At the corner of Tenth and Couch in Portland’s Pearl District, you’ll find truly amazing thai style pork ribs.  I’ve heard comments from “finger-licking” to  “I feel like I saw god.”   You’ll also find an accessible and multifaceted wine list, appealing to beginners palates and connoisseurs alike.  The atmosphere has a subtle warm energy, like visiting  a beloved wealthy relative.  Smart cocktails are audible, elegant tinkling of ice and spirit.  The bar pulses, a low-key base line just below the senses, libations reach hands as high notes; the melody complete.  Smiles meet smiles in the dining room, servers and diners engaged in an elusive subconscious dance, an exchange of understanding and steaming plates.  When I first walked into the place to apply for a job, I was struck by the coin-flip from inside to outside, quiet simplicity to grandiose; the eye drawn up with the spirit.  Since then I’ve settled into a love affair of devotion to another happy customer.  A back and forth of good food and good moods between talented staff and satisfied guest.  In the kitchen you’ll find more smiles,  people doing what they love and doing it well with others like them.  Most overheard conversation is about food, but usually heads are down and hands are moving.  On the line you’ll witness another dance, this one a speeding jostle of spinning and bending, tasting and plating; a frenetic blur until that final instant.  That instant where hand is poised eyes are locked and delicious is cradled lovingly onto each plate.

As the pastry chef here at Ten-01 and a lover of good food, I occupy a unique position.  A position where I can observe and learn, and report my findings.  I’d like  to share these experiences with our guests.  I envision our quests walking through the door with a virtual ear to the ground, a finger on the pulse of what it is we do here, and why, and how.  This blog will be a web based birds-eye view of our day to day happenings and well as special events, catering missions, and no small amount of information.  Instructional videos, pictures galore and recipes, all made available to you, the diner.  Visit this site often food lover, you won’t want to miss any exciting detail.

Tags: by Jeff McCarthy

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