The Country Cat – Meow!

Timing, chance, circumstance, serendipity. Ever experience the paradox of perfect timing and a missed opportunity? Such were the happy circumstances of my Mother’s Day hashcapade at The Country Cat. The perfect timing part is that I had the pleasure of meeting Adam Sappington yesterday. As Über Owner & Chef at TCC, he teaches at the Portland Meat Collective, where I signed up for his class on lamb butchery. I was excited because TCC was on my hashcapade list and here was *the man* holding forth on an art form that most folks take for granted. The missed opportunity part was that I could have used the newly butchered lamb for my last creation – Harissa Lamb Hash.  C’est la vie!

The Country Cat at SE Stark and SE 80th – Cool cat mosaic – meow!

Paradox or not, I arrived half an hour before opening and was relieved to find that a line had yet to form. That’s right – this guy was the progenitor of the line to end all lines! A cool mosaic cat kept me company for a few minutes. Then, as if by magic, a crush of folks eager to treat their Mothers to a delicious treat appeared. These hungry monsters queued up behind me and stretched around the corner. I can only assume my feline friend was a magnet for adventurous diners in the know!

First in line with the restaurant to myself…for 2 seconds!

Entering the restaurant first was novel – where should I sit? I opted for the bar proper, but later realized I could have sat at the bar in front of the kitchen to watch them create magic. What was I thinking?!?! Anyway, a friendly staffer welcomed me as I quickly explained that I was here for the Pork Pastrami Hash.

Maybe it was the hipster cat that sensed my interest in a quick bite so I could watch Lisa finish the Hippie Chick Half Marathon. Or, maybe it was the fact that I held a placard while standing in line that shouted -FEED ME HASH! Whatever the case, she worked her magic and the dish appeared shortly after my coffee – purrfect!

Channeling “The Cat Returns” perhaps?

Are you kidding me? Pork Pastrami Hash – pre-food coma.

First in line, primo spot, lightning fast service, and a primo dish – the planets were aligned! My hash was nothing short of amazing – two perfectly poached egged atop a melange of pork pastrami, kale, green onion, sweet onion, Russet potatoes, broccoli, country dijon and roasted garlic – omnomnom!

Learning about Adam’s regard for sourcing livestock + butchery made the succulent pastrami taste all the better. The kale and broccoli were genius additions, giving the hash a vibrant visual and savory appeal. Heaven on earth? The Country Cat delivered many times over…MEOW!

Happy Hashcapades,

Clark