Vancouver Hound's first trip to Portland -- help a hungry elf out?

[grayelf]

Dear Portland Hounds:
I’ve been feverishly researching the embarrassment of riches that is the Portland dining scene in preparation for our first trip together to your fair city from Feb 29 to Mar 4 (Wed night to Sun afternoon).
My list of options is at 17 pages (!) and counting. Since we only have 4 lunches, 4 dinners and assorted snacks, I am asking for your help to narrow things down. Many thanks for any suggestions you may have.

We’re staying in the Pearl District and will have a car, but are happy to walk and take your lovely free transit. Also keen to try your vaunted street food offerings, and generally interested in big flavours and good value over décor and such. Not sure if dinners at the street carts are doable/recommended – I note some are only open for lunch, and on weekdays.

We have a dearth of good Thai and Mexican here in Vancouver so those are two things on our radar. Particularly love classic tacos (tiny double tortillas, meat, onion, cilantro, lime, great salsas). We also suffer from strict rules making it very difficult to serve burgers to order so contemplating trying one out. We have lots of Vietnamese at home but are always on the hunt for harder-to-come by bo luc lac (shaking beef) and/or thit kho to (porc au caramel).

Prolly not looking for Chinese or Japanese this time around.

It will mostly just be the two of us though we will be joining two friends one evening so a “nicer” place with gluten-free options would be grand. We don’t have a ceiling for $$ but maybe something around $50 or $60 per person before drinks and tip.

Generally not fans of lineups and will be looking for reservations for dinners.

Saturday we may hit the farmers market and check out Pine State biscuits.

SO is big on third wave coffee and it would be a shame to miss out as you have so many great options. How are Barista, Ristretto, Extracto, Coffeehouse Northwest, Sterling and Spella holding up? Any others I've missed?

Here are the places that are standing out for me, but I’m open to other considerations, and to excising bad options.

Lunches:
Tabor (weekdays only) – hello schnitzelwich!
Pok Pok – avoid the crazy lines by going at lunch?
¿Por Que No? – must tries here? The crispy snapper tacos sound worthy…
Bora Bora – la llorona! tacos ahogados!
Helser’s – the SO’s been and enjoyed; avoiding Sunday here re lines
Lardo – porchetta!
Taqueria Antojitos Yucatecos – panuchos! salbutes!
Sandwich Island – kalua pork!

Dinner (with friends):
South Park
Metrovino
Wildwood
Andina
Petisco
Dinner (just us):
Kesone Thai Lao Bistro - nam kao!! spinach leaf appetizers with red onion and spices! tried Lao food in Oakland last November, still dreaming about it…
Cha Ba Thai (Same owner as Red Onion)
Chiang Mai
Mee Sen
A really good burger, not sure which of the many options to choose, maybe Violetta
Po’Shines Cafe de la Soul
Puerto Marquez – ceviche ! seafood ! not really in Gresham!
Pambiche Cuban

Breakfast/brunch on Sunday:
Autentica: Chilaquiles!
Broder – aebleskivers!
Beast

Snacks:
Ken’s Artisan Bakery – croissants for the SO!
Pix Patisserie

beverages/happy hours:
Teardrop Cocktail Lounge
Matchbox Lounge - the $5 burg!

[grayelf]

Sorry to bug y'all again but we're thinking of going in a different direction for Saturday dinner. If you had to choose between Gruner and Tabla (for the three-course prix fixe, loving that it's three savoury courses!) and were going to Metrovino the night before, which would you choose? I know all three are relatively upscale but which two would complement each other best back-to-back?

[jonoropeza]

Well greyelf, how did you find our city? Tasty I hope?

[grayelf]

It was a great trip, so much fun we were already planning our next foray halfway through! We definitely want to check out the summer farmers' market(s) among many other things. You will be sorry you asked when I post my looooong report.

[LotusRapper]

Hey Grayelf,

We're headed down to PDX sometime mid-March (during spring break), so I'll be cribbing your research and follow-ups here :-D

Haven't been for 10 yrs or so, therefore I'm completely starting from scratch with foodie destinations. But I know Pok Pok and Pine State Biscuits will be definite targets, as are the food trucks.

[melissa511]

You can get reservations at Pok Pok if your group is five or more! Go to the website for the phone number. They're very helpful.

My family and I did this recently and had a great time. Make sure someone order Ike's wings and khao soi.

