Anyone have any good ideas about Portland, OR and must have food experiences? My wife and I are headed there for 5-6 days at the end of the month.
We've already done plenty of research but I always like to check here first. Will definitely post a trip report when we get back. Heading to Charleston this weekend, so please let me know if anyone needs some advice. It's so easy for us to jump in the car and be there by lunch, it's our new go-to food city.
-Kevin
Portland, Oregon Food?
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Penny Lane
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Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
We went to Portland a few years ago for vacation and would have had a lot more fun had our trip been three days shorter. There is a fabulous restaurant called VQ or Veritable Quandary near the Marriott on the river. We ate there quite a few times during our trip and never had a bad meal or a bad dish. Everything was delicious. The service was excellent as well. The servers there commit all orders to memory and never write anything down and everything was always perfect.
If you plan on visiting the wineries around there, I would definitely recommend that you bring a GPS. Those mountainous roads, where the Pinot is grown, are not very well marked.
If you plan on visiting the wineries around there, I would definitely recommend that you bring a GPS. Those mountainous roads, where the Pinot is grown, are not very well marked.
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Isabella Maja
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Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
http://www.nolaeats.com/forum/showthrea ... t=Portland
I just got back from Portland.
Only one memorable meal & it was at a Mom & Pop Greek Grocery Store.
The souvlaki was great! But hardly a place I can recommend that you take your bride!
I did have a few hairbenders, tho & can highly recommend those!
Stumptown.
I just got back from Portland.
Only one memorable meal & it was at a Mom & Pop Greek Grocery Store.
The souvlaki was great! But hardly a place I can recommend that you take your bride!
I did have a few hairbenders, tho & can highly recommend those!
Stumptown.
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
I've been to Jake's Famous Crawfish House a couple of times. Until I looked it up just now, I didn't realize it was a McCormick and Schmick's property.
Anyway, it's pretty good - tile bar, white tablecloth, and lots of different pacific oysters. Their food preparations are pretty good, if you stick with stuff fairly indigenous to the area: salmon, halibut, rockfish, etc. Stay away from the crawfish.
Pretty good desserts and a good bar, too.
Anyway, it's pretty good - tile bar, white tablecloth, and lots of different pacific oysters. Their food preparations are pretty good, if you stick with stuff fairly indigenous to the area: salmon, halibut, rockfish, etc. Stay away from the crawfish.
Pretty good desserts and a good bar, too.
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
Was there in August. The Heathman Restaurant in the Heathman Hotel (on Broadway, downtown) was exceptionally good with lots of seafood. And Higgen's Restaurant 2 blocks away, still on Broadway is known for "Oregonian" cuisine..whatever that means. They had some killer cured meats. Both are upscale but not pretentious...kind of like Galatoire's. And no one seems to wear anything formal let alone a jacket for dinner.
Upscale would be at The Nines' restaurant Departure. It reminded me of the spaceship in 2001 A space Odessey....very pan asian. The deck that overlooks the city (at night) is great for cocktails. Saw all sorts of people there from tourists to the young crowd. Had a nice time for 2 -55 yos. Did not do dinner but noticed that the waitresses were model-worthy.
Upscale would be at The Nines' restaurant Departure. It reminded me of the spaceship in 2001 A space Odessey....very pan asian. The deck that overlooks the city (at night) is great for cocktails. Saw all sorts of people there from tourists to the young crowd. Had a nice time for 2 -55 yos. Did not do dinner but noticed that the waitresses were model-worthy.
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Isabella Maja
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:48 pm
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
I'd love to hear more! It doesn't have to just be nice places.
Frankly, I'm just looking for great food. I go to Portland every year for 2 weeks.
NO ONE is I'm with there cares much about food, well, not the way we do.
And no one wants to spend any $. I don't have a car when I'm there, so I'm just
along for the ride & many meetings & work.
When one colleague suggested a pizza chain buffet (I wouldn't have known by the name), my niece rolled her eyes & put her foot down & said, "NO!". Thank goodness! She then suggested the Greek Grocery Store/Deli. I need to find out the name of that place. So, while I have done the nice places on previous trips, future trips are likely to be everyday kinds of places.
I'm looking for Mom & Pop.
Frankly, I'm just looking for great food. I go to Portland every year for 2 weeks.
NO ONE is I'm with there cares much about food, well, not the way we do.
And no one wants to spend any $. I don't have a car when I'm there, so I'm just
along for the ride & many meetings & work.
When one colleague suggested a pizza chain buffet (I wouldn't have known by the name), my niece rolled her eyes & put her foot down & said, "NO!". Thank goodness! She then suggested the Greek Grocery Store/Deli. I need to find out the name of that place. So, while I have done the nice places on previous trips, future trips are likely to be everyday kinds of places.
I'm looking for Mom & Pop.
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
Heck, the reason they don't care for food is they all are always juiced on coffee all day long. I swear you can't go 1/2 block without a coffee shop.
