Quick eating summary- we did not manage to use up my full funds, but still had some great meals. I think I’ve identified the problem: we need to drink more.
Miyake- lunch Sat- fabulous sushi and warm dishes. The peekytoe crab maki was a favorite. Well-behaved kids were fine, gobbled up avocado rolls and were given crayons and paper, but I probably would not bring them for dinner here.
Tandem- coffee and treats- my DC loves their cold brew malted coffee. I like their espresso drinks but find their coffee a bit “third wave” for my taste- ie fruity/acidic. Coconut cream pie (as written up a few years ago in Bon Appetit, I think) was finally available and was really excellent.
Holy Donut- a few more treats- not a huge fan. The donuts are heavier than what I prefer, probably due to the potato. I’ll take Union Square donuts any day.
Honeypaw- dinner Sat- arrived at 5, was told 30 min wait, but ended up being only 10 mins. Fabulous meal- would eat here weekly if it were closer. the lamb Khao Soi was a favorite- it compared well to Cha Yen’s version over in Watertown- both are wonderful dishes.
VInland- went myself after the kids were in bed- glass of a really wonderful Ortrugo, a sparking Italian white I was not familiar with which the bartender picked for me.
Portland Patisserie- breakfast (after stopping at Tandem for coffee)- Toad in the Hole- egg, sausage and cheese baked into a croissant. Probably a thousand calories, but worth it. Crepes were only so-so and at $10 for one strawberry and nutella crepe, not a good value. This place has apparently recently split into a fancy-ish sit down side and a coffee bar side, and the coffee bar side prices seem high.
Empire Chinese- lunch Sun- I just love this place. The peking duck bao are amazing. The beef with broad noodles was also a favorite. The shu mai have a whole, large, perfect flavorful shrimp crammed into each one. I could go on and on.
We got sandwiches from Honeypaw which we brought home for dinner- the tofu was underseasoned with too large of a slab of tofu, but the smoked chicken was delicious.
There also was a coffee stop at Speckled Ax, which makes a great cuppa. And a stop at Vena’s Fizz House, which has started serving real cocktails since last year, and is now a much busier, happening place than in their mocktail-only incarnation, but still a fun all-ages bar experience.