The food arrived on plates. Otherwise, nothing was predictable in a year when Portland dining cracked open old cuisines and fresh ideas in entirely new ways. Rigorously old-school Thai recipes went underground, Russian classics got positively giddy, and even ritualistic Japanese kappo cuisine got free-style and farm-grown. Mostly, in 2014, the best menus were invitations to plunge into cooks’ personal worlds—deliciously, without a crumb of pretension. Pull up a seat.

In This Feature:

Portland Monthly's Restaurant of the Year 2014: Langbaan

Langbaan blends the personal and the audacious into a downright addictive mash-up of Portland and Thailand.

10/06/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Chef of the Year 2014: Ataula's Jose Chesa

Ataula’s Barcelona-born chef just wants to make you a righteous spanish meal.

10/07/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Rising Star Chef 2014: Nodoguro's Ryan Roadhouse

Trained under old-school sushi masters, this zen chef remixes Japanese tradition into feasts of casual complexity.

10/08/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Cuisine of the Year 2014: Kachka and DaNet's Russian Party

With vastly different approaches, a veteran Portland chef and two newcomers to the scene are creating a people’s party you want to join.

10/09/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Trend of the Year 2014: Pop-Ups

In a city allergic to white tablecloths, pop-ups are the new special occasion.

11/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Restaurant Dream Team 2014: John Taboada and Giovanna Parolari

The gospel according to the masterminds behind Navarre, Luce, and Angel Face

11/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Best Case for Simplicity: Davenport

At Davenport, two shy dudes geek out on pristine ingredients, insider wines, and the world’s coolest glasses.

11/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Best Bar 2014: Pepe Le Moko

Where you want to be when Armageddon finally hits

11/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Destination of the Year 2014: Maurice

With quirk and determination, Kristen Murray brings a blissful Swedish tradition to town.

10/10/2014 By Karen Brooks

Portland Monthly's Best Sequel 2014: Bollywood Theater

Bollywood Theater weaves Mumbai street eats into a compelling food drama.

11/03/2014 By Karen Brooks

How to Devour Portland's Restaurant Scene in 7 Days

The ultimate food lover's challenge—a very full week-long tour of Portland's best restaurants. We dare you.

11/03/2014 By Kelly Clarke