Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Lunch at Bay Leaf

Check out the more recent review I wrote on Stumptown Vegans, here!

We went to Bay Leaf on SE Division for a second time this past Saturday, for a late birthday dinner turned lunch. Upon simply arriving and remembering the lunch special prices (on a Saturday at that!), I knew that it had been far too long since we've dined here. I couldn't decide between the eggplant and sesame tofu, and we both ended up ordered the sesame tofu lunch specials. This came with flawlessly cooked broccoli florets, those cute crunchy white noodles (?), a side of mixed grain rice and a cup of the soup of the day. $5.95 for portions that sent us both home with leftovers - & we both enjoyed the soup and shared an appetizer. Basically, check out Bay Leaf.
The tofu isn't as crispy as I'd like, so I kept thinking "egggggplant" but Thomas said he thought it was the same as the last time we went, so go figure. Regardless, it was succulent stuff.

The soup of the day was Hot & Sour - a personal favorite of mine, so I have the right to be pickier than usual. I actually give this the thumbs up. At first I couldn't decide if it was either hot or sour at all - but then the afterbite kicked in after a couple sips. Thomas and I agree that the consistency was right on, and the tofu was just firm enough. Thomas is NOT a hot and sour fan and enjoyed it, and I say give it a little more heat and I'm in love. Look at the matchstick veggies!
Spring rolls with a citrus soy sauce - this one gets credit for the radish side a lone. Oh, and these are in the lead for the best spring rolls in Portland!
It was a birthday celebration and all, so I tried my first avocado smoothie and was not dissapointed, hell no. I think it overshadowed the meal! See you next year for sure, smoothie.


Attack of the giant sunflowers. We saw this on the way home from Nicholas and I thought I'd share, having only recently seen these enormous creatures..I mean plants..



Bay Leaf on Urbanspoon

16 comments:

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

I've edited it a few times, but the text above the spring rolls is screwy - to sum it up - these are our favorite spring rolls in town. Just what you want in a spring roll - not too greasy, no fancypants or strange filling.

Julie said...

Everything sounds so good...and


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This looks like a really delicious meal. I like the fact that Portland is so progressive and vegan friendly. I just recently heard someone else talk about an avocado smoothie. I really must try one. I ate an entire avocado all to myself tonight, so I can imagine an avocado smoothie must be pretty tasty and creamy.

KleoPatra said...

Oh that is so great!! And i love the sunflower. HUGE!!

madeinalaska said...

some day.. I will go there! 5.95 are you kidding me???
and the avocado smoothie.. must just be to die for..
happy birthday..
you are a lucky gal!!!

funwithyourfood said...

My friend SWEARS by avocado smoothies. but i'm not sure i'm brave enough. Maybe time i sucked it up and just took a sip

Teddy

Anonymous said...

Thanks for making me hungry when it's not even close to lunchtime yet! Your birthday rocks. You deserve it. Cherie

Anonymous said...

amazing, i never have a spring roll, here no one sell them! i will love to taste one yum!

what a big plant!
im happy you have a good birthday!

MeloMeals said...

happy belated birthday!

The food looks awesome... I love that you have good vegan food close to you.

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

thanks! come to portland and go to bay leaf!

Shananigans said...

Happy belated birthday! Looks like a really good meal, I’m a sucker for a great spring roll, especially with good dipping sauce.

Just call me Orangie said...

All the food looks wonderful! And that sunflower looks like the ones in my mom's garden. She had 1 that was at least 9 feet tall. And another that had 9 sunflower heads on it (it was only 3 feet tall though)

Anonymous said...

yum, yum, everything yum.

Jody from VegChic said...

Happy birthday! Quite a few September birthdays here in veg blog land.

That restaurant sounds great and makes me think of Grasshopper. Though Grasshopper isn't 5.95!

Crystal said...

Happy birthday!! Mine was on Tuesday and the celebration is continuing through this weekend.

That looks like a great meal. Isn't it funny when you both order the same thing? Ryan and I often do that.

I've never tried hot and sour soup. Sounds good though.

-Crystal

Phoebe said...

Very helpful info, much thanks for your post.