The other night, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with some fellow food bloggers, restaurant owners, and chefs. A new friend of mine, Joshua Chang of PDXploration, invited me to Taste Unique for a wonderful private meal. This is a gem of a restaurant here in town–it’s tiny size makes it a wonderful, intimate setting for small private dinners, perfect for take-out lunch, oh and they have a well stocked freezer so you can take home a home-made lasagna with a tiramasu, made by the owners Stephania and Lawrence themselves. Made with love, of course.

The menu was traditional Sicilian–unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before! I haven’t had the opportunity to visit Italy yet (yet being the key word here) so all of my Italian food experiences I’m sure have come with a bit of an American slant. Stephania was born and raised in Italy and her husband Lawrence is American. They lived in Rome together for many years, but after their first child, realized they wanted out of the city hustle and bustle and decided to try Portland. Their mutual love of good food and cooking was met with open arms here in Portland (have I mentioned this is a pretty foodie place ? ) and within a year of moving, they opened up their little Italian storefront, Taste Unique.

We had a five course meal that was fantastic. First was an appetizer called Sfincione Palermitano– a special focaccia made with onions, Pecorino, breadcrumbs and tomatoes. Then we had Pasta ‘Ncatenata Rigatoni with broccoli, crushed peppers and anchovies. This pasta packed a little heat (via hot pepper flakes) which was a fantastic compliment to the broccoli and Parmesan. Next there was the Sarde Beccafico, a dish of baked stuffed sardines. This dish, we were told, has a long preparation time and is one of Sicily’s most famous traditions. The fish was served next to Bastaddu Affucatu, or cauliflower cooked ‘drowned’ in red wine with olives, anchovies and pecorino. And finally, for dessert we had fresh Cannoli Siciliana with pistachio and chocolate. Delicious.

Sfincione Palermitano

Pasta ‘Ncatenata Rigatoni

Sarde Beccafico

Sicilian Canoli

I had a great time meeting the owners of Gladstone Pizza, one of Portland’s best kept secret pizza places! I had tried their pizza about a month ago and really enjoyed it–it was nice to put faces to that deliciousness. I also met the Chef’s behind the foodcart Garden State–apparently they make one of the best meatball hero’s ever, I need to give them a try for sure! And it was so nice to meet the writers of the food blogs Good Stuff NW and Foodrighter!

Stephania and Lawrence, Taste Unique Owners and Chefs

This fun gathering couldn’t have been held in a better place–when I think of Italy, I think of family gatherings, good food, good people, conversation, and it all lasting for hours and hours lingering over the last bit of wine and coffee–which is precisely how it all went down. And I now have a list of new places I need to try here in town– can’t wait to taste my way through them! Thanks again for the fantastic evening!

Cheers