Columbia Gorge recommendations for lunch?

[hc489]

Day tripping from Portland but need to get back to pdx in time for Paley's Place for a birthday dinner st 5. (back to portland by 4 at thd latest to get cleaned up).

Recommendations on the route and lunch? Picnic or lodge? Multnomah falls? Ska mania? Can/should we make it to Hood River for lunch?

Btw we have two young kids with us. They're great eaters: little chow hounds already.

[LotusRapper]

If you're up the Gorge anyway (as opposed to driving up just for the sake of lunch), I can recommend Everybody's Brewing in White Salmon (right on the main drag). Small simple menu (it's a brewpub) with offerings dedicated to kids. Can't recall what I ate specifically (we were there last August) but had good times for all.

Or Solstice Wood Fire Cafe (pizzas etc) in Bingen, down the hill from White Salmon. Our son (a pizza fiend) loved their pizzas.

Over at Hood River, we had a great lunch at Celilo, a more "refined" establishment but had very affordable lunches around $10 mark.

Generally Hood River has way more options being a bigger town with its touristy "hustle and bustle". But White Salmon (where we stayed with our friends for a week) is nice and quiet with its own special charm and a great view of the river.

[hc489]

Thanks. So should we just stay in Portland instea of driving up just for a lunch / morning trip?

[LotusRapper]

That's your call. IIRC it's only about 90 mins each way (take Route 84 on the south side of river, not #14 on the north side). On way back to PDX your kids can play in the park where the Cascade Locks sternwheeler is.

[hc489]

Thanks LotusRapper! We will play it by ear re: Gorge trip but will definitely get some good eats in. We are planning Ocean City and Paleys Place for sure so far.

[LotusRapper]

If time permits when you're in PDX, check out Pok Pok:

http://www.pokpokpdx.com/

We were there in March. It was just as good as the hype:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajJkFg...

[hc489]

Yes! We were there in April. Ocean city tonight: salt and pepper shrimp, Peking duck, snow pea shoots, sampan spare ribs. All hit the spot.

Hit the meadow for chocolates and himalayan sea salt block too.

[LotusRapper]

Thems lucky kids ! :-)

[Sushiqueen36]

The Gorge is a beautiful drive and worth taking the "scenic route" along the Old Columbia Gorge Hwy (look for signs off I84 after Troutdale). If it were me, I would grab a picnic lunch from one of the wonderful grocers or sandwich shops in Portland (New Seasons, Zupan's, Meat Cheese Bread, Kenny & Zuke's, Bunk...) and stop for a picnic at Vista House or Multnomah Falls.

[syrahgirl]

Full Sail Brewing is a nice place for lunch in Hood River. They have a great outdoor patio there and great food. We were in Portland last Wed. and enjoyed another wonderful lunch at Portland City Grill. Little Bird Bistro is another one of our favorites in downtown Portland. :)