Blogtown, PDX

Monday, August 27, 2007

Food Escargots!

Posted by Matt Davis on Mon, Aug 27 at 11:57 AM

I’ve been mulling the idea of eating snails on my birthday next month (which is on the 25th, if you want to buy me a present—no, really, you’re too kind), but I’ve got no idea where to buy them in Portland. Does anybody know a good escargot supplier? So far, my research has yielded mixed results. For example, I’m fascinated by this website, “le monde des escargots,” but it doesn’t exactly list phone numbers with the 503 code:

Bienvenue dans le Monde des Escargots pour des informations sur cet animal discret et mal compris. Les escargots peuvent être un fléau pour les jardins, mais ils jouent un rôle essentiel dans l’écosystème de notre planète. Ils contribuent à l’élimination des végétaux en décomposition. Sans eux, le monde serait plein de détritus ! Il existe des escargots dans toutes sortes de formes et de tailles différentes, depuis 1mm pour l’escargot de mousse jusqu’à 25 cm pour l’escargot tigre. J’espère que vous apprécierez mon site web et qu’il vous en apprendra beaucoup sur ce vaste sujet qui reste souvent ignoré. J’espère que vous aimerez « Le Monde des Escargots «

Fascinating. Still, you learn something every day. Snails have both a penis and a vagina at the same time (which is a good thing, obviously…) AND, it’s located in their NECKS: snail%20anatomie.jpg

SNAIL HOBBIES: “Golf;” “Necking;” “Being Baked in Garlic Butter…”

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Comments

Matt, If you are looking to eat out I would try Le Bouchon, Carafe, or Fenouil. If you are trying to cook these at home (brave soul) I think City Market (and maybe Pastaworks?) has some in cans, if not, there is a place called Taste of Europe at about 18th and Hawthorne, and if all else fails, you should try to find a buddy in the industry who can just tack some on their Provvista order. good luck

Posted by truth | August 27, 2007 12:28 PM

Super, thanks! I want em alive, not in the tins. So I guess you're right. Tack some on.

Posted by Matt Davis | August 27, 2007 12:55 PM

Vietnamese markets may have them, as Vietnamese snail soup is a valued delicacy. My first inclination would be to talk to the fishmongers at Fubonn.

I know for certain you can get them frozen at Thanh Thao market on 65th/Sandy and Hong Phat market (NE 99th and Prescott) .

Posted by The Guilty Carnivore | August 27, 2007 1:23 PM

Check out your local community garden around 5 am. It's a lot of work collecting the buggers, though.

Posted by Ben Waterhouse | August 27, 2007 1:33 PM

Nice one.

Posted by Matt Davis | August 27, 2007 1:35 PM

They usually have them on the menu at Paley's Place, Matt. There was a roasted marrow bones and escargot starter last time I was there.

If you are set on preparing them yourself, you might ask at Pastaworks? They might have an idea...

Posted by francine machine | August 27, 2007 1:40 PM

is this to satisfy last weeks craving for an odd penis? i'd say hanging off the neck next to a vagin qualifies as odd.

Posted by Sammy The Snail | August 27, 2007 2:07 PM

It's odd, but it doesn't satisfy my craving. Thanks for the welfare-check, though.

Posted by Matt Davis | August 27, 2007 2:12 PM

I've just been informed that this place has em, too. From our Best-Of issue:

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=375687&category=375674

Best Place to get your spicy crispy squid fix
The Om Seafood complex consists of two buildings. One is a live seafood market whose many tanks offer everything from market-rate king-sized lobsters to otherworldly geoducks. This serves the neighboring restaurant well—its menu is aplomb with the swimming fare from next door. The sauteed crispy squid with hot pepper is excellent—not chewy and yet spicy enough for a Hong Kong stunt man. The seafood chow fun is loaded with tender fresh scallops, shrimp, fish, and squid. Be sure to check out the daily specials on the board as they often feature seasonal items not listed on the menu. Om's motto is "Seafood excellence is our main key goal"—I believed it after two bites. LC

Om Seafood, 7632 SE Powell

Posted by Matt Davis | August 27, 2007 2:18 PM

I actually saw some for sale at Zupan's on Belmont the other day.

Posted by gus | August 27, 2007 4:10 PM

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