The 5th Quadrant is owned by Jerry Fechter, who is also responsible for the New Old Lompoc (on NW 23rd), and the Hedge House (on SE Division)—both of which happen to be home to my favorite bar food in town. Some drinkeries might have cooler ambience (though few are more approachable), and others might have […]
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Happy Hours
My Father’s Place, 523 SE Grand, 235-5494, 5-7 pm daily, 25 cents off well drinks, pints, and bottles At Portland’s most reliable hipster dive bar, the prices are so cheap to begin with, this happy hour is almost negligible. But you should hang out here anyway. The 5th Quadrant, 3901-B N Williams, 288-3996, 4-6 pm […]
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Risky Business
Rafael’s Takes on NE 37th & Sandy
The building on the south side of 37th and NE Sandy doesn’t have a reputation for being lucky. Replacing a strip club, the Blackbird managed to crash and burn there, despite consistently hosting some of the best rock shows in town. And it perhaps goes without saying that the next business to take up residence […]
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The Trouble with Pasta
Here’s a Hint: It’s Cheap
Pasta is a difficult item to take seriously in the cutthroat world of fine dining. Anyone can boil spaghetti and heat up some store-bought marinara sauce in the microwave. Thus, an upscale pasta joint has to really wow me if I’m going to feel good about dropping my cash there. Started by the folks behind […]
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Northern Comfort
Andy Ricker Brings Thai Street Food to Portland
The smell of roasted chicken, lemongrass, and coconut curry soup wafts through the crisp December air as I approach Pok Pok. I came here a week ago for a delicious introduction to Thai street food, and now I’m back to learn more. “I went to Thailand for the first time in 1988; I spent three […]
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New Year’s Eats
The Gilt Club, 306 NW Broadway, 222-4458, $50 per person We all know the holidays are all about decadent decadence, so it’s a must to end the holiday season with a great big yummy bang. On New Year’s Eve the Gilt Club is having a special four-course dinner by Chef Paul Iwing, complete with champagne. […]
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Cruising the Spice Route
Vindalho Traverses the Map
Vindalho joins SubRosa up the street as a safe, non-ageist place to hang out in the SE Clinton Street hub that isn’t Dot’s or the Clinton Street Pub. Open only 5 to 10 pm and closed both Sundays and Mondays, it has firmly established itself as a nice restaurant where you can take your parents […]
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Happy Hours
Alberta Street Oyster Bar and Grill, 2926 NE Alberta, 284-9600, 4:30-6 pm & 10 pm to close daily, $1 Miller High Life, $3 well drinks Tons of fresh oysters and other great NW fare at this new, mid-upscale hotspot. Tom’s Sports Bar, 3871 SE Division, 233-3739, 5-7 pm daily, $2.25 well drinks This spacious and […]
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Heavenly Half-Shells
Upscale Oysters Find a Home on Alberta
Peter Hochman grew up in Chesapeake Bay, where oysters cluster like groupies at a Mötley Crüe concert. Eventually, Hochman migrated west, kicking around the culinary scene in San Francisco before moving to Portland six years ago, where he’s put his keen understanding of restaurants and oysters to good use: the newly opened Alberta Street Oyster […]
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Small Wonder
L’Astra Thrives Where it Shouldn’t
It doesn’t seem like there would be an apex of culinary delight in the building that houses Ozone Records at Burnside and NE 7th. Just out of sight from a wonder-glut of hip thrift stores, coffee shops, and the Doug Fir, it feels like the part of the garden that isn’t getting any sun. No […]
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Strip-Mall Chic
Nostrana Can’t Hide From Its Roots
Over the past year or so, the empty retail space across from Crush has transformed from the decrepit former home of discount grocery store Suebee’s to a shiny-windowed commercial palace that would perfectly fit in right next to Urban Outfitters on NW 23rd. I’ve been watching closely to see what the hell would sprout up […]
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Crash Course
I Learn the Basics So You Don’t Have To
Pie. It’s not the most complicated word in the English language, nor is the image that it conjures—a dough receptacle loaded with fruit or other filling, topped off with a dough roof. You grab yourself a slice of that sweet, buttery goodness, throw a scoopful of vanilla ice cream on top, and start scarfing. It’s […]