Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Jace Gace
name
Jace Gace
website
http://www.jacegace.com/
cuisine
Waffles
quadrant
SE
where exactly
2045 SE Belmont
what's unique
waffles, beer, & art ... enough said.
what to order
waffles, both savory and sweet, are unusual and tasty
fun fact
according to the website, "jace gace was one hell of a hang glider pilot..."
my short and sweet opinion
go with someone who can appreciate this eclectic space, and share one savory waffle and one sweet waffle
pros
great for a cozy, late morning saturday breakfast indulgence
cons
hours of operation are 8am-3pm everyday - i figured the beer and art would keep them open later
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Pizzicato
name
Pizzicato
website
http://www.pizzicatopizza.com/
cuisine
Gourmet Pizza
quadrant
NW (plus several location throughout portland and beyond)
where exactly
NW 23rd & Glisan (visit website for other locations)
what's unique
a lot of their pizzas
what to order
everything is good, but try something other than the typical pepperoni, they do specialty pizza well
fun fact
hmm...don't have one at this time
my short and sweet opinion
great place for a low key date or just to have dinner with friends
pros
multiple locations, large menu, outside seating, good service; they also have beer and wine
cons
a little pricey for pizza, but remember that it is gourmet pizza, and more of a sit-down experience ... definitely worth the cost
Monday, August 11, 2008
Saint Cupcake
name
Saint Cupcake
website
http://saintcupcake.com
cuisine
Cupcake Speciality Shop
quadrant
NW
where exactly
407 NW 17th Ave.
what's unique
nothing other than the fact that this is a cupcake only place and you better be ready to pay a pretty penny for them
what to order
whatever your sweet tooth desires
fun fact
hmmm...cupcakes are fun...enough said
my short and sweet opinion
i have tried a variety of cupcake specialty shops, and this one is definitely at the top of the list - they do both the cake and the frosting just right
pros
yummy cupcakes in both mini and regular sizes; they also have vegan options
cons
it's easy to miss when you are driving by - it is very pink (you would think this would make it easy to find but it's hidden behind the many trees that line NW streets) and it's on the corner of 17th and Flanders
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Mint & 820
name
Mint & 820
website
http://www.mintand820.com
cuisine
Northwest Bistro
quadrant
NoPo
where exactly
816 North Russell
what's unique
Mint is the trendy, yet cozy restaurant, while 820 is the adjacent lounge, connect in the middle and each with their own entrances
what to order
one of their many unique cocktail concoctions
fun fact
owner Lucy Brennan released her book "Hip Sips" containing her unique cocktail recipes for wannabe mixologists to try at home
my short and sweet opinion
upscale, swanky ambiance on the east side of portland, but without the swanky, pretentious attitude
pros
variety of unique cocktails, for McMenamins go-ers there is the White Eagle bar next door, parking is easy
cons
can be crowded, especially in the lounge
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Paley's Place
name
Paley's Place
website
http://www.paleysplace.net
cuisine
Northwest Bistro
quadrant
NW
where exactly
1204 NW 21st Ave.
what's unique
Paley's is set inside a NW style home that has been converted into a very welcoming epicurean environment
what to order
anything and everything
fun fact
voted #1 restaurant in Portland for 2007 by Portland Monthly magazine
my short and sweet opinion
amazingly fresh ingredients used in combination with each other to create wonderful flavors in every dish
pros
everything
cons
it's spendy, but well worth it; definitely need to make reservations almost any night of the week
Friday, May 23, 2008
Screen Door
name
Screen Door
website
http://www.screendoorrestaurant.com
cuisine
southern comfort food
quadrant
East Burnside
where exactly
2337 E Burnside St.
what's unique
praline covered bacon strips for breakfast - order it!
what to order
praline bacon and anything on the breakfast menu
fun fact
???
my short and sweet opinion
i have only had breakfast here and i highly recommend it for a fabulous weekend brunch
pros
brunch is offered on both saturday and sunday, until 2pm; even though it is crowded (and you will have to wait for a table), they move people through very quickly, so while a large lingering crowd outside the restaurant may discourage you, the wait is
cons
like i said, it is crowded for brunch but the wait isn't too bad and it is definitely worth the wait; other than that, not much else i can think of ... enjoy!
