{frolic!}

foodie field trip: a visit to DOC

DOC is one of my favorite foodie spots in Portland so I invited myself and photographer, Lisa Warninger, to visit their kitchen on a chilly fall morning last month. This cozy little restaurant feels like eating in a friend's home. When you walk through the doors to be seated, you walk straight through a tiny farmhouse kitchen where chefs, Paul and Jobie, prepare farmer's market-inspired meals. 

On the morning we visited, the guys had just finished making fifteen gallons of tomato sauce with the last harvest of garden tomatoes. They'll use them all winter in sauces and stews. And the cans will sit on those pretty window shelves which are an awesome use of space.

The menus at DOC are very intuitive and based on whatever the chefs happen to be inspired by that week at market. When we visited, the guys were really excited about these little kuri squash and they showed us how to cook them with saffron couscous. We (OK, I) gobbled it down that afternoon for lunch. If you are willing to forgo tradition, these would be lovely individual servings for Thanksgiving or even served as a side dish. Recipe, below. (Graphic design + lettering by Scout's Honor Co.)

Lisa snapped a few photos of the process. Paul taught us to square off the ends of the squash so they can easily sit on the pan when cooking. 

Paul cleaning out the centers of the squash.

Adding tomatoes to the couscous.

A dramatic gingham curtain separates the kitchen from the dining area. I am impressed that they work in such a small space! 

I love talking to people who are passionate about what they do and it's obvious that these guys love creating fresh, seasonal food and enjoy supporting our local farmers. Thanks, Paul and Jobie for letting us hang out in your kitchen! 

Download the instructions to make Kuri Squash with Saffron Couscous Stuffing below in two recipe cards designed by Scout's Honor Co. Click here to download: Part I and Part II. 

Photography by Lisa Warninger. Graphic design, hand-lettering and illustration by Scout's Honor Co. Recipe by DOC. Created for Frolic!

 

travel dream: the ukraine

 

Sunday is the day for travel fantasies at my house. My brother and his wife are in the Ukraine right now so I am thinking of heading there for Christmas. We'll see. I always love searching my dream trips on Flickr. 

Photos: Mckros + Mister F on Flickr.

faroe islands

 

My friend, Sara, was talking about the Faroe Islands over the weekend and now I can't stop thinking about a visit. I tend to be drawn to tiny islands in the North. I also want to visit these islands. See more over at my favorites on Flickr.

Photos: Me-Joaquin, Astridsd, Iain B. of Over, on Flickr.

old faithful cottage tour

A few months ago I received an email from Maura, the owner of this lovely cottage. She was interested in trading a stay at her cottage for some photos. I am a lover of cottages, as you know, so I was definitely up for this! I brought my photo shoot friends (Lisa is of course is responsible for the photos) and we put together a few stories in and around the cottage. We were very inspired by Maura's lovely home.

Located in the sleepy town of Ocean Park, Old Faithful (built in 1887) is a short walk from gorgeous sand dunes at the edge of a quiet beach. I am not big on touristy places so this quiet town felt ideal to me. You won't find Internet or TV in the cottage, which makes it a great place to re-charge. The kitchen is stocked up with all the essentials for cooking. I can't wait to go back again and cook a feast in the kitchen to eat on the beach ! :)

Maura has put together the ideal summer cottage. Everything was picture perfect. I loved the whitewashed walls and floors and the fresh green paint in the kitchen and bathroom.

The bedroom is filled with flowery touches from paintings to pretty rose-strewn sheets. There's another bedroom too with bunk beds for four. You can rent the cottage right here.

Thanks so much, Maura!

Photos by Lisa Warninger for Frolic! Accommodation courtesy of Old Faithful.

an afternoon in oysterville, washington

About a month and a half ago, Lisa, her dog Hani, and some work buddies made a visit to the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State, just north of Astoria. It was quiet and wonderfully devoid of crowds. One day, Lisa and I happened upon the most charming little town called Oysterville. Lisa shot photos as we strolled around the quiet, perfect little town that almost felt like a movie set.

  

Honestly, it's a pretty sleepy town but there's a little shop and cafe where they serve oysters,mussels, and clam chowder.

The most charming old houses line the streets and the Willapa Bay is their backyard!

The foxgloves were out in full bloom!

Lisa + Hani.

 

If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend a stroll through the town (it only takes a few minutes)!

