Ireland is known for many things, but cuisine ain’t one of them. Considering that the Irish subsist entirely on a diet comprised of whiskey, Lucky Charms, and colorful storytelling, it’s no great loss that many of Portland’s Irish establishments only loosely comply with food traditions from the green island. What’s more, you’ll be able to […]
Uncategorized
Posted inUncategorized
Everything to Everyone
East Burn Stretches Itself Thin
Located in the old Nocturnal space, East Burn has many things going for it— and a couple things that remain just out of its grasp. With an upscale dining room upstairs and a game-filled rec room in the basement, East Burn attempts to be all things to all people, and, to be fair, it hits […]
Posted inUncategorized
Happy Hours
Want us to list your happy hour? Email ahallett@portlandmercury.com Gold Dust Meridian, 3267 SE Hawthorne, 239-1143, Mon-Fri 2-8 pm, $3 pints, $3 wells, $1 off wine, $2-4 food specials Space-age bachelor pad-themed bar has an excellent happy hour, with deviled eggs, mac ‘n’ cheese, and soup/salad/sandwich combo. The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, 239-9292, daily 5-7 […]
Posted inUncategorized
Could Be Worse
[Insert Ninja Turtles Joke Here]
Leonardo’s isn’t going to make it onto any critical best-of lists anytime soon, with a menu of passable Italian dishes dressed up with bells and whistles that aren’t fooling anyone into thinking the food is better than it actually is. (Pine nuts! Dried cranberries!) The place is mediocre, but inoffensively so—and considering that Leonardo’s is […]
Posted inUncategorized
Happy Hours
Edge of Belmont, 3350 SE Morrison, 971-230-3343, daily 4-6:30 pm, 10 pm-midnight, $1.50 PBR, all other beers $2-3, $3 wells, $3 food New bar promises “eclecticism and good music.” Side Door, 425 SE Washington, 233-8553, daily 4-6 pm, 10 pm-midnight, 20-ounce beers for the price of a pint Friendly, easily overlooked little watering hole serves […]
Posted inUncategorized
Too Good to Be True
Another Portland Success Story
It’s a typical Portland story, and one that seems too good to be true. A couple starts selling food at the farmers’ market, attracting a clutch of groupies every week. They open their own café in a decidedly untrendy part of town. Most everything is made from scratch, including homemade ice cream, with other goods […]
Posted inUncategorized
The New Matador
Not that Smoky One on Burnside
At the new Casa del Matador on NW 23rd, the vision is studied, the food is perfected Tex-Mex, and the drinks are boozy and reasonably priced. Perhaps this is because they have five locations from Seattle to Portland, which keeps costs down and the menu consistent. I really don’t know because I’ve never run a […]
Posted inUncategorized
Just Because It’s Sustainable
Feel-Good Eating at Trébol
At this point, it’s become de rigueur for any new restaurant that takes itself seriously to tout its reliance on local and sustainable ingredients. This occasionally permits “feel-good” eating (as opposed to “taste-good” eating), provoking such justifications from the diner as, “Doesn’t it feel good to gnaw on this winter salad of greens with the […]
Posted inUncategorized
Happy Hours
Trébol, 4835 N Albina, 517-9347, daily 5-6:30 pm, 9 pm-close, $2-6 food, $4 selected cocktails Seasonal salads, quesadillas, and mini pork sandwiches on the cheap. Bara Sushi, 2625 SE 21st, Ste. B, 233-4100, Sun-Fri 5-6:30 pm, plus all day Tues Half off salads and buy-one-get-one-free house sushi rolls at this tiny sushi joint tucked into […]
Posted inUncategorized
Happy Hours
Galaxy, 909 E Burnside, 234-5003, low-priced drink menu from open-8 pm daily Hoppin’ Eastside karaoke bar. Gilt Club, 306 NW Broadway, 222-4458, Mon-Fri 5-6:30 pm, $5 cocktail specials, $5 wine, $2.50 Stella, $2-5 food menu Cheap fancy food, like manchego fritters, duck confit, and roasted beet salad. Gladstone Street Pub, 3737 SE Gladstone, 775-3502, daily […]
Posted inUncategorized
More Than Meatballs
Broder Sets a Scandinavian Table
Last year I traveled to Sweden to get a taste of the country my great grandmother emigrated from. Known in family lore for her delicious recipes from the old country, her cooking was passed down through two generations, landing routinely on my childhood dinner table. Thus prepared, I eagerly dined at what I hoped were […]
Posted inUncategorized
Star Crossed
Cosmic Misalignment at Virgo & Pisces
Even before setting foot inside Virgo & Pisces, which has recently staked out the corner of NW 21st and Glisan, there were warning signs. The restaurant’s website, for example, advertises “Northwest cuisine with a Pan-Asian flair.” Eep. A few years behind the curve on that one, guys. Or how about “Your horoscope-themed restaurant and bar […]