MARK LORE

Mark Lore is a journalist whose work has appeared in Paste, The Wire, Spin, the Portland Mercury, and Nylon.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I was wracking my brain on this, and the thing that kept coming to mind was soup. My wife and I have been on a soup roll this winter. She made a great mushroom-barley. I knocked out a tasty chicken-noodle. Tortilla soup. And we just bought a house in deep southeast Portland, which has some of the best Pho places in the city. I also work a couple nights a week at this beer-record shop-music venue called Turn! Turn! Turn!, and they just started doing soup, including a fantastic chickpea and greens soup. Essentially, I can do soup for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Tacos, too.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Back in spring I booked a West Coast tour for this Basque heavy rock band called Berri Txarrak. I interviewed them years ago for an article, and I'd sort of kept in touch with their manager on Facebook. He made a comment on something I'd posted and mentioned they were recording in the States, and it sort of snowballed from there. I booked a bunch of shows, got them press in a few of the cities, and put them up in our small apartment. It was challenging and fun, and the guys in the band are absolutely sweet, and they were very appreciative. I'll probably book another one next year.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The day after Berri Txarrak played in Portland, I took them around to some record stores, and we ended up getting beers at a couple of local breweries. It was awesome introducing them to these weirder, darker (at least by their standards) beers. After that I took them to this great sandwich spot called Lardo, which began as a food cart, and has since expanded to three locations. It's total comfort food. We got some pork belly sandwiches, mac and cheese and dirty fries, and these guys were in heaven. I was full, but I think they ordered seconds.

@thedaysoflore

RICK GENCARELLI

Rick Gencarelli is chef/owner of Lardo, Grassa, and Philippe's Bread.

What was the food highlight of your year?

This year in addition to opening a third Lardo location we opened a bakery called Philippe's Bread. We now provide bread for the Lardo locations and Grassa. Making that change was stressful and scary but totally worth it. We now have the ability to design sandwiches that are totally outside of what we are used to. It's next level and very exciting!

What was the music highlight of your year?

I saw a lot of great music this year but the show I am still talking about is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. They killed it. No words could really do it justice so I won't bother. I will tell you that I brought my twelve year old son and he helped hold Nick Cave up as he walked on the chairs through the orchestra singing Tupelo. Yes, a proud moment for a dad.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

This year I went back to Connecticut for my 30th high school reunion, that's right I said 30th. I ate mediocre (at best) banquet food and listened to terrible 80's music with people that I have known for more than three decades. It was strange and wonderful and I felt a deep connection. A perfect example of the sum being greater than the parts.

@lardopdx

RICK GENCARELLI

Rick Gencarelli is chef/owner at Lardo and Grassa in Portland.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The highlight in food for me was all of the amazing New England seafood I had during my two weeks on Cape Cod. I hadn’t visited in a few years so I was ready to get down! I ate my weight in lobster and steamers, Block Island swordfish, mussels and Wellfleet littlenecks! There is nothing better than watching the sunset with a cold beer, surrounded by your loved ones as you throw a fat piece of glisteningly fresh Striped Bass on the grill! I won’t be skipping next year’s trip.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The music highlight for me was by far was the Dinosaur Jr. show at The Wonder Ballroom! I’ve been a fan for many years. it was the soundtrack to my early line cooking years in Boston but I never caught them live. It was punishingly loud! I definitely lost a little hearing but it was worth it. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music come together everyday at Grassa, our new pasta joint downtown right next to Lardo. We bought a turntable that is hooked to vintage Boston Acoustics and 4 - 17” subwoofers. It sounds fantastic. I get there early in the morning, pick out a stack of vinyl, fire up a pot of coffee, and make a shitload of pasta while I watch Portland slowly come to life outside our giant windows. Total harmony.

@lardopdx