Bottoms Up!

If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed that Nabil and I got the opportunity to go to a food tasting at the Heathman Hotel this week. I'm not quite sure how all this happened, but a few weeks ago I got a message from someone who works at the Heathman Hotel in Portland. She mentioned that she had read my blog (to which I gave a big screachhh on the inside), and then she invited me to the Heathman's Restaurant and Bar for an exclusive tasting. Free drinks and hors d'oeuvres? Count me in! I think it took me all of ten seconds to reply back with an emphatic "heck, yes!"

So here's the scoop. Kathy Casey and Michael Staton have created a new drink and food menu for the Heathman Restaurant and Bar. We were invited for a meet and great and to taste the new menu. It was all delish, but my favorite was The Providence (below, left). Those little fire sticks are actually an edible plant that tastes vaguely like asparagus.

Here's a little taste of the drink menu:

Luxury Spiced Vermouth Manhattan - rye, house-spice infused red vermouth, Liquid Kitchen Golden Era Bitters; stirred and served up with a spirited cherry & 23K gold flakes

Signature Tea Court Lounge Punch - rum, Cognac, pomegranate, guava, orange & lemon juices, Fonte Earl Grey Tea Spiced Syrup, Angostura Foam (with an individual tea pot service)
Vineyard Margarita - Reposado Tequila, Combier d’Orange, fresh lime, organic agave nectar, fresh rosemary, topped with a float of Willamette Valley pinot noir 
Northwest Grapefruit Negroni - house-bottled local gin, Carpano Antica, Campari, Combier Pomplemousse 
Oregon Berries & Bubbles - local vodka, Oregon raspberry puree lemon elixir, Argyle sparkling 

All the invitees even got a cute little gift basket with some stir sticks and a DIY spiced, red vermouth ball. How fun is that?! Martinis at the Zerizefs' anyone?

Thanks again for the invite and for showing us a good time Portland Heathman Hotel. We had a great time.

Until next time...

10 on 10 - March

That's right! And at the chance of sounding a little too cliche, what happens in Vegas ...ends up on the 10 on 10 blog, or at least in bits. Nabil has been to Vegas once before, but this was my very first time. I compounded visiting a big photography conference, WPPI, and (mostly) celebrating one of our great friend's 30th birthday. It was probably one of the most fun trips we've had. We unfortunately didn't win the jackpot, but we got to have a good time with some friends we haven't see since college. Everyone was just so excited to see one another and hang out, 

Now you may notice that this month's 10 on 10 is a little scattered. As much as I would have loved to fully document the trip, it's a little cumbersome to lug around the camera, especially when there is a drink or two involved. Our first stop on the photo tour is at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

Being a Las Vegas newb had me walking around like a true tourist. You know that feeling you get when you have big expectations of something, and then you experience it, and you're disappointed because it wasn't as good as you built it up in your mind? Ya, that didn't happen. It was just as big and glamorous as I thought it would be, probably even more so. Not to mention, the view from our suite was pretty unbeatable. Hello Bellagio Fountains!

When they go off, it makes you feel like this (thanks for modeling Nikki):

So despite the fact that everyone went home with their wallets weighing a little less, we all had a great time.

And now that you and I are both back to reality from Vegas-ing, make sure to stop by our other 10 on 10ers posts. You may notice there is another photog in our midst! Travis Button Photography is a fantastic addition to our group, so go and check them all out. Go, go!

CLB Creative

Anya Elise Photography
Jamilah Photography
Travis Button Photography

Until next time...