Food & Drink

Portland has a growing restaurant scene, in fact the Food Network gave Portland an award as their “Delicious Destination of the Year,” for 2007.  This award is given to a rising city with a fast-growing food scene.  So what makes Portland’s scene so special?  Well it is a lot of things!  There is diversity.  Portland has a lot to choose from in all price ranges and ethnic influences.  You won’t find many chain restaurants in Portland, that’s just not Portland.  Here we are into fresh, local and healthy.  In fact it is the most Vegetarian and Vegan friendly city in America.  But remember we have diversity, so Meat is also very prevalent on every menu across the city.

So what can you expect from a night out in Portland?  You can expect Local and often Organic meat, and vegetables from farms less than an hour away from the city.  You can expect NW Cuisine,  Asian-Fusion,  Cuban, Italian,  Peruvian, Thai, Indian, Moroccan,  Hawaiian,  Vietnamese, Korean,  American,  Californian and many other wonderful menus.  You can expect convenience.  Many of the best restaurants are located in the easy to walk neighborhoods of the Pearl District,  NW District,  and Downtown.  Lots to choose from and atmosphere to boot.  If you like culture, you’ll love Portland’s restaurant scene.

Some of Portland’s Best restaurants are Paley’s Place, Lucy’s Table,  Oba,  Andina,  Swagat,  Mio Sushi,  Piazza Italia,  Ken’s Artisan Pizza  and on and on.

The one thing I hear the most from People who move away from this city is, “We are really going to miss Portland’s restaurants.”

Portland’s Breweries

Most famously Portland is Home to Henry Weinhard who was brewing beer in Portland in the 1800′s.  Located in the Old Brewery warehouse is a trendy bar aptly named Henry’s.  At Henry’s you can get over 200 beers on tap, and the pub food is pretty good as well.  Portland is also home to Widmere Bros.  and the famous Hefeweizen they produce.  They have a brewery right on the Willamette River.  Most unique to the beer scene is McMinemin’s  Brew Pubs.  They brew their own beer on site at more than 30 locations city wide.  They don’t bottle the beer, but you can go see a movie,  stay the night at one of their hotels or golf at their chip and put golf course all while sipping their delicious brews.  Portland has more breweries than any other city in the nation and giving it the nickname Beertown and the distinction of Beervana, a “Portland State of Mind. ”

Wine Country

30 minutes southwest of Portland is the famous Wine Country of Yamhill county.  Most known for producing World-class Pinot Noir, portland has been labeled the Burgandy of America by Gourmet Magazine.  Other publications like Wine Spectator and And Conde Nast Traveler have called it the next Napa.  High praise for a region so new to the game.  There are several hundred wine producers in the region and about 6 or so AVA’s.   Newberg, Dundee & Carlton are the most popular destinations for tastings, dinners and events.  You won’t find a prettier drive than through the hills of wine country on a summer day.

Food Guides

For in-depth articles  and reviews about Portland’s food and beverage scenes go to www.portlandmonthly.com or www.livepdx.com.

Farmer’s Markets

Portland is know for their local fresh produce and meat.  Heck, it’s no wonder, with Farmland so close and so fertile.  So what’s customary for the distribution of these wonderful goods?  Beyond the local specialty stores, Portland has large and amazing Farmer’s Markets.  From East to West you can Find markets open about 8 months a year.  The most popular being in Downtown near PSU.  Beaverton also has a large Market, in fact some say the largest on the West side of the US.  This is an atmosphere where you can shop, eat and take in entertainment all at the same time.  For a list of Farmer’s Markets across the city, click here.

Food Carts

Have you ever been to a big city like new york where there are street vendors on the corners selling hot dogs and pretzel’s?  Well Portland is known for their vendors,  we call them Food Carts, and Portland has them in fresh, gourmet fashion.  You can get Mexican, Bento’s, Pizza, Hamburgers,  Thai,  Turkish Food,  Vegeterian and yes of course Vegan.  All over the city and for less than $10 usually.  Go to www.foodcartsportland.com  to find specific locations.