Right at the Fork

Dame's Chef Patrick McKee joins us on the podcast to discuss his storied career, including many thoughts about the closing of Paley's Place.  Patrick worked for over 10 years with Vitaly and Kimberly Paley, and learned so much from them about what forms his base of knowledge and values to this day.   Patrick opens up about how he's maintained his sobriety through the challenges of Covid, but most importantly, the loss of his dear son Henry just after he started his pop-up Estes, before he folded that into the current iteration of Dame.   Patrick also shares with us how much going to Italy this past year meant to him, with plans to continue seeking out and honing his culinary roots.   Tasia Bernie helps us introduce this episode.  She's been a guest on our show and also happens to be Patrick's personal trainer.  She's a well-seasoned Portland diner, curating chefsfeed, and considers Dame her favorite spot.  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

We're more than honored to have Vitaly and Kimberly Paley join us for the first interview of Right at the Fork's ninth year.  The Paleys opened Paley's Place in 1995 and after so much recognition in and outside of the restaurant industry, they went on to own and operate Imperial, Portland Penny Diner, Crown Pizza, Headwaters and Rosa Rosa.  With Beard nominations and wins, an Iron Chef victory, this duo didn't need to prove anything to anyone, except to do what was best by their employees and patrons--and now themselves.  As the pandemic reared its ugly head on those hotel-based restaurants, they were left to tune and hone Paley's Place during a very tough time.  This caused them to evaluate their lives, and we'll hear in this interview exactly how the decision to close the restaurant at the peak of their game came about.  We talk about the health of the restaurant industry, what the Paleys are doing and plan on doing with the time they never had, whether they have plans to move from Portland, and best of all, their recipes for long-lasting love.

Be sure to check out their original Right at the Fork interview here: #25 The Paleys

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

As Right at the Fork starts it's 9th year (wow!), Chris and Cort take a look back at some of their favorite and most memorable episodes from the past 8 years. 

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

This episode includes portions of the following podcasts:

• #25 - The Paleys
• #54 - Tyler Malek
• #89 - Ken Forkish
• #118 - Kelly Cox
• #171 - Micah Camden
• #217 - Kristen Murray
• #228 - John Gorham (we said #226 in the episode)
• #276 - Michael Gibbons

We get to know Chip MacGregor, co-proprietor of MacGregor's Whiskey Bar with locations on the coast in Manzanita and Cannon Beach.  Chip and his wife Holly met by chance through their writing connections in the very building they now operate.  We talk about the business of whiskey and how both locations seem a bit different, where Chip suggests people check out in Portland for great whiskey experiences, and even how to go to the Bourbon Trail with them for their first whiskey experience that goes deeper.   Here's the address to which you can send funds to help Lynn Kyriss recover from her car accident, follow this link:   https://www.macgregorswhiskeybar.com/  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Since we shared Nico's story last week, a lot has changed for Nico and Nico's Ice Cream - after the cargo trailer Nico uses for his business was stolen.

You can help Nico raise funds to replace the trailer via a GoFundMe account here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-recover-costs-for-stolen-cargo-trailer

Original Post:

Nico Vergara grew up in Northeast Portland, and then set about exploring the world.  His adventures had him picking mangoes to survive in Columbia, in precarious situations with strangers without a dollar in his pocket, but the big eye opener was in New Zealand when he experienced a new kind of ice cream.  And now here he is, back in Northeast Portland, bringing that delight he discovered on the other side of the world to Portlanders.  We talk to Nico about his journeys that led up to his ice cream shop and cart, and what he's experienced since opening.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Nico Vergara grew up in Northeast Portland, and then set about exploring the world.  His adventures had him picking mangoes to survive in Columbia, in precarious situations with strangers without a dollar in his pocket, but the big eye opener was in New Zealand when he experienced a new kind of ice cream.  And now here he is, back in Northeast Portland, bringing that delight he discovered on the other side of the world to Portlanders.  We talk to Nico about his journeys that led up to his ice cream shop and cart, and what he's experienced since opening.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Jeff Ridabock is 64 and he's had enough.  We talk about what went into the decision to close his fabled Home Grown Smoker Vegan BBQ restaurant, and what he hopes to do in life going forward.  Jeff fills us in on the ideal relationship with a buyer for the restaurant.  Make sure to listen to Jeff in our previous interviews, Right at the Fork Episodes 12 and 280.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Tasia Bernie is passionate about food.  In April, 2021, Tasia realized there was no source to find out which restaurants in Portland were featuring what type of dining--indoor, outdoor, takeout, etc.  So, she added another baby to her responsibilities as a Mom and her personal training and nutrition business, that of a resource for diners to find out information restaurants may not be updating on their websites. 

In the process of building and maintaining FeederPDX, she's met many people in Porltand's food world and experienced quite a few restaurants that have managed to either open during the pandemic, or sustain.   

Tasia joins host Chris Angelus this week to talk about food experiences, what she's liking right now in Portland, and what makes Portland unique.  And what episode of Right at the Fork would be complete if we didn't delve back into embarrassing moments at the dining table?  Listen to find out.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Joy Church joins Jason Ericson of Eastside Distilling to talk through their new line of spirits including Burnside Black Barrel Strength Rye and Burnside Whiskey.  Head Distiller Jason Ericson shares his background with us and much, more more. 

Right at the Fork podcasts are supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

It's always a great conversation with Anthony Cafiero, who has a diverse background cooking in Portland.  From his early days before Nostrana, to his Tabla Bistro tenure, to Racion, to vegan ice cream and a number of pizza gigs, Chef Anthony recently opened his own place, Meta Pizza in Portland's Brooklyn neighborhood.  We talk about that cooking history, what he's learned, and how Meta Pizza came about after his job shifted in Micah Camden's organization during the pandemic.   Mostly importantly, according to host Chris Angelus, there WILL be white clam pies in 2022!!!   Find Anthony at @metapizzapdx and make sure to visit metapizzapdx.com to order.  

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com