We walked all over downtown, Pearl District, Riverfront and Chinatown and nothing looked bad to me. Alot of Portlanders do (for lunch) the small mom and pop food booths that are everywhere ( Thai, Lebanese, Polish, Greek, Pizza, chinese, et al.) Pioneer Plaza in the middle of downtown is supposed to be especially good. I've had some good taco truck fare here and the stuff offered up there is not good as, but don't tell them that. It's really great that we are so close to Mexico on that account.
We walked all over downtown, Pearl District, Riverfront and Chinatown and nothing looked bad to me. Alot of Portlanders do (for lunch) the small mom and pop food booths that are everywhere ( Thai, Lebanese, Polish, Greek, Pizza, chinese, et al.) Pioneer Plaza in the middle of downtown is supposed to be especially good. I've had some good taco truck fare here and the stuff offered up there is not good as, but don't tell them that. It's really great that we are so close to Mexico on that account.
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Isabella Maja
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:48 pm
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
Ha! I think you're right!
I had some coffee buzzes there this trip & I could have sworn I was on drugs.
One night late, hot as hell, couldn't sleep, got up & swiped my niece's car & went for a ride just so I could have A/C. Called a friend & begged her to tell me where to go for a midnight dinner as it was too hot to eat earlier.
Originally from Charleston, she saved a Southern Sister in Need (SSN) and immediately told me where to go that served food til at least 2am on a weeknight. Walked in, full blown tequila bar & restaurant. Cold A/C.
She was my saviour that night. But I can't remember the name of it!
Floor to ceiling windows that are actually doors that slide open accordian style.
Quite the place. Food was Nuevo Mex. Turns out it is one of about 4, the original made & decided to do another & so on. This kinda chain can comfort me anytime at 1am. I had a short rib special that was very tasty with a unique & good coleslaw.
I loved their Happy Hour . . . did an early evening one plus 2nd Happy Hour from 10pm - 2am with $4 apps.
Would I go here at 8pm? Prolly not. The midnight hour certainly was just fine. Dark, deep booths, tables. Long, heavy wooden bar. Burgundy accents. It was just what I needed.
I had some coffee buzzes there this trip & I could have sworn I was on drugs.
One night late, hot as hell, couldn't sleep, got up & swiped my niece's car & went for a ride just so I could have A/C. Called a friend & begged her to tell me where to go for a midnight dinner as it was too hot to eat earlier.
Originally from Charleston, she saved a Southern Sister in Need (SSN) and immediately told me where to go that served food til at least 2am on a weeknight. Walked in, full blown tequila bar & restaurant. Cold A/C.
She was my saviour that night. But I can't remember the name of it!
Floor to ceiling windows that are actually doors that slide open accordian style.
Quite the place. Food was Nuevo Mex. Turns out it is one of about 4, the original made & decided to do another & so on. This kinda chain can comfort me anytime at 1am. I had a short rib special that was very tasty with a unique & good coleslaw.
I loved their Happy Hour . . . did an early evening one plus 2nd Happy Hour from 10pm - 2am with $4 apps.
Would I go here at 8pm? Prolly not. The midnight hour certainly was just fine. Dark, deep booths, tables. Long, heavy wooden bar. Burgundy accents. It was just what I needed.
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
Am I the only one who thinks of the Loretta Lynn/Jack White song Portland Oregon when I see this topic?
OOH, I haven't been to OR, But I'm sold on the amount of coffee places and the Space Odyssey restaurant (My parents took us to the movie (a re release) when I was very young and it spooked me out and interested me at the same time) Not to mention I am sure it's picturesque....
Isabella,
Have you thought of renting a car of a certain amount of days so you would be able to make some of your own choices? Sounds like it puts you in a frustrating spot....IMO
OOH, I haven't been to OR, But I'm sold on the amount of coffee places and the Space Odyssey restaurant (My parents took us to the movie (a re release) when I was very young and it spooked me out and interested me at the same time) Not to mention I am sure it's picturesque....
Isabella,
Have you thought of renting a car of a certain amount of days so you would be able to make some of your own choices? Sounds like it puts you in a frustrating spot....IMO
Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.—Albert Einstein
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Isabella Maja
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:48 pm
Re: Portland, Oregon Food?
Suzy, in years past I would rent a car. I'm in meetings most of the day & night & frankly the expense of a car just isn't justified. There are however rent by the hour cars there & I might look into that. This time I was staying away from downtown & was not familiar to the area, which made it not as feasible. Did I mention I also got bonked on the head pretty darn bad?
I really didn't want to be driving!
Also, instead of renting a car, I just use that allotment to treat people to meals instead. Otherwise I'd be eating tasteless twigs & berries & not that often either. Most of these folks really do run on straight carbs which just doesn't work for me. I do bring my own highly spiced nut & berry stash, but after a while you just want something more substantial.
I really didn't want to be driving!
Also, instead of renting a car, I just use that allotment to treat people to meals instead. Otherwise I'd be eating tasteless twigs & berries & not that often either. Most of these folks really do run on straight carbs which just doesn't work for me. I do bring my own highly spiced nut & berry stash, but after a while you just want something more substantial.