Los Baez Portland, OR
Los Baez is a very nice,mainstream Mexican restaurant; the Portland outpost of a long-standing Salem eatery.
The interior is brand new, with a big dining room, a tortilla machine in the center, and a full bar featuring numerous tequilas, as well as two hi-def TVs with all your sport-related favorites.
The food is fresh and delicious. This is not wildly experimental, trendy cuisine…just well made and satisfying.
The service is friendly and prompt, and I had the chance to meet the manager, Ulysses as he toured each table inquiring after our well-being.
The bar features well-made margaritas, freshly-squeezed juice and excellent service.
In fact, the only flaw I could detect was a somewhat sterile ambience. The interior space could benefit from a little more attention to visual and physical comfort. We were there on a Monday though. I’ll bet ambience is a little cheerier when the space is full of happy people.
Check ’em out. Every neighborhood eatery should be this satisfying.
15-Dec-06
Rock Bottom Brewery Portland, OR
The Rock Bottom has a decent menu, but the style is a little corporate/predictable for my taste.
The service is prompt, if impersonal.
Good cocktails and wine list.
Their pool tables are pricey to rent, but the last time I visited they were smoke free...not so easy to find. Anyone been there in the last year? Is the pool room still free of airborne toxins?
08-Dec-06
Lucky Labrador Brewery Portland, OR
The Lucky is a large, shambling warehouse of a pub, that serves beer, wine, and a limited sandwiches/soup/snacks menu. Counter service comes with a serious dose of offhand hauteur. OK wine list, especially for a brew pub.
Dogs are welcome on the outside patio in the back. Also a favorite hangout of cycling enthusiasts. (Drop by in July during Tour de France coverage to see what I mean.)
08-Dec-06
Gilt Club, The Portland, OR
The Gilt Club is rather like walking into a retro hatbox, with plush booths, red everything and light fixtures that exude hipster-retro vibe. The bar is tiny, and the dining room not much bigger. The place was jumping.
Guys/gals; if you’re looking for packs of unattached, young females, they were in full evidence the Friday we visited.
The happy hour has good food deals, and a somewhat limited drink special list.
We found the service to be excellent, intelligent and personable. My burger and fries were superb--almost to the level of Castagna Cafe; almost. My date had a monkfish special, and well-prepared it was.
Fun spot.
07-Dec-06
Alameda Brewhouse Portland, OR
Big, warehouse-like space, with high, high ceilings. Beer drinkers inform me that the beer is pretty good. I’ve found the wine list and cocktails adequate, and the service hit-and-miss.
The food is a hit-and-miss, too. Stick with the basics, and you’re usually safe. Don’t eat the turkey sandwiches---you’ve been warned.
07-Dec-06
Masu East Portland, OR
The existence of a happy hour is under debate, but I’m happy to report that Masu East has exquisite decor, a unique sushi bar, superb food and fine, fine cocktails.
I tend to be wary of trendy cocktails, as they almost always veer into the sickly sweet category. I tried the excellent Tokyo Drop (involving red grapes and vodka) and was pleasantly surprised by the tart deliciousness of the concoction.
They also offer high-end sakes, far beyond my budget. Try ’em out if you have an expense account or a shockingly high income.
The food is delectable, and very fresh. The prices are not low, but at least you’re rewarded with great food for your $$. Be prepared to order more than one dish, as the portions are small.
The service was warm and reasonably attentive---we wanted for nothing. The setting was beautiful yet not stuffy, and sported a mixed clientele of families, couples, singles, etc. from many walks of life. A typical East Portland mix.
01-Dec-06
Foxfire Teas Portland, OR
An inviting space with an astounding assortment of teas. Beer, wine, pastries and sandwiches, all tasty and top quality. A fireplace and kiddy table, and reading material add to the homey feel.
They also host art shows and private gatherings. In the warmer months, the front wall opens up to a courtyard and outside tables are available.
01-Dec-06
Vault Portland, OR
When I last visited, the popularity of the establishment rather precluded good service (read: the place was packed to the gills)
It’s oh-so-trendy, so take time to enjoy the passing drama.
Once you do get your mitts around a cocktail, they are excellent. Bar nosh is good too. During busier hours, expect to share your table.
30-Nov-06
Sapphire Hotel, The Portland, OR
Go to enjoy the charming retro cathouse style. Good, value-priced drinks, and a limited food menu.
Beware the occasionally uncomfortable seating. (Try several spots until you find the chair that suits your derriere.)
