Minestrone

Portland, Oregon, November 22, 2011—

NOT YOUR TRADITIONAL minestrone, I suppose, but a minestrone nonetheless, and a particularly delicious one: beans, hominy, kale, stock. That had been at home, with

Fabla (Tempranillo/Garnacha) (Catalunya), 2010

Lunch had been downtown, in a "fast slow food" place: a codfish-cake sandwich on a sesame bun with crisp-fried potatoes, butter lettuce, dill relish and tartar sauce, gloppy and tasty, and a couple of fine beignets for dessert.

Pinot grigio, 2010

• Violetta, 877 SW Taylor @ SW Park, Portland, Oregon