I turned 30 years old on May 30th. From the wiki, “A person’s Golden or Grand Birthday, more commonly referred to as the “Star Birthday” occurs when they turn the age of their birth day (i.e. when someone born on the 12thof the monthturns 12).” Being far away from family (including my identical twin Anna) and most friends (with the glaring exception of Aaron) allowed me to focus on the the things in my life that I enjoy doing, and doing well. The short list includes waking up and stretching, drinking water and green tea, reading a few of my favorite Adrienne Rich poems out loud, walking downtown, buying a bracelet, Vinyasa. . .and eating.
Lunch was an epic fail. I don’t like to offer negative reviews on this blog, and I refuse to add my voice to the chorus of unsolicited opinions on Yelp so I’ll just say that I ate lunch at a deli. . .a deli I was excited about. . .and the service was hilariously terrible. Aaron and I suffered in silent dignity and erupted into laughter after paying the over priced check and stumbling in a horrified stupor out of the door.
My birthday dinner was the diametric opposite of my birthday lunch.
Belly Timber
For months I labored over where to spend my golden dinner. Maybe Beast or Le Pigeon? But I dislike communal dinning because I spent four years at a Quaker College. Sushi? But I always eat sushi on my birthday. This place features wine? I’m more of a cocktail/bourbon gal. I was looking for somewhere fantastic within walking distance of my house where Aaron and I could wear whatever we wanted and LOVE the food. And of course I was looking for the grand principle of dining out – not being able to make the food at home.
Belly Timber made the golden birthday cut. Their press is good, they have a great location and after dining here I’m shocked that I don’t see more “OMG Belly Timber!” reviews. The restaurant is housed in an old Victorian house very similar to my first home in San Francisco at 3rd and Clement. This house has seen many businesses move in and out of the front door. Aaron (born and bread in Portland with 6 years of Southern Living under his belt) remembers that the space was once a coffee house “with open mics and stuff like that”. I understand it was also another full service restaurant at some point.
We were seated in a beautiful 3 table room adjacent to the main area; perfect for an introvert on her birthday. Our waitress. . .she was amazing. . .a combination of culinary guide and yoga teacher. She immediately put Aaron and I at ease and offered consistently spot-on advice throughout the entire evening.
For starters we selected the House Rillette. Juicy, meltly, perfectly salted and pressented. I loved this treat including the fine bread and lightly brined fruits and vegetables (including grapes!) presented with the goods. Aaron drooled and devoured his serving with Oregon farm strength furvor.
We split two small plates. Escargot, bone marrow, spring garlic, yellow beets and chick peas. This dish is incredibly well conceived and a far cry from the first time I consummed escargot in a dark Czech cafe yet it retains the simplicity of snails/butter/garlic: the mirepoix of gypsies. I insisted we order the Porchetta Raviolio. I believe it was served on a swath of basil or parsley oil. I don’t recall the nuances because it was the first time I’ve ever tried this delectable pork soil and I was transfixed like a die hard Parton fan at Dollywood. My heart and waistline were thankful to savor a single and delectable small pillow.
Next up. . .
Ling cod, thin sliced fennel, saffron broth and green olive relish
The cod was cooked perfectly. I wish I had a delicate touch for cookingbecause this broth was so darling. What you get with this dish embodies mathematical and celestial opposition. I cannot stop thinking about fennel and saffron. They are a new top hit on the list of dualities that define me. . . and everybody else. They taunt each other on the playground and after school they carve “Fennel + Saffron = Forever” into a tree. The olive relish is the brave ex who belts a love song from the side of the soccer field. Ya’ get me? This is the harmony of dissonance. Also, this is a HALF SERVING and so inexpensive. I can’t even say what it cost, I feel like I stole something.
BT Burger, house made fries, and bone marrow aioli
I knew Aaron would order this dish! Honestly, I think this is what makes Belly Timber so romantic and date-y. After any lover escorts their golden birthday partner around all day, a burger like this (providing they eat meat) validates the experience. I mean, just look at this face.
Post-Burger
For dessert. . .
Golden Dessert
Golden Emily