Photos by Lisa Warninger. Accommodation courtesy of Old Faithful (more on this soon).

vancouver: finch's tea and coffeehouse

I spent the weekend in Vancouver, B.C. with two lovely friends. My favorite place to eat when I visit Vancouver is Finch's Tea and Coffeehouse. 

The sandwiches are oh so delicious and fresh and the atmosphere is dripping with charm.

This time around I had the pear, blue cheese, brie, prosciutto and walnut sandwich. All the sandwiches are served on pieces of brown paper.

Cori had the egg salad and Jenny had my favorite which is a mass of avocados, edam cheese, generous salt and pepper, dijon mustard mayo, roasted walnuts, lettuce and cucumbers. It sounds simple, but it's honestly the most amazing sandwich I've ever eaten.

Finch's is located one block from my favorite hotel. I am not big on hotels, especially when I travel alone, because they are just too expensive but The Victorian is reasonable, super charming, has great service and is well-located You can even rent Pashley bicycles from them! I've stayed there twice and loved it (thanks Sunset for the tip!).

Photos: Chelsea Fuss.

out and about in new york city

This was my first time to NYC and I didn't really plan the trip at all. I'll admit, I was pretty intimidated when I stepped out of the train station and met the city for the first time and all alone. The fun thing about being a blogger is, it seems there are people to meet up with everywhere you go. I quickly felt like the luckiest girl in the world with my blog friend tour guides. I thought I was meeting up with a few people for a cup of tea and as it turns out everyone had an itinerary planned for me. I love it. It was so sweet of them (and not what I expected) and so fun to see the city through the eyes of some of my favorite creatives. It made traveling alone so much more fun. Thank you Nole, Jen + Little Juni, Liza, Cindy, Vané, Amy, and Erin. I wouldn't have found such cool places or eaten such yummy food without you. Plus, it was just more fun this way!

John Derian store. As you can see, I am pretty obsessed with the paper geraniums by Livia Cetti.

Flower stand at The Ace. Chelsea Market.

Amy Merrick at Central Park.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (I had the ginger. YUM!). Brook Farm General Store.

Canvas.

The Highline and a pretty doorway ( I don't remember where!). 

The Highline.

I'll upload more to my Flickr soon. There were so many more places I loved but didn't take photos of. Can't wait to go back to NYC soon. I would love to experience Autumn there.

Photos: Chelsea Fuss.

nyc: brooklyn botanic garden

After I visited Philadelphia a few weeks ago, I took a train up to NYC. I'd never been to NYC before so I figured this was a good time to check it out. I stayed at an apartment in Brooklyn through air bnb which turned out great and was so cheap. The apartment was located right across the street from Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I had one free morning so I wandered around, ate at the cafe (a cucumber, pesto, arugula and goat cheese sandwich!) and snapped some photos.

   
 
 
 

 Photos: Chelsea Fuss.

philadelphia: a visit to terrain

Last week, I attended an event for bloggers at Terrain outside of Philadelphia. I like garden nurseries that set up shop in interesting ways (incorporating retail and food) or just really well-done garden shops like Smith and Hawken (RIP!). Some of my other favorites include Petersham Nurseries in England, Rosendals Trädgård in Sweden, and the now defunct Poppybox Gardens (my old employer). I'd love to see more nurseries of this variety here in the US.

 
 

I like the people who work for Terrain and felt at home amongst the gorgeous plants, old furniture, and homegrown food. You can see more photos here.

Photos: Chelsea Fuss. That's the lovely Miss Katy Elliott in the hat! Disclaimer: My trip to Terrain was sponsored. I was not asked to write a post. I only write about things I actually love.

philadelphia: the dandelion pub

While in Philadelphia last week, I ate at The Dandelion Pub (recommended by Joy by way of Alyson). I am kind of obsessed with it and returned there again when I had a free evening before flying out of town. I love how they serve the butter on a small piece of slate and that itsy bitsy spoon in the little salt jar kills me!

I ate an avocado, dandelion, and arugula salad followed by a plate of Prince Edward Island mussels.

I ordered panna cotta for dessert and was surprised (and delighted) by this little layered jar of panna cotta, poached whole strawberries, strawberry sorbet, and strawberry mousse! The food was oh so delicious and the service so great. I took these photos when I ate outside but the inside of the pub is really cozy with dark wood tables, mix and match china, and little windsor chairs.

Here's the outside of The Dandelion. My dinner was followed by lots of meandering through charming alleyways and brownstone blocks. Philadelphia is like an early American version of my favorite European cities. I am smitten and plan to return soon.

Photos: Chelsea Fuss.