Verde Cocina

Need a veggie fix?  Let me tell you about Verde Cocina!  This fun new restaurant is located in Hillsdale.  The owner began his business with a food cart located at local farmer's markets that was so popular he has successfully expanded.  They are a "farm to fork" cafe focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.  Each entree comes with a MOUNTAIN of in season sauteed vegetables.  On my most recent visit there this month the veggies even had some thinly sliced apples mixed in.  Delicious!!   The tortillas are thick and handmade daily.  I highly recommend this place for lunch with friends.  The upstairs dining room has plenty of seating and feels open and comfortable with lots of daylight.
The menu has many vegetarian dishes and a few with meat.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I will say I actually prefer the dishes without meat here because the veggies are so flavorful and well prepared.  As you can see in the above picture, we enjoyed the margaritas too!  The picture above is of the chile relleno, which was the daily special;  I highly recommend it!  Very satisfying.  This place has redefined my idea of "authentic mexican food" and I am loving it!
They are open Tuesday - Sunday.  Located at 6446 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97239. 

Andina

Wonderful Peruvian food.  On my first visit to Andina I had the good fortune to speak with one of the owners.  She was wearing a beautiful hummingbird pin that matched the logo on their menu.  I asked her about it and here is what she said:  "Andina is named after a place in Peru where there are lines of rocks in the soil in the same image(hummingbird) that is so large it can only be seen from an airplane.  Scientists have found that hummingbirds come to that area of Peru to get nourishment and then migrate as far north as Alaska!  They return each year.  Our customers are the like these hummingbirds coming in for good food.  I know they will return!"

The atmosphere here is warm and friendly.  Their happy hour (4-6pm) is always busy!  I love the seating here with the large windows and the open two story layout.  They feature a tapas menu that is wonderful.  The beef empanadas were flaky and satisfying.  I have tried 2 of the 3 ceviches offered and both were amazing.  The diver's scallop was savory and perfectly cooked.  As you can see from my photos I am especially fond of their Plato de Crema Quemada for dessert.  The flavors of these small creme brulee vary with such choices as almond, chocolate, vanilla and basil.  I would also highly recommend the French press coffee from Stumptown.  On my most recent visit I enjoyed the live music which was playing in the bar, but is easily enjoyed from anywhere in the restaurant.  Like the hummingbirds in Peru, I can't wait to return!