A Discovery and A Memory
Hankering for the cuisine and atmosphere of Higgins, and not wanting to go alone, Judy invited Gayle and me to be her guests last Friday evening.
We arrived early for our 7:30 reservation and were seated at a table on the mid-level. The restaurant is laid out on three levels. The plain interior included brown butcher paper as table covers and LOTS OF NOISE AND SHOUTING.
Located on the corner of 12th and Broadway, Higgins has been a fixture in Portland since 1994. It boasts “close ties to Pacific Northwest farmers,” spearheading pioneering menus.
This boast boosts the prices, making it a restaurant of a higher level than I am accustomed to. It’s not a place to wear cut-offs and flip-flops in spite of its table covers.
Perusing the two-page menu, I saw that nearly every item contained unheard of ingredients that I could not pronounce…with exception of “soup of the day” and “bread with olive oil.” Together only $18, the lowest price on the menu.
And that’s what I ordered. The bread, as I suspected, reminded me of the calling card of the former Marconi restaurants in Portland. It was soft on the inside and crusty on the outside. Served with olive oil on the side to pour on a saucer for dipping the bread. Ah, luscious goodness!
Judy and Gayle shared with me a bite of their prawn and salmon. Mmmm—succulent perfection!
Although the portions were not huge as is common these days, we felt stuffed by the time the table was cleared, and we ordered a dessert to share.
The blueberry panna cotta, a silky and creamy Italian dessert, served in a small, nearly round, glass custard cup, was set in the middle of the table.
Each of our mouths dropped a little beneath widened eyes and raised eyebrows. Each of us was thinking, We’re going to share that three ways?” I was the first to dip my spoon into the confection. As we each savored it, we agreed that it was delicious. Surprisingly, it was enough to satisfy our desire for dessert and finish off our meal.
Our girls’ night out was not wild with alcohol and questionable activity. Rather, it was a time of discovery and memory.
Two us discovered a long-standing Portland restaurant with a classy menu. Why? Our friend wanted to share with us this upscale eatery, a favorite place she had shared with her husband, a memory to enjoy with friends.
Remember when pundits told parents, “It’s not the amount of time (spent with your child), it’s the quality.” Not many years later that statement was rethought and changed to read, “It’s the amount of time AND the quality.” We must be real and present! Jesus does this perfectly.
And it’s not always the amount that fills the plate that brings pleasure…it’s the camaraderie with good friends that enhances the quality – then we need only to add a tiny superb sweetness to the taste of the evening. How lovely to spend time with dear friends!!!
Thanks you, Sheri, for your sweet response. Have you ever given serious consideration to sharing your good thoughts to a wider audience by writing and publishing?
I enjoyed the evening very much. The food was delicious & I didn’t mind the shouting! When our table neighbors left it was so lovely & quiet.
Indeed being there did bring back memories of being there with Clyde.
It was lovely to share the restaurant & the memories with 2 friends – a Ladies night out!
Two thank you’s to you, Judy. One for the treat of a Higgins night out and one for your response to my latest post. I’m grateful!
I appreciate your reply. Judy, following up on our night out all thanks to you. Smiles, Linda
Once again, Linda, who have captured your readers with descriptive words that took us to Higgins for a lovely evening. Thank you!
So good of you to let me know that you read my posts. It’s truly encouraging. Looking forward to Saturday.