Portland

Two days in Portland. Two nights at Amy and JP's cute apartment near the Pearl.

A big batch of delicious morning granola. An afternoon with the Geagea's at Powell City Books and Dechutes Brewery in the Pearl District, where Adam and Ziad availed themselves of the beer samplers.

Two amazing food carts off Mississippi Street. Food carting is a thriving culture in Portland with carters serving everything from quinoa pancakes to meatball sandwiches. Adam and I each got spicy hot blackened tofu rice bowls and iced peach roiboos from The Native Bowl. Not to mention the grilled tofu quesidillas Adam ate from a cart a few blocks over. Nearly everything is under $6 and there's no sales tax in Portland, so it was easy to eat on the cheap.

One fabulous dinner out with Amy and JP at Ned Ludd, a new restaurant where everything -- everything -- is cooked in a wood-fired oven. We shared several delicious dishes: a whole trout with soft, mild fennel and dill; a giant smoky pork chop with pork broth and kale; puffed up flat breads with peppery green olive oil; broccoli, anchovies, and melted onions; and nearly celestial s'mores.

A trip to the Portland Farmer's Market with Chris and Megan at the University of Portland. Adam and I bought the place out! Fresh-roasted Oregon hazelnuts; plum ginger fruit leather; creamy coconut dahl with yogurt and fresh cilantro; a marionberry empanada; fat organic cherries; strawberry creme shortbread sandwiches from Two Tarts; a spicy potato burrito; and a chewy salt and pepper bagel slathered with cream cheese, fresh pesto, and slices of cucumber.

Portland is close to perfect, or at least that's how the general wisdom goes. I actually have my own theory.