adrpdx's Profile
Can't decide, Lumiere or Bishops for tonight???
Following up (better late than never). We took the wise advice of the c.h.-ers and had an incredible meal at Bishops. Between the food, the service and ten other things - one of my more memorable meals on the road. High praise. For those looking - GO!
Can't decide, Lumiere or Bishops for tonight???
In town for one night and hoping for nice fine dining experience. Love everything DB does so lean towards Lumiere, but Bishops sounds interesting and not something I can repeat in NY or other cities with a DB restuarant. From Portland, love our food scene so expect we will love BC as well. My dining partner love fine experiences but is not the most adventerous eater in the world (the vegetable palate of an 8year old....but well meaning and enjoy good cuisine so long as it doesn't involve a vegetable).
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Lumiere
2551 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K2E9, CA
Dinner for 60 in the City
I am feeding a conference full of people in August, staying at the Hotel Monaco. I am looking for a restaurant where I can have an event for 60- 80. I feed this group twice per year in different cities and am always looking for something that respects what is unique about our host city. Accordingly, Chinatown appeals to me as does any other similarly fun and interesting part of the city with great food. Please send any suggestions, budget is around $115 per person for everything.
needed: casual date spot near W Westwood that is NOT the W Westwood
In town on business and have a date. (!!) Looking for a casual spot, perhaps bar/restuarant for a Sunday night, on the late side (after 8pm). Would prefer walking around area if it exists in this area, but at least a place with great food and atmosphere with potential for a drawn out evening with some good people watching. Not crazy loud - a little conversation won't kill me.
need help with late night takeout in midtown
I will be in town on business on Friday night the 16th. Dinner won't happen until 9:30 or later and for a variety of good reasons, I want to eat in. I need reccomendations for take out near the W Tuscany (East 39th and Lex). I want something excellent and nearby that I can take back to the hotel. I am not a fan of hotel food (generally) nor roomservice (expense account no no). No must have or must not haves, just great.
In search of Berry U-Pick in PDX area
My daughter has requested pie for her birthday "cake" tomorrow. I am looking for a fun place to take my kids this afternoon (I know...forever the advance planner) to pick berries. We are in Portland metro area and I would rather not drive for hours to accomplish this. I know it is early in the season, any ideas out there?
Input on breakfast/lunch caterers for an event for 40
I will be in Boston for a professional event in februrary and am charged with arranging caterers for our various educational programs. I have the following names from a local contact and would appreciate any feedback that my fellow chowhounders might have. Thanks from Portland Oregon.
Bakers Best
Corporate Bite
Jule's Catering
Sam LsGrassa's
Chacarero
Portland CH needs help for three nights in Burlingame
I am a Palo Alto native living in Portland Oregon and will be stuck at the SF airport Westin for three days next week in order to take the California Bar exam. I will only survive this experience if I can get out for a decent meal and good glass of wine (note glass, not bottle - this is a three day exam!). I will be in the exam until 5pm at the SM expo center. I need good, low key and relaxing meals and have the typical c.h. requests of local, fresh, thoughtful food. When I left town 15 years ago there was no such thing anywhere near the SF airport hotel zone, I hope and assume this has changed. Please point me to nice spots that will get me happily fed and in bed at a reasonable hour. Under these circumstances, cost is not an issue. I have rental car and reasonable left-over knowledge of the geography heading south, not so much north. Thanks and, note to others...do not take a second bar exam 10 years later - once is enough.
kid friendly restaurants
If you are talking Portland, we have always enjoyed Justa Pasta at 19 and Pettygrove. It is an order at the counter place with good counter side seating for kids to watch "the cookers" . The food is easily kid adaptable but not standard kid menu crap. As for the parents, a nice glass of wine and a menu that you will really enjoy. The food is simple but well executed, fresh and thoughtful. I still think it is the best chicken parm. in the western world. super spicey from tons of garlic and chile oil. I get lost in it while my toddlers eat pasta with bolognese or alfredo sauce and limonattas. perfect balance. The noise level is just right to where I am not stressing out about how my children are acting but it is not a Red Robin either. My kids are learning how to behave in a restaurant without expecting them to be something they are not. and...Roland the owner is eye candy.
Where does a southerner get grits near Lincoln Center?
A southern colleague on a professional listserve who will be meeting at Fordham law school in August has posted the following question: "What are the odds... that I will be able to get grits with my eggs and sausage at breakfast in NYC (Northern Yankee Country)?"
So far he has received quippy answers from the listserve. I thought I might find a real answer from my fellow chowhounders in the know. Thanks, ADR in portland Oregon.
2 Nights in Portland
many moons ago when I worked in law enforcement we used to enjoy late night dining at Touche on Glisan. The late crowd is fun and, although not the finest dining in the city, the food was really good and much better than Shari's! Monday night, however...you should call and check.
