Where to eat in Portland:
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1801 NE Broadway St, Portland, Oregon
503-287-4750
This spot produces the fun factor with a neon pink sign, light-pink walls, an open kitchen and a '61 Caddy safely locked behind a wood- and glass-paneled garage door. Weekend brunch offers staples like buttermilk pancakes--fluffy and abundantly layered with blueberries, bananas and hazelnuts. French toast gets soaked in custard before hitting the griddle. Steak and eggs are a perfectly grilled filet mignon beside a hearty scramble with spinach, peppers and Gorgonzola.
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J&M Cafe
537 SE Ash St, Portland, OR
503-230-0463
The charm of the farm meets warehouse spaciousness--old wood fridge, Mason jars for glasses and high, wood-beamed ceilings. Brunch is a hit, with an array of fluffy egg or tofu scrambles to choose from. Belgian cornmeal waffles topped with apples and pomegranate are crisp and tender. Sandwiches, salads and breakfasts served during lunch hours are equally bountiful. The Reuben is piled thick with corned beef, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and oozy Emmentaler cheese.
8601 S.W 24th Ave. Portland, Oregon
503-246-9007
www.originalpancakehouse.com
The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Drawing upon their many years of experience in the culinary field, and their extensive working knowledge of authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes they were able to offer without compromise this unique and original menu which has gained national acclaim.
901 SW Salmon St. Portland, OR 97205
503-326-1300
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Price: Main courses $8.50-$15 lunch, $14-$24 dinner
This lunch spot is located in the cultural district. Plunk down at the bar for a quick meal and ask for sightseeing suggestions from the young downtown crowd. Seafood holds center stage, including fried calamari and vegetables with spicy aioli and a risotto with prawns, peas and pancetta.
2310 NW Everett St, Portland, OR, 97210
503-243-7557
www.typhoonrestaurants.com
Cuisine: Asian/Pac Rim
Price: Main courses $9-$18
Located just off NW 23rd Avenue, this trendy spot is a bit pricey for a Thai restaurant, but the unusual menu offerings generally aren't available at other Portland Thai restaurants. Be sure to start a meal with the miang kum, which consists of dried shrimp, tiny chilies, ginger, lime, peanuts, shallots, and toasted coconut drizzled with a sweet-and-sour sauce and wrapped up in a spinach leaf. The burst of flavors on your taste buds is absolutely astounding. (I first had this in Thailand and waited years to get it in the United States.) The whole front wall of the restaurant slides away for Thai-style open-air dining in the summer. There is an extensive tea list.
900 NW 11th Ave, Portland, Oregon, 97209
503-525-2225
www.fenouilinthepearl.com
Price: Entrees $22-$27
This French restaurant in a sleek, soaring space, makes the most of its location overlooking Jamison Park with big windows that roll up like garage doors in nice weather. Brasserie classics like roast duck with Armagnac prunes and steak frites join dishes like pumpkin and mushroom gnocchi, fried frog legs and lobster beignets.
422 NW Eighth Ave, Portland, Oregon, 97209
503-223-7275
www.parkkitchen.com
Price: Entrees $9-$24
Serious foodies head to this restaurant located in a former garage. The space has a warren of dark and cozy rooms that faces an open kitchen, where the chef and owner, Scott Dolich, combines elements of French, Italian and Northwestern cooking in an imaginative fusion all his own. Start with the green garlic and lamb stew with preserved lemon or pork belly molé with pumpkin seeds and oranges. Main courses include lamb with curried spinach, and seared salmon with potatoes, sorrel and leeks. The food may sound fussy, but the results are subtly superb.
2335 NW Thurman St, Portland, Oregon, 97210
503-445-4342
www.sainthonorebakery.com
Price: Pastries and bread $2-$7, sandwiches and salads $5.50-$8.50
For a taste of Paris, pop over to this French-style bakery where Dominique Geulin bakes almond croissants, applesauce turnovers and Normandy apple toast — a mix of French toast, brioche and custard. The cafe is airy, with huge windows and lots of wicker. Equally important, the coffee (Caffé Umbria) is among the city’s finest.
Veritable Quandary
1220 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR
503-227-7342
www.veritablequandary.com
Price: Tasting Menu 7-9 courses, $65.00
VQ creates culinary delights for it's regional market-driven menu by utilizing local farmers and other specialty food purveyors. The result is a world-class menu that is authentically Northwest!
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Dingo's
4612 SE Hawthorne, Portland, OR
503-233-3996
www.dingosonline.com
Price: $3-$10.00
Dingo's fish tacos are a little bit of Baja heaven! Cheap drinks, Cheap food ~ tacos, burritos, chips & salsa, dip, drafts, wells and margaritas!
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Riyadh's Lebanese Restaurant
1318 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, ORThe dining area channels a Mediterranean villa, with painted columns, ochre-washed walls, and waves of blue-green chiffon rolling across an azure ceiling. SE locals and longtime regulars drop in for pan-Mediterranean delights, from shawarmas and gyros to grilled seafood dinners. Classic mezza samplers include hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, falafel, pita and specialties like stuffed grape leaves or fatayer, a savory ground beef turnover. Honey-drenched baklava and cardamom-scented rice pudding are made on-site.
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Pambiche
2811 NE Glisan, Portland, OR
503-233-0495
www.pambiche.com
Pambiche is a cuban restaurant offering a vibrant Caribbean atmosphere, serving authentic Cuban food based on traditional family recipes. Located in a funky turn of the century Victorian building on Portland's east 28th Avenue, the restaurant is small and cozy with a warm and inviting feel.
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Portland Pensione
