651235 Wed Sep 09 13:36:55 -0700 2009 6 4 Pacific Northwest 0 5017106 hi chowhounds- trying to decide for a dinner at either sel gris, le pigeon, or laurelhurst market. which is best for a combination of food and ambience? recommendations for must-haves at your locale of choice are also much appreciated! thanks very much in advance! Wed Sep 09 13:36:55 -0700 2009 1093577 amusebouche729 1 5017593 wow, those are three of the most different restaurants I can think of. Its a bit like asking which is better, sweet cream butter or a pogo stick. lol If "most quintessentially portland" restaurant is part of your criteria, I would say Laurelhurst Market is going to be your best bet. It also doesnt hurt that the food is outstanding and the prices are very fair. hope this helped in some small way. Wed Sep 09 16:11:05 -0700 2009 5017106 39457 nkeane 2 5017679 This is an honest question, not trying to be rude: Having not been to laurelurst market for dinner, what makes it quintessentially portland? Wed Sep 09 16:49:41 -0700 2009 5017593 37834 dagrassroots 3 5018283 spare/diy type decor(open ceiling, open kitchen, big windows/airy feel), local products used extensively, great cocktail program(seems to be PDX's new thing), etc.... Its one of those places that hit the ground running and seems like it has been open and rocking for 3 years not 3 months. Go, and tell me its not "portland" through and through. Wed Sep 09 20:55:00 -0700 2009 5017679 39457 nkeane 1 5019255 I really like the food at all three--the ambiance is QUITE different, however. Sel Gris, IMHO, has the most formal atmosphere, although it's not at all stuffy. You will feel that you are in a "nice" restaurant, however. Le P is the most casual, with mostly communal seating. While the waitstaff has always been very competent when I've been there, they aren't very formal and are apt to have tattoos and piercings. I would say that LM is somewhere in between the two--with a butcher shop at the entrance, I can't say that it's terribly formal, but I think it doesn't have the hint of scruffiness that I get from Le P. I wouldn't say that the atmosphere is better or worse at any of these, only that it's quite different--which one you'd enjoy the most depends on your preferences. Thu Sep 10 09:13:28 -0700 2009 5017106 13306 Nettie 1 5021737 As a foodie, you can say what you want about decor, ambience etc, Le pigeon stopped me in my tracks on the food. Could of been one of the overall best meals I have had. From the pork belly and Fried Green Tomato to the Fois/avacado Terrine to the pork Shoulder and peaches to the hamachi and shrimp and the Foie profiteroles. Everything was spot on, seasoning, cooking methods, consistency. The portions here are a little bigger so don't go crazy with ordering. We will be back for sure!! Fri Sep 11 07:15:47 -0700 2009 5017106 1106372 FoodandWineGuy 1 5023522 I find that the ambience at each is a reflection of the food. Sel Gris is a bit more modern, Laurelhurst more casual and Le Pigeon very classic. All are among Portland's best, so it's a matter of preference. For what it's worth, I'm at Laurelhurst Market much much more often than the other two. Fri Sep 11 18:07:12 -0700 2009 5017106 50350 SauceSupreme