Sudden Trip To Portland, OR!

[Schuarta]

Have to make a sudden trip to Portland tomorrow am. Staying at the Marriot, downtown. Will be there Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

Need recommendations for dinner establishments. Anyone familiar with a couple of good places to dine.

[Isabella Maja]

I go to Portland every summer for about 2 weeks.
But the reason I go is not about the food. sorry.

So, I could give you some places I've been, but they are nothing earth shattering. At all. And most are far away from Downtown.
Most of my friends out there eat very healthy & cook most of their own food - so I can't ask them.

However, one thing I can recommend!
Go to a local coffee shop called Stumptown and get a HAIRBENDER.

OMG!
I had it in the espresso version - 3 shots with a pack of raw sugar, dissolve & finish with splash of half & half or to your taste.

I can't tell you how many times I thought about that exquisite coffee experience since then. I wish I had bought some home with me.

I do like Portland & I am sure there's great food somewhere.
I just haven't had any of it in a very long time.

[Isabella Maja]

I just remembered I had a very good lunch downtown. But I can't remember the name of the place or if they are open for dinner.

It is near Lloyd Center & down the street from Goodwill.
A Sushi joint is next door (on the corner) and one block away is a breakfasty kind of place famous for it's desserts in a big glass case when you walk in (they did look fabulous).

I wanted to say the name of it is Miguel's, but it wasn't Mexican and google provided no reference.

Sorry Art, that's all I got.

I've eaten at The Heathman, The Governor, McCormick & Scmitt's, Mother's, Jake's to name a few off the top of my head. All were ok to good, but nothing I'd be recommending.

Ya Hala (Lebanese) on the other hand, 8005 SE Stark St 97215 503-256-4484 http://www.yahalarestaurant.com is a place I keep going back to. I love the food - it's tasty & pleases vegheads & carnivores alike. But not sure it's proximity to downtown. I just happened to have the menu on my desk.

OH, wait! There is one place I'd recommend.
Darn, I don't know the name of it. Vietnamese. Really great, on a street that reminds me of Airline Hwy here in Kenner. It's near a Safeway and a shop that has a huge sign that says HEMRHOIDS treated here. It is on a triangular corner & close to a Smart Car Dealer Ship across the street.
The salt & pepper shrimp, crabs, short ribs are out of this world and like none I've had elsewhere. You might want something fancier and that actually has a name . . . but that's all I got.

Maybe check out Chowhound.

[paz5559]

The first time I went to Portland, I ate at Paley's Place Bistro & Bar, and it was truly awesome.

the second time I went, they were on vacation. Ms. Paley answered the phone, however, and suggested I try Wildwood and Park Kitchen. Wildwood was wonderful. Park Kitchen was the single most inventive meal I have ever eaten.

Portland is an amazing food town - you are in for a rare treat.

[DivaKitty]

My Portland friend's husband writes the beer blog for this food site:

http://www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/

She also said, "For two personal recommendations downtown, Mothers is great for homey style fare (but still really nice), and bluehour (in the Pearl) is still great, but very upscale. Oh, and Paley's Place is awesome, and kind of famous,
it's not quite downtown, but it's close enough."

Portland's a great city. I hope you end up with some chill time!

[Isabella Maja]

PAZ, I'd appreciate any other dining recs you have in Portland.

I'm there 2 weeks at least, every year. But I'm not with foodies.
Occasionally I can sneak off for a meal, but I have mostly given up on it because I usually don't have a car & someone who doesn't care about dining is usually with me.

I'd love some wide range options from you.

DK, I've eaten at Mother's. I hate to say it, but it was pretty gross.
Maybe it's changed in the last few months.

[Schuarta]

To close this issue, I didn't make it clear that my daughter was the one who had to make the sudden trip to Portland, to do some "software instruction". I was the one to house sit and dog sit while she was away for three days.

She used your info and had one great dinner at Wildwood.

She had the RED WINE BRAISED CASCADE NATURAL BEEF SHORT RIBS and thought they were great. Portions were a little on the small side, but she definately recommends Wildwood for other Portland visitors.

Thanks to all for your input