10607 Wed Mar 06 13:40:42 -0800 2002 14 4 Pacific Northwest 0 12868 Coming to Portland from L.A. Wife (Japanese) has a palate on her and can tell the difference between bottled water brands, seaweed, you name it - kind of scary. Would like to sample some good bistro-type NW cuisine and NW wine. Also hearing good things on the board about Asain cuisine in Portland. Coming from L.A., we have eaten AUTHENTIC top-notch Japanese (Sushi Ko, Sasabune, Mori Sushi,) and Thai (Renu Nakorn), so we are looking for places that stack up - what can you recommend for either type of request....? Wed Mar 06 13:40:42 -0800 2002 0 KPS 1 12869 True NW type food - Higgins, Heathman, Wildwood, Laslow's NW amongst many others. Wine selection is good for each but I would recommend for a true NW wine experience, going to Oregon Wines on Broadway. It's a winebar downtown with in excess of 25 Oregon pinot noirs opened up for tasting from an 2 oz. pour to a glass to a bottle. Re: Asian, I find that the better Asian restaurants are the "holes in the wall" and I do believe there are plenty of folks out there beeter suited than I to comment on Asian. That being said I would always recommend Saburo's (sp?) in Sellwood which is a dive but has the best pure sushi in the city. Thai-wise, try Typhoon (2 locations NW and Downtown) where Bo Kline has made quite a name for herself. Jim, I know you'll read this, am I close or way off? Wed Mar 06 15:19:24 -0800 2002 12868 0 Hunter 2 12889 I disagree with the Saburo's recommendation...Murata downtown is far better, as is Hiro Sushi in Lake Oswego. Fri Mar 08 10:36:22 -0800 2002 12869 0 k 3 12903 I'm with you. the popularity of Saburo's is completely mystifying to me. Fri Mar 08 22:08:55 -0800 2002 12889 0 David Dowell 1 12871 Hey there LA, Well for Thia there are a few places. The Thai Orchad is pretty good as well as Tera Thai. But I recomend Thai Thai on Hawthorne and 47th. Cheap, Very good, Large selection and best of all use quality ingredients without MSG or all the other flavor inhancers. go for it. Wed Mar 06 15:28:06 -0800 2002 12868 0 Yummy Thai Tips 1 12882 For NW, Higgins, Wildwood, Paley's Place, Heathman Hotel (not exactly bistro, but French influenced NW), and Bluehour (I had another great meal there last week) are all good. The problem is that NW Bistro is a bit hard to define...most of the best (and many of the so-called second tier places) in Portland use good local ingredients because we have a lot of good suppliers. You might check out Cafe Azul, for incredible and authentic Mexican (I have a review on my site with more details), Esparza's Tex Mex for Joe's original version of his Mom's home cooking, or Basta's for less expensive but still great Italian. The Pearl Bakery, Grand Central, and newcomer Ken's Artisan Bakery demonstrate why Portlanders are so spoiled when it comes to good bread. My friend who's married to a Japanese man tells me the very best sushi is in Hillsboro, but she's not sitting at her desk right now so I can't ask her what the place is called. I usually eat Vietnamese over Thai, and my favorite is My Cahn on NE 39th. Really good and cheap, too. Jim Link: http://www.realgoodfood.com/mycahn.html Thu Mar 07 19:40:06 -0800 2002 12868 0 Jim Dixon 2 12892 Jim, the Hillsboro sushi joint is called Syun Japanese restaurant and Sake Club. Interestingly, it's in the basement of a very old public library building. Haven't made it in yet but I drive by it all the time while slobbering in Pavlovian style. Fri Mar 08 12:06:33 -0800 2002 12882 0 Hunter 3 12896 That's gotta be it...she described it as being in the old library. My only problem is that I hate driving out to the 'burbs. Jim Fri Mar 08 14:56:04 -0800 2002 12892 0 Jim Dixon 4 13228 Syun is worth the drive! I live in Hillsboro so it's only about a 15 minute drive for me, but the friends I keep dragging there always agree it was worth the drive. Thu Apr 11 21:58:18 -0700 2002 12896 0 kb 1 12887 Murata at 200 Market in downtown Portland is very authentic and good for sushi. often the specials are only in japanese. I'd agree with the other bistro restaurant suggestions Thu Mar 07 23:30:11 -0800 2002 12868 0 David Dowell 1 12894 Thaks to all who replied - I think we are going to focus on NW bistro cuisine - Higgins, Paley's Place, Heathman Hotel, Wildwood, Laslow's NW, Bluehour. Also, Oregon Wine on Broadway sounds right up my alley as far as wine goes - any suggestions for some under-$30 Pinot's to lug back to L.A.? I am hearing good things about Patricia Green's new winery....? I am staying downtown (Four Points Sheraton?) - any of the restaurant's mentioned here within walking distance.....? Fri Mar 08 13:19:14 -0800 2002 12868 0 KPS 2 12897 Most are either walkable or near the light rail or street car line. When you get to town, head to Powell's book's (big store on 10th and Burnside or the travel bookstore in Pioneer Square on Broadway near Nordstrom) and pick up their great walking map. The light rail (called Max) is free in downtown and across the river to Lloyd Center, and the street car (it runs along 10th and near PSU, which I think is where the Sheraton you mention is) is also free (they claim you have to pay once you get across I-405, but nobody does). I like my neighborhood wine shop (Great Wine Buys, on NE Broadway and 15th...take max to Lloyd Center and walk north a few blocks to Broadway...other intersting stuff in the area, too). Check out Andrew Rich's stuff. He makes a great Sauvignon Blanc and his Gevurtz dessert wine is incredible. The owners John and Dawn can point you to good value Oregon pinots (I never buy them because they're too expensive). At Bluehour get the scallops with celeriac puree...really great. (full disclosure: Bluehour buys olive oil from me...but that's one reason why the food is so good). I think I'd put Higgins at the top of your list, too. If you want a late night burger, the one they serve in the bar is the best. Jim Fri Mar 08 15:07:07 -0800 2002 12894 0 Jim Dixon 3 12901 As always. I agree with Jim. However, the Sheraton is not too far from Broadway and the same walking map is available at the Benson Hotel (it may be available from the Sheraton too). Regarding the wine query, Patty Green is doing some nice things and Oregon Wines on Broadway has a few to try and for sale (the sisters sell everything they pour). I favor the Balcombe but you be the judge. Look into McKinlay, Panther Creek, Ken Wright, JC Carriere - all good. Or just try them at one of our bars and find out! Re: Bluehour, in total agreement re: scallops but I especially love the gnocchi in fontina and black truffles and coincidentally, they are putting a sign up today (up til now the signage was practically invisible - very chic. Bluehour's at 13th and Everett if I'm not mistaken. Any questions, let us know and enjoy Portland! Fri Mar 08 16:01:25 -0800 2002 12897 0 Hunter 4 12902 FYI- That map is also available at the visitor's center at Pioneer Square in downtown. And there are nice people there too to help you figure out your best route! Fri Mar 08 18:13:51 -0800 2002 12901 0 Jill-O 1 13007 After sampling dozens of Thai restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area and Portland (we moved here a year ago, the new North Portland Thai restaurant at the corner of N Portland and Denver (Thai Ginger) is the best I've found (non-greasy Pad Thai, rich curries). I particularly like being able to order their sea-food offerings with only mussels, my favorite. Be careful, practically everything on the menu is offered in a range of spicyness and hot is *hot*. Tue Mar 19 19:59:28 -0800 2002 12868 0 Peter Laughingwolf