30-Nov-06
Olea Portland, OR
Like the previous poster, I had to hunt to find this place. It’s easy to miss, especially in the dark.
The food is extraordinary, even if the drinks are spendy. Definitely give this place a try, as the eats are superb.
Good service, too.
30-Nov-06
Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
Interesting, eclectic joint for enjoying a cocktail. The hipster style pervades the entire property, and makes for great people-watching.
The restaurant next door makes excellent comfort food, as well as the usual assortment of bar munchies.
The bartenders make a damn fine martini, but there’s never any place to sit, given the lounge’s popularity. Me, I like to relax when I’m getting my buzz on.
30-Nov-06
Stanford's Restaurant & Bar Riverplace Portland, OR
We visited this corporate outpost once before a Cirque de Soleil event.
The boring, generic style of the place and the completely inattentive service guaranteed that we won’t be back. The waterfront offers much better alternatives.
30-Nov-06
Heathman Hotel Restaurant Portland, OR
The Heathman is a favorite spot of mine for pre- or post-event drinks and nosh. The lobby bar is the first thing you encounter upon entering, and the appetizers and drinks are good. The service is precise if a bit impersonal. The biggest downside is nabbing a table before the rest of the audience shows up.
(Rumor has it that there is a passageway between the Schnitz and the hotel that James DePriest and other performing luminaries take advantage of!)
27-Nov-06
Rialto Portland, OR
Serious pool players be warned: the lights over the tables are installed in such a way that you will tend to bash into them with your noggen when you finish your shot. Sigh. Head injuries always throw my game off.
Otherwise, the place is OK. Reasonably clean, with a full bar. Haven’t sampled the food yet.
27-Nov-06
Huber's Portland, OR
Huber’s is hands-down one of the classiest joints in Portland. It still retains its “Old Portland” style, and Jimmy, the remarkable maitre’d, never forgets a face. Judging by his political acumen, this guy should be a U.S. Senator by now.
Superior food, upscale service, and dynamite cocktails are hard to beat.
Whilst they are known for their spectacular Spanish Coffees, don’t neglect the tasty food and solid wine list.
27-Nov-06
Benson Hotel, The Portland, OR
The Benson lobby bar offers swanky, old-school ambience, and an free assortment of bar nosh that complements their excellent martinis.
Be sure to sample the appetizers available on the bar menu, and stick around for excellent piano jazz.
27-Nov-06
Marathon Taverna Portland, OR
The Marathon Taverna is actually owned by a Greek gentleman, and the place is a true, classic, Portland dive bar. Go visit to see what Portland used to be like.
27-Nov-06
DF Portland, OR
Excellent, unique take on Mexican cuisine. This trendy Pearl District location sports an interesting, minimalist décor, as well as a terrace patio in warmer weather.
Don’t overlook the topnotch margaritas.
27-Nov-06
Paddy's Bar and Grill Portland, OR
The happy hour eats at Paddy’s are tasty and value-priced, but look out for the flat tonic, all you gin and tonic fans. I’ve been served utterly flat G&Ts TWICE at this bar. Tsk, tsk.
27-Nov-06
Jake's Grill Portland, OR
Yes, Jake’s Grill has great food, and serves the finest martini in town--except of course, for the one I make at home. (My secret: almond-stuffed olives.)
Unfortunately, it does allow smoking, and that’s a big deterrent for a lot of people, myself included. Too bad: I’d visit Jake’s once and a while if my lungs weren’t under attack.
27-Nov-06
Uptown Billiards Club Portland, OR
A beautiful interior, with good food and drink, and a great, smoke-free venue for pool.
The big drawback? Not open early enough. 4pm is late for our usual afternoon billiards practice. Hey Uptown, please add lunches to your business hours!!
27-Nov-06
Mint 820 Portland, OR
A stylish bar, and a great place to try the latest cocktail invention. Can be a little loud when crowded, but the scene is congenial.
21-Nov-06
Laurelwood Pizza Company Portland, OR
Last time I visited, the food had gone downhill, but judging from the clientel, this neighborhood brewpub is still a haven for parents of very young children.
If you fall into that category, chances are you will find this venue a delightful escape, where parents drown their sorrows in a pitcher, and the sproggen run free and unsupervised.
Not recommended for those who are child free, or wanting a good meal in a atmosphere under 100 decibels.
21-Nov-06
Savoy Tavern & Bistro, The Portland, OR
Come here for great comfort food, a respectable full bar and wine list, and friendly, skilled waitstaff. We always have a great time...especially on those Sunday afternoons when a good bar is hard to find.
21-Nov-06
