My dad’s a classy guy and I like to think he produced some pretty classy progeny.
In preparation for visits from my dad, who lives in a city on the East Coast known for its good food and drink, I’ve made a list of upscale places to take him in our generally laidback city. To be honest, this list is a little self-serving—several places are out of my price range and I’m hoping he’ll pick up the tab.
Northwest Portland
Ten 01
www.ten-01.com
1001 NW Couch St.
Urban Fondue
www.urbanfondue.com
2114 NW Glisan St
Pro tip: Overpriced, but has some niche fare.
23Hoyt
www.23hoyt.com
529 NW 23rd Ave.
Pro tip: “A New American Tavern” doesn’t seem to really mean anything, but it’s pretty damn good marketing.
Teardrop Cocktail Lounge
www.teardroplounge.com
1015 NW Everett St.
Pro tip: It has the best bartenders in Portland. Every night, the bar staff puts different herbs, citrus or fruit into the water pitchers. One night when I called to find out what was in the water, the kind bartender excitedly informed me that it was sorrel that night, and that sorrel tastes like citrus, and that sorrel is great to cook with, and that sorrel is actually great in cream, and the sorrel would only need to be mixed with heavy whipping cread, and on and on. It was amazing.
Southwest Portland
Urban Farmer
www.urbanfarmerrestaurant.com
525 SW Morrison
Pro tip: It’s in The Nines Hotel and I once saw Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic hanging out there. It’s not the kind of place where you can ask for an autograph without looking like a prole, though.
Higgins
higgins.ypguides.net
1239 SW Broadway
Pro tip: If your parental unit is in town for business, direct them and their BlackBerry buddies here.
Southeast Portland
Bar Avignon
www.baravignon.com
2138 SE Division St.
Pro tip: It’s run by a super-friendly husband-and-wife duo that serves fresh bread from the neighboring bakery called Little T’s (they even walk it over in a wicker basket). They are never shy about chatting about their great bourbon selection. It has a casual vibe, but you could also dress up and not feel like you are out of place.
Genoa
www.genoarestaurant.com
2832 SE Belmont St.
Doug Fir-Jupiter Hotel
www.dougfirlounge.com
800 East Burnside St.
Pro tip: It has a chic, 1950s lounge feel, but don’t go when there’s a show or if it’s a weekend because it gets crowded and its too hard to hear others talk. Older ears don’t seem to block out background noise very well.
Nostrana
www.nostrana.com
1401 SE Morrison St.
Pro tip: It’s an Italian place, so get wine. The average glass price is $10.
Beaker and Flask
www.beakerandflask.com
720 SE Sandy Blvd.
Northeast Portland
Beast
www.beastpdx.edu
5425 NE 30th Ave.
Alu
www.aluwinebar.com
2831 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Autentica
www.autenticaportland.com
5507 NE 30th Ave.
The ‘Burbs
(five-0-three)
www.restaurant503.com
21900 Willamette Dr., Ste 201, West Linn
Hall Street Grill
www.hallstreetgrill.com
3775 SW Hall Blvd, Beaverton
Decarli
decarlirestaurant.com
4545 SW Watson Ave., Beaverton
Sinju Sushi
www.sinjurestaurant.com
7339 SW Bridgeport Rd., Tigard
Gourmet pizza joints
Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty
www.lovelysfiftyfifty.com
4039 N Mississippi Ave.
Apizza Scholls
www.apizzascholls.com
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Ken’s Artisan Pizza
www.kensartisan.com
304 SE 28th Ave.
Bella Gioia
www.bellagioia1.com
1134 NW Everett St.