[grayelf]

Alas, just two of us this time but thanks for the tip. My SO actually went to Pok Pok and had the wings on a work trip earlier this year. He's been holding out on me :-).

[sedimental]

I just went to Pok Pok for lunch on a Saturday a few weeks ago- no line, no wait at all.

The line for Pine State Biscuit however-was out the door and down the street. Forget it. We walked to Circa 33 right up the street (Belmont) for "brunch". Had a great meal and wonderful hand crafted "old school" brunchy cocktails. Their Ramos Gin Fizz (circa 1882) with egg whites was fabulous....it worked out well! Sometimes unplanned things are a blessing :)

[Sarah]

Yet another site to check out -- hope it helps!
http://pdx.eater.com/

[grayelf]

Thanks for reminding me that Eater does Portland too -- I use it for San Francisco already!

[grayelf]

Me again with a Mexi-quandary: are any of these places good for a sit-down meal on a Saturday night? Doesn't have to be fancy just indoor tables (and good food obviously!). The ability to make reservations would be gravy. Other ideas gratefully considered. TIA

La Bonita in the Pearl
La Calaca Comelona in Sunnyside
La Catrina in Goose Hollow/Downtown
Los Gorditos in Southeast Portland
Puerto Marquez in almost-Gresham (stick to seafood)

In case anyone's keeping track (ha!) I bailed on Auntentica because a) they only have chilaquiles rojos 2) the dinner prices are too rich for my blood for this meal and nothing really appeals.

[JillO]

Go to Mi Mero Mole. I know the owner, but I am recommending it because the food is so good and you have probably not had the guisados he makes. Handmade, fresh tortillas and good drinks too:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mi-Mer...

[grayelf]

Thanks, I've read something about MMM, will check it out more fully. I like their fb page, though the pic makes it look like a street cart.

[grayelf]

Thinking hard about Mi Mero. I have had guisados in DF yonks and I tend to prefer the drier preps for tacos, but it's v. tempting.

So far none of the Mexican places that aren't stands or trucks are really calling to me. If anyone else has any thoughts, I'd appreciate them.

I just read a thread from another Canuck coming to Pdx and I may revise my Saturday night plans. JillO, you are on a roll! Your description of Tanuki has made me reconsider and add it to my list for next time (I think it would be best to go on a weeknight with no resos and my line aversion, no?).

Also you mention that Podnah's Pit is more about the meat than the sauce. Would it be okay for a Saturday night sitdown but not fancy dinner? I was thinking about Po'Shines but if Podnah's is better (less sauce reliant)... but would the wait/line be really long?

[JillO]

Thanks...I don't often have the time at work to do stuff like that, and we get so many requests on this board for recs, rather than the chat being among locals, that it gets a bit monotonous...so good on ya for looking at the other threads!

If you really want to see what the locals are chatting about restaurant-wise, I am one of the moderators here: http://portlandfood.org/

Tanuki is small. I have never had to wait, but I go early...I too hate the lines. I find that if I can get my butt to most places by 5:45-6pm I can usually get a seat. It's always harder on the weekends. Tanuki is a trip and the food is amazing, as is the sake list. Worth it, even if you sit at the bar instead of a table. If you like beer, Roscoe's which is right near there has a killer tap list with some local, some not, to check out.

Po' Shines is on my list to try, but I have never been there. I am not sure what the wait is like at Podnah's on a Sat. night - but like I said, the earlier you are willing to eat, usually the less chance of a wait. Podnah's is really a Texas style BBQ joint with some good sides (and on the weekends, you can get the prime rib, which is freakin' awesome) - Po' Shines is more of an overall soul food cafe. Check out the menus - if you want BBQ brisket, pork ribs, prime rib, etc. definitely Podnah's - but if you want po boys or shrimp creole it's Po' Shines. Location might make a difference, so maybe mapping them will be the decider...

[grayelf]

Thanks to you both (indeed, all the respondents!) for persevering with this gastrotourist's questions. I have read back a fair way on portlandfood.org and it has been very helpful, not to mention reading back a year and a half at least on this board.

Roscoe's and Tanuki are both solidly on the radar. My quest for reservations has been largely foiled as it seems very few places (or at least, places I am interested in) take them in Portland. I may have to rethink when we are eating -- maybe a bit later would be better, as early is not what we're used to. I don't think I've ever had Texas bbq so that would be interesting.

