there's at least one place worth eating down there.

The chef at this place sounds like he's got national cred as far as vegetarian/vegan cuisine. We won't be able to make this dinner, but hopefully one of their future events.

Loo said...

Wish we could go as your scouts! Coz we know good vegetarian/vegan when we meet it...

Kathleen Bauer said...

Anytime you want to scout, you let me know. We'll fly you up in the GoodStuffNW corporate jet...oh...wait...