At which hotel are you staying? some have good restaurants and - another law enforcement hold back - bar dining in Portland can be a lot of fun. Great bar food can be found at many downtown hotel bars or at Hubers and any of the steak houses. I would check hours at Gaucho, Mortons, Ruth Chris etc...the usual suspects. Although the rest of their food does not thrill me, onion rings at the RedStar bar (Hotel Monaco) at midnight is damn yummy.
Finally, the real late night dining secret in Portland - that anyone who works graveyard will tell you, is the original hotcake house on 10th and Powell on the eastside. If you go, say hello to Portland's finest in uniform.
Need a phenomenal dining experience in Portland for 20 clients.
I think Lucier is the perfect fit for what you describe. I had 7 for business there last week and it was perfect. They have a private dining area that will take your crowd, but I would call sooner rather than later. The food is incredible, seasonal and regional (with a little french angle), the setting is amazing Portland and they have the space and staff to handle a group your size without stretching.
[PDX] Portland, Pearl District - 1st time, need recommendation for one dinner
Go to the new Lucier. See me earlier post, great new Portland spot.
PDX - Lucier
I mispoke - the amazing halibut was sitting on pork belly and vanilla leek something something...even cooler.
PDX - Lucier
I have not tried the tasting menu but agree that the price (150 or 175 I think) looks reasonable for what was on the sample menu that we were able to peak at.
I completely agree with Hanny's assesment, we too had a coveted invitation this past weekend and I was very skeptical that Portland would be interested in a restaurant that had table captains - but the service was very genuine. Nothing obnoxious, just really classy, really good service. The food, however, was the total stand out. Often beautiful places that are near to over the top have dissapointing food - not so at Lucier. We also had the ribeye. I too never order it in a restaurant for the same reason noted above, but like many husbands, mine could not resist. It was phenomenal and I will order it on my next visit. For our apps we tried the lobster salad which was great buttery perfect lobster requiring nothing more than a fork to be sublime, and the squab - perfect. My entre was the halibut served on my favorite food fad of all time, pork belly, and a celeric puree. Like Hanny's description of the carpacio - flavors like I would have not have imagined were amazing. I could not be more enthusiastic and I encourage portlanders who love our crowded chalkboard menu, t-shirt chef restaurants (which I love) to set aside preconceived notions and give it a whirl - you will not be dissapointed.
I was also really impressed with the wine paring talent. The choices were beautiful, chosen for pairing and not because the sommelier got a deal from the distributer (case in point, a 2001 Panther Creek Pinot reserve generously poured).
go go go.
Seafood shacks and/or kid friendly in Cannon Beach vicinity? Sidetrip to Mt St Helens?
Definitely hit the Lazy Susan for breakfast in Canon Beach. It is a town staple and you (benedict galore) your husband (amazing omelettes) and your kids (ginger bread pancakes with lemon sauce, pears and whipped cream) will be happy you did.
In terms of seafood, Ecola works well for my family (my kids are even younger) because it is rowdy and there are fish hanging all over the place. The chowder is great and kid friendly.
JP's will be your best bet for all around good meal with a glass of wine for you. It used to be at the Cannon Beach hotel and was a little nicer then - but not as child friendly. Now it is on the main drag and they have accessible stuff for kids but still a nice, fresh meal for the adults. Get a reservation if you are there in peak periods.
The absolute best meal in town is at the Bistro, but you might have a hard time convincing your kids. Give it a whirl though, it wont hurt them and the place is casual and dark so if they misbehave you won't be miserable.
The Oregon coast (at least that part of it) is not a food meca, we tend to buy our seafood at Bell Bouy in Seaside or at Ecola and cook in at our rental.
Finally, last month's issue of Portland magazine had a great spread on eating and touring up and down the coast, complete with restaurant reccomendations (they seemed to have skipped Cannon and Seaside, but what did I tell you?). It is worth getting a hold of a copy before you make the trip.
Italian Dinner for 20 PDX
It is worth a call to Piazza Italia. It is a small place but they could manage the group if the decided they were willing. Definitely call and talk to them about it. This is a reasonable priced, incredibly good,very authentic simple Italian place that would suit a group of athletes well. There is "football" regalia all over the place and, if there is an Italian playing soccer anywhere in the world, it is usually on the flat screens. I believe that they were the hosts of the Italian house at the Salt Lake Olympics - so definitely a sport friendly hangout without the sports bar feel. You can all get there by streetcar.
How is Andina in Portland?
Andina is great and pretty different. I am not usually a small plates fan, but I make an exception for Andina's bar. It is a great place with nice music and their small plate samples make a great meal and are very diverse. It is also well located for some after dinner wandering around.
In terms of your other options, Jakes is a letdown - pretty much hotel food these days. Higgins is great and a showcase of the region. If you are looking for low key and are willing to wait for a spot, the burger in the Higgins bar is life changing. Mingo is great and always has been, you can't go wrong there. It is tight and often there is a line out the door.
Other thought is Fenoiul (french in the Pearl) and Clarklewis.
Enjoy your visit.
