The Portland restaurant scene is exploding with a wide variety of restaurants. From Le Pigeon to Pok Pok there is something for everyone.
Paley’s Place has been going strong in the Portland restaurant scene for close to 15 years. Understated and classic, European born and trained chef Vitaly Paley marries the best of NW ingredients like wild chanterelle mushrooms and local organic berries with white table cloth old world refinement. The grilled duck breast with farro and dried cherries or the Dungeness crab melt with Oregon truffles highlights the kitchen’s talents.
Toro Bravo means the “brave bull” in Spanish, and Toro’s tapas focused menu features both traditional foods and wonderfully inspired original riffs. Grilled bacon wrapped dates with warm honey, spicy octopus and prawn stew and textbook paellas capture the spirit, high energy and diverse cuisines of Spain.
Le Pigeon is Portland’s “bad boy” French restaurant, and is a little bit Francophile, a little bit rock and roll with things like Beef Cheek Bourguignon and Foie Gras Pot au Feu. Try Le Pigeon’s signature dessert; – cornbread cake with bacon, served with maple ice cream.
Chef Cathy Whims of Nostrana is one of the pioneering chefs in the Portland restaurant scene, and runs one of the most authentic Italian dining rooms in the City. The wood fired pizzas are classic Naples, while other dishes like Idaho ruby trout with raisins and rosemary or gnocchi with pork ragu capture both Venetian and Tuscan influences. Nostrana’s Italian focused wine list is outstanding.
Portland is located on the Pacific Rim, and the city offers a plethora of excellent Portland restaurants with Asian flare. For both the highest quality and most innovative sushi in town, take the streetcar down NW 10th ave. to the hidden gem in the Portland restaurant scene, Hiroshi Sushi. Fresh fish reigns supreme here, with A+ quality traditional sushi choices alongside things like quick torched buri yellowtail belly sashimi, mountain yam and tuna tartar, or a sea urchin and scallop mille fleur with ginko nut sauce.
For an entirely different, but no less authentic Japanese experience, Biwa offers the Japanese pub grub known as Izakaya cuisine as well as house made noodle dishes like Tonkastu ramen or udon. Everything at Biwa is top notch, featuring locally produced tofu, organic beef and other meats. Even the Japanese pickles are made on the premises. For truly authentic Thai food rarely found in the U.S., go to Portland’s temple of Thai – Pok Pok and Whiskey Soda Lounge. Inspired by the countless delicious street stands of Siam, try Pok-Pok’s roasted game hen, spicy stir fried crab, or a perfect northern Thai Khao Soi coconut curry noodle soup.