Nel Centro

On a cool evening a few months ago, I sat with friends on the patio at Nel Centro. Three fire pits allowed heat to drift across our table. The flames, reflected in window after window of the hotel, were sometimes three layers deep. Sheltered from the transit mall, it was a little oasis. Vines climbed [...]

Tabla Mediterranean Bistro

Since I first reviewed Tabla in 2006, it has been through quite a few transitions. There have been several chef changes, and for a while, I thought the food was average, at best. Recently, under the watchful eye of executive chef Anthony Cafiero, the food has changed.

Cafiero isn’t exactly a newcomer to the Portland restaurant scene. He spent two years with Cathy Whims at Nostrana, and then another year under

Morton’s The Steakhouse

I hadn’t been to Morton’s in at least eight years when I pulled up to the valet a few weeks ago. The last time my experience had been pretty good. On this warm Thursday evening, I was expecting a meal that would be close to the quality of El Gaucho.
Morton’s was founded in 1978 by [...]

Ringside Steakhouse

In 1994, I had my first dinner at Ringside, yet I remember the night like it was yesterday. It was a cool, crisp winter evening. I wanted to impress a date, and knowing nothing about the Portland food scene, was told it would be a safe bet. Going inside was like stepping into a steakhouse circa 1960. It was dark and clubby with deep padded booths. A large fireplace took

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Ruth’s Chris is the largest steakhouse chain in the United States. As such, it was the first major restaurant of that type to give the Portland institution Ringside Steakhouse any real competition. After it opened, I used to go now and then to experience something a bit more upscale. I enjoyed the cleanly modern, yet [...]

Noble Rot 2.0

Noble Rot has a somewhat confusing pedigree. As I understand, it was originally started by chef Leather Storrs, and received positive reviews, including from me. I liked the warm, comforting atmosphere and the limited but mostly well executed menu. In 2007, Leather left and opened another restaurant on East Burnside called Rocket. This new restaurant was known for its interesting interior, terrific patio and nice view of Portland, but the food received less than stellar reviews, and it closed in a little over a year.

Fast-forward to 2009. Rocket was still empty, and Noble Rot wanted

Meat Cheese Bread

2008 was the year Portland sandwich shops blossomed. We went from a town with hardly any decent options to an embarrassment of riches. From what I hear, more are on the way.

The secret ingredient that is setting these shops apart is the staff; they actually have a chef, and workers who are passionate about making the best damn sandwich they can. This leads to innovations that rise beyond the

Bunk Sandwiches

What I like most about Bunk is, though it has only been open for a few weeks, it’s already a dive. Sit in the back next to the stacks of bread, and you’ll know what I mean. It’s like being transported to the East Coast, where sandwich shops are a dime a dozen. The only difference is, this one is clean and the sandwiches are damn good.

Bunk was opened in late November 2008 by Tommy Habetz, last from Meriwethers, previously of Ripe. When I asked him how he came

East India Company

Downtown Portland is dotted with Indian restaurants and food carts. It has gotten to the point where, when making plans with friends, you have to make sure you all are talking about the same restaurant; otherwise some of your party will invariably end up at the wrong place. That is what happened to me the first time I went to East India Company.

Kinara Thai Bistro

It seems like there are hundreds of Thai restaurants in Portland, with little to differentiate them. Pasty noodles, dried out meat, and curry paste from a jar seem to be the norm. When I stumble across one that is actually good, I am always surprised. Kinara Thai Bistro, next to the Lincoln High athletic field in the Goose Hollow area of Portland, is one of those restaurants.

In Thai mythology, the name Kinara, comes from the fabled half-human half-bird that represents purity, mystery and excellence of character. According to their website, they have patterned the restaurant on those qualities: they

Karam Lebanese

I first took a look at Karam back in early 2005. I think it is time for a much longer review and update.

Lebanon is a small country on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean. The name is from Lubnan, the word for white, to describe the snow covered peaks of the Mount Lebanon Range. Working from Egyptian hieroglyphs, early settlers in the area made a contribution to history by developing the basis of the alphabet used today throughout the Western world.

Little Red Bike Café

I want to tell everyone that Little Red Bike Café is lousy. I want to say the sticky buns taste like cardboard, the sandwiches are no better than your average deli, and the coffee is thin and watery. I want to do this because they are crowded enough as it is, and if more people [...]

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