Bazkari Catering at the Public Market House

I’m really digging the Public Market House expansion.  With the opening of the second floor, it’s becoming a great place to grab a quick lunch from a variety of interesting and creative food vendors.  Most recently, Bazkari Catering started selling lunch on Wednesdays (Monument Square farmer’s market day) from Spartan Grill’s old spot on the first floor.

Bazkari operates a daily lunch-delivery service in Portland and So. Portland and features Spanish food prepared by Ana O’Connell, who has lived in Andalusia and the Basque region of Spain.  Each day it offers a different dish which can be delivered to your workplace in the morning; ready to heat and eat for lunch.  From 11:30 until 1:30 on Wednesdays, you’ll find several of these dishes offered, along with traditional Spanish deserts and sandwiches.

I’ve tried the “very special rice,” which I would generally describe as a Spanish fried rice (though much less oily than you’re usual Chinese style fried rice).  It is subtly flavored and features abundant pieces of Serrano ham, chicken, shrimp and egg omelette.  Since the rice is mildly spiced, you really notice the flavors of the individual proteins, particularly the ham and egg.  Still, I found myself wishing the rice had a bit more flavor.  Other entrees include pollo al jerez (sherry chicken; which was on the menu Wednesday) along with Spanish shepard’s pie and stuffed piquillo peppers with bechamel sauce (available by delivery and hopefully on future Wednesdays at the Public Market).

First Bites: Kamasouptra

Kamasouptra, the latest addition to the second floor of the Public Market House officially opens on April 13.  After a ‘soft-opening’ on Sunday it has been serving a variety of soups and gearing up for its Grand Opening on Tuesday.  Based on a few soup samples and my bowl of chili, the restaurant is a great option for a quick, hearty, and satisfying lunch.

Although it’s never a good idea to review a restaurant based on its first couple of days, the folks at Kamasouptra have been cooking and selling these soups for the last ten months (via delivery and at restaurants such as Novare Res and Bard Coffee).  Thus, there’s no doubt that they know their soup and have these recipes down cold.  The only question is how it will incorporate the promised seafood options into the repertoire of vegetarian and vegan soups.

The vegetarian chili features kidney and black beans, red bell and poblano peppers, onions, and tomatoes in a medium-thick vegetable stock redolent of cumin and ground chili pepper.  It’s a good, hearty chili without the fattiness or oiliness you often find in meat-based versions.  The spices lend a subtle heat which pleasantly grows as you work your way through the dish; warming comfort food in a bowl.

Otto Pizza / Enzo Wine Bar

Earlier this month, Otto (576 Congress) expanded into the space next door, last occupied by Good Earth Furniture.  Previously, Otto was almost exclusively a take-out shop, with only a few seats in the window and a small table outside during the warm months.  Now, you can enjoy Otto’s pizza fresh out of the oven at Enzo Wine Bar next door.

Enzo is a small space, with three tables, a few seats in the window, and eight seats at the bar.  Although only open a few weeks, the restaurant already has the warm, welcoming feel of a place that has been in business for years.  This feeling is accentuated by the dark-stained wood bar, tables, and wine bottle shelves behind the bar.  The subway tile and green painted tin tiles lighten things up and bring some color to the room.  Adding to the comfortable, casual decor, the specialty pizza menu is hand painted in blue on the subway tile just inside the entrance.  (A few additional Enzo-only pizzas are listed on the laminated menus, including wild mushroom and herb; eggs, bacon, and asparagus; and one with short ribs).

Although promoted as a wine bar, don’t go to Enzo looking for a long, creative wine list.  Instead, the restaurant features several different Italian reds and whites along with three beers (Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Moretti Lager, and Gritty’s Vacationland Ale).  But, you’re not here to sample exotic wines or the the latest craft brew, you’re here to eat the best pizza in Portland.