Blue Moon Portland, OR
Although not my first choice, if it's a warm day and I find myself in the neighborhood, I'll stop in for a big basket of cajun tater tots and a pint of Ruby. In typical McMenamin's service style, it will take 1.5 hours to accomplish.
12-Feb-08
Saburo's Sushi House Portland, OR
Lots of people love Saburo's. I am not one of them. The fish is average at best and the over-sized rolls are difficult to eat. They fall apart easily and look unappealing on the plate. Sushi should be as much a visual treat as it is a tasty meal. Saburo's can keep their giant messes, I'll happily pay a little more for artfully crafted nigiri made from exceptionally fresh fish.
12-Feb-08
Green Room, The Portland, OR
The Green Room has some of the best BBQ in Portland. They have a wide variety of house-made sauces to choose from. The bartenders are great and jovial. They have a tiny patio in the back that is a little cramped, but a good escape from the smoke.
However, I'm not a fan of their entertainment and always try to leave before it begins.
12-Feb-08
Old Town Pizza Portland, OR
I love all of the quirky nooks and crannies at Old Town Pizza. Many of the old building in the neighborhood are being 'restored' and losing all of their vintage appeal.
The pizza has a great, thick and chewy crust with lots of unique toppings. The staff has always been nice and attentive. Surprisingly great with big groups.
12-Feb-08
XV Portland, OR
Bar XV is a great place to have a few drinks with your friends on a week night. On the weekends, it gets infested with an unsavory clientèle. Their food is always tasty and their house drinks are great! Try the XV cc.
12-Feb-08
East Chinatown Lounge Portland, OR
East has a great pan-Asian influenced menu and the best part is that it lasts until 8! The house drinks are tasty and the seating is fun. Get out before the DJ's arrive because after that, it gets too loud for conversations.
12-Feb-08
Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Portland, OR
Dan & Louis may be a Portland institution, but it is one that I don't want to participate in. I have never made it to HH, but both times I have been here for dinner, I have had lackluster meals that I paid a pretty penny for. On my last visit, my halibut was chewy and dried out.
Maybe the oysters are good?
12-Feb-08
Tiga Portland, OR
Tiga is a surprisingly nice and small local bar. Their taps were few, but all stocked with excellent local microbrews.
12-Feb-08
Rontoms Portland, OR
I have been to Rontoms approximately 5-6 times for assorted social events and have never had an enjoyable experience. The food is overpriced at $3; teeny, tiny portions and unforgivably bland. It is a terrible place for groups larger than 5 because the mid-century modern furniture doesn't allow for many people to sit near each other. Having conversations is next to impossible because the vaulted ceilings amplify the sound, making it very loud. Pay with cash because double charging on credit cards is not uncommon during busy times.
12-Feb-08
Lompoc Fifth Quadrant Portland, OR
The Quadrant is much better than their NW 23rd location in every way - Better service, better seating, nicer patio, and less smoky. Tasty beers.
12-Feb-08
Yur's Portland, OR
I miss Yur's old Mexican food menu. Now all they serve is disgusting, previously-frozen then deep-fried food products. The only positive is that they make a stiff drink. I also miss the free jukebox.
12-Feb-08
Slabtown Portland, OR
I don't think I could step foot in Slabtown if I wasn't already drunk. The food is typically deep-fried bar fare.
Beware of the scary bathrooms!
12-Feb-08
Basta's Trattoria Portland, OR
I almost don't want to write this for fear they will become more popular, but Basta's is a secret gem. While other people cram into crowded bars closer, I always have HH at Basta's before seeing a movie at Cinema 21. The sparse menu may be slight, but is always consistent and top quality. If you love Italian wine, Basta's has the best Italian wine list, hands down. The house cocktails are fun and tasty. Unfortunately they have limited beer taps, but they always have a nice variety of local micro-brews.
12-Feb-08
Sushi Land Portland, OR
I was so excited to have a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in the Pearl when Sushi Land first opened. Boy, was I severely disappointed! The fish was poorly frozen or old. If you can't identify salmon by it's color, it is not fresh. The cuts of fish were razor thin, too. I will never eat here again.
10-Feb-08
Life of Riley Tavern Portland, OR
Life of Riley has slowly turned itself into a dependable tavern. The food has increasingly improved and the beer selection always carries a few surprises. It may not be the cheapest, but it is a reliable and enjoyable bar.
10-Feb-08
Henry's 12th Street Tavern Portland, OR
Henry's has an awe-inspiring beer selection and really good food at really inexpensive prices. The downsides are the negligence of the wait staff and the clientèle. If it were not so crowded, it wouldn't be such a problem, but I solve both of these issues by sitting at the bar. The bar also has an ultra neat chiller built into the top to set your beer and keep it cool!
10-Feb-08
Camellia Lounge Portland, OR
The 'Trubble' teas are delicious! The tea infused cocktails are very inventive and a wonderful change from your run of the mill martini bar. Wonderful, if harried, wait staff makes for a nice place to hide in the Pearl.
10-Feb-08
Jake's Famous Crawfish Portland, OR
Jake's has an excellent happy hour food menu and the bartender's make a dependable cocktail. However, their beer selection is severely lacking. During the summer, they have wonderful sidewalk tables, but they fill up quickly.
10-Feb-08
Mama Mia Portland, OR
I've been to Mamma Mia several times for happy hour and have enjoyed the experience every time. The food is filling and satisfying, if not adventurous and the drinks have always been well prepared. My only complaint is the cramped bar quarters. They should put the bar against the wall to expand the space.
10-Feb-08
Red Star Portland, OR
Red Star has amazing truffle oil french fries! Their bartenders have been inconsistent in the past. The quality of the ingredients and the giant comfy booths are their best assets.
10-Feb-08
Rock Bottom Brewery Portland, OR
Rock Bottom is a chain restaurant posing as a local brewery. The food has never been bad, but their beer just doesn't stand up to the many real local breweries.
10-Feb-08
Alessandro's Restaurant Portland, OR
I have tried them on multiple occasions and have always found Allessandro's food to be greasy and ill prepared.
10-Feb-08
