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Restaurants
Welcome to the Class Cooking & Catering restaurant review page! Mark, Emilee, and I thought it would be fun to share with you our exploration of the restaurant scene in Vancouver and Portland (OK, well, maybe mostly in Portland), and maybe even points beyond. We'll talk about our good experiences here, and leave out the not so good ones. If you see one of your favorites on our list, or even one of your "not so favorites", let us know and we may add in your comments! We hope that this encourages you to try a restaurant that we really like and to have a good experience there. Happy restaurant hunting!
Our sources for ideas for new places to try are friends (you!), the Oregonian, and a very interesting website you can find at www.portlandfoodanddrink.com This website has a lot of Portland area restaurant reviews, with blogs where you can add in your two cents if you want to. There is a lot of useful and interesting information there.
We'll add to the list as we find more good places!
Hi Kim, we went to Lauro on 34th and Division. OMG it was fabulous, all 8 of us had a wonderful meal. I ordered the carrot/leek soup and the chicken tagine. The soup had a little heat to it I still am trying to figure out what that was it was very flavorful. The chicken was great served in a flat casserole very hot with lots of ingredients... oh yum! We shared a tiramisu that was light and a perfect ending. We all can’t wait to return. Thank you so much for
the work you do with your
restaurant reviews, Lauro was a HIT!
Our Current Favorites:
just wish they were open for breakfast! www.ducktaleskitchen.com
Ginger Pop (2520 Columbia House Boulevard in Vancouver near the Grand Central Fred Meyer) Strange name, but great Thai food in Vancouver. I went to lunch with a friend after Mark and friends approved the Thai curies. I tried the Coconut Milk, Chicken, Lemon Grass and Lime Juice Soup that had amazing flavors. I also had the Tofu Salad Rolls that were fresh and crispy. My friend gave the Pad Thai the thumbs-up. If lunch is any indication, dinner should be great.
Whale Spout (Rockaway Beach, OR) Our neighbors in Rockaway Beach started this restaurant and after some ups and downs they are definitely up. Their cozy inviting space is serving up some great interesting food. We love the breakfast although they also serve lunch and dinner. We tried their wonderfully light and crispy-edged pancake topped with sautéed apples and pecans along with the traditional sausage, eggs, and hashbrowns. We're looking forward to returning soon.
James John Café (8527 North Lombard Street Portland) The James John Café serves amazing breakfast and lunch fare. I liked it so much on my first visit, trying their sweet potato hash with poached eggs that I took my family back on the weekend. I had to really talk myself into trying another dish and they came through again with their Eggs Florentine and Eggs Benedict. It’s already on my calendar for lunch again, and this time I plan to try one of their great looking sandwiches filled with meats roasted on-site.
Laurelhurst Market (3155 E Burnside, Portland) We tried Laurelhurst Market on our anniversary in October. I think we may be the last of our friends to try it. We had a wedge salad that was more than the standard wedge, chicken with gnocchi, apples, pancetta and chanterelles, and steak frites- a perfectly prepared steak with crispy fries. Dessert was sweet potato pie. All of the dishes were interesting and wonderful- we’re going back soon and won’t wait for a special occasion.
destination. http://www.wineoclockwinebar.com/
vibe, this is the place to go. http://hulasmoderntiki.com/
http://www.phovanrestaurant.com/silk/
dried chilies that remained on our plate. The atmosphere is kitchy-cool. We look forward to going back to try some more chili-infused dishes.
Karam Lebanese Cuisine (316 SW Stark, Portland) We recently visited this restaurant with friends. Their meze was amazing, they make their own pitas that come very hot to the table, and they have a very large menu. We tried chicken, goat and a vegetarian dish. All were reviewed well, so we plan to go back soon.
Rising Star Café (92 Rorvik St, Wheeler, Oregon) This little restaurant in Wheeler, just a few miles south of Manzanita, is becoming one of our favorite places to eat on the coast. The place is tiny, the menu is small, but the food is prepared by a serious chef. Check to make sure they’re open for dinner. (503) 368-3990
and blue cheese. If you’re going to Walla Walla, make a reservation before you go. http://www.tmaccarones.com
Uptown Billiards (NW 23rd just north of Burnside in Portland) From time to time Uptown Billiards offers a themed happy hour tasting menu with optional wine pairing. Events are announced via their newsletter (you can sign up on their website), and recently we had their Oregon Blackberry menu. The pre- 6pm price for the 5 course dinner was $15, with an additional $10 for wine pairings with each course. This is ambitious food, pretty well executed, for a remarkably low price. Our favorites were: - a salad of summer squash, Parmesan tuille (cracker), with a blackberry vinaigrette, - brioche with blackberry jam and foie gras, - and the best dish- salmon on a Yukon Gold scallion cake with chanterelles and a blackberry buerre rouge. Wine parings were interesting but small; next time we’ll order a bottle. Remember, this is happy hour, but we had plenty of food.
