You'll find us here every Saturday! and other Portland, OR Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Nicholas' Restaurant

The food is fantastic, the ambience is wonderful and this is definitely a people watching place. I'll write more later.
FYI - CASH ONLY!

Favorite Dish: Stephan's Chicken and the Labney platter.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503.235.5123
Address: 318 SE Grand Ave
Directions: Grand is one way - Nicholas' is a bright red small building on the right. Directly across the street from Miller Paint - which is bright yellow.
Website: http://www.nicholasrestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Pambiche

Pambiche is one of my favorite places in Portland! Although they are working on expanding the restaurant it is currently a small space so make sure to check your personal bubble at the door. That is of course unless you are eating outside at one of the bench tables. The other thing to keep in mind is that the secret about Pambiche is out so expect long waits in the evenings. Weekends are the worst but are also the best time to take in the atmosphere and people watch.

The interior is brightly colored and has many colorful paintings for eye candy. The servers are mainly young, friendly and cute. I think all speak Cuban but don’t hold me to it. The seating is cramped but well worth it as the food is fabulous. I have tried everything at least once and some more than others. One of my favorite Plato dishes was removed (Picadillo, Cuban Hash) but there are many other to choose from.

The other reason to hit Pambiche is for their amazing desserts! They are made fresh daily and although you will see a few regularly (Tres Leches), they rotate more than you realize. On our last visit they had one I had never seen before - The ‘Cuban Cigar’ (in photo). It was very chocolaty and very rich The ashes were colored coconut shavings - clever!

Favorite Dish: There really are too many dishes to list but right now I am craving the Vaca Frita (aka Fried Cow). The meat is full of flavor and very tender considering it has been char grilled. It is served with rice and beans (I favor their black beans while the hubby likes the red), maduros (plantain) and a wonderful citrus dipping sauce for the beef. We usually split this one in hopes of having room for one of their deserts.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503.233.0511
Address: 2811 NE Glisan
Directions: Located on NE Glisan off NW 28th. If coming from downtown you will find Pambiche on the left. Parking is hard to get and you may have to park around the corner but it is worth it.
Website: http://www.pambiche.com

Restaurant Name: SauceBox

The food is fantastic, the ambience is wonderful and this is definitely a people watching place. I'll write more later.

Favorite Dish: Their General Tso's Chicken is to die for. It is beautifully presented and the tast is great, nice and spicy.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503.241.3393
Address: 214 SW Broadway
Directions: Take Burnside to Broadway (South). Saucebox is located on the East side of the street (left) about one block off Burnside.
Website: http://www.saucebox.com
Other Contact: http://www.mrmumu.com

Restaurant Name: Kells Irish Restaurant

Kells incorporates several seating options. The main floor is split into two sides. The left side houses the restaurant and the right side the pub. There is additional space on the second floor for private parties and big gatherings and a cigar bar in the basement.

I love some dishes and find others 'okay'. I guess it all depends on the day, the mood and how hungry I am. For the most part Kells is wonderful. The atmosphere is great and if you are in Portland you should go there at least once.

My favorite time is during Happy Hour as you get to try some great menu items for $3.00 a plate. The serving size is perfect for us as we usually get two items and share 'family style'. We ALWAYS get the Jameson Whiskey Wings - they are fabulous and have a great Gorgonzola Cheese dipping sauce. Yummy! However they have changed them and the last two times we have gotten them - they were okay.

If you are wondering why there are folded dollars on the ceiling in the bar just hand your waitress a dollar bill and two quarters and they will show you what a little Irish Luck can do. The money is scraped off the ceiling about a week before St. Pattys and donated to the Providence Childrens Hospital.

As an FYI of great business – Kells matches the amount taken from the ceiling so for every $1.50 you donate, Kells also contributes. Now that’s great! I always place a dollar and two quarters on the edge of the table and ask the waiter/waitress "how's your luck tonight"?

Favorite Dish: I love going for 'Happy Hour' - Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm. Currently you can get any of the items below for $3.00 with the purchase of a $2.50 drink. The Jameson Wings were our favorite. Happy Hour is also available late Sunday night.

- Irish Chips: hand-cut potatoes deep fried and baked with cheese; topped with tomatoes, onions, black olives and sour cream $7.00
- Jameson Whiskey Wings: with Gorgonzola dipping sauce $7.50
Quesadilla - chef's daily selection $7.50
- Featured Sandwich: $7.00
- Traditional Caesar - $6.50
- Kells Burger with Fries: Tillamook cheese, onions, tomatoes and lettuce $6.50
- BLTC with Fries: bacon, lettuce, tomato and cheese $7.00
- Gorgonzola Spread: Baked gorgonzola with roasted onion served with fresh baked bread, crackers and fruit $8.00
- Oyster Shooters: Four fresh Pacific oysters served in shots with lemon and cocktail sauce $6.00
- Spicy Chicken Curry & Chips: Spicy red curry with sautéed chicken over crisp golden fries $7.50

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503-227-4057
Address: 112 SW Second Avenue
Directions: Kells is located downtown on 2nd between Ash and Pine. Second is one way street - Kells is on the right. There is a parking lot across the street (on your left) and behind the pub. You can also park on the street at one of the metered spots.
Website: http://www.kellsirish.com

Restaurant Name: Voleur

Voleur is located on 1st street in downtown Portland. The location is obvious if you are riding the MAX or parking behind Kells, otherwise is it not off a main drag. The restaurant was opened a few years back and they have spent a lot of time working on the interior and making it feel like a great place to socialize, eat and listen to bands. It really is a great place to try at least once and since they are off the main drag it is not too difficult to grab a seat.

