FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Barbecue Deluxe at Smokehouse Tavern

The Westside BBQ joint heads to the Southeast with brunch, booze, and late-night ribs.

04/14/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Sensory Overload at Bang Bang

Aggressively seasoned Southeast Asian bar snacks join NE Fremont’s growing restaurant row.

02/18/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Le Vieux’s Old World Plates

The Northwest Portland eatery does justice to the classics, but needs a boost of comfort.

02/04/2015 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The New Laurelhurst Market

Chef Ben Bettinger and bartender Kevin Ludwig helm Portland’s iconic, alternative steak house; Paley’s Place chef Patrick McKee joins the kitchen.

01/07/2015 Photography by Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

New American’s Take-Out Cuisine

A new eatery from two Higgins alums strives to bridge the gap between slow and fast food.

12/03/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Sustainable Grilling at Bamboo Izakaya

After conquering eco-friendly sushi, Bamboo tackles the traditional Japanese grill.

10/28/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Three Reasons To Try Café Castagna’s New Middle East Brunch

Crackling Yemenite flatbread to cardamom breakfast donuts, Sunday mornings at SE Hawthorne’s veteran bistro just got interesting.

10/21/2014 By Karen Brooks

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Introducing Tidbit, Portland's Most Polished Food Cart Pod

A new pod on Southeast Division raises the bar for food cart luxury.

10/07/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Neighborhood Pies at East Glisan

A new player brings thin crusts and farm-fresh toppings to Montavilla.

09/26/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Early Cuts at Pono Farm Soul Kitchen

The lauded Bend meat purveyor’s first Portland restaurant needs less sauce and more meat.

09/08/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Nong’s Khao Man Gai Puts Down Roots

Karen Brooks explores coconut soft serve and “chicken squeezing” at the Thai wonder’s new brick and mortar.

07/29/2014 By Karen Brooks

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Swank & Swine, Daniel Mondok’s Next Act

The celebrated Sel Gris chef returns to Portland’s restaurant arena with mixed results.

07/22/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Bier and Brats at Stammtisch

Food takes center stage at a new German beer hall from the owners of Prost!

07/02/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Inside Fogo de Chão

The meat-eaters at Portland Monthly headed over for Friday lunch at downtown's new Brazilian churrascaria...here's what we thought.

06/09/2014 By Portland Monthly Staff

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Wine on Tap at Coopers Hall

An early look at Chefstable’s gargantuan new urban winery: stay for the drinks, skip the food (for now).

05/28/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Taqueria Nueve, Resurrected

The much-loved Mexican eatery rises again with familiar plates and a hungry crowd in tow.

04/29/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Jackknife Bar Opens at Sentinel Hotel

Jackknife, the much-anticipated hotel lobby bar at Sentinel, opened its historic doors earlier this week with classic and contemporary cocktails.

04/29/2014 By Brooke Bass

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Broder Nord’s New Dinner

Portland’s landmark brunch spot attempts Scandinavian supper.

04/01/2014 By Benjamin Tepler

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Introducing Angel Face, Navarre's Feminine Counterpart

John Taboada’s mysterious bar project is here at last. Hallelujah.

03/12/2014 By Kelly Clarke

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Pepe Le Moko, Unveiled

The long anticipated bar beneath the Clyde Common takes its first few sips.

02/17/2014 By Benjamin Tepler