Nel Centro (SW 6th Ave at Columbia in the Modera Hotel in Portland) Mark loves outdoor spaces, and Nel Centro was touted as having a good one, although we found out that it’s on the bus mall and the Max line. In the early evening it was a little too noisy and a little too warm, so we decided to dine inside. The mussels appetizer and salads were great. Mark’s steak was huge and my ravioli was good. They have a pizza oven and the pizzas look wonderful. We enjoyed a quieter patio for after-dinner drinks. After the sun goes down and the fire pits are lit it’s a very nice spot.
Andina (NW Glisan at 13th) We celebrated some good friends’ 30th anniversary at Andina. The “Causa” appetizer was wonderful- mashed potatoes infused with key lime juice and pressed into a cake with fillings. The Adobo de Cerdo (pork tenderloin) was excellent, and the Dorado (a sort of Asian mahi mahi over bok choy) was really good too. Nice dining room, although a little noisy, but this restaurant deserves the accolades it ‘s been getting. http://www.andinarestaurant.com/
Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen (33rd and SE Division in Portland) This is one of David Machado's several eateries. The menu included a nice variety from around the Mediterranean, and every dish we had was prepared well. We tried several, starting with the Romaine with Lemon, Garlic, and Anchovy (their take on Caesar Salad), Shrimp Baked with Feta and Ouzo, and Lamb with Soft Polenta. The atmosphere was inviting and relaxing. I'm looking forward to going back.
Thatch (2733 NE Broadway in Portland) When you enter Thatch you are surrounded by vintage Tiki gods, amazing puffer fish lights over the bar, and retro orange chairs. Their drinks are deceptive- they taste like fruit juice, but if you want more than one, make sure you have a designated driver. Our pupu of coconut shrimp was also above average. If you're looking for a retro experience or just wanting to add a Tiki mug to your collection, this is your place. www.portlandfoodanddrink.com/?p=911
Whoopemup Hollow Café (Waitsburg WA) This was one of the perks of gathering grapes in Walla Walla. Waitsburg is a very small town about 20 minutes north of Walla Walla. The restaurant was much more subdued than the name implies, but the food was not. The cajun menu made for difficult choices- we needed bigger stomachs. So we tried the goat cheese ravioli with fennel cream and preserved lemon, and their famous Jumbalaya. Next year we'll save room for dessert.
Autentica Mexican Cuisine (5507 NE 30th Ave in Portland) This restaurant serves Mexican food that sets the bar for Mexican food very high. Their mole is the best I've ever tried, and I've had it in Oaxaca, Mexico, which is the birthplace of mole (and going to Autentica doesn't require a plane flight). http://www.autenticaportland.com/
Navarre (10 NE 28th Ave in Portland) This restaurant serves small plates from Spanish, French, and Italian cuisines. The décor is funky and looks more like a large pantry with a few tables. The dishes are creative and inspired. We had a salad with tomatoes and peaches, a dish of lentils with Bing cherries, and grilled lamb that melted in the mouth. http://navarreportland.blogspot.com/
Happy Sparrow Café (30th and Belmont in Portland) Kolaches and coffee. Kolaches come from Eastern Europe (via ex-pat Czech communities in Texas) and are a cross between steamed buns and filled doughnuts. They're made here fresh daily, both savory and sweet. I liked the spicy chicken mango sausage and the raspberry cream cheese. This is good fast food with good coffee. The owners are charming hosts of this trendy little eatery (breakfast and lunch). http://www.happysparrowcafe.com/
Tabla Mediterranean Bistro (200 NE 28th Ave. in Portland) We had been hearing a lot of buzz about Tabla's $24 (now $28) three course deal, and of course we had to add the wine paring option! Mark had the grilled octopus with alioli paired with very dry sherry. The octopus was amazing, but in my opinion, nothing goes with sherry (although Mark swears he liked it). We tried a grilled watermelon and tomato salad, large ravioli containing an egg sprinkled with a wonderful Parmesan cheese that I'm still dreaming about, melt in your mouth duck confit, and several other excellent dishes. Needless to say there was no room for dessert, so I guess we'll have to go back. http://www.tabla-restaurant.com/
Wanda's Café and Bakery in Nehelem, Oregon. If you are on the coast anywhere between Tillamook and Cannon Beach, Nehelem is only about 30 minutes away. Wanda's has been open for many years, but we just discovered it. They have a really nice patio, and the décor is retro and really fun. They serve breakfast and lunch only. Their baked goods are beautiful and the breakfasts we've had there have been exceptional, with the best restaurant hollandaise I've ever had. It's worth the trip!