As you well know I am a huge fan of the happy hour and Voleur has a great one to offer. The Chicken Satay is tender and is perfectly seasoned. They serve the two satay chicken skewers with a spicy mustard dipping sauce, however, the chicken s fabulous with or without the sauce. I live their home cut fries and the berry habanero sauce. It is sooo great and I would dip anything in it. The fried work as a nice plateau as they offer a neutral medium in which to taste the sauce. It’s really s about the sauce for me on this dish although the fries were perfectly crunchy on the exterior and tender inside. I’ve tried the crab cakes and they were okay, nothing to write home about through. I still prefer the ones at Jakes Grill.

Favorite Dish: I am all about the berry habanero sauce - YUMMY!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503.227.3764
Address: 111 SW Ash
Directions: On the Corner of Ash and 1st - near the Saturday Market area - behind Kell's.
Website: http://www.voleuronline.com

Restaurant Name: Byway Cafe

I will write more about this later but wanted to get the PIX online. Worth going to, we had blue corn pancakes and corned beef hash. Both were YUMMY!


Leave a Comment

Theme: Diner
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (503) 221-0011
Address: 1212 NW Glisan Street
Other Contact: Breakfast and lunch Tue-Sat, bre

Restaurant Name: Portland City Grill

The Grill [as we call it] is a definite place to visit whether you live in Portland or are just passing through. The restaurant interior is beautiful. Nice dark woods with large thick beams above giving an overall warm and cozy yet upper crust feel to the place. The food is wonderful and nicely presented. The service at lunch was good but better in the evening. The one thing that The Grill offers over other high end locations is its view. You have almost a 360 degree view of the city. The only thing you don’t have a great view of is NW Portland, but that is better seen on foot. Overall, I would recommend going at least once to experience it yourself. Be prepared to spend a minimum $40, but you can easily spend more.

Favorite Dish: I'm not sure that you can have a favorite. The Mahi Mahi is one to try, especially if you like fish. The Tenderloin Beef is also very good.

One time I ordered the duck. It was tastless and chewy. Maybe a bad night for the chef - regardless I have yet to try it again.

Leave a Comment

Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (503) 450-0030
Address: 111 SW 5th Avenue
Directions: Located in downtown Portland at the top of the US Bank Tower [30th floor]. Pine dead ends at the entry to the parking lot on 5th Avenue.
Website: http://www.portlandcitygrill.com
Other Contact: (503) 525-5260 [Private Dining]

Restaurant Name: Al-Amir Lebanese Restaurant

Al-Amir is located in an old 1889 brick building in Downtown Portland. The buildings exterior is stylish and grand. The entry is narrow with high ceilings and an exposed brick wall. Even with all of this space you feel as though you are dining at a friends home. The staff is welcoming, the food is fabulous and the nightlife colorful. It would not be rare to see the local girls hop on the bar and shake their groove things! Although the late evenings are a bit more exciting the day and early evenings do offer wonderful belly dancers. If you have not had one - ask MO (at the bar) for a Lebanese Margarita. They are excellent.

Favorite Dish: I don’t have a favorite dish as all is wonderful. The last time we were there they brought us a platter with shrimp, chicken and beef. It was very good. You can see a small example of the food in the photo on this page.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (503) 274-0010
Address: 223 SW Stark Street
Directions: Al-Amir is located between 3rd and 2nd on SW Stark. There is a parking lot located directly across the street from the restaurant as well as next to it for easy parking. Otherwise you can find a spot on the street and pay the meter.
Website: http://www.alamirportland.com
Other Contact: (503) 531-0546

Restaurant Name: Pho Van

Lunch is always busy and honestly too noisy to really enjoy a conversation. However, dinner tends to be a little quieter and the night lights add to the ambience. The staff is dressed in wonderful shades of orange/yellow and green/blue silks. Since Pho Van is located on a corner you have a great view of the city street and fun people watching opportunities. The interior is simple yet warm and comforting. Traditional paintings and lucky bamboo only help add to it's beauty and charm.

Favorite Dish: I don’t necessarily have a favorite dish here. I got a chicken dish that was very nice and full of garlic. Although I’m not a big red meat eater I had a bite of one of their steak strips meals which tasted great. We shared the coconut banana desert and it was good but nothing I would go out of my way to order again. Good food but I would say we go there more for the scene than the food.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (503) 248-2172
Address: 1012 NW Glisan Street
Directions: Heading West on NW Glisan it will be on your left side on the corner of NW 11th [downtown].
Website: http://www.phovan.com

Restaurant Name: GROLLA

Grolla is off the beaten path but well worth a visit. The small corner restaurant offers open wall views during the summer and wonderfully romantic settings in the evenings. The rich colors and European charm are throughout and the food amazing. I really could have licked the plates!!! The meals were fantastic and the sauces were to die for. Yum! The owners are Chris and Angela and are both very involved with the restaurant and planning. Chris comes from a Middle East background and Angela from Oregon. The two met and put the two tastes together in a way unexpected.

Favorite Dish: The last time I was there I split two appetizers [the cheese plate & shrimp dish] and the non-flour chocolate cake. I was stuffed! The meals are equally filling. Enjoy!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Middle Eastern
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 503.493.9521
Address: 2930 NE Killingsworth
Directions: On the corner of NE Killingsworth and NE 30th in the Alberta Arts neighborhood.
Website: www.grolla.net