I had already read the article that you linked to, but thanks extramsg. I mentioned somewhere in this thread that I'm not a fan of fusion, notwithstanding the good points made by various chefs in the article. For example, the enchiladas covered with mounds of cheese and jalapeno I read about at LCC really put me off it for that reason. I do get that better ingredients equal higher prices, it's just that I'm looking for dishes more similar to what I was used to while traveling in Mexico. So I guess I'll either have to change my expectations or stick to the more casual places, or wait for Fruitvale in April :-).

Planning on lunch at Kesone just for the nam khao (I want to sample another Lao version) and Chiang Mai for a weekday dinner to get their take on it plus some more Thai options.

[extramsg]

I'm not sure what enchiladas you're talking about, but if you're talking about the alambres, stir-fries of various sorts with tons of melted cheese, those are entirely authentic, a very popular item in central Mexico, especially Mexico City, at taco stands, taquerias, fondas, and even casual restaurants.

Fruitvale is fine, but they don't have better Mexican than Portland, just more of it. And I'd say the diversity here is better than Fruitvale (and especially The Mission, though you didn't mention it) for whatever reason. Though there is a very good suadero truck open nights along International, if you're willing to eat with hookers and drug dealers (which I am). The advantage to Fruitvale is the density, but that can be found in Hillsboro, Gresham, or Woodburn here.

But you're certainly welcome to waste any meals you like at Kesone or elsewhere. :-P

[grayelf]

Thanks for clarifying that it might have been alambres being discussed in the article I read, though the mention was of enchiladas morelianas specifically.

It's been a few years since we did a day of delicious and amazingly valued chowing in Fruitvale, and I still remember it with fondness. If Portland is doing better than that, I'm going to be very happy. My favourite torta outside of Mexico is from Torta Gorda in the Mission but that is for another board.

Now I want to know more about Hillsboro, Gresham and Woodburn.

[extramsg]

I won't comment on Mi Mero Mole, since I'm the owner, but I will try to help improve your Mexican choices. For starters, check out this list I did for the Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/inde.... Most are not in Portland-proper, though. Autentica, La Calaca Comelona, Mextiza, and Nuestra Cocina are all very worthwhile with different emphases. They're midscale and primarily dinner places, though Mextiza has very good prices at lunch and Autentica has one of my favorite weekend brunches in town. Autentica and Mextiza are owned by the same person. The quality of the ingredients and carefulness of preparation at these places earns the prices they charge, imo. As you know, Vancouver has pretty awful Mexican food, so hopefully you get some.

I wouldn't make much effort looking for a good fish taco, unless you get the pescado zarandeado at Puerto Marquez and make your own. But even with that, I'd save it for a trip to LA. Better off with ceviche or shrimp preparations at Don Camaron.

btw, there is no real second choice after Podnah's for BBQ. That said, their sauces are quite good, though if it was about sauce, I'd choose Buster's, a local chain, that is much less consistent than Podnah's, but can still be very good, especially with pork ribs, and has an excellent sauce. Having had BBQ in Vancouer a couple times, you definitely should consider it. Personally, I like Wednesdays at Podnah's because they have awesome fried chicken. They also have a great brunch on weekends.

I wouldn't bother with Kesone. They're not the only place that does nam kao tod. The best is at Chiang Mai, their kao tod nam kook with the sour sausage upgrade. And as others have said, they do a good job across the menu.

[Cynsa]

Only 17 pp? I think we can easily make it an even 20.
Add this to your 2012 calendar: July 26-29 for the Oregon Brewers Festival
http://www.oregonbrewfest.com/

for burgers:
http://portlandhamburgers.blogspot.com/

for breakfast:
btw, I also had biscuits and gravy... then, we drove to VAN after a quick stop at the border
photos attached: chicken fried steak/corned beef hash/poached eggs
Gateway Breakfast House
11411 NE Halsey St
Portland, OR 97220

our other tasty breakfast:
The Country Cat Dinnerhouse and Bar
7937 SE Stark
Portland, OR 97215
[phone]
www.thecountrycat.net/

La Estacion
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/634374

[grayelf]

Thanks for the coffee help, chalmers, much appreciated, especially pointing out which ones are Stumptown -- I've done all my restaurant research but I'm still working on triangulating coffee, beverages and snacks!

Appreciate the additional tips and links, Cynsa.
Scarily, my master to try list for Portland is now 41 pages long, six of it burger reviews. We are clearly coming back.

