Where are the Best Signature Drinks in Portland, Oregon?
Met some friends for dinner prior to a show last week and we were pleased with our meal and our service. Upon entering olea the hostess greeted us and sat us promptly at a round table for six. This was great as my husband does not like sitting in booths. The server guided us through the menu pointing out some house favorites. Our table sampled some pizzas, the grilled dates, fritto misto sp?, several salads, and entrees. The standouts were the Lamb and the monkfish. Our table was sat early as to make it to the show, but the room filled at about 6:30-7. We loved the interior, the food & the service, would only suggest closing the front door in Portland prior to the temperature hitting the seventies. There was a slight draft
Been to Saucebox a number of times, but always late night . Love the atmosphere, but drinks can be pricey for my usually low brow range. Finally able to catch their Happy Hour before a show, and I was so impressed.Well priced drinks ($3 Sapporo), and a fantastic food selection, $4 (!) each for a fantastic Miyako Burger and Pork Spring rolls. The Khao Soi was meh, but everything else made up for it.The service was prompt and friendly. The place was full, but the atmosphere was calm and we got our food in about 10 minutes. We came downtown for a show and I expected to be rushed. But the staff was so efficient and friendly, we had enough time to relax and enjoy a well-made Sazerac. Great experience. Will be back soon.Pros + Fantastic, reasonably priced Happy HourCons – Khao Soi not so great
YES,YES, YES! Had thought about trying this restaurant since it opened, sorry it took so long to get there….last night’s dinner shared with a couple of friends was perfection! Started out with good feelings with the very helpful & kind response when I made the reservation…asked about noise levels(husband has a hearing problem, and there are too many places with intolerable noise levels that became a one-night stand, no matter how good the food was). Throughout the meal, our server was a delight, helpful & attentive without hovering, fun, and his suggestions were right on. That was a bonus for sure, but the amazing food was the star….it was hard to choose, but we opted for five appetizers(elk tartare, foie gras torchon, duck egg with fonduta, salt cod fritters, walnut bread)three small plates/charcuterie(wild boar nuggets,rabbit & pork mortadella, pork explosion)one main(chitarra pasta with wild mushrooms), and for dessert, the oil & chocolate & coffee pot de creme. EVERYTHING
Ten 01 definitely has some potential, but needs to work hard to get there. It is one in a long list of Portland restaurants that aims to be chic and modern, showing Portland off as a culinary center of the west. These places always come with San Francisco prices, but often lack SF creativity. Ten 01 was no exception. It’s ambitions outshine it’s execution.Hopefully it will improve. The menu is interesting, the cocktail menu inventive, and the staff very pleasant. The food just doesn’t excite. There is a big disconnect between the chef’s ideas and the staff’s creations. Let’s see how it is in another 6 months.Pros + Nice ambienceCons – mediocre food
There are so many great breakfast/brunch places in Portland that it’s hard to pick a favorite (Helser’s Tin Shed, Jam, Genie’s, Bread and Ink, Cafe du Berry, Junior’s all come quickly to mind). Topping my list at the moment is Crush. I’ve never been there at night when the hipsters allegedly arrive, but have had the Sunday brunch (9 to 3). The menu is reasonably varied, with classy breakfast choices on one side and some more lunch-brunch type selections like mac & cheese on the flip. I especially like the chilaquiles and the scrambles, some with meat and others vegetarian. Very flavorful with ingredients like Antique Cheddar (not sure what that means). They even get the little touches right — e.g., using sliced fennel on the sliced apple that garnishes most of the dishes. There’s also something I haven’t seen elsewhere in P-Town: free cornbread and toast, both self-serve. The Stumptown coffee (not free) is also self-serve. There’s amazing art throughout the place (apparently by the ow