Pambiche in Portland (NW Glisan and 28th) Cuban-Creole food. We had heard several positive comments about Pambiche from clients and others, so on a very warm evening recently we tried it. We sat outside in the arcade, drank sangria, ate tostones (fried plantains), had a wonderful dish with camarones (shrimp), and enjoyed ourselves a lot. Happy, enthusiastic wait-staff, really well prepared and quite different food. We want to go back for breakfast soon. Now if they just added another bathroom… Moderately priced.
Oishi Sushi (8101 NE Parkway Dr # E2 across Thurston from Vancouver Mall) Oishi (pronounced oh-eee-she) means "delicious" in Japanese, so now we understand why there seems to be an Oishi Sushi in just about every town. This restaurant is in a strip mall across from the "big mall" in Vancouver. It's a very simple place, but they do sushi and tempura really well. If you just want a simple meal of really good Japanese food, this is a great neighborhood place. Moderately priced.
Eleni's Estiatorio This is a charming Greek restaurant in Sellwood (there's another Eleni's in the Pearl). We've been there twice and the meze is amazing. You can order dinner, but we love the little plates to share. Moderately priced.
Lapellah (Grand at Highway 14 in Vancouver) This is Brad Root's latest addition to the Vancouver restaurant scene. The food is local, in season, and prepared using a wood fired grill or brick oven. I loved the ambiance, comfortable with everyday objects serving as art. I've only been there for lunch- I had a very nice warm spinach salad and my companion had an onion fried chicken Caesar salad. Both dishes were worth repeating. I'm planning to try it for dinner soon.
Update: we went for dinner on a busy Friday night. Wow, amazingly noisy! The food was fine, but we were hoarse by the end of the meal.
Apizza Scholls (SW Hawthorne at 47th in Portland) I like pizza, and this restaurant always has a wait. We went one Saturday night and it was an hour, so we didn't stay. How good can pizza be to make you wait an hour? So recently we went again and had to wait 30 minutes, but we found out that their pizza is worth the hour wait!
Southpark (901 SW Salmon in downtown Portland) Southpark is an old family favorite that we hadn't visited for a while. We spontaneously visited for dinner a few weeks ago and were reminded of why we loved it so much. I had a pasta dish with a chicken ragu that I'm still thinking about.
Dang's Thai Kitchen (on the highway just north of downtown Lake Oswego) While Emilee is away at Lewis and Clark we often look for places to take her out to dinner that are close to campus. Last semester we went to Dang's and really enjoyed it. It's a bit upscale from a neighborhood restaurant and the food is excellent. http://www.dangsthaikitchen.com/
Hush Hush Café (433 SW 4th Ave, Portland) Great hole-in-the-wall Mediterranean/Middle Eastern lunch spot (open M-F until 7pm). The lunch special always is an immense amount of food, and their Super Gyros is great. Inexpensive.
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen (no, not Portland, Walla Walla). It's quite a distance to go for dinner, but if you happen to be there anyway (wine tasting?), it's definitely worth the visit. The menu is pan-Mediterranean- from Spain, around to Morocco, and all points in-between. We sat at the chef's table, watched the kitchen, and talked with the very friendly staff. Our meal consisted of dishes from Turkey, Spain, and Italy. Everything was amazing. Reservations are a must, so if you're going to be in Walla Walla (or want to make a special trip), call in advance. Expensive. http://www.saffronmediterraneankitchen.com/
Pok Pok (on SE Division at 32nd in Portland) serves Southeast Asian street food. The ambience is funky, but the food is great. We were very impressed with the Vietnamese chicken wings (hot wings made with fish sauce), coconut curry noodles with chicken, and the eggplant with lime and shrimp. Try the New Mexican sparkling wine- the bubbles go wonderfully well with the complicated Asian flavors. The restaurant is very busy, so be patient and have a lime coconut milk martini while you wait. Moderately expensive.