The Sunday breakfast choice is a stumper, so many great options in town, and of course would like to avoid waiting in a huge line. In Vancouver if you go for Sunday brunch before 10 you can mostly dodge the wait by beating the late risers. Any such rule of thumb in Portland, lovely local Hounds?

[grayelf]

Thought I'd post my current itinerary in case any bloopers had sneaked in, still waffling about Thursday and Saturday dinners:

Wednesday dinner: Violetta is super close to hotel and the burger sounds great or Noho’s Hawaiian Café – I’ve never eaten Hawaiian food or Po’Shines Cafe de la Soul – soul food seems to be a bit of a thing in Pdx, we really have none in Vancouver and this is for a good cause

Thursday breakfast: one of these coffee places Barista, Coffeehouse NW, Ristretto, Heart, Crema, Extracto, Coava, Spella, Cloud Seven, Sterling, Fresh Pot, Albina Press, Random Order, Legend

Thursday lunch: Tabor schnitzelwich or Lardo porchetta and Rockabillies for fried cheese curds 4

afternoon snacks (1 each day I hope from among the following, depending where we are): Eastmoreland Market and Kitchen for arancine, which I am obsessed with Nuvrei...the pastries, croissants and pretzels are superb (Pearl) Bunk to share a pork belly cubano Cool Moon Ice Cream Alder Pastry and Dessert Pix Pâtisserie

Thursday dinner: ????

Friday breakfast: Ken's Artisan Bakery for cannele, the breakfast of champions, or maybe a breakfast sando from Lovejoy near the hotel plus one of the coffee places listed above

Friday lunch: La Bonita for enchiladas (SO) and tacos (me), lengua and carnitas or La Calaca Comelona for conchinita pibil or enchiladas morelianas or La Catrina for gigantic exquisita torta or Los Gorditos for carne asada tacos or maybe a burrito just because I haven’t had one since 2007 or ¿Por Qué No? for sloppy but good Mexican or Puerto Marquez for almost-Gresham seafood or Taqueria El Rodeo for fish tacos or Tito's Burritos for tacos or Lonchera Brother Express for buche tacos and chalupas

Friday dinner: (with friends, need gluten free options) Higgins or Metrovino or Chiang Mai

Saturday breakfast: one of the coffee places above Saturday lunch: Sandwich Island for Hawaiian style pulled pork sandos

Saturday dinner: Kesone Thai Lao Bistro for nam kao

Sunday brunch/lunch: one of the coffee places followed by Tasty and Sons, Bakery Bar, Helser’s, Fuller’s, Hash or J&M

Sunday dinner on the road: somewhere near Seattle

DRINKS/HAPPY HOURS/BEER: Tear Drop Cocktail Lounge Beaker and Flask Thatch Tiki Bar Matchbox Lounge. Melt Hair of the Dog -- beer tasting room has decent food Bailey's -- lots of beers reasonably priced Cascade Brewing for sour ales (glueh kriek!)

[JillO]

Alder Street Pastry has closed, and that seriously sucks for us all.

[grayelf]

Augh, thanks for letting me know that and I'm sorry for the locals. I wanted to try the kouign amann there particularly (and hit Crema for coffee at the same time). Anyone know if another pastry purveyor in town makes them?

I will have to supplement my snacks list as well -- just noticed I missed a few mentioned here by you kind Pdx hounds!

[JillO]

Those kouign amann were seriously amazing. Never saw them before, don't think anyone else makes them here. And I am trying not to cry as I type. ;o)

Little T's is a great bakery - bread (pretzel bread!) and sweets (anything in the case) there are delicious, as are their sandwiches. Coffee is decent there too, butis better at a new place, Spielman's down SE Division (they also make bagels and pastries at Spielman's, but I haven't had them).

If you love chocolate, don't miss Cacao. Alma's is also great. Alma's makes their own, Cacao has stuff from locals as well as amazing imports. Cacao will also sample many of the things they sell, if you ask. Cacao sells local DePaula Confections and Sahagun stuff which are both awesome.

[grayelf]

I've only had kouign amann from Starter Bakery in San Francisco and they came pretty close to pastry perfection for me. So wish I could have tried Alder's to compare...

Little T was one of the places I was going to add to the snacks list per leonardo's post above, so thanks for the confirmation. Will add Spielman's to the coffee list.

I am not a huge choc fan but had started a sublist on my master as it seemed there were a bunch of good options in Pdx, including some but not all the ones you mentioned. Always an appropriate prezzy to bring back to the chocolate heads at home too. Starting to think it's a good thing we're driving and not flying :-).

