623059 Wed May 27 14:17:48 -0700 2009 9 4 Pacific Northwest 0 4719736 Graduation is coming up and my family is coming to town. Friday night - more cautious eaters, some place not too loud, group of 5-6 Saturday afternoon - I want to go somewhere for lunch that is casual, so that people can straggle in (probably a bar). There will be 10 family members (all over 21) and then around 10 friends who will come at one point or another. Someplace with easy parking would be preferred but not necessary - also graduation is at the Rose Garden, so maybe somewhere close? Saturday night - this will be more of a dining experience, parents are chefs so great food is a must, somewhere fun! Group of 6. Sunday - I'm thinking Kenny & Zukes for brunch... Some places I'm considering: Nuestra Cocina Oba Andina Pok Pok Tanuki Park Kitchen Paley's Place Toro Bravo Casa del Matador (for Sat. lunch?) East Burn (for Sat. lunch?) Wed May 27 14:17:48 -0700 2009 323482 krazee 1 4719841 Tanuki is tiny. I recommend highly! TB worth it but not so easy with larger groups. K & Z a great idea. Go either early or late. This applies to pretty much any popular weekend brunch place. What constitutes "close" to Rose Garden? The immediate area is pretty bad, with Red Robin being the typical place. Pok Pok is a great idea. I see Park Kitchen as form over substance. Things look good but that's about it. I also suggest Biwa & Alberta St Oyster Bar. Wed May 27 14:50:43 -0700 2009 4719736 13853 Leonardo 1 4720323 Toro Bravo gets my vote for Saturday night. Yes there will be a wait but it's some of the tastiest food in town...with a celebratory vibe...and 6 isn't that many people. Andina's special too, if you want something quieter. And their happy hour is unbeatable. For the non-adventurous Friday nighters there's always Italian...say Three Doors Down? Or Castagna? (The cafe can get noisy but the restaurant is delish and sedate.) Tabla is a bit cheaper and nice, too. If the weather's nice on Saturday, you may want to consider the patio at Merriwether's for your lunch. The food leaves something to be desired (last I had it, anyway) but it's such a great space to hang out as people come and go.... Congrats and have fun! Wed May 27 17:43:13 -0700 2009 4719736 323540 denisedsPDX 2 4720850 Yeah, I was gonna suggest Tabla - great food, great prices, nice wine/drink/beer options. Not too fancy, not too downscale either, and has good choices across meat/fish/veg options. There's also the new Laurelhurst Market (E. Burnside and 31st). It just opened last week but the menu looks awesome. I'm going on Friday, I think, I'll report back. Wed May 27 21:07:53 -0700 2009 4720323 11210 JillO 1 4720928 Add DAVIS STREET TAVERN to your list of possibles- might be good for the Friday night meal. Wed May 27 22:10:26 -0700 2009 4719736 11440 MyNextMeal 2 4721565 OMG, how could I forget about that, absolutely DST. What a great place with delicious food and drink! Thu May 28 07:38:01 -0700 2009 4720928 11210 JillO 1 4736786 So we've decided on Lauro Kitchen on Division for dinner on Friday. For Saturday night though, still choosing between: Paley's Place Carlyle Ten 01 Toro Bravo Park Kitchen Opinions on these places? I'm leaning towards Paley's Place... Tue Jun 02 14:27:00 -0700 2009 4719736 323482 krazee 2 4736964 I love Paley's. It is quiet and intimate. On the other hand TB is just outstanding, but it can be noisy and the wait long. The food and drinks will have you in awe. Ten 01 has gone downhill since the chef change. Tue Jun 02 15:33:12 -0700 2009 4736786 13853 Leonardo 2 4738018 Five of us had dinner last week in the garden at Carlyle. It was charming, and you get the whole thing to yourselves. We ordered off the menu (which was wonderful, as usual) but it is worth noting (as you have chefs in tow) that they do a 5 course tasting menu for $65.00. Wed Jun 03 01:17:06 -0700 2009 4736786 60534 Kim D 1 4737046 toro bravo, hands down. Tue Jun 02 16:01:42 -0700 2009 4719736 18267 samtron608