Weekly Food + Dining Guide: New Farm Spirit Restaurant Now Open

This week, we feature Portland’s Farm Spirit. Modernist plant-based restaurant Farm Spirit is now open for dinner at the new 1403 SE Belmont Street location with owner Aaron Adams as head chef. The set multi-course menu features vegetable cookery of the Cascadia region, all sourced from within 105 miles of the restaurant.

While Farm Spirit is often categorized as vegan fine dining, Adams insists that the restaurant not to be taken too seriously. No preaching, no pretension here. Only eclectic and inventive vegan cuisine now served in a full-sized, 30-seat restaurant, expanded from the former 14-seat chef counter.

“Coming back as chef, I put a lot of my personality in the space. My cuisine style and mission are still firmly intact – I just want to connect people to this incredible region in a way that they may not have experienced before, whether they are vegan or not,” says Adams. Case in point: a life-sized framed photograph of Adams’ dog, Dash, bedecked in a bow tie, greets visitors to the bathroom.

Farm Spirit gained recognition after its opening in 2015 by playing with the expected norms of modernist dining, sometimes coloring in the lines, sometimes scribbling over them. In the new space, servers begin the meal with table-side snacks served from a gueridon, reminding guests they are always welcome to lick their plates. “Butter” for bread may be served in a small the cover of a small cloche terrarium, with smoke released once the cover is lifted. A course of squash fritters may be served in child-size cast iron frying pans. Guests enjoy the strums of folksy acoustic guitar music during one part of the meal, a ‘60s Motown hit the next.

Adams constantly tinkers with the ever-changing menu according to the produce sourced from local farms and farmer’s markets. Once ingredients are brought in-house, Adams and his team experiment with textures and flavors with the help of the new freeze drier, pasta extruder, centrifuge, dehydrators, and temperature-controlled fermentation cabinets. The opening winter menu includes:

Wild rice sourdough bread
First press rapeseed spread

Snacks (served tableside)
Carrot jerky
Winter roll with borage butter
Seeded cracker, cultured filbert, smoked beet
Kale chips, ferments
Nixtamalized barley, abalone mushroom, green tomato preserve

Carrot Jerky. Nikki Unger-Fink

Courses
Potato Salad – roast fingerlings, mustards, onion cream
Brussels – wilted leaves, winter squash and filbert dressing, black garlic, pepitas, fermented sunflower
Ravioli – mushrooms, roast carrot and parsley root, nourishing broth, bay laurel oil
Celeriac – grilled over charcoal with huckleberry glaze, char sauce, savoy, vegetable cream
Malted Potato – puree, salted ice cream, black Oregon truffles

Dessert
Apple – roast apple and apple cake, frozen vanilla yogurt mousse, chamomile “honey”
Tea Snacks – bon bon, cookie, candy

The 1,000-square-foot restaurant’s aesthetic honors the Cascadia region with an “outside-in” décor and design elements from local craftspeople. The fog-colored walls serve as a tranquil backdrop for the hanging natural artifacts by Metal and Moss. The custom bar, tabletops, and wood paneling are all fashioned from white oak from Neu Wave. Hand-made ceramic dinnerware is from Kelly Pottery and Alexandria Cummings.

Farm Spirit is open Wednesday to Saturday, with dining room seating starting at 5:30 p.m. and chef’s counter seating at 7 pm. Dinner service includes 6 or more courses, plus snacks and surprises for $89. The Chef’s Counter Cascadian Tasting Menu experience is $109 and features several additional courses for the more adventurous diner. Dinners are reserved and pre-paid online exclusively via TOCK. Farm Spirit is a gratuity-free restaurant.

About Farm Spirit
Located in Portland, OR, Farm Spirit serves plant-based, locally-sourced modernist cuisine from the Cascadia region. Farm Spirit has been named “Best Farm to Table Restaurant” by Travel + Leisure, and one of Tasting Table’s “8 Best Vegan Restaurants in America.” Find Farm Spirit on Facebook.com/FarmSpirit, and @FarmSpirit on Instagram.

Aaron in the kitchen. Photo by Nikki Unger-Fink.

The Hammond Kitchen and Craft Bar

Mushroom toast, fresh grilled focaccia, roasted garlic, house ricotta, mushroom ragou, pecorino cheese.

The Hammond Kitchen and Craft Bar is showcasing their new Social Hour Menu, which happens Monday-Friday from 4-6 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 pm. We’re highlighting the Crispy Sesame Pork Strips with ginger soy aioli and sweet chili sauce.

Located at 4857 NW Lake Road, #200, Camas, WA 98607.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 am-9 pm; Friday, 11:00 am-10 pm; Saturday, 10:30 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10:30-10 pm; Social Hour, Monday-Friday 3-6 pm, plus Saturday + Sunday, 3-6 pm.

Phone: 360-954-5620

Visit: www.TheHammondKitchenandCraftBar.com

Nuestra Mesa — Downtown Camas

A Tale as Old as Time: Tequila, juiced jicama, lime juice, lavender syrup, jamaica hibisuc bitters, burnt aromatics, topped with an organic rose petal

A few months ago, Nuestra Mesa decided to revamp their menu to focus more on farm to table, fresh ingredients from local farmers and staying true to that small business mentality. As you may have known, a few months ago we acquired a new head chef and he has been doing some incredible things for Mesa.

The result is 14 amazing new menu options, which includes three new platillos pequenos (starters), three new enseladas (salads), a new sopa (soup), one new taco, and six stunning new platillos fuertes (entrees).

