A cloudy morning can’t darken our spirits as we are proud to unveil one of Chef Paul’s more exotic specials to the menu tonight, Hawaiian Swordfish. This tantalizing tropical treat rests atop basmati rice, orange braised endives and finished with a mango salsa. Swimming in the same school is a King Salmon special served with a classic warm artichoke heart salad alongside crispy fingerling potatoes. These dishes offer a ray of sunshine despite any thing Mother Nature throws our way.
After a muggy day in the yard or at the park there are few things that can refresh like the Sokol Blosser “North Valley” Rose of Pinot Noir. This wine satisfies so serenely we see it flying off the shelves and soon to disappear forever—don’t let your palate go without partaking!
So after the ball game with your buddies, for a chance to gossip with your girls, or before a romantic moonlit stroll through the city, we look forward to seeing you. Happy weekend!
Those who know our up and coming sommelier Caryn also know in addition to liking “Old World” wines her secret is that she also likes some things a little fruity. She has selected a wine that one can approach like a friend we know just how to flirt with, the 2005 Hecht and Bannier Cotes du Roussillon Villages. The fruit is right up front with a nose of dark cherry and plum, followed is mouth filling—dare say creamy—yet finishes clean. If this wine wasn’t in your inner circle before, it will be after tonight. $35 for the bottle that would pair perfectly with the braised beef short ribs in Korean barbeque sauce.
Chef Paul also felt like getting a little playful with this weekend’s specials with a wild-caught White Sea Bass, sautéed and served with creamy polenta, fennel salad and finished with a star anise jus for $32. Back by popular demand, this weekend will again feature a pan roasted King Salmon, now served atop grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes and finished with a horseradish cream. The only thing this dish needs is the gentle breeze coming off the lake and up on to the patio.
The bow-tied boys behind the bar have been letting loose and adding to their repertoire of recipes, some sweet, some bubbly, all secret but available for those who ask. There are also two new scotches—the perfect summertime dessert—including Ardbeg, voted the best Scotch Whiskey in 2009.
It’s Friday night, don’t you think we all should be getting playful? See you soon…
Finally. As we slowly slide into the summer we know here in Oregon everything—not just the weather—is beginning to hit the beautiful stride. Baseballs are being thrown, surfboards are loaded up, lawns are getting mowed (finally) and on the culinary side of the spectrum Salmon are in season and a chilled white wine has never been so alluring.
So after a day in the sun we invite you out on to the patio or up in to the bar to enjoy Chef Paul’s Sautéed Sockeye Salmon, accompanied by crisp asparagus salad, jasmine rice and sesame vinaigrette.
Peter Michael winery, one of our long time favorites, produced a testament to the traditional Burgundian techniques, coupled with the fantastic terroir of Sonoma County as they present “Ma Belle-Fille”. This 2007 vintage of the single-vineyard chardonnay puts forth a nose of sun-ripened stone fruits and lemon, while the palate offers the rich and concentrated flavors of baked apple, honey and almond. In short, this wine salutes summer time. It also creates a perfect companion for our succulent seared sea scallops, with piquillo peppers and shellfish vinaigrette, or Chef’s well known duet of Draper Valley chicken.
It’s warm out, you’ve earned it. Come chill.
It’s friday—finally. In celebration of the amalgamation of sunshine, Portland, and a weekend Chef Paul has decided to run two outstanding specials. Hot weather deserves a tropical dish; sauteed Hawaiian Blue Prawns, served with coconut rice, a watercress salad and finished with sesame emulsion. Freshly caught King Salmon will be roasted and served with grilled asparagus, mashed potatotes and a spicy XO sauce also found its way on to the weekend board. These specials are sure to go fast so GET UP HERE!
The boys—Johan and Blake—are behind the bar lining up libations to refresh and unwind after a long, hot week. The wine is cold, the patio is breezy and so we sign off with gusto saying:
GET UP HERE!
Fresh Vancouver Island King Salmon with fork mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus with a spicy XO sauce. Also Strawberry cream puffs with Chocolate sauce, YUM! MAN ITS HOT!
2008 Chateau de Sancerre
Hello white wine weather! If you are like us, this sunshine makes us think of one thing and one thing only: sitting on the deck and enjoying a bottle of crisp, refreshing white wine. One of our favorite new editions to the list is the 2008 Chateau de Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc. Although Sauvignon Blancs from the Loire Valley of France are typically much more austere and lean, the 2008 vintage shows more generous fruit, with notes of lemon and grapefruit and a hint of tropical fruit on the nose, while the palate retains the bright acidity, dry finish and hint of minerality for which the region is so well known. Enjoy this wine with our crab and beet salad as well as our roasted Alaskan halibut.
Come celebrate July 4th with us at Five Spice! We have some delicious specials for the holiday weekend, which include fresh Yukon River King Salmon marinated in a sesame emulsion and served with grilled asparagus and potato puree. Top that off with our dessert special of Strawberry Creme Puffs in chocolate sauce. There will also be fourth of July festivities to enjoy all day in the new fountain park right outside our restaurant. We hope to see you this weekend. Happy Independence Day!
2008 Simi Sonoma County Charnonnay
Now that the sun is finally our we are enjoying more and more white wines. If you are planning to come in and dine at a table on our deck make sure to ask your server about our July white wine special, the 2008 Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay. The fruit is sourced from top sites in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Carneros growing regions. The nose is dominated by bright citrus fruit and apples, with just a touch of toast and minerality. The palate is bright, with food friendly acidity and a hint of creaminess on teh finish. This wine pairs well with any of our staters or with out Alaskan Halibut. $35.
2008 Tablas Creek “Cote de Tables” Rouge, Paso Robles
In early 2008, when we finally decided to add a few Californian wines to our list, Tablas Creek Vineyard was the winery that sparked our interest and palates. This vineyard, based out of Paso Robles, was founded by the Perrin Family or Chateau de Beaucastel fame. In fact, all the vines on the estate-which happen to be farmed organically-come directly from the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards. We have unfortunately sold out of the 2006 “Esprit de Beaucastel”, but we recently recieved the 2008 Cote de Tablas Rouge. It is a lovely, fruit-forward belend of Grenache, Syrah, Counoise and Mourvedre. The Grenache provides bright fruit and spice, while the Syrah adds structure and elegance. A certain briary fuit core is provided by the Counoise and Mourvedre. Enjoy with our braised short ribs of duet of free range chicken. $45.
Our deceptively drinkable golden summer seasonal is a crisp, clean-tasting, cold lagered ale. This frosty thirst quencher is the perfect accompaniment to summer adventures. Best paired with seafood and grilled meats.