Labels:
breakfast,
dinner,
east burnside,
lunch
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Bay 13
name
Bay 13
website
http://www.bay13restaurant.com
cuisine
seafood, sushi, northwest
quadrant
NW (the pearl district)
where exactly
701 NW 13th Ave.
what's unique
this trendy restaurant used to be a loading dock and offers both a sushi bar and fresh seafood, with a late night sushi sake happy hour
what to order
raw oysters and ceviche
fun fact
the owners of Bay 13 are the same people who own Paragon which is located just a block south
my short and sweet opinion
pearl-esque atmosphere with a great bar that offers yummy specialty cocktails and a welcoming environment
pros
raw oysters are very fresh, as is the ceviche which changes daily
cons
they are on their 3rd chef in a year, which isn't necessarily a good sign but it appears they may have found a good one this time; the cuisine i have indulged in has been fresh and delicious thus far
Labels:
bar,
dinner,
happy hour,
northwest,
pearl
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nuestra Cocina
name
Nuestra Cocina
website
http://www.nuestra-cocina.com
cuisine
upscale mexican (yes i realize this is an oxymoron)
quadrant
SE
where exactly
2135 SE Division St
what's unique
specialty margaritas are served in wine glasses but oh so delicious
what to order
anything with the red mole sauce - spicy and flavorful; for dessert, definitely order the chocolate pound cake with cinnamon ice cream
fun fact
restaurant is designed to have an open kitchen - you can eat at the counter overlooking the kitchen, which i definitely recommend for a fun experience
my short and sweet opinion
great upscale mexican cuisine, which can be hard to find; great atmosphere
pros
menu, nightly specials, margaritas, open kitchen, dessert
cons
they provide complimentary, small, handmade corn tortillas with salsa - very good but they don't give you enough tortillas
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ken's Artisan Pizza
name
Ken's Artisan Pizza
website
http://www.kensartisan.com/pizza
cuisine
Sit-down pizza restaurant
quadrant
SE
where exactly
304 SE 28th Ave (at corner of Pine St.)
what's unique
Ken's also has a bakery located in the NW (Ken's Artisan Bakery)
what to order
any pizza - they are all amazing; make sure to pair with a bottle of red
fun fact
voted #10 restaurant in Portland for 2007 by Portland Monthly magazine
my short and sweet opinion
yum! yum! yum! and great in the summer when all the windows are open
pros
great atmosphere, high quality pizza, variety of wine options, yummy desserts
cons
hmm, it's far from the bakery? (not really a con, it is definitely worth the drive)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Blossoming Lotus
name
Blossoming Lotus
website
http://www.blpdx.com
cuisine
Vegan cafe
quadrant
NW (the pearl district)
where exactly
925 NW Davis St.
what's unique
located inside the Yoga Pearl studio
what to order
spicy avocado sandwich
fun fact
there are only 2 Blossoming Lotus locations - Portland & Kauai
my short and sweet opinion
great for lunch on a sunny Portland day
pros
yummy food that's good for you, and conveniently located inside a yoga studio
cons
limited seating, especially since this is a popular place
Monday, April 28, 2008
Castagna
name
Castagna
website
http://www.castagnarestaurant.com
cuisine
Italian & French Inspired
quadrant
SE
where exactly
1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd
what's unique
Castagna has a restaurant and an adjacent cafe with a more casual ambiance
what to order
the pizza - i believe the primary ingredients are tomato, basil, and cheese
fun fact
voted #5 restaurant in Portland for 2007 by Portland Monthly magazine
my short and sweet opinion
i have only indulged at the cafe which is cozy, yet trendy - great vibe and service
pros
the next door cafe is open later than the restaurant, for late night eats
cons
...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Ten 01
name
Ten 01
website
http://www.ten-01.com
cuisine
hmm...Northwest maybe?
quadrant
NW (the pearl district)
where exactly
1001 NW Couch St.
what's unique
great happy hour - oysters on the half shell are $1.00 instead of $2.00
what to order
oysters on the half shell, mac 'n' cheese, truffle fries
fun fact
restaurant originally opened to not so hot reviews, but quickly turned around and has been recognized as the restaurant that made the best turnaround and now receives positive reviews
my short and sweet opinion
I have only been here for happy hour but have indulged in quite a variety of dishes that definitely make me want to return for dinner.
pros
happy hour, atmosphere, lounge/bar area, location
cons
hmm...not sure i found any during my happy hour experiences at Ten 01
Labels:
dinner,
happy hour,
northwest,
pearl
Pok Pok
name
Pok Pok
website
http://www.pokpokpdx.com
cuisine
Thai
quadrant
SE
where exactly
3226 SE Division St
what's unique
not your typical Thai restaurant; the chef emulates food served by Thai street vendors in Thailand
what to order
the wings
fun fact
voted #2 restaurant in Portland for 2007 by Portland Monthly magazine
my short and sweet opinion
Pok Pok is a definitely a must-eat; my fave Portland eatery!
pros
Whiskey Soda Lounge adjacent to restaurant, atmosphere, food, service, you name it...
cons
there can be a long wait, especially on weekends
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