Neighborhood:
Brewery Blocks Ah, the difference 150 years can make. The Brewery Blocks existed long before the Pearl District become Portland’s de facto spot for posh people-watching. (read more) The West’s oldest brewery, Blitz-Weinhard, operated on West Burnside from 1856 until the turn of the 21st century. When the historic building was sold in 2000, it spawned a massive redevelopment that led to five blocks of upscale retail (the North Face and Anthropologie) and yuppie grocery stores (Whole Foods). Once a gateway drug to the neighborhood, Powell’s City of Books (1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651)—still an undisputed mecca for lit geeks the world over—has new competition in the form of celebrity sightings: P.F. Chang’s (1139 NW Couch St., 432-4000) has a rep as the best spot to watch the Blazers (the new, likable ones!) chow down on lettuce wraps. Parking is a nightmare, so unless the weather is spotless, travel by streetcar—that is, unless you live in the ’hood. With luxuriant condominiums like The Henry (Northwest 10th Avenue and Couch Street) opening on nearly every street corner, though, the rent ain’t cheap here. That’s the premium residents pay to live smack-dab in the middle of one of the city’s most bustling areas. —Michael Mannheimer.
Featured in Restaurant Guide 2008
Adam Berger’s breathtakingly beautiful restaurant had already more than recovered from its rocky launch by our 2007 Restaurant Guide, but the place just keeps getting better. Chef Jack Yoss continues to refine his signature dishes that emphasize excellent ingredients and interesting flavors over show. Don’t miss the crispy Thai-style pork ribs, a sugar-glazed, two-hands-required appetizer that’s as compulsion-forming as Whiskey Soda Lounge’s infamous Ike’s Fish Sauce Wings. A recent entree of duck breast with braised greens and wee pork meatballs leaned toward East Asia with accents of lemongrass and green onion, while a sweet corn-and-crab bisque stayed right here at home. Match the terrific food with the most elegant dining room in town after Bluehour, and you’re in for a memorable meal.
IDEAL MEAL: The Bentley (Calvados and Dubonnet, served up with a lemon twist), Thai-style pork ribs, lamb chops with goat cheese gnocchi, flourless chocolate cake with sage ice cream.
Ben Waterhouse