[jonoropeza]

Little T also makes kouign amann... not every day I don't think, you may want to call ahead. They had some this morning when I was there.

[grayelf]

Duly noted, thanks jono -- I'll call the week we leave and see what their baking sked is :-).

Got another couple of ideas for our brunch, maybe going a bit more upscale than my original picks. Otto looks promising (love the Cancon in the taxidermied head from Quebec, LOL) as does Irving Street Cafe (lobster scramble?!)

Added bonus: they both appear to take reservations which makes my lineup averse self beaucoup happy.

One is run by Michigan transplants who seem to have taken to Portland, and the other has strong ties to San Francisco, our twice-yearly chowing getaway. How to decide?

[jonoropeza]

Hi Jill -

Thanks for the heads up on another great coffee shop in our neighborhood! I stopped at Spielman this morning on my way downtown. Good croissants. Their espresso seemed like a lighter roast... really nice fruitiness to it. I really like that it was a decent pull. I've been to a few places in town that have their machines set so ristretto that a single espresso turns out to be a trickle of syrup in the bottom of a cup. Spielman's single is a good 3 sips... 'goldilocks pull' in my book...

Thanks again!

[JillO]

Glad you tried them! I've been using their beans in pour-overs at home with great results. Has got to be the least trendy coffee place in town...which I kinda like. ;o)

[chalmers]

"Thursday breakfast: one of these coffee places Barista, Coffeehouse NW, Ristretto, Heart, Crema, Extracto, Coava, Spella, Cloud Seven, Sterling, Fresh Pot, Albina Press, Random Order, Legend"

I would narrow that down to Barista, Coffeehouse NW, Ristretto, Heart and Coava.

Crema is not great for coffee; Spella has no seating; Cloud Seven is better than average but not as good as nearby Barista; Sterling is the same people as Coffeehouse NW, but is just a kiosk with no seating; Fresh Pot and Albina Press are fine, but they just serve Stumptown, so you may as well go there; Random Order is great for pie but not so much for coffee; I have never heard of Legend.

If you're staying downtown, you can narrow the list even further down to Barista, Coffeehouse NW and Coava, though I would add in Courier, Public Domain, Water Avenue and Stumptown. If you're actually looking to eat (you say "breakfast"), Stumptown, Coffeehouse NW, Water Ave and Courier are probably the best for something more than a cookie and are comfortable places to sit. If you're just looking for a distinctly Portland coffee experience, I would choose Stumptown Ace (that location is brilliant Portland people watching and the couches are good), Courier, Barista (the Alberta location) or Coava.

[KevinULI]

I just want to throw this in. Pok Pok is well worth the wait. But to not go for the dinner menu is a serious shame. What I think I do is out smart the very smart Portlandites is I go at 430 and sit and have drinks until 5 when dinner is served. This way I have a good seat and Am ready to order as soon as they officially make it Dinner time. If you ask they will seat you with both menus. Just sit and watch the crowd and enjoy some of there very good drinking Vinegars.

[grayelf]

Thanks, Kevin, will keep that in mind. I had read that the daytime menu is not the same as the evening one. Just not sure we'll have the opportunity (or belly space!) to arrange such an early meal this trip. I'm certainly intrigued by the drinking vinegars, recalling the raspberry vinegar mum used to make when we were kids and wondering how they will compare to the various Taiwanese ones I have in my fridge. Am I right that much of the Pok Pok seating is outside? I wonder if we will be too cold given that we will be there at the beginning of March (yes, we are cold wimps despite being from northern climes).

[ORtastytravels]

They have seating inside but the outside seating is covered and heating lamps are on. It shouldn't be an issue. Although the lunch menu isn't as extensive as lunch, some of my favs are also on the lunch menu (Ike's wings, Yam tuna, boar collar, khao soi). If time and belly space allow, I would highly recommend it!

[Sarah]

Check out this site for their Portland reports:
http://www.bunrab.com/dailyfeed/2012J...

[grayelf]

HOTD and Bailey's added! Thanks for reminder re bunrab who I've referenced for SF.

[grayelf]

Ack, just realized I neglected in that uberlong first post to inquire about beer/breweries/tastings. The SO will not be best pleased if we miss out. So far only Cascades (for the sour beers, which are my thing) on the radar. He prefers less hoppy brews. TIA.

