Saturday, August 17, 2019

Oaked

Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed. I am quite sad.

I actually have been twice so far. Because yes, it's that good.

Although the real reason I didn't post earlier is because I went without Patience and I have not heard the end of it. Luckily, we celebrated Bethfest at Oaked so we could all try it out and now I can post ALL the pictures.

Please note that the menu is seasonal so not all the items will remain, but all the food is just gorgeous. I really don't think I'll be writing much... and just let the pictures do the talking. But really, just go. Although, I should note that it probably is a special occasion kind of place. Yet, you could still make a casual night out of it hanging in the bar area sharing a few starters.

You could probably just make a meal from the starters, but there are just too many tasty items. Try to go with a large group so you can try a good variety...or go more often.

Avocado Toast

Baked Burrata

Cheese and Charcuterie Slate
I loved that there were a couple of cheese items to choose from, and I really could have used more avacado. Five crustinis are not enough!

Pork Belly
Smoked Trout Cakes
If you're a piggy fan, you definitely have to get the Pork Belly. It's one of those melt in your mouth kinds of dishes. And the Smoked Trout Cakes could easily be a main course. (You can add on any scallops!)

Now that you're warmed up and stretched, how about a salad course?

I loved the Tomato Textures...tomatoes three different ways!

Tomato Textures
Patience got her favorite green thing: Brussel Sprouts!

Brussel Sprout Caeser
If you're still possibly hungry, check out the Duck with Foie Gras...I felt fancy.

Duck with Foie Gras
The second time around, Patience and I were smart and split the 14 ounce Ribeye, but we added a scallop so we could take advantage of the add on as well. The Ribeye rested on top of a bed of corn and fingerling potatoes. You can also add on foie gras butter too!

14 ounce Ribeye 
Not full yet? Save room for dessert... you're going to want to. The desserts change frequently, but hopefully there will always be something chocolate and something cheesy!

Chocolate Mousse

Dessert plate with chocolate bark, fruit, and cheese
Or perhaps a lemon tart instead?

Lemon Tart
I didn't even have time to mention the wine list. With a name like Oaked, you're probably expecting a lengthy list. Let's just say it's of biblical proportions! Luckily, a sommelier is on staff to walk you through it so have no fear.

I can't wait to go back.

Oaked Menu from August
Resources:

Oaked = https://oakedstl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

PW Pizza Deschutes Beer Dinner 2019

Deschutes Brewery was back again with all new beers, with one exception from two years ago.

The Lil' Squeezy beer is just fun to say and of course it was the lighter beer paired with the Big Island Salad. A pineapple dressing helped give it that name.

The Big Island Salad
For a light beer, it still had 40 IBUs, so my favorite beer was probably the second beer, Da Shootz, which only had 25 IBUs. The beer's name was making fun of how often the name of the brewery gets mispronounced, so here it is spelled phonetically! No excuses this time!

Da Shootz was paired with an Gumbo Pizza, so I was nervous that it might be too spicy for me. But then I worried if it IS spicy, it would just overpower the beer. So the andouille on the pizza was not spicy at all, but still had a lot going on. (Why yes, that's rice on a pizza!)

Gumbo Pizza
Everyone else at my table preferred the big flavors from the Korean BBQ Pizza and Fresh Haze, which was plenty hoppy like an IPA. The Korean BBQ had a marinated grilled flank steak, but also pickled jalpenos and kimchi! A little too weird for me, but good for standing up to the hoppiness.

Korean BBQ Pizza
The Black Butte Porter is a great dessert beer and I don't think anyone minded that it was a repeat. This was probably my favorite pairing with the Warm Maple Pecan Cookie...I had three of them! Patience loved the caramel sauce drizzled over the top. (Not quite chocolate sauce, but still warm and soft!)

Warm Maple Pecan Cookie
Deschutes in Bend, Oregon is definitely someplace I hope to visit in person someday!

Menu
Resources:

PW Pizza = https://pwpizza.com/

Deschutes Brewery = https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon