Portland Ideas?

[Audiofan2]

I have been up to Portland a number of times and have a few favorites, but would be interested in a few more. This is for dinner Friday night. I like just about anything so whatever help you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[daves]

Well, you didn't specify what you were looking for, so here's a few places that we've liked when we've been in town or passing through...

Pizza is decent at the Bridgeport Brewpub (although the beer is what draws me here).

Had a good and interesting meal at the Bread and Ink Cafe, but I've read that it has gone downhill. No recent experience, though...

The restaurant in the Heathman Hotel -- really good NW fusion.

And German food at the Rheinlander.

[Meanderer]

I enjoyed Andina--ceviche in several permutations and a good selection of tapas, Peruvian style.

[Busboy]

I'm sure you must have heard of Clark-Lewis, which I liked quite a bit when I was there.

We had a spectacular NY-style pie at Apizza Scholls, whom the proprietor of a nearby wine shop referred to as the "Pizza Nazi." They told me that I could only have three toppings on mine -- and cheese counted as one -- and are, apparently purists to the point where they can be irritating. Nonethelss, excellent pizza and, as required of all Portland Restaurants, good local brew on tap and decent wine by the glass.

[petite tête de chou]

I have been up to Portland a number of times and have a few favorites, but would be interested in a few more. This is for dinner Friday night. I like just about anything so whatever help you can offer would be appreciated. 

Thanks!

←

There's some ideas on this thread Portland Recommendations.

[lalala]

We went to clarklewis for lunch yesterday and really liked it for lunch, I have heard mixed reviews about dinner, so we opted for lunch.

Had dinner at the Park Kitchen (did the chef's tasting menu) and loved it.

Stopped by the Pearl Bakery twice as well, but that was for a snack, nothing deeper than that.

The Portland Recommendation thread is jewel like.

lalala

[syrah girl]

Wildwood is closed and recovering from a small fire or I would suggest it. I'm a big fan of Paley's Place, right across from Wildwood. We have also enjoyed great meals at Park Kitchen, Bluehour, Gotham Bulding Tavern, clarklewis and Hurley's.

Fenoil and Olea are a couple of new places in the Pearl that I've heard great things about. Anyone been to either of these recently? Higgins in downtown Portland is another great place.

[noambenami]

Olea is a fine place. I ate there a few days ago and had a glass of the vino tinto, which was wonderful. Have not been to fenouille, but it sounds like the food will be fine. Frankly, I'm not a fan of the whole trend in Portland to put together very large semi-fine dining restaurants. Andina, Fenouille, even Olea are a bit like that, seating over 100 people at a time. Andina, especially, serves up rather unimpressive food, but its got a nice atmosphere.

Unfortunately, there are few great small restaurants in Portland. I have found Paley's place to be charming, but gastronomically uninspired. Park Kitchen can be terrific, as can Gotham. Clarkelewis is good, but can be violently overpriced.

There is a promising little place on Alberta called The Alberta Street Oyster Bar and Grill. The food is sophisticated but not pretentious. The chef is young and will need some time to buff out the rough edges from his cuisine, but the place is still wonderful, go early, go often and watch this guy - hopefully he'll go where I think he can go. Ciao Vito, also on Alberta, is a great place for a fun dinner. Its got a good vibe and serves hearty, well prepared food.

I always put in a good word for Ken's Place on 19th and Hawthorne. Again, completely unpretentious, tasty, and a good vibe.

I love the chicken sandwiches at St. Honore, which is also a good place to just be in, as is 820, which is worth the visit just for the sweet potato fries. Pambiche serves up good cuban. Noble Rot sometimes puts out really tasty food, the chef is, like Scott from Olea, a French Laundry alum, and while he doesn't play in those leagues, when he puts out the effort (sadly, thats a lot more rare now than when they first opened) he can do some very solid flavor development. And the wine flights are fun, too.

Well, thats enough for now. I'll note that the Ripe restaurants; Family Supper, Clarkelewis, and Gotham, are all doing 5 to 7 course tasting menus, a format that is unusual for Portland. I have not tried these meals and would love to get a report on how well they play out.

[Audiofan2]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, they were very helpful. I travel to Portland frequently from Eugene and will use them in the future. Again, thank you for the help!