Favorite
To call the Sandy Hut a “new” bar is slightly disingenuous. The pie-shaped dive has pointed toward downtown like a rusty shank since 1923. But amid a development boom that threatens old haunts with mass extinction, this bar’s stubborn survival feels, well, new. The duo behind nearby Club 21’s restoration took over the Hut last year and improved only what Read more...
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A century or so ago, the Grand Avenue tavern reportedly called Nat West’s Bit House was known for rowdiness, even street brawls. Today, the tipsy townies lining that spacious bar tend to be more blithe than bloodthirsty: a mix of off-duty bartenders, be-plaided east-siders, and weekend warriors, all drawn by pleasantly affordable top-shelf quaffs (cocktails on draft, sherry flights, a boilermaker menu). And yet, a rich frisson still Read more...
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With its emerald-tiled bar back and forest-glade stained glass skylight, the Multnomah Whiskey Library’s kryptonite-hued waiting room could slay Superman with its good looks. You’ll drink in the cush environs before you take a single sip of the house’s roster of stiff but balanced cocktails, served by a cadre of crisp-tongued servers not shy with the recommendations. Possible lures: the sweet Read more...
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It may be the chic, Portuguese-style tiling on the walls, the titular nod to the Prince of Denmark, or the scrupulously sourced, ham-heavy menu—perfectly calibrated for sherry and cocktail pairings. Whatever the reason, this slinky Pearl cocktail spot operates in a Euro mode that makes you want to linger till the wee hours. Come for plates piled high with salty Read more...
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Portland, Oregon has more breweries per capita than any other city in the world, and yet it does not have a signature beer hall to celebrate the tremendous tradition of Oregon Craft Brewing. The craft brewing movement may have officially started in a neighboring state but it is universally acknowledged that Oregon redefined the craft brewing movement and established itself Read more...
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Paydirt is the lynchpin operation at Northeast Sandy’s Zipper micro-restaurant. Ezra Caraeff, owner of N Killingsworth Avenue’s Old Gold, wanted to build a bar that didn’t take itself too seriously—despite its heavyweight book of 100-plus whiskeys. The long, dark den seats 40 inside, with plush, black booths and a semi-secret, 1930s phone booth where you can expediently order champagne, Prosecco, Read more...
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This wine pairing-focused Italian eatery offers a fully annotated wine list and wine pairings for every menu item (available in both half and full glasses). Inside the calming, green-walled dining room, perfectly aligned vintages accompany Piedmontese-inspired flavors, like black-garlic oxtail agnolotti and artichoke flan with chèvre, chevril, shaved fennel and hazelnuts. Read more...
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Bang Bang brings “curry and cocktails” to Northeast Fremont. From-scratch Thai curries fly from the kitchen until 2 am, Little Dragon thumps over an intimate, candle-lit bar, and good cocktails (try the White Negroni, with local Aria gin, Suze bitters, and Cocchi Americano) shake out under $9. Read more...
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For years, finding a decent rack of slow-smoked ribs in Southeast Portland was a problem best solved with a trip up to Northeast—the quadrant that’s been the unofficial mecca of PDX barbecue. Now, two doors down from Nostrana, Smokehouse Tavern is staking its claim as the quadrant’s premier ‘cue spot. Helmed by owner B. J. Smith, the tavern has the Read more...
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Spice things up with this chic, unique, Chinese restaurant/brewery hybrid. From piquant dan dan noodles to crave-worthy Cantonese-style pork, the Asian chow’s delicious at his Rose City Park neighborhood upstart and the house beers—especially the lagers—hit the spot. Light lagers are surprisingly tricky to make (well), but the BTU Lager, brewed with Chinese short-grain rice, is clean and subtle. Read more...