[cheeseisheaven]

there a so many fairly good brewers...Migration, Coalition, Burnside...and there are some good places to try other beers...I end up close to home(SE) and also Captured by Porches in the cart pod across from PokPok...there will also be local beers on tap almost anywhere you go!

[Leonardo]

True. You will find local beer everywhere. My favorite beer place: Sareveza. They also have great pasties!

[grayelf]

Thanks for the brew feedback. I am homing in on our dinner choices and will post a tighter itin in a bit for your kind thoughts. Really appreciating the help from all!

[JillO]

Less hoppy is not the easiest thing here in the land of hops...sigh. If you like sours, you will loooove Cascade, do not miss it. I'd go someplace where you can get both local and nonlocal stuff on tap like Apex, Roscoe's, Bailey's...and Green Dragon, which happens to be walking distance from Cascade!

Fancy dinner I'd go to Metrovino, Laurelhurst Market, Genoa, Nostrana. Nostrana and Laurelhurst Market are less fancy, but all are great choices.

Personally, I'd start at Roscoe's and have some beers (two nitro taps for some great creamy stouts - love that), then walk down to Tanuki for the omakase and some sake - no sushi, no kids - but like nothing you have ever had and nowhere you've ever been. Kick ass evening, just factor in a cab ride. ;o)

Love Chiang Mai, defintiely over Chaba...even, sometimes over PokPok...depends what I am in the mood for. And Pok Pok has a line at lunch even on the weekend, but it will surely be less crowded than at dinner.

Another place not mentioned but worthy of a list is Wafu, and if you ened comfort food, next door is Sunshine Tavern which is great for what they do.

Lots of info on food beer and other stuff at: www.portlandfood.org

[grayelf]

More on my beer list:

Horsbrass Pub -- lotsa micro brews on tap

Belmont Station -- unique taps

Bazi Bierbrasserie -- selection of Belgium ales, across from Chiang Mai in case there's a line, though the SO's not such a Belgian fan :-)

I've noted all the suggestions for beer emergencies, and the Green Dragon one is especially useful as it may get me my sours from Cascadia!

Also just had a quick look at portlandfood.org -- I think my list is going to top 50 pages easily once I get into it more. Thanks JillO

[jonoropeza]

Hair of the Dog is a good brewer to check out. Really unique beers. Decent food at the tasting room.

If you're downtown, Bailey's Taproom. One of the best beer bars I've been to on the West Coast, maybe *the* best considering how affordable they make it to try a lot of really good beers. Cheers -

[ORtastytravels]

Andina and Toro Bravo are some of favs to dine at with friends since you can order small (or large) plates and share!!

Paley's Place is another excellent choice!!

[Jane917]

I had my first trip to Toro Bravo over the holidays. Boy, was it good! Yes, there was a 45 minute wait....BUT we walked down a few doors to an oyster place and had a beer and oysters on the half shell. Toro Bravo called us when our table was ready.

[ORtastytravels]

There's a few bars in the area so it's nice. And yes, they'll take down your cell# and call you when your table is ready! I love that!!

[cheeseisheaven]

You have an amazing list! Andina was one of my favorite dining experiences, great food and great service...
To add to your list, since you are in the Pearl, don't miss Nuvrei...the pastries, croissants and pretzels are superb. Cool Moon Ice Cream is also outstanding
There are always lines at Pok Pok..don't be deterred...and Chiang Mai is delightful..
Autentica is delish, don't miss Tasty and Sons for Brunch...best times are during the week.
The fried muenster @ Tabor is heaven...
you may want to check portlandfood.org for best burger...extramsg did a burger extravaganza, and tried all the burgers around town.
when you go to Lardo..Rockabillies nearby has fried cheese curds....a little out of the way, but... Cocina de Chepe has amazing papusas...check them out @ foodcartsportland.com

Enjoy!!!

[grayelf]

Thanks for the tip on Nuvrei, totally missed that. I have Cool Moon on the "big" list but was thinking maybe not in Feb ;-).

I did grab that best burger list, so many awesome choices...

"Fried cheese curds" -- say what, will have to try that out.

[Leonardo]

Excellent list.
If you want Pine State Biscuits you'll have to go to their two eastside shops. They are not at the winter Portland Farmers Market. Actually the PFM will be closed altogether for the first two Saturdays of March, between the first-ever winter markets and the main season spring-December. Boo on your timing. Sorry.
Bars: Beaker & Flask, Teardrop, and Thatch Tiki Bar on the eastside.
Kesone is a perfect non-touristy choice.
Other snacks: Coco Donuts (get the "coco"), Little T Bakery, BakeShop (owner got a James Beard award for her book).

