Toro Bravo
I selected Toro Bravo, Willamette Week Restaurant of the Year award winner for 2007, to go to with Benita Morris, Scott’s mother-in-law. She was in town to attend a conference at the Veteran’s Hospital. She is a Nurse Practitioner and Physician’s Assistant at the Fresno Veterans Hospital. We loved the restaurant but hate to imagine going there on a weekend. It was very busy Wednesday.
They don’t take reservations except for parties of 7 or more. But we had little wait.
It was difficult to take pictures in the dark, dark waiting area. I liked these drinks better than at Beaker and Flask. The tastes were recognizable.
Robert had the To Your Health - Pimms No. 1, apple Isastegi dry cider, apple twist.
Bennie had never had a Sazerac so she was game to try it. We sampled each other’s drinks and approved them all. We first had a Sazerac in New Orleans, its home of origin.
Benita's Sazerac. - Rye Whiskey, Herbsaint (in place of Absinthe), Peychaud's bitters, Angostura bitters, twist, up
My drink - Fiera - Cachaca, Aperol, blood orange, grapefruit, bitters
Benita checking out the extensive menu. We each selected items to share, all were Tapas, except one from the Charcuteria listing.
The menu is divided into Pinchos, Charcuteria, Tapas, Paella, or a Tasting Menu where all the work of selecting is done for you.
Singing Pig Greens (from Singing Pig farm in Stayton) - with grapefruit, blue cheese, pickled red onion and almonds.
Drunken Pork with heirloom shell bean stew.
Sauteed Chard with sunny side up egg.
Nearly too late to see the North African Sausages with french fries, harissa & sour cream.
Sauteed Hedgehog Mushrooms with griddled bread.
Basque Piperade with Duck Egg
Eaten, but not photographed: Braised Lamb, Cabbage & White Bean Stew, Empanada with braised pork, apples & almond picada, Boudin Blanc with house made Sauerkraut
We had dessert, too. Next day’s blog for those pictures.
Hope you made room for dessert!