Chaba Thai- An inexpensive neighborhood Thai restaurant on Sandy Boulevard in Portland. Chaba Thai is a well loved place with reasonable prices. They serve Pad Thai of course (oh well), but other dishes are great. Low key, friendly, not expensive, really good food.
Acadia- New Orelans style food on NE Fremont at 13th, moderately expensive. We're not experts on southern cuisine and we've never been to Louisiana, but we love the food here. Low key neighborhood restaurant, great wait staff.
Trébol- Mexican cuisine on Albina just north of the Mississippi arts district. Casual and moderately priced. We went there recently on a Monday night and had dinner just about by ourselves. Really nice dining room and good wait staff. The ceviche, guacamole, and enchilada sauce were exceptional, and everything else was very good. Not a "rice and beans smothered in cheddar cheese" place, but more traditional Mexican cooking. Good vegetarian options- they take them seriously.
La Calaca Comelona (the "hungry skeleton") on Belmont at about 20th. Casual and moderately priced. We seem to be on a Mexican crusade lately. This is another Mexican restaurant that doesn't serve the US version of Tex-Mex, but regional dishes that are far more interesting and tasty. The interior is unique, in keeping with the name of the restaurant.
Provecho on Main at McLaughlin- in Vancouver! This completes our Mexican trifecta. Vancouver casual and inexpensive. The menu is simple but the food is carefully prepared and really good. They use organic local ingredients that are seasonally available. We understand that they're expanding their ~8 table dining room into the adjacent storefront.
La Bottega on Main just north of McLaughlin in Vancouver. Moderate to expensive, casual atmosphere. This is a really good addition to the Vancouver restaurant scene. Their wine specials are interesting, and you can buy their "off sale" wines for "off sale" prices plus a reasonable corkage fee. They have a really good garlicky Caesar salad (yes, this is a theme with our family) that they are very proud of. Some of the entrees can be a little underwhelming, but they're well prepared and the restaurant staff tries very hard.
Queen of Sheba on MLK in North Portland. Inexpensive, casual, and excellent. If you like Ethiopian food, this is the place to go. Very funky, but great family run place. Go with a crowd and ask the waiter to take care of you. Their vegetarian sampler is, um, searching for an appropriate adjective... No, it's not fair to describe it, just go and try it.
Swagat on NW 21st at Lovejoy. Indian food with southern (that's southern Indian vegetarian) options. Go for the buffet lunch for about $8. Great chicken makani and a nice assortment of dishes. It's funky (although being remodelled), but it's cheap and good. You can get a takeout box for the same price. Kim loves the dosas.
East India Company on SW 11th just behind the downtown Portland library. Moderate priced and nice, elegant dining room, but typical Portland casual. This is a nice, more upscale addition to the Portland ethnic restaurant scene. The appetizers aren't great, so don't judge the kitchen on their merits alone.
Chez Machin on Hawthorne at about 35th. Inexpensive and casual. The name is a play on words- we understand it means "home of that guy" (you know, that guy). Buckwheat crepes in a nice low-key French atmosphere. Large portions. This is a fun place to go and the food is really good.
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The
Reef (Boise, Idaho)
Wine
O’Clock
Hula’s
Modern Tiki (4700 N Central Ave Phoenix AZ)- A tiki
bar for foodies in Phoenix, Arizona. We tried South Seas Fish
Tacos, Cajun Ahi Caesar, Spice Shrimp Caesar, and the most amazing
banana coconut cream pie. They also had the best mai tais we’ve
tried so far (the research continues). If you’re in Phoenix and are
looking for a great meal with a tiki
Trader
Vic’s
Lincoln
(3808 N Williams Ave #127, Portland)
Mundo
Silk
(NW 10th and Glisan in the Pearl District, Portland) I
Lucky
Strike
Olympic
Provisions (107 SE Washington in Portland) is in an industrial
part of Portland’s east side. As we drove there it was hard to
picture a restaurant in this location, but it’s in a very trendy
building tucked into the docks and businesses. Olympic Provisions
is a charcuterie and specializes in cured meats. We shared several
dishes. The standouts for me were the charcuterie plate and the
plum upside-down cake. Next time, more pâté and two desserts.
Niche
T
Macarrone’s 
Ned Ludd