We sampled the Ceviche, with wild shrimp and calamari cured in a lime tomatillo vinaigrette, derived with grilled tomatillo and tomato, pickled red onion, jalapeño, chile oil, and micro cilantro.

We also tried the Macienda Blue Corn Huraches, with rewrites, foraged mushrooms, arugula, avocado, guajillo salsa, topped with micro cilantro, and it’s served on a house made macienda blue corn cake! It’s so delicious!

And, our final sample was the Crisp Bruselas (Brussel Sprouts),which is served with chorizo, poached egg, house made chic harmonies, and topped with tajin. This is a complete change from their previous brussel sprouts recipe.

Located at 228 NE 4th Avenue, in Downtown Camas, Mesa offers gourmet Mexican cuisine. It’s a family friendly location.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 am-9 pm; Friday + Saturday, 11:30 am-10 pm; Closed Sundays.

Phone: 360-210-5311

Visit: www.NuestraMesaCamas.com

Feast @316 — Downtown Camas

Fine wines at Feast @316.

Celebrate your special occasion with their finest selection of wines!

Located in the heart of historic Downtown Camas, Washington, Feast @316 offers one of the best dining experiences in the Northwest with Fresh Seafood, Certified Angus Beef, Craft Cocktails, and Signature Wines. Located in Downtown Camas at 316 NE Dallas St.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 am-9 pm; Friday + Saturday, 11:30 am-10 pm; Sunday, 4-9 pm; Happy Hour, Monday-Friday 3-5 pm.

Phone: 360-210-7498

Visit: www.CamasFeast316.com

Caffe Piccolo — Downtown Camas

Gourmet oatmeal at Caffe Piccolo.

Caffe Piccolo offers three flavors of gourmet oatmeal, by Straw Propellers G0urmet Foods. It’s a great complement to your morning beverage.

Each day, you can come try a new soup for lunch, along with one of our great espressos, lattes and speciality coffee drinks — featuring Caffe Umbria. For breakfast or brunch, we have delicious breakfast sandwiches and panini’s. Come to relax, unwind, or open your laptop and have a remote office. People love to meet her socially or for casual business meetings. We’d love to see you. 400 Northeast Fourth Avenue, Camas, WA, at the corner of Fourth & Cedar

Hours: Open Monday – Friday 7 am – 5 pm, Saturday 8 am – 4 pm, Sunday 9 am – 3 pm

Phone: 360-834-7044

Visit: www.caffe-piccolo.com

Hey Jack, — Downtown Camas

Hey Jack has new things coming!

Hey Jack regularly changes their menu, but the next week is going to bring BIG menu changes, with new winter hours.

Have you heard? Hey Jack, has a kid’s menu.

There will be much more to offer, but we will always stay true to our scratch kitchen.

Stay tuned!

Reservations call: 360-954-5053

Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.HeyJackKitchen.com

Grains of Wrath — Downtown Camas

GOW’s German Chocolate Cake Stout.

Come to Grains of Wrath for this year’s Superbowl Party!

We will have happy hour beers during the game and double punches on Crowler Punch cards all weekend leading up to the game in addition to food specials:

Deviled Egg Appetizer

All Beef Game Day hot dogs

Pizza by the slice

Nachos & Wings

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am-10 pm; Friday-Saturday, 11 am-12 am; Sunday, 11 am-9 pm; Happy hour is 3-6 weekdays. They are located at 230 NE 5th Ave. Camas, WA 98607

Phone: 360-210-5717

Visit: www.gowbeer.com

2 Rivers Bar and Grill — Downtown Washougal

Calamari Plate

Homemade Pretzel with beer cheese fondue — made with Gouda, Breakside Pilsner, and a little Dijon. Served all day. $8.

Baked Brie served with apple slices stuffed with dried fruit and brown sugar. Served all day. $8

Calamari Plate — lightly fried and served with raspberry sweet chili sauce. Seasoned with salt, pepper, ancho chili, paprika. Served all day. $10

2 Rivers Chicken Sandwich — gilled chicken breast with bacon, guacamole with chipotle aioli. Served all day. $14

Fettuccine Alfredo $12, with chicken, add $4.

2 Rivers Bar and Grill is located at 1700 Main Street, Suite 110, Washougal, WA 98671.

Phone: 360-210-7987

Hours: 11-9 Monday-Thursday; 11-midnight Friday and Saturday; Sundays: 11-6

Visit: https://www.restaurantji.com/wa/washougal/2-rivers-bar-and-grill-/

Navidi’s Olive Oils & Vinegars — Downtown Camas

Winter warmer pairings at Navidi’s.

We’ve got some Special Deals for the New Year! From now until Valentine’s Day, our Cayenne Chili and Limonato Fused Olive Oils and our California Koroneiki and Spanish Picual EVOOs are 50% off! Cayenne Chili is great for Latin/Caribbean and South/Southeast Asian dishes where you want a healthy kick of spice! Limonato is a green Eureka Lemon from Tunisia. Use it in recipes like salads, roast veggies, chicken, and seafood where you want a bright citrus flavor, but something a little mellower than your old fave Meyer Lemon Fused Olive Oil.

Navidi’s has a long tradition of providing the best olive oils, vinegars, speciality salts and seasonings to make your meals extraordinary. Visit us today to sample our fabulous oils and vinegars, which also make great gifts. 322 NE Cedar Street, Camas, WA 98607

Hours: Monday thru Saturday 11 am – 6 pm and Sunday noon – 5 pm.

Phone: 360-210-5921

Visit: www.navidioiols.net