Have fun. Please report!

[grayelf]

Thanks so much for the additional suggestions and especially the market clarification! I was getting the farmers market mixed up with http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com...

Sad that I can't do the real thing. Is the crafty one worth bothering with either for food and/or browsing? I do enjoy a good craft fair... but it's really about the snacks ;-).

Love the classic look of Coco -- any thoughts on the apple fritters there? The SO would be so thrilled to find a good one.

Appreciate the confirmation on Kesone as well. I would probably go no matter what in my nam-khao withdrawn state but it would be a shame to waste a night on a bad meal.

I am struggling a bit with our "nice" dinner out. Kinda had my heart set on Andina (another thing we have virtually none of here is Peruvian food, and I'm always up for so-called ethnic eats) but didn't realize it was so fusiony. South Park's seafood slant and locavore action looks good though the website is kinda corporate and off putting. Metrovino is maybe too cool for us (we are nerdy and in our mid/late 40s). I can't get the Wildwood sample dinner menu to work but lunch looks interesting if a bit light on the gluten-free options for our friend. I know the Petisco menu changes frequently but I'm not really feeling the sample one posted. Damn gluten! Maybe we'll just go to Chiang Mai or Mee Sen. It seems to be easier at Thai restos to avoid the gluten than at other Asian, at least here at home, and excepting Japanese which we aren't in need of.

Might there be a good Mexican spot we could try that is still "authentic" (sorry to use the A-word) but would work for a more leisurely sitdown, specialish meal?

[cheeseisheaven]

The food @ Andina was great..and it is a great fancy dinner. South Park and Metrovino are fancy..I wouldn't call Metrovino "too,cool", and the service there is fantastic...You could also look at the menu's of Aviary and Castagna for your fancy dinner...they have some great platings. Castagna was my 2nd favorite all time dinner after Blue Hill @ Stone Barns.

[grayelf]

Thanks for the steer to Aviary, cih, hadn't run across it yet. The chefs seem to have quite the pedigree.

I guess my problem is I don't really want fancy! I am such a plebe, I never seem to appreciate the finer dining options I try as much as others do. I'm more into neighbourhoody restaurants where people go once a month for a special but not occasion meal if that makes any sense. Those are the places I like at home and in SF, the two places I eat most meals out! Examples would be La Buca in Vancouver and Canteen in SF if you are interested.

I am back to leaning toward Andina because we have almost no Peruvian and it does get great feedback, including on service which is a nice bonus, but I am also reconsidering Metrovino. Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick on the ambiance there! I emailed South Park late last night to check on the gf options and got a very positive response at 9 am today. So getting somewhere slowly. I want to lock down a reso soon as we are looking at a Friday for this dinner.

[Leonardo]

Yes Southpark is pretty corporate.
Castagna is a great idea, also Wildwood. Also consider Higgins or Paley's. These are the revered grandaddies of PDX locovore fine dining.
More snacks: Sugar Cube at the cart pod 43rd & SE Belmont. Really special.
Welcome on the distinction between PFM and Portland Saturday Mkt. Won't comment on the craft thing 'cuz this is a food board, but the food bites the big one.
Richmond Night Mkt it ain't.
You used my two least-loved food terms in one posting: authentic and ethnic. Well at least a thanks for the apology...hahaha...

[cheeseisheaven]

Aviary is not fancy, just delicious...but Andina is solid...it can be a bit loud, as in festive and is usually packed...so reso is important!

Let us know what you liked!

[grayelf]

South Park is prolly out as I just found out one of our friends is not big on seafood (!). So now I'm thinking either Metrovino or Aviary, if I can get reservations at one of them. It would be nice to have a more mellow atmosphere so we can really chat, so thanks for the note on Andina ambiance.

Higgins' dinner menu had me at "Whole Pig Plate" so that's deffo in the mix as well, thanks. And I realize that these restaurants are ethnic in their own way. I just haven't figured out a good epithet to distinguish them from the type of dining I generally prefer (Asian, Mexican, Greek, Italian etc. etc).

Would love to try Toro Bravo but I'm way too lineup averse, especially for dinner. I just get too grumpy and